All We Are Saying - The Iran Deal

(Courtesy of Steve Sack/www.cagle.com)

Watch for all the posturing that we are bound to see;

Congress members covering their butts politically

When a vote that's veto proof for dealing with Iran

Comes up, though not one of them has got a better plan.

They'll make lots of empty threats about what they would do

If they'd been negotiating, arguing, in lieu

Of agreement with the Russians, Chinese, Germans, Brits

They'd have made Iran comply or blown the place to bits.

I, for one, prefer that we should take a chance on peace

Hoping that, in 10 years time, Iran will choose to cease

Working towards a weapon but, until somebody tries,

We miss any chance to forge a lasting compromise.

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.

Take The Deal

The former Persian Empire. (Map/Courtesy of parsaworld.com)

Picture us a thousand years from now - if we're still here -

Former super power which the world regards with fear,

Being forced to let some other countries tell us how

We should act... That's how Iranians are feeling now. 

Judging by the shouting overheard when parties meet

What John Kerry got them to concede was quite a feat.

Now their Ayatollah and our Congress must agree,

Meaning that the deal is far from done, if you ask me.

I hope they don't blow it; it's the best we're gonna get.

If positions were reversed, I think it's safe to bet

In a thousand years from now, should we decline and fall,

Countries would be lucky if we made a deal at all.

Lines In The Sand

The Middle East and northern Africa circa 1914. (Courtesy of/www.clas.ufl.edu)

Middle Eastern borders, once imposed, are breaking down.

Saudi forces bombed another Northern Yemen town.

Libya has splintered; there are Syrians "in hell."

I can't name a single country where it's going well.

ISIL's killing refugees who've fled from Palestine.

It's not safe no matter where you draw some borderline.

Mix religion, history and tribal loyalties

And you get a situation where no side agrees.

I predict it won't get better 'til it's gotten worse

Meanwhile, we're the common enemy that many curse.

Every time we pick a side we make the others mad,

Angering established allies we might once have had.

 

We aren't winning hearts and minds and I have little doubt

Only if the countries in the region sort it out

Will they make a peace that has a chance of being kept.

Wish we'd thought of consequences there before we leapt.

Netanyahu's Demands

Israel's demanding that we do not sign a deal

With Iran.  It's no surprise that's how Israelis feel.

Netanyahu says the deal's an "existential threat"

Even though 6 nations think that it's the best we'll get.

Israel is rumored to hold stock-piles of their own;

Since they've never granted an inspection it's unknown

Just how many they now have - how many they can make.

Frankly, this hypocrisy is getting hard to take.

Nations shouldn't make demands when they are also wrong

So, although the ties between our countries are still strong,

Bibi needs to tone it down; stop acting like a jerk.

He's got troubles right at home that sure could use some work.

Keep Congress Out Of Iran

With the framework for a way of dealing with Iran

President Obama's busy talking up the plan,

Saying that the deal's the best one that we're gonna get...

He has not convinced U.S. Republicans quite yet.

He can keep on talking but it won't do any good.

They insist they want to vote but I don't think they should.

If Barack Obama were to say the sky is up

Would there be Republicans in disagreement? Yup.

I don't trust they won't be playing petty politics

And it's too important that this new agreement sticks.

If we don't give peace a chance - don't trust and verify -

We could watch a chance to re-engage Iran slip by.

47 Senators have made their feelings known;

Give them all a chance to vote and this deal will be blown.

Let Obama do his job and try diplomacy,

Speaking with one voice on Middle Eastern policy.

Damned If We Do...

(Courtesy of/http://pretmetmohammed.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/pmm-shia-sunni.jpg)

Reformations are not pretty (that's to say the least.)

Look at the example now throughout the Middle East.

Muslims, having splintered into multitudes of sects,

Each of them interpreting the same religious texts

Do not trust each other well enough to compromise;

Ancient grievances behind the chaos on the rise.

Every time we've intervened we've just made matters worse.

Every time that someone dies it's us the mullahs curse.

Time we let Islamic leaders deal with their own crap;

We should stick to wiping ISIL forces off the map.

There's no winning strategy to fight religious wars.

All that we'll accomplish is to die on foreign shores.

Failing in Yemen

(Courtesy of/news.yahoo.com)

No one wants to say that Yemen's failing as a state

But the situation on the ground ain't looking great.

President has fled the country; Houthis hold the streets...

I'd say the criteria for failing's one it meets.

Saudis and Iranians engaged in proxy war;

Former leaders want to loot the country even more.

Sunni fighting Shia with al Qaeda in the mix

Yemen's problems may yet prove impossible to fix.

On the brink of civil war - the final coffin nail -

What else would you call this if it's not an epic fail?

U.S. forces left already; writing's on the wall

As another sign of Arab Spring becomes its Fall.

An Open Letter to the Leaders of the GOP

47 Senators have written to Iran

In an effort bent on sabotaging any plan

We are still negotiating - don't yet have a deal -

Threatening that Congress won't give its approval seal.

Siding with the Ayatollahs (who want talks to fail)

Feels as if Republicans who signed this piece of mail

Undermined our own position with their little note

Just because they're angry that they do not get a vote.

Congress votes on treaties but the deal we'd like to make

Wouldn't be a treaty and, therefore, it wouldn't take

Anything from Congress which is, clearly, just as well...

If they ever backed Obama things would freeze in Hell.

Bibi's Bid To Congress

Bibi Netanyahu was invited to address

Congress by Republicans...  A diplomatic mess.

Many Democrats say they aren't planning to attend;

Partisan divides that may be difficult to mend.

President Obama isn't meeting with the man - 

Well aware of Netanyahu's feelings on Iran.

It's not some State secret that I'm telling out of school;

Saying the relationship between the 2 is cool.

Neither leader likes the other yet they have to work

With a guy that they're convinced is acting like a jerk.

This speech may help Bibi with elections in 2 weeks

But Israelis' cause gets damaged with each word he speaks.

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.

Carpe'ing the Diem

These 6 Iranians were arrested for being happy.

It's another sunny, pretty, Massachusetts' day.

Might as well enjoy blue skies...  Tomorrow's will be gray.

Carpe' diem! Seize the day - should you ask my advice.

Forecast says it's gonna rain.  The weekend should be nice.

I'll believe it when I see it 'cause you never know,

When you're in New England, which way winds are gonna blow.

I will rhyme the news tomorrow, when the weather stinks;

Well researched with back-up proof provided in the links.

Not today, however...  I don't feel the urge to brood.

News is so depressing lately, it would wreck my mood.

I have plans to spread some mulch or, maybe, pull a weed.

Better yet - I'll park my butt out on the deck and read.

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.

Iran - Give Peace A Chance

(Photo/www.nydailynews.com)

Secretary Kerry's back in meetings with Iran

And he's making progress as they hammer out a plan.

We'll start easing sanctions if Iranians agree

They'll shut down their centrifuges...  Then, we'll have to see.

Israel is furious; they say we shouldn't trust

Anything Rouhani says, but I believe we must.

There's no peace for Syria - a civil war that's spread;

Daily bombings add names to the growing list of dead -

Iran might be crucial in negotiating peace.

They could offer al-Assad a cushy, long-term lease.

When we isolate Iran we're cutting off our nose

Just to spite our faces; stepping on the Persians' toes.

Iran - Non. No. Nah. Nyet.

Stalled talks between the G5+1 and Iran are set to resume on 20 November. (Photo/Farsnews.com)

Iran has been isolated over 30 years.

They've become the boogeyman that everybody fears.

We're afraid that they'll enrich uranium until

They can build some weapons, 'though they've said they never will.

President Rouhani says Iran would like a deal

But we're not so sure that's how the ayatollahs feel.

Hopes for major breakthroughs stalled at meetings they've just had.

Israel has made no secret that fact makes them glad.

Secretary Kerry says enrichment must be ceased.

Some in Congress want to see the sanctions get increased;

Worried that Rouhani plans to use these talks to stall.

I'm afraid we'll try to force his hand and blow it all.

We've allowed their clerics to make demons of the West.

Some are true believers, sure...  But what about the rest?

Persia is an ancient culture; try to see their side.

If we turn the screws we'll lose, 'cause people have their pride.

Middle East Update - Making Friends Wherever We Go.

Iraq isn't better with us gone; in fact, it's worse.

Sunnis and the Shia are both fighting to reverse

Any signs of progress that their country may have made.

Now, it seems, they're wishing that our weapons systems stayed.

Sharing common borders with the Syrians, Iraq

Is a frequent target of a suicide attack.

Someone blows themselves - and others - into bloody bits;

Almost every single day some random violence hits.

Saudis are unhappy we've not played a larger role;

Don't believe it's possible that we'll achieve our goal

Of a peaceful Middle East until Assad is stopped.

Israel's not thrilled Iran might get its sanctions dropped.

Egypt's mad at funding cuts (because they had a coup.)

Pakistan and Libya are angry with us, too.

Nation building's not our strength so, once a war gets won,

We should not just walk away from countries...  We should run.

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.

Across the Pond - You Gotta Know When to Fold 'em

Israel, on Sunday, proved - again - they never bluff.

Seemingly decided that their hand was strong enough.

Syria had weapons which Assad might choose to share;

Fateh missiles - difficult to shoot out of the air.

'though they won't confirm the rumors, we are pretty sure

Israel bombed Syria - not once, but twice - to cure

Any apprehensions they were feeling towards that threat.

Were I the Iranians, I'd start to hedge my bet.

Israel's not playing 'cause, for them, it's not a game

And they've made it very clear that they would do the same

To Iran as "someone" did to Assad's weapons yards...

If I were the Ayatollah, I would fold my cards.

The 113th Congress - The Company We Keep

Is this really who we want to associate ourselves with?

Here's a piece of irony; the "Evil Axis" grew.

Guess who their new member is.  That would be me and you.

North Korea, Syria, Iran...  United States?

Do we want to join the countries everybody hates?

UN passed a resolution regulating arms;

Aimed at keeping weapons from a terrorist who harms

Innocent civilians in pursuance of his cause.

If there's a "no-brainer" than this resolution was.

US voted for it but our Senators will not

Ratify this treaty.  Seems the GOP forgot

We are known to others by the company we keep.

Evil Axis members - every one of them a creep -

Those are not the kind of people I'd consider friends.

If we choose to side with them, the GOP extends

Them an invitation; 'though, they aren't a friend of mine...

Neither are those politicians who refuse to sign.

Across the Pond - Dear Israel...

(Photo/Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty)

President Obama is in Israel this week.

He and Netanyahu haven't had the chance to speak

Since their re-elections. Their relationship was tense;

Netanyahu thinks we haven't sprung to his defense.

President Obama is a man who keeps his word.

So - although I doubt that Netanyahu's reassured -

When he says he has your back then you can just relax...

Israel has allies if an enemy attacks.

Just because we want to give the sanctions time to work

Doesn't mean Iran's a situation that we'll shirk.

Just because we think Mahmoud Abbas has got a point

Netanyahu shouldn't get his nose all out of joint.

If some nation should attack, it's choosing suicide.

We gave you the Iron Dome and - mostly - take your side.

What else do Israelis want the President to say

That he didn't say to you, already, yesterday?