A Cautionary Tale

I am not the first to see a cautionary tale

In the recent British vote in which they chose to bail

On the European Union... Donald Trump does, too.

He hopes it's exactly what Americans will do.

Donald wants to close our borders; claims he'll build a wall,

Preying on the prejudice and fears that plague us all.

And, just like in England, he makes up whatever facts

Motivate the populace which, knee-jerk like, reacts.

Now that "Leave" has won, its leaders started walking back

Promises those politicians made for which they lack

Any hope of keeping.  Voters found out much too late.

Now they're learning anger's not what makes a country "Great." 

Let's hope that Americans will notice parallels;

Realize that what the Donald's full of's brown and smells.

Let the UK be a warning; do our research first...

Not after we've voted to let Donald do his worst.

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.

Unsolicited Advice for E.U. Leaders re: Greece

(Image/Courtesy of www.bu.edu)

Greece needs bail-out funds to meet a payment on their loan;

And, if they don't get them, Greeks may leave the eurozone.

They'll be forced into default unless the terms are changed...

Now they're running out of time to get a deal arranged.

The Greek GDP is shrinking - it's down by a third -

Thus, you do not have to be an economics nerd

To see more austerity's unlikely to reverse

Greece's situation and, in fact, could make it worse.

Have to reach a compromise which gives the Greeks the time

To save their economy or you won't see a dime

For, although the Europeans won't be overjoyed,

Can't get blood from stones - nor taxes from the unemployed.

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.

A Friend In Need Is A Problem

President Obama has been trying to decide

If, by sending lethal aid to Ukraine, we will slide

Down the slope that leads to war with Russia.  In the end,

How far should the U.S. go to help support a friend?

Putin seeks a land bridge to Crimea and he'll kill

To get what he's after...  Then he'll stop.  But not until.

Putin's made that clear beyond the shadow of a doubt;

Proving sanctions on his country don't wield any clout.

He's content to wait those out - continuing to lie -

Gambling that NATO forces aren't prepared to die

In a bid to stop him from annexing more Ukraine,

Trying to rebuild the Russia of Joe Stalin's reign.

Since they aren't a NATO member, Putin may be right.

E.U. isn't rushing to join Kiev in its fight.

U.S. lethal aid will just add to the list of dead.

Let's not get involved in places Europe fears to tread.

I Respectfully Disagree

 A most excellent blog. (Photo: Courtesy of/Infidel753)

There's a blog I like to read; a recent topic: Greece

And how its new government announced that it will cease

Efforts at austerity imposed by the E.U.

Author felt that was the sanest thing the Greeks could do.

Mounting unemployment; their economy's a wreck...

Greeks feel like the E.U.'s hung a noose around their neck.

Article blames Germany (who finances the debt)

But, though I respect this blogger - whom I've never met,

That seems too simplistic to me; see the Germans' side.

Why are they responsible for stopping Greece's slide?

Germans work and save and squeeze a Deutschmark 'til it squeaks;

They don't want to finance better lifestyles for the Greeks.

Puts the German Chancellor, Frau Merkel, in a bind;

Can't ignore her voters or they'd fire her behind.

I agree austerity is not the way to go

But, do I believe it's fair to blame the Germans? No.

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?

In A Democracy You Get What You Deserve

Weekend saw a few elections held across the pond...

Politicians who would like to loosen ties that bond

European Union member nations won the day.

Tired of austerity, the voters voted "Nay!"

Half of Ukraine voted; not much turn-out in the East.

Faced with armed militias... Don't blame voters in the least.

In the West the winner was a candy billionaire.

Putin said he'd honor the results if they were fair.

Egypt held elections, too; the outcome no surprise.

Winner is a former Army General in disguise.

After leading Egypt's coup, took off his uniform.

In the region, that's not the exception, it's the norm.

U.S. will hold mid-terms soon but most of us won't vote.

By default, we'll let the special interests steer the boat

All the while complaining...  We have got a lot of nerve.

People only get the government that they deserve.

Google Won't Forget This

People throughout history have tried to leave their mark,

Hoping we'll name streets for them, or schools...  Perhaps a park.

Something that survives us after we are in our grave,

Yet we all  have made some marks that we don't want to save.

It might be a drunken photo or a careless tweet;

Information you don't want to share with folks you meet.

Something you don't talk about with people from your church...

Things that they can learn about you with a Google Search.

In the state of Denmark though, if you did something rotten,

European Union passed the Right to be Forgotten.

You can have those links removed - you only have to ask.

Google says complying is a monumental task.

If you're an American you do not have this right

So, if you're debating if it is or isn't bright

To do something that you'll later wish you could forget,

Just remember - what you do stays on the internet.

The Putin Doctrine

(Photo/Courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)

Putin is preparing to invade Eastern Ukraine;

Calculating sanctions will be worth the land he'll gain.

Europe doesn't want the Russians cutting off their gas,

Making more effective sanctions difficult to pass.

John McCain believes Obama should send lethal aid;

Which, I fear, could be the worst mistake we've ever made.

That would only give Kiev false hope we'd joined their fight

And they could depend upon our military's might.

That's not gonna happen... Plus, our sending weapons there,

Still won't change the outcome.  It's a fight that's hardly fair.

Most of Russia sides with Putin...  Russia's pretty big;

Meaning Putin wields a club while Kiev waves a twig.

Short of using NATO forces, Putin's gonna win.

NATO doesn't want a war and won't send forces in.

Any lethal aid we sent could only make things worse;

Putin's actions aren't the kind our weapons would reverse.

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.

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)

Paranoia Will Destroy Ya.

Intercepted by NSA - omg... they know. hide the weed.  (Photo/Getty Images)

To the shock of no one, we've been spying on our friends.

Bugged the German Chancellor, an action that offends

All the European leaders...  Don't forget Brazil.

NSA may keep us safe, but this is overkill.

Edward Snowden told the world how much our country spies,

Putting an enormous strain on diplomatic ties.

Lucky us - recovery in Europe's not robust -

They need us despite the evidence of our mistrust.

Doesn't make us popular, however...  Not at all.

France's President has said we've got a lot of gall.

We don't have that many allies; those we've got are mad.

Fallout from these revelations has been very bad.

Brussels has been buzzing; we have angered all our friends.

They have got a right to be.  We have to make amends.

President must put a stop to this.  He said he would...

Learned that just because you can does not mean that you should.

Unsolicited Advice for the 113th Congress

(Photo/WesternFreePress)

Here it is; the day this lunacy has got to end.

Last chance for the Congress to agree that they'll extend

Full faith and the credit to the debts our country owes.

All the world is watching us to see which way it goes.

Europeans can't believe it's ever come to this.

Such a stupid spectacle is one they'd rather miss.

Congress on the precipice and fighting at the edge.

(I would bet, in future, our investors choose to hedge.)

Credit rating's teetering and will be going down,

Causing repercussions that you'll feel in your hometown.

All of this uncertainty already took a toll.

Speaker Boehner needs to prove he hasn't sold his soul

Does he want his job so badly that he will allow

Damage even worse than what the country's feeling now?

Will he let our Treasuries become a worthless note?

Find a Senate compromise and let the Congress vote!

The State of the Union

President Obama said the Union's growing strong...

Judging by Republicans' response, he could be wrong.

I saw little evidence that they intend to try;

They seem too determined to let chances slip right by.

Never mind the fact that most economists insist

Government investment isn't something to resist.

Never mind that Europe proves austerity won't work.

They would play the Klingons to Obama's Captain Kirk.

He would like to boldly go and steer a middle course;

He could keep on talking to them until he grows hoarse.

Last night the Republicans all sat upon their hands.

Wonder if the President completely understands

He will find few partners who will step across the aisle?

GOP's decided all they need to do is smile.

I don't think John Boehner got that memo though, 'cause he

Was his party's poster boy for animosity.

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 - Elections

French voters celebrate François Hollande's victory. (Photo credit: BBC.com)

 

Very busy weekend for our European friends;

Several key elections that reflect disturbing trends.

Nicolas Sarkozy lost in France, across the pond;

President's now Socialist.  The first since Mitterrand.

Greece has also voted and they're facing quite a mess.

Parliament's divided so there's no chance of success

Implementing anything.  They'll have to try and make

Allies out of enemies... Won't be a piece of cake.

Putin's Russia's President - again.  He took the oath.

Germany and England held elections where they both

Saw that parties now in charge are losing their support.

E.U. is in trouble, I am sorry to report.

British do not like the cuts their government has made.

Merkel's in hot water for extending German aid.

Seems that Europe isn't thrilled with being so austere.

Worried 'cause what happens there effects what happens here.

Markets will not like this news, I bet... You wait and see.

They believe that those across the pond want lunch for free.

Can't blame hungry Europeans voting for a break;

But I'm still afraid they've made a terrible mistake.

Across the Pond - Europe

 

European Union's having troubles of their own;

Looks as if the folks in Greece might need another loan.

Italy is also shaky. Germany's not thrilled.

Former warm relations between countries growing chilled.

Greeks are feeling put upon - Italians up in arms.

Having common currency has clearly lost its charms.

Germany may force reforms; they have a lot of clout.

Sadly, they're not making friends by bailing these 2 out.

As the unemployment rises Germany gets blamed.

Fiscally they're in the right but passions are inflamed.

Wouldn't want to be the guy who has to tell the Greeks

They aren't finished cutting. They've been rioting for weeks.