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.

No Room At The Inn... Still?

Half of Syria's "displaced" - 4 million refugees -

Overwhelming efforts by our relief agencies

To give food or shelter; offer help of any kind.

Countries who will take more in are getting hard to find.

There's no place to put them all but overcrowded camps,

In a leaky tent and suffering from hunger cramps,

But those are the lucky ones 'cause they survived the trip;

Slipping out before ISIL can catch them in its grip...

They got past the traffickers who'd sell them off as slaves,

Weren't among the many drowned - an ocean for their graves.

Lucky them.  I bet they're thrilled to make it out alive

Only to be turned away the moment they arrive.

Dear EU; Good Luck With That

(Photo/Courtesy of english.ahram.org.eg)

As the thousands try to flee the hell holes where they live;

Put to sea upon a boat that's leaking like a sieve,

Drowning by the hundreds...  Know the dangers - do not care.

Willing to risk anything to get away from there.

If you were in their position, you would flee as well.

They've come from a situation that's a living hell.

Half the region's population is a refugee.

Many leave from Libya and try for Italy.

The Italians say they need more help from the E.U.

They're now meeting, trying to decide what they should do.

Nothing that the E.U. does will change the basic fact;

Staying in the region's the more death-defying act.

No one wants to see more over-crowded boats go down.

We can't stand aside and watch more desperate people drown.

We might stop the traffickers exploiting human prey,

But we won't persuade those refugees to want to stay.

No Room At The Inn

Lebanese authorities were forced to shut the doors

At their border on the flood of refugees that pours

Out of towns in Syria, where civil war and strife

Forces their civilians into fleeing for their life.

Millions of uprooted have escaped to nearby states,

Which has driven wages down and raised the housing rates,
Causing major problems for the native Lebanese

(With one quarter of their population refugees.)

Now, at last, they've had enough and won't take anymore;

This is not a problem which the world can just ignore.

Lebanon has done its part (and more) and so should we.

We must end the conflict that the Syrians now flee.

It's past time for all of us to take a long, hard look

At the wars we're fighting which, as People of the Book,

Seems a form of fratricide that nobody can win,

Which, in all religions, is regarded as a sin.

The Middle East - Ready! Fire! Aim!

When I hear someone suggest the U.S. get involved -

Send our military in and get the problems solved -

Treating war as if it's just another kind of game,

I can't help but think they're shouting: Ready! Fire! Aim!

Arab Spring's resulted in a bitter Arab fall;

Adding yet, more weapons to the mix can't help, at all.

There are quite enough of those, but...  Refugees need food.

Starving people with no hope just sit around and brood.

If we want to see real change and want to play a part,

Giving all those displaced people aid would be a start.

I don't want to arm the rebels - gladly'd feed the poor...

But, until we care for vets we have, don't make some more.

Dear Border States... Good Luck With That

There's been a major surge in unaccompanied children detained at the U.S. border.

 

If you've been a parent, think of how bad it must be

When the situation makes you grab your child and flee.

Kids as young as 10 have been arriving on their own;

Children, far away from home... They're frightened and alone.

Coming here because they've heard we have to let them in

And, until their case is heard, they'll get to live with kin.

That would not be incorrect and they can thank George Bush.

Now Obama's looking for a way that he can push

Legislation through a Congress that's completely stalled;

Though aware that Immigration must be overhauled,

Still they will not touch it with the mid-terms underway.

Thus, according to the law, the refugees can stay.

Tell that to the angry mobs in all the border states

Who say that they've got enough, already, on their plates.

'though they make a valid point it doesn't change the fact

President Obama cannot make the Congress act.

Dear Mr. President... I've Got Your Back

It's better than an F

In the U.S. Senate, John McCain's been talking smack.

Do not worry Mr. President...  I've got your back.

Just ignore the insults you've been getting from McCain.

No one wants a war with Russia over the Ukraine.

Experts said you've been too weak in foreign policy;

They were asked to grade you...  Sir, you only got a C.

(It's still better than the F your predecessor scored)

You're accused of forging plow shares when you need a sword.

Didn't act in Syria when acting might have helped;

Never mind that, since the days when Romulus was whelped,

There've been wars with roots and causes we don't understand.

U.S. can't impose a peace upon a foreign land.

We could help the refugees who've fled that civil war.

Situation's tragic... 'though we're helping, let's do more.

Send aid to the countries who are in the neighborhood.

This time, when we get involved, perhaps we'll do more good.

Syria - Can It Get Any Worse?

Syrian parents are living in a nightmare. (Photo/The Guardian)

Watching as civilians thrashed then died - my stomach turned.

But, I don't know what to do where Syria's concerned.

Some have called this apathy...  In fact, it's the reverse;

I am too afraid that we will only make things worse.

How much worse, you wonder, could this situation get?

First of all, the Russians have continued saying "Nyet!"

They will use their UN veto; blocking any vote

Even if there's evidence of gas, and that's a quote.

Syria is friendly with Iranians, as well...

Now that hopes and dreams for Arab Spring are shot to hell

Judging by the chaos in Afghanistan, Iraq,

Pakistan - with Yemen fearing imminent attack

Why are we assuming if we start another fight

We have any guarantees, this time, we'll get it right?

Yes, we must do something! Let's help fleeing refugees.

Look before we leap into another quagmire, please.

Syria - What Do You Do When All of Your Options Suck?

(Photo/Slate.com)

Assad's using Sarin gas - or so it would appear.

Evidence, they're saying, isn't absolutely clear.

Assad told the UN they could look but changed his mind,

Indicating he's afraid of what they're gonna find.

President Obama said that gas would cross a line;

(I guess bombing your civilian population's fine)

John McCain, and others, say that line has now been crossed

Thus, we have to arm the rebels, never mind the cost.

You can't guarantee which way a well-armed rebel aims.

When it turns to civil war, guess who the region blames.

I think, first, we need to get the Russians on our side.

Only way to do that is to prove Assad has lied.

Give AID to the countries where most Syrians have fled;

Make sure they have shelter, clothes, and water - that they're fed.

Prove guilt beyond shadow of a doubt before we start

Interfering as a country tears itself apart.