I Guess We Won't Always Have Paris

 

Trump just pulled us out of Paris...  Makes me wanna weep.

Stomach's churning and I'm having nightmares when I sleep.

Planet Earth's the only home the human race has got -

I'll be dead before the oceans rise...  My sons will not.

'though it's hard to narrow his disasters down to one

So far, this could be the worst thing Donald Trump has done.

Climate change is global. Now our country's walked away.

China's filled the role of leadership we used to play.

All the nations of the world and scientists agree

Global warming's happening.  Well, all except for three:

Syria and Nicaragua...  The United States.

Maybe we can lead the countries Mother Nature hates?

Iran - Give Peace a Chance

(Cartoon/Courtesy of  award winning artist Jimmy Margulies)

As Obama tries to sell this new, 6 Nation Plan,

Dealing with the problem of a nuclear Iran,

Members of the GOP - who want Obama's job -

Say that they could snap their fingers and their uncle's Bob.

They could make Iran obey our wishes, if they please...

Never mind the Russians, French, Brits, Germans, and Chinese.

Not one of the candidates who thinks the treaty's bad

Has a better plan than Secretary Kerry had.

They'd let petty politicking sabotage this deal

Proving that they shouldn't wield our Presidential Seal.

Given time to build some trust, plus diplomatic tact,

We could better influence the way Iran will act.

Oppenheimer's horse has left the barn and won't be back.

If Iran's determined, nothing - short of an attack -

Could dissuade them from a bomb but, maybe, this deal will

Help us solve our problems using diplomatic skill.

Hong Kong and China's National Day

China's grown impatient with the island of Hong Kong

Where police gassed demonstrators who'd done nothing wrong...

In the streets to protest an abridgment of their rights;

Unaware that Beijing pulls no punches when it fights.

Hong Kong doesn't like that China's limiting their choice

In the next election; leaving half without a voice.

Demonstrators, mainly students, peaceful and polite,

Tried to make it very clear that they don't want a fight.

They just want a vote with meaning; one that's not a sham.

Candidates who'll stand for them and will not try to cram

Mainland China's policies down Hong Kong voters' throats...

Beijing doesn't like when people start demanding votes.

China's being patient - so far - hoping this will pass.

Thinking that these demonstrations will run out of gas.

If they keep on growing though, as others join the ranks,

Let's all pray that China won't, again, resort to tanks.

Calling the Kettle Black

 D.o.J. has made it clear it isn't playing games;

Issued warrants for arrests that named some Chinese names.

5 men in their military we've accused of hacking...

Though our moral high-ground, after Edward Snowden's, lacking.

Justice claims it's not the same as what our country does;

China spies on companies and that's worse than ours was.

When we spy it's not a crime - when China does it is...

Our Ambassador was summoned.  Glad my job's not his.

Tensions are already high with us and the Chinese

Over actions they've committed on South China Seas.

Philippines and Vietnam are mad at China, too

And they wonder what their U.S. allies plan to do.

Wish we'd picked a better battle than the one we did.

After Edward Snowden's leaks blew off NSA's lid

Seems to me our outrage at their cyber hack-attack

Feels a lot like our pot's calling China's kettle black.

The Bad, Old Days

Protestors in Vietnam are angry at China.  (Photo/Courtesy of aol.com)

So much for the "new world order;" we're back to the old...

Stronger preying on the weak - where wars aren't always cold.

China placed an oil rig off the coast of Vietnam;

Chinese ships protected it with orders they should ram

Any ships that Vietnam sent out to take a look.

Chinese used their water cannon...  Shades of Captain Hook.

They believe they should control the whole South China Sea;

Doesn't matter if the country's neighbors disagree.

Seems they took a page from Putin's playbook in Ukraine;

Seize the things you want to, first - then let the world complain.

Vietnam had rioting and Chinese factories burned.

Looks as if the "bad, old days" of history's returned.

Sochi - Modern Day Bread and Circuses

Oohhh!  Look at all the pretty balloons at the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi. (Photo/Courtesy of NBC)

So much in the world is tragic - war, disease, and death.

Nations call for changes but I wouldn't hold my breath.

U.N. Human Rights Commission published new reports;

No-one paid attention 'cause we're focusing on sports.

Russia's at the center of the issues of the day,

But it's not just Winter Games that Putin likes to play.

Syria and North Korea count him as a friend.

Without his agreement, neither travesty will end.

Fireworks and "bread and circuses" - like ancient Rome,

Counting all the medals our Olympians bring home -

Easily distracted, we're ignoring basic facts;

Putin is supporting men engaged in criminal acts.

I don't blame the Russian people...  Them, I think I'd like.

I just wish they'd help us tell Assad to take a hike.

As for North Korea (if the Chinese aren't involved)

Send Kim Jong-un Dennis Rodman's drug stash...  Problem solved.

(Graphic/Courtesy of Owned.com)

Syria and the Prophetess of Doom

Secretary General of the U.N. asked Iran

If they'd like to join the talks on Syria's peace plan.

It was an acknowledgement that this won't be resolved

If the plan does not get the Iranians involved.

They already are involved; they're in up to their necks

And the fact they won't be present at the peace talks wrecks

Any chance that Russia or the Chinese will agree

To a plan the U.S. backs, I fear...  You wait and see.

Meanwhile, as we bicker over who should play a role,

Ever more civilians join the staggering death toll.

Shouldn't have to be a precondition - even so -

There's not any question that Assad has got to go.

China's Very, Very Bad Idea

With 32 million more men then women in China, the 4 guys on the end are out of luck. (Photo/www.nydailynews.com)

China's one child policy has put them in a bind;

Men are learning that a bride is very hard to find

When so many parents pinned their hopes upon a boy.

Didn't value baby girls; an unsuccessful ploy.

Yes, the population's down but it is getting old.

Seems the country's citizens - who did what they were told -

Only had a single child but, since they just got one,

Did some really awful things to guarantee a son.

Now they've got a massive surplus of unhappy men.

No one thought this day would come when they began back then?

China's changed its policy as demographics slide

But you can't have children when you cannot find a bride.

Dear Edward Snowden... Put A Cork In It

Edward Snowden, the NSA leaker, is popular in his new home town.  Photo/HuffingtonPost

China's had a Field Day with what Snowden's had to say.

(He's the guy who leaked the news about the NSA.)

He is making headlines in the papers over there

But the average Chinese person doesn't seem to care.

They know their own government is checking them each day,

Now they're asking what the big deal is here anyway?

Turns out most Americans agree with the Chinese;

Anything to keep them safe from terrorism, please.

As for Edward Snowden - he has gone too far, I fear.

Thank you for the heads-up kid, but we'll take it from here.

Time to put a cork in it...  Some secrets should be kept.

Putin doesn't need to know we know  he overslept.

Across the Pond - China and the Middle East

It doesn't take a crystal ball to know that China wants to play a role in the Middle East.

China's leaders want involvement in the Middle East.

They are welcome to a role; I don't mind in the least.

I wish them all kinds of luck in brokering a peace.

See if they enjoy the job of being world police.

We could, surely, use a break 'cause it's a thankless job.

Think we've got a deal worked out and then one side will lob

One more precondition or extension of a wall

And the treaty falls apart with no progress at all.

Syria has made the Middle East a powder keg.

Secretary Kerry has done everything but beg,

Looking for assistance.  If the Chinese want a turn

I'd say that's an offer we cannot afford to spurn.

(Cartoon courtesy of FunnyJokesandLaughs.wordpress.com)

Dear Secretary Kerry... Unsolicited Advice for North Korea

Kim Jong-un keeps ramping up the tensions overseas:

Making plans for bringing Austin, Texas to its knees,

Opening reactors, shutting down a factory,

Threatening to launch a missile if we don't agree.

Seems he wants the sanctions lifted, so he's talking tough.

If the man were rational I'd swear it's all a bluff,

But he doesn't strike me as a very stable guy.

Doesn't seem to care that we could blow Pyongyang sky high.

How are we supposed to deal with someone who's a loon?

Maybe we should send in Dennis Rodman pretty soon.

He can speak the language; he's established a rapport.

Our Marines could land him on the North Korean's shore.

Dennis could explain to Kim Jong-un the basic facts;

Talking tough is one thing, but if North Korea acts,

It will be the Russians and the Chinese who are mad

And they might arrange a swift reunion with his dad.

Across the Pond - North Korea; Tin Pot Saber Rattling

(Photo/English.teamuseum.cn)

Hear that tin-pot clanking sound? That's saber rattling.

It has grown so loud I think it's woken up Beijing.

Causing some alarm in South Korea and - what for?

Kim Jong-un's declared his country's in a state of war.

Hard to tell how serious the North Koreans are,

But I think they may have pushed it just a bit too far.

South Korea's President has said her country will

Go to war if they're attacked...  A thought that doesn't thrill

China or the Russians - not to mention the U.S.

Is Kim Jong-un listening?  That's anybody's guess.

So far it's been only words - this time - no overt acts,

And there are some hopeful signs he's finally facing facts:

People in his country are severely under-fed.

He'd be out of luck with half his population dead.

U.S. has positioned ships and bombers off his coast

Just to make it very clear; should he attack - they're toast.

Across the Pond - North Korea, China, and Russia

Kim Jong-un looks south.  (Photo/AP)

Kim Jong-un is making threats again...  The guy is nuts.

Doesn't seem to realize, despite the budget cuts,

We can always find the funds to fight if we're attacked.

Now his ties to Russia and the Chinese may have cracked.

It makes countries nervous when a neighbor rocks the boat.

North Korea's neighbors have a U.N. Council vote.

They've agreed to sanctions since the Hermit Kingdom has

Proved its newest leader is a suicidal spaz.

I bet Putin's wishing Kim Jong-un would shut his mouth;

Stop with making threats against Koreans in the south.

Let the Chinese deal with him for now.  They keep him fed;

Propped his dad and grandpa up and look where that has led.

Now they have a lunatic who's slipping off his leash.

Can't believe they didn't see this problem coming.  Sheesh!

Not as if the family tree could give them cause for hopes;

If you're planting cabbage, you get cabbages...  You dopes.

Race for the White House Looks Across the Pond

Photo credit/ Michael Reynolds, Associated Press

In their 3rd and last debate  - 2 men on a stage -

Topic?  Foreign policy, with both on the same page.

Romney sounded rational, a reassuring change...

Not like recent statements, some of which were pretty strange.

Nothing new that he would do in Syria.  Iran?

Isolating Ahmadinejad?  Is that his plan?

Mahmoud doesn't even get to visit friends in jail.

Romney seemed to say he'd give the sanctions time to fail.

Kissing up to Israel (as usual) both men

Do not plan to push for peace...  Though, if not now, then when?

Romney doesn't think that peace is possible at all.

I think that Obama has a chance - however small.

Neither mentioned Europe; jumped on China quite a bit.

(If he wins, Day 1 will be a busy time for Mitt.)

Differed on some details but, in truth, the bottom line;

Romney just conceded that Obama's doing fine.

Across the Pond - Vladimir Putin's for the Birds

President Vladimir Putin and a Siberian crane. (Photo/ic.pics.livejournal.com)

President of Russia has been busy, as of late,

Proving that he's not your ordinary head of state.

I don't mean election fraud...  That isn't very new

Other leaders do it also (more than just a few).

Not support for Syria - there's China and Iran,

Nor his taste for Pussy Riot serving in the can.

Jailing those who disagree?  Believe me - it's been done.

But his latest project?  I think he's the only one.

Putin plans to dress in white and lead a flock of cranes;

Teaching them to fly established, migratory lanes.

Can't imagine Merkel or Obama doing that.

President of Russia is a caring autocrat.

President Putin prepares for his journey south.

(Photo/Президент России)

Across the Pond - Syria and the Russians

Putin and Ahmadinejad must be so proud.

 

Really wish that I'd been wrong but, sadly, I was not

Yet another battle against babies has been fought.

Youngest victim - 3 months old - they stabbed him through the head.

Assad will not stop 'til every rebel Sunni's dead.

I cannot believe the Russian people are aware

Of what Assad's doing with their weapons or they'd share

In the world's revulsion...  Then they'd back a U.N. vote.

Russian people I have met would not sell him a coat...

Never mind the systems that the Syrians just bought.

All I can imagine is that Putin plain forgot

Russia's a democracy and citizens won't stand

For supporting monsters who have gotten out of hand.

Across the Pond - Chen Guangcheng

Chen Guangcheng says he wants to leave China.  (Photo credit: ABC.com)

Have you heard what's happening in China? What the heck?

Talk about confusing...  For, when Clinton made the trek

Over there for meetings, found herself the center of

Major controversy after push came down to shove.

Chen Guangcheng's an activist for Chinese women's rights

Who escaped imprisonment and fled.  He set his sights

On the U.S. Embassy; of course, we took him in.

That is where the problems Mrs. Clinton has begin.

Politburo wasn't thrilled the U.S. got involved

But, when Chen said he'd go home, we thought the problem solved

Brought him to the hospital - united with his wife...

Felt we had agreements he could get on with his life.

There it gets confusing 'cause, in less than half a day,

Chen Guangcheng began to claim we'd made him go away.

Said the Chinese had reneged and now he wants to fly

Out on Mrs. Clinton's plane.  What is it with this guy?

First he's blowing kisses; then he says we let him down.

Now he wants asylum; 'Can we get him out of town?'

Can't say that I blame him though for, just because he's blind,

Doesn't mean he isn't smart enough to change his mind.

Across the Pond - China

Secretary of State Clinton (Photo credit: Associated Press)

 

Secretary Clinton is in China for the week

And things could get tricky when the two sides meet to speak.

Chinese have their problems; situation's pretty tense

After a blind lawyer they'd detained climbed out his fence.

No one's saying where he is but China thinks that we

Have him hiding, right now, in the U.S. Embassy.

When you add the scandal that's surrounding Xilai Bo

(Murder allegations, wire tapping) chances grow

Ever slimmer we will get concessions from them now

As they deal with changes more profound than those since Mao.

Balances of power at the top are shifting fast.

Maybe the reformers are ascending there, at last?

Either way, I'm betting that the Syrians are screwed.

(Sorry for the language there; I'm usually not rude

But, I'm so disgusted with the "peace plan" now in place.)

Think the Russian/Chinese stance about it's a disgrace.

Across the Pond - Syrian Escalation

excerpted from
Article first published as Syria Fires Into Turkey and Lebanon on Technorati.

Syrian President Bashar al Assad (Photo credit: The Examiner)

I would think that escalation isn't what was meant

After all the time and effort Kofi Annan spent

Hashing out agreements with the Syrian regime

But, that's what he's gotten for his efforts it would seem.

Now, instead of winding down, Assad is ramping up.

Should we have anticipated he would do so? Yup.

But I never dreamed he'd dare to shoot and injure Turks,

Well across the border, doing refuge aid works.

Turkey's not the only country's border that's been crossed;

Lebanese photographer was also shot and lost.

It's not just the Syrians that Assad's people killed.

I would bet his few remaining allies weren't thrilled.

How much longer will it be?  How many more must die

Before Russians and Chinese are tired of the guy?

Very clear his promises to stop to the UN

Are a stalling tactic that will fail. What happens then?