Unsolicited Advice for Mrs. Ray Rice

Watch the video Mrs. Rice.  Then, get a lawyer. (Photo/NBC News)

TMZ released a tape of Baltimore's Ray Rice;

Video that shows him punching his fiancée - twice.

Fighting in an elevator; with a mighty clout

Ray hit Janay hard enough to knock the woman out.

'though the incident was almost 7 months ago,

It was only yesterday the Ravens let him go.

Said they didn't realize how bad the beating looked.

Thought that, since police released him after he was booked,

Ray's 2 game suspension would be punishment enough...

That teams aren't at fault when players treat their women rough.

I guess girls need video before somebody cares.

(FOX and Friends believe it proves that girls should use the stairs.)

I don't plan to blame the victim - who's now Mrs. Rice -

I'd just like to offer unsolicited advice.

Any man who'd hit a woman isn't worth her time.

She should get a lawyer and sue Ray for his last dime.

New England Patriots, 0-1?

All through Spring and Summer I've been waiting for the day

Football season started... I could watch New England play.

Yesterday it happened; 'twas their first game of the year.

By the end, the reasons I'd missed football weren't clear.

'though at first it seemed that we had dominating stats -

23 unanswered points...?  The Dolphins beat my Pats.

Our Offensive line had gaping holes they couldn't shut;

Brady spent the second half of football on his butt.

Defense did no better for they couldn't stop the run.

Patriots looked awful 'neath that hot Miami sun.

(Hopefully, it's not a sign we've made the sports gods mad.)

Belichick's got work to do, 'cause yesterday was bad.

Good Job ISIL

ISIL has accomplished what the U.S. never could;

They've united all the countries in their neighborhood.

What's the single issue on which everyone agrees?

ISIL's brutal fighters must be driven to their knees.

Nations in the region who have always been at odds -

Fighting ever since the mind of man conceived of gods -

Put aside their arguments to face a common foe;

All of them determined, now, that ISIL has to go.

Maybe these alliances between them all won't last

Once this existential threat to Islam's in the past...

But, it's also possible a corner has been turned

And extremist ideologies might yet be spurned.

Now a man who'd only say "America" to cuss,

Iran's Ayatollah's, making overtures to us.

It's an opportunity the U.S. shouldn't waste.

Good job ISIL...  Thanks alot.  We'll see you guys post-haste.

Sincerest Sympathies to NATO Leaders

 

 NATO member leaders, who are gathering in Wales,

Greeted news that France postponed 2 Russian warship sales.

France has been reluctant to give up the revenue

But, with Putin's actions, it's the safest thing to do.

NATO is unhappy about Russians in Ukraine;

Angry that their missiles killed a passenger airplane;

Skeptical of anything that Putin has to say;

Worried that they can't predict how far he plans to stray.

NATO also has to deal with the Islamic State;

(Savage terrorists whose ideology is hate)

Unsure about Syria and which guys they should shoot...

Crisis in Afghanistan - election's in dispute.

Certainly no shortage of the problems NATO faces.

They will be debating if there's need for forward bases.

NATO better start recruiting now to staff them all;

That's a lot of problem spots they're dealing with this Fall.

ISIL's "Second Message to America" - A Reply

Steven Joel Sotloff, the 2nd American journalist to be murdered by the Islamic State as a "Message to America."  (Photo/mashable.com)

ISIL sent a second, brutal message to the States;

With the death of Steven Sotloff, they've just sealed their fates.

If we weren't determined to hunt down the group before

There is now no question of us evening the score.

Sotloff and James Foley may have both been men of peace

But (though ISIL has more hostages they won't release)

We are left without a choice - eliminate the threat.

Think we're doing damage now? You ain't seen nothin' yet.

'though Assad may benefit (he's fighting ISIS, too)

If they flee to Syria, the U.S. must pursue.

President Obama, get that coward in the mask...

Find a way to make them pay.  Is that so much to ask?

"Once More Unto The Breach"

(Peanuts cartoon/Courtesy of wfly.com)

Yesterday I brought our eldest back to Plymouth State.

Youngest starts his Junior year tomorrow and I hate

That the summer (though I must admit, we had a blast)

Has this awful tendency to slip away too fast.

There's so much we meant to do but didn't get the chance;

Opportunities that never got a second glance.

Lazy days of summer gone...  We're back into the grind;

Youngest will have 20 forms that must be read, then signed.

Have to mail the oldest kid the check that he forgot.

School supplies and food for lunches still need to be bought.

Have to clean the closets of the clothes the boys outgrew.

One more time unto the breach, dear friends.  There's lots to do.

Dear E.U. - When Is Enough Enough?

Tell me that Putin isn't up to something...  Look at that smirk as he shakes hands with Ukraine's President. (Photo/ibtimes.co.uk)

Russia's new "incursion" into Southeastern Ukraine

(Something they're denying but reconnaissance makes plain)

May just be the straw to break the German camel's back;

Merkel called on Putin to demand he not attack.

Europe's been reluctant to impose a tough regime

Of the sanctions that might put a stop to Putin's scheme.

He supplies their energy and winter's coming soon...

And he has a reputation as a thuggish goon.

Ukraine's not a NATO member - thus, it's not our fight.

Troops won't be deployed to make sure Putin does what's right.

Sanctions seem to be the only weapons we can use.

His uncurbed aggression means the E.U. has to choose.

Will they simply sit and watch while Putin has his way;

Flouting diplomatic rules while sizing up new prey?

Do they take a stand against the Russians' latest move;

Or, by doing little, do they tacitly approve?