Shame On U.S.

 

I can't help but be ashamed we haven't done our part

Taking in more refugees from wars they didn't start.

People fleeing terrorism, bombings, drone-strikes - death.

U.S. should be helping more...  I wouldn't hold my breath.

Even though the chaos in the region can be traced

Back to wars we started, that's a fact we haven't faced.

We have a responsibility.  Don't like it? Tough.

Yes we send a lot of AID but that is not enough.

Less than fifteen hundred refugees accepted here.

Europe's seen 360,000 just this year.

U.S. must take its fair share of desperate people, too.

Short of war - again - it is the least that we can do.

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.

Sykes and Picot Were Idiots

During World War I, the major powers drew some lines;

They decided who got oil and who got diamond mines.

Sticking to those borders, which were drawn without regard

For the locals' feelings on the subject's, proving hard.

They're the cause of "civil" wars, attempts at genocide;

Hard to estimate how many people may have died,

All because we started drawing lines upon the sand.

I suspect this isn't working quite the way they planned.

Africa, the Middle East... Religious sects and tribes;

At each others throats (when they're not out collecting bribes.)

All those simple lines they drew aren't easy to erase.

Even now we feel the need to straighten up the place.

Seems to me we've done enough; we'll only make things worse.

Rising tide of change is something we cannot reverse.

Militants will not be stopped by lines drawn on a map

But by locals who decide they're tired of this crap.

Kiss Crimea Good-bye

Situation in Ukraine is getting out of hand;

Ethnic Russians in the East have started to demand

That Kiev should look to Russia over the E.U.

Putin sent in Russian troops to help enforce that view.

All of Russia's Black Sea fleet is anchored in Ukraine;

Port was part of Russia, once, and so it might remain.

Residents are demonstrating; flying Russian flags.

Tearing down and ripping the Ukrainian's to rags.

Putin says his troops have only come to keep the peace.

So, he keeps on sending more as tensions there increase.

I don't think that I'd feel safe with soldiers in the street,

Knowing Russia's never gonna move its Black Sea fleet.

Not a lot Ukraine can do if Putin wants a fight.

He's a strong believer in the adage; "Might makes right."

Ask the folks in Georgia how much safer they feel now

8 years after Putin's troops invaded...  Yet, somehow,

All those Russian troops in Georgia didn't end the threat...

Surely that's the reason why they've not withdrawn them yet.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if Putin finds that he

Thinks Crimea faces threats in perpetuity.

Syria, Still.

Syria keeps grinding on with still no end in sight.

Civil wars are battles where nobody wins the fight.

It's the kind of war that has a tendency to spread;

Gaining new recruits in search of vengeance for their dead.

Syria is shattered - half its population's gone

And, still, the atrocities continue on and on.

There are more than 2 sides now (perhaps as much as 5)

Seems like they'll keep fighting until no one's left alive.

There are calls for intervention by the USA,

Like we have the power to swoop in and save the day.

If we have those kinds of skills we haven't shown them yet.

Plus, it's hard to get involved with Russia saying "Nyet!"

I'm not Isolationist; at least, I never was...

But I'm leery of the situation there because

Following the Arab Spring the Middle East has changed;

Focused on religion and fanatics are deranged.

Islam's in a Reformation like the one we had.

Students of our history can tell you - ours was bad.

Can't impose a reformation, can't force compromise.

Muslims have to be the ones who finally stop these guys.

Ukraine - I Hate It When I'm Right.

Police come under attack when attempting to clear Kiev's streets.  (Photo/Courtesy of Gigapica)

Kiev's Independence Square had fireworks last night;

Demonstrators using them as weapons in their fight.

Viktor Yanukovych sent police to clear the square.

More than 20 people died in heavy fighting there.

Could become a civil war if violence doesn't stop,

If more demonstrators die, or kill another cop.

I predicted this would happen in a rhyme last week,

Said it was an option Yanukovych had to seek.

He'd be facing charges for corruption should he lose,

Plus an angry Putin...  Glad I'm not in Viktor's shoes.

Russia sent advisors in but their advice has sucked.

I'm afraid Ukrainians are seriously....  ahem...  in trouble.

Russia needs to step aside, let Yanukovych fall, 

Just accept that who Ukraine allies with ain't their call.

Viktor's out of options now 'cause, either way, he's screwed.

(Please forgive my language - I'm not usually so lewd.)

(Political cartoon courtesy of artist Christo Komarnitski)

Viktor Yanukovych - Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Protestors on the streets of Kiev. (Photo/Courtesy of democraticunion.eu)

 Victor Yanukovych is the leader of Ukraine

Although, it's in question how much longer he'll remain.

Kiev's streets have burning tire-barricades at night;

Protests have continued as more people join the fight.

Most want the Ukrainians aligned with the E.U.;

Something that the Russians would prefer Ukraine not do.

Putin put the pressure on and Yanukovych caved.

Viktor said he had to; the economy was saved.

Protests broke out right away and they're still going on.

Now the calls are growing; they want Yanukovych gone.

What with all the history Ukraine and Russia share,

More than half the people want the hell away from there.

They believe their future lies with nations to the West;

Emigres from Russia think that looking East is best.

Viktor's only chance right now of staying on the job

Lies in turning them into another angry mob.

Hope it doesn't come to that, but I'm afraid it might.

Left hand, civil war - or else there's Putin on his right.

Deep in debt to Russia  (he's already cashed their check)

Pity Viktor Yanukovych...  I bet he's a wreck.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo/Courtesy of aimlesshorse.com)