Across the Pond - Afghanistan: The Karzai Conspiracy Theory

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is pointing fingers. (Photo/Telegraph.Co.UK)

Karzai said the U.S. plays an underhanded role;

Working with the Taliban (behind the grassy knoll?)

Offering assistance to extremists 'cause our plan

Is to make them beg us to stay in Afghanistan.

Karzai thinks in areas (as much as 51?)

His men would already have the bad guys on the run

If it weren't for secret plans to make police look bad.

Recently he told the Afghans they were being had.

Maybe I am crazy but I don't believe a word.

It's the most ridiculous conspiracy I've heard.

They were, once, strategically important...  Times have changed.

Nowadays, 'most anywhere's more easily arranged.

Maybe if Chuck Hagel had been killed, the way they tried,

Karzai would believe that NATO leaders haven't lied.

Taliban is no-one's friend and, lest Karzai's forgot,

There's a lot of  U.S. forces out there getting shot.

Birthday Season

Happy 75th Birthday Mom...  I hope I got your genes.

This is birthday season; we'll be celebrating 4.

We've already had 2 parties - Sunday there's 1 more.

Last night was my mother's; she turned 70 + 5.

(We are very lucky; she's continuing to thrive.)

Dad's was here last weekend and my sister's party's next.

That one is at her house because everyone suspects

That I don't enjoy the fact the party's always here;

Think I'm lying saying it's my favorite time of year.

All I have to do is cook a meal and bake the cake.

While my sisters do the cleaning up, I take a break.

I enjoy the cooking part...  I really hate to clean,

But my sisters are the best at that I've ever seen.

One is great at decorating, one at mixing drinks.

I have much more fun at these than any of them thinks.

Plus, my house is cleaner than it was before they came.

Going to my sister's home will not feel quite the same.

The other 2 March birthday girls (and a very close approximation of my Dad.)

The 113th Congress - Mr. Paul Goes To Washington

Rand Paul went to Washington and held the Senate floor...

Spoke for almost 13 hours...  Bet his throat is sore.

'though I mostly think that Paul is wrong; this time he's right,

And I'd like to thank the man for taking up the fight.

In Memoriam - Hugo Chavez (1954 - 2013)

Hugo Chavez died and Venezuela's blaming us.

Their new, acting-President is kicking up a fuss;

Said we gave him cancer - that we wanted him to die...

'though he was theatrical, I kinda liked the guy.

I'm in Massachusetts where we call on Joe-4-Oil.

Hugo Chavez, with the help of Venezuelan's toil,

Sent the people here (who can't afford to pay for gas)

Oil for free - which tells me he's not such a horse's ass.

Sadly, he has left his nation with a growing mess.

Government of 1 won't work when you're that person less.

Cult of personality is not the way to rule...

One thing I will say for him; he was nobody's tool.

'though I did not like the leaders he considered friends

I cannot forget the oil supplies he always sends.

Nothing's ever black or white, but every shade of gray.

So, for Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, let us pray.

Across the Pond - Basketball Diplomacy

Ambassador Extraordinaire Dennis "The Worm"  Rodman? (Photo/People)

'though no-one's confirmed him as Ambassador, I heard

Dennis Rodman went to North Korea for a word

With its leader, Kim Jong-un.  They watched some basketball.

Rodman says that we don't understand the guy at all.

Kim Jong-un is "humble" and a "really awesome guy."

Rodman says he's sure of that, and why would Dennis lie?

Says the people love their leader; that's why they parade.

Can't imagine that the North Koreans are afraid...

After all, what's there to fear? (Except for prison camps,

Or the missile tests that they're conducting... Little scamps.

Nuclear explosions and a multitude of threats.)

Rodman says he's peaceful; that's as solid as it gets.

Let's give a portfolio to Dennis Rodman, fast.

Who knows how much longer this diplomacy will last?

Maybe get a pick-up game together.  Putin would;

And I bet Obama could take Kim Jong-un...  He's good.

Wall St. and Sequestration

(Photo/CBS News)

 Sequestration's in effect and Wall St. doesn't care;

Dow is up as its investors look to grab a share

Of the only game that offers any dividends.

Everyday realities not linked to market trends.

Wall St. doesn't really care about the moms and pops.

It does not reflect the fact we're laying off some cops.

Doesn't care (for now, at least) if education stinks;

Isn't held responsible for what the voter thinks.

Looks like Wall St. has concluded; Congress may be broke,

But it doesn't matter if the 2 sides haven't spoke.

Industries just need to know; What will the future bring?

Now they've learned - they can't count on The Hill for anything.

There is no uncertainty in that; it's very clear

Washington will not address the problems we have here...

Here where we the people live and watch in disbelief

As the Congress gets their checks and cancels storm relief.

Not A Prayer

Catholics are leaderless; they're searching for a Pope,

Giving some parishioners a modicum of hope

That the Church will modernize...  I don't think there's a prayer

Cardinals have any plans to change pastoral care.

Nuns will stay "subservient"; their ordination's out.

Church would never let a woman wield that kind of clout.

So, despite the many scandals it has covered up

(Bad enough that Benedict stepped down and passed the cup)

Don't believe the Vatican is ever gonna change.

(I think it's the celibacy; makes your world view strange.)

'though I'm sure the next Pope is a fine, upstanding guy

I don't think reformers ought to get their hopes too high.