Smart Policing Doesn't Require Tanks

(The evolution of policing?)

President has stopped the flow of tanks to the police;

They don't need such heavy calibers to keep the peace.

Don't need armored vehicles for stupid, college pranks.

Cops are not the military...  Why would they want tanks?

Situations escalate when citizens perceive 

Local cops as faceless troops with weapons they receive

From a force that used them to attack the Taliban,

Or pursue al Qaeda ('though that didn't go to plan.)

There's a lot of surplus gear we used to hunt them down

That police will get to keep for use in your home town...

It may not be tanks with treads but there is plenty still.

I don't feel protected, though...  To me, it's overkill.

Failing in Yemen

(Courtesy of/news.yahoo.com)

No one wants to say that Yemen's failing as a state

But the situation on the ground ain't looking great.

President has fled the country; Houthis hold the streets...

I'd say the criteria for failing's one it meets.

Saudis and Iranians engaged in proxy war;

Former leaders want to loot the country even more.

Sunni fighting Shia with al Qaeda in the mix

Yemen's problems may yet prove impossible to fix.

On the brink of civil war - the final coffin nail -

What else would you call this if it's not an epic fail?

U.S. forces left already; writing's on the wall

As another sign of Arab Spring becomes its Fall.

Cancer of the Extremists

Boko Haram's pledged allegiance to the ISIL group,

Cutting out their old, Al-Qaeda allies from the loop.

Both gangs are barbaric so they make a perfect match

But it makes these terrorists more difficult to catch.

Moving into Africa like cancer that has spread:

Lots of open territory that the natives fled,

Schoolgirls they can sell as slaves or kidnap for a bride,

Room to build a Caliphate, a place for them to hide.

Drive them out of Syria or kill them in Iraq;

Doesn't matter... Tumors like these guys keep growing back.

But, as cancer patients know, that's no excuse to quit.

There is nothing we can do but keep on fighting it.

Whacking Moles

Critics are complaining that Obama's stated goal -

Going after ISIL - is like playing "Whack a Mole."

First we hit al Qaeda hard - invade Afghanistan;

Hit again when they reorganize in Pakistan.

Hammer them in Africa; they pop up in Iraq.

When they crawl out of their holes we take another whack.

'though the critics have a point, it isn't quite the same...

These moles want to hurt us and the fight is not a game.

True, these guys are vermin who we'll have to hunt and kill

And this infestation will keep spreading there until

Countries in the region put their differences aside;

Muslim leaders find a way to heal their great divide.

If they cannot pull together things will fall apart...

Still, our coalition to fight ISIL is a start.

Enemies of enemies could, possibly, be friends;

That's the only way extremist terrorism ends.

Dear ISIS... You Wanted Our Attention?

ISIS sent a "Message to America" last night;

Murdering a journalist - a sad and gruesome sight.

Foley's from New Hampshire, it's my next-door neighbor state.

Prayers go out to those impacted by this act of hate.

As for ISIS members... Guys; your message is received.

Thought you'd like our full attention?  That's what you believed?

Wanted us to notice when the A.Q.A.P.* guys

(They're the ones with plastic bombs) signed up with you? Surprise!

Although we've been thinking we should put a stop to you

You've just made it likelier that that is what we'll do.

You've been getting beaten by our air and drone attack?

What you guys may not have known is - we've been holding back.

All you've done is make us angry.  Trust me when I say

You won't like it when we're angry. You will rue the day

You got the attention of the whole United States

Who'd now like to see you bastards' heads served up on plates.

*al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

I've Got An Idea

ISIS - so extreme al-Qaeda's leaders think they're bad -

60 miles outside of Iraq's capital, Baghdad, 

Executed hundreds of unarmed, Iraqi men.

Army has to stand and fight for, if not now, then when?

I have got a great idea...  Let's give the women guns.

When we offer training, choose their daughters not their sons.

If the ISIS forces win it's girls who lose the most;

Highly motivating them to not abandon post.

Arm the female population; teach them how to shoot.

I believe it's likelier our efforts will bear fruit.

We should arm all Muslim women.  That's who we should back;

They're the ones the most at risk...  And not just in Iraq.

The 113th Congress - What Kind of Example is This?

Do we want to show the world that we'll negotiate

If the threat is big enough?  Well, isn't that just great?

Less than perfect timing (just to understate the facts)

Threaten world economies until the Congress acts.

With a common enemy the Arab street unites;

We're that common enemy - ignoring sovereign rights.

Two raids into Africa; a city street, a beach...

One man's being questioned but the other's out of reach.

Egypt doesn't like the fact we can't support their coup.

In Afghanistan their President is angry, too.

Karzai says he won't agree to sign a long-term deal

'cause we never stop to ask the Afghans how they feel.

Pakistan and Yemen hate that we use unmanned drones;

All the world is mad the NSA is tapping phones.

Now they get to watch and see our government not work...

Anyone who'd sign up for this kind of thing's a jerk.

Dear NSA... How Convenient

(Image/Bydio.com)

I've grown rather cynical I guess, because (to me)

Timing on this terror threat helps out an agency

Facing pointed questions due to Edward Snowden's leaks...

Making use of intel like their secret program seeks.

Isn't it convenient that, as opposition grew,

It's thanks to these programs that somebody even knew

Terrorists were plotting out an imminent attack?

Just a small reminder; NSA has got your back.

I don't think they've made this up; I'm sure the threat is real

(And, if something happens - Oh, how terrible I'll feel)

But, it's now a guarantee that PRISM gets the nod,

Proving that the NSA can speak, direct, to God.

Drone Strikes and Due Process

Photo/ProPulica.Org

As a former member of the military, I

More than understand why drones are authorized to fly;

Maybe save a soldier's life with less civilian loss.

No trials for al-Qaeda members? I don't give a toss.

If your aim is to destroy America then, fine;

You have just declared yourself at war with me and mine.

Am I truly horrified when innocents are killed?

Yes.  Despite the fact our troops are trained and highly skilled

People on the side-lines in a war zone tend to die;

Whether by stray bullets or a bomb dropped from the sky.

I suspect that fewer people die when we use drones

And, no matter how much that the ACLU moans,

'though we skipped due process when we killed a citizen

It was not a question if  he'd try something, but when. 

Still, it's not a bad idea if, when the next drone flew

It was first submitted to some judges for review.

The 112th Congress - Because They've Got Nothing Better To Do

US Ambassador to the United Nations - Susan Rice.  (Photo/The Telegraph)

What, exactly, is it that Republicans oppose?

Nomination that Obama has yet to propose?

Susan Rice read talking points.  It turns out they were wrong.

Now the rumors of conspiracy are going strong.

FOX News is all over it; they say Rice told a lie.

Went and spun the facts so they'd look better for her guy.

Claim she knew al Qaeda was behind the whole attack;

That her motivation was to have Obama's back.

Never mind the fact the CIA said it was them,

And forget the other Rice (the one who's not a Dem.)

This Rice had no luck at all when she went to The Hill,

Now the voice of opposition's started growing shrill.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham are sure it's all a trick;

And it looks like others may have joined their little clique.

I guess, with elections over, there's air-time to fill.

Crazy controversies give the FOX and Friends a thrill.