A Bad Week For Hillary

Hillary has not announced if she intends to run.

Even so, the week she's had could not have been much fun.

Hillary got pilloried by pundits in the press;

Just a taste of what's ahead if her decision's yes.

She used private e-mail servers when she headed State,

Breaking rules that she'd condemned in earlier debate.

Looking like a hypocrite - like rules do not apply.

When you are a Clinton, GOP expects a lie.

This just feeds their narrative...  Republicans believe

Mrs. Clinton's motivation's only to deceive.

Cover up Benghazi and mistakes she might have made;

This gives them the ammunition for which they have prayed.

I don't know why Hillary would run for President.

What is it she's won after her millions have been spent?

Criticism, controversy...  Thus, I have to ask

Why would Mrs. Clinton even want that thankless task?

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.

Marie Harf Was Right

 

There's been recent ridicule because someone from State

Said that jobs can combat ideologies of hate

So attractive to the disaffected, angry boys

Most susceptible to slick ISIL recruitment ploys.

Poverty, corruption, inequality, and grief...

Growing old until death, finally, comes as a relief.

Young men will regret that they've "got but one life to give"

When they can't foresee a future they would wanna live.

ISIL gives them promises of glory - and of pay.

Feeling what they've got to lose ain't worth much anyway

Means we'll keep on whacking moles, but our job won't be done

'til those hopeless, young men's future is a better one.

Middle East Update - Bad Timing for a Visit

Secretary Kerry doesn't seem to be enjoying himself on this trip.  (Photo/Presstv.ir)

Secretary Kerry has been in the Middle East;

Pretty awkward timing for his trip - to say the least.

Many of our "allies" in the region aren't thrilled

With our current policies and so relations chilled.

Kerry went to Cairo first; he'd not been in a while.

Next day, Egypt put its former President on trial.

Military overthrew his government and now

Claims that it was not a coup...  But I cannot see how.

Even though it's clear from all the evidence we've got,

State Department hasn't said if it's a coup or not.

U.S. law forbids assistance to a government

Which has come to power through a coup. The law is meant

To promote democracy, so now we're kinda stuck...

'though we'll send them aid, their military's out of luck.

Kerry went to see the Saudis next; they're also mad.

Feel the U.S. backed out on agreements that we had.

They've turned down a Council Seat 'cause we did not attack

Weapons sites in Syria...  Ain't chutzpah that they lack.

Any place where radicals are bred goes back to them;

They're the ones who fund those mosques and schools (which costs a gem.)

Now they're scared those angry chickens may come home to roost...

Here's an idea for you; just stop giving them a boost.

I wish Secretary Kerry luck - which he will need -

'cause the only thing on which the region has agreed

Is that the United States is, somehow, all to blame...

I guess it is comforting that some things stay the same.

Across the Pond - Syria and Russia (Still)

A Syrian rebel leader committing cannibalism. (Photo/ForeignPolicy.org)

Want to help the Syrians, but - wait...  Before we start.

Who is it we're helping?  Rebel ate a soldier's heart,

Then cut out his liver and, it seems, he ate that too.

That is not the kind of guy I want to help.  Do you?

If the U.S. gets involved we'll only make things worse;

That's unless John Kerry gets the Russians to reverse

Their position on Assad and that's not looking good...

Russia says they've caught a spy in Moscow's neighborhood.

He was found with wigs and cash and offers to employ

Someone to spy on the Russian homeland for us.  Boy...

Bet that put a crimp in Secretary Kerry's style.

Getting Putin's help in Syria might take a while.

Across the Pond - Kerry's Russian Visit

"Did you guys forget to make the appointment?" (Photo/ABC News)

Kerry met with Putin hoping they could strike some deals.

Putin kept him waiting; Kerry sat and cooled his heels.

Three whole hours Putin made the Secretary wait.

It's been 6 or 7 for some local Heads of State.

But, what else could Kerry do?  It's not like he could leave.

We need Russia to insure Assad will not receive

Weapons that he's using on his people. Kerry must

Just endure these slings and arrows; re-earn Putin's trust.

Clearly, Putin feels the need to prove that he's in charge.

Even his supporters say his ego's pretty large.

Let him win these childish games if that is what it takes.

Secretary Kerry knows he plays for higher stakes.

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.

Dear America... You're Welcome.

Senator William "Mo" Cowan, MA

You don't have  to thank my state ('though, probably, you should.)

Secretary Kerry running State? He's really good.

He's been training for this job for his entire life.

Wishing best of luck to him and to his lovely wife.

This meant that my Governor decided who would go;

Patrick picked his former Chief of Staff; a guy named Mo.

Cowan doesn't want to be our Senator for long.

Says he'll work with Kerry's staff; is bound to get things wrong...

But, it's hard to disagree with Deval Patrick's choice;

Senate-Designee provides an independent voice.

Speaks for Massachusetts; not for lobbyists or PACs.

I think that outweighs the Hill experience he lacks.

The 113th Congress - Hillary on the Hill

Secretary Clinton, faced with grilling on the Hill,

Answered questions civilly but, oh, if looks could kill...

Hillary, who's not a fan of Johnson's or of Paul's,

Might have left fresh corpses in the Senate's hallowed halls.

Paul (who would have fired Clinton), Johnson, and McCain

Focused on conspiracies and asked her to explain

Why she didn't know who killed our diplomats at first;

Pointing fingers, hurling accusations they'd rehearsed.

Mrs. Clinton took the blame but it's more widely shared.

G.O.P. would not have cut State's budget if they'd cared.

We have 20 Embassies which also face a threat...

State Department's coffers haven't seen an increase yet.

The 113th Congress - A Sisterhood of Senators?

Twenty women Senators...  I guess that it's a start.

Mustn't get excited; put the horse before the cart.

Just because they're women doesn't mean they'll all agree.

Still, I'm very glad that Warren's representing me.

She might soon be senior in a funny twist of fate.

Kerry, if confirmed, will leave to take the reins at State.

(Barney Frank would like his job, but doesn't want to run.

As of now, in recent polls, Scott Brown is number one.)

As the Senior Senator from Massachusetts, she

Steps into the shoes once filled by Teddy Kennedy.

Warren's smart; she'll learn the moves for Senate cloakroom deals,

And, like 19 others, she'll be making them in heels.

The 112th Congress - Because They've Got Nothing Better To Do

US Ambassador to the United Nations - Susan Rice.  (Photo/The Telegraph)

What, exactly, is it that Republicans oppose?

Nomination that Obama has yet to propose?

Susan Rice read talking points.  It turns out they were wrong.

Now the rumors of conspiracy are going strong.

FOX News is all over it; they say Rice told a lie.

Went and spun the facts so they'd look better for her guy.

Claim she knew al Qaeda was behind the whole attack;

That her motivation was to have Obama's back.

Never mind the fact the CIA said it was them,

And forget the other Rice (the one who's not a Dem.)

This Rice had no luck at all when she went to The Hill,

Now the voice of opposition's started growing shrill.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham are sure it's all a trick;

And it looks like others may have joined their little clique.

I guess, with elections over, there's air-time to fill.

Crazy controversies give the FOX and Friends a thrill.

The Benghazi Conspiracy? (cont.)

Lindsey Graham, Kelly Ayotte, and John McCain.  (Photo/Getty Images)

John McCain and Lindsey Graham - opposed to Susan Rice -

Went before the media to offer their advice.

Said they'd block Obama if he chooses her for State...

Personnel advice from Sarah Palin's running mate?

Both men say that, after our Ambassador was slain,

Susan Rice was wrong and thus, according to McCain,

There is a conspiracy that rivals Watergate.

They want Rice investigated... Not the head at State.

I was once a fan of John McCain's.  Not anymore.

Chose him in 2000; would have in 2004.

Not the man he was back then; now all he does is grouse.

Maybe he'd like Rice if she saw Russia from her house.

Across the Pond - FOX News and the Benghazi Conspiracy

At the next - and last - debate (my anniversary),

I would bet the candidates revisit Benghazi.

I'm not sure, exactly, what the fuss is all about;

Killers of Ambassadors are terrorists.  No doubt.

Who's behind the terrorism doesn't change the fact

President did say it was a terroristic act.

In chaotic aftermaths, in countries far away,

Sorting out the details takes you more than just 1 day.

Just like Mr. Romney's statements (his came out by noon),

President Obama may have spoken up too soon.

Monday morning quarterbacking from the FOX News booth

Claims it was conspiracy to not yet know the truth.

(You won't hear FOX mention the success of that attack

May have been related to a budgetary lack.

State Department's funding cut by G.O.P. blowhards

Means that there's less money for employing extra guards.)

One thing I am certain of - the President was clear -

We will find the terrorists who did it, never fear.

Spare me the conspiracies; I'll let the crazies rant.

FOX should interview bin Laden...  Oh, that's right.  They can't.

Across the Pond - U.S. Embassies Attacked in Cairo and Benghazi

Egyptian protestors storm US Embassy. (Photo credit Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters)

Yesterday our Embassies were subjects of attack;

Stormed the walls and tore Old Glory down - hung flags of black.

Cairo and Benghazi...  Our Ambassador is dead.

Libyans blew up his car as he and others fled.

What would be the cause for these two "allies" fighting us?

What's behind the outrage?  What's the reason for the fuss?

Seems that there's some movie that nobody's even seen,

And Muhammad comes off looking bad from what I glean.

Guy who made the movie is American and so

That appeared to be enough for angry mobs to grow.

I would say that's quite enough of this and screw them all.

Leave us out of it and kill each other.  Have a ball.

Islam needs a Reformation and it needs it bad -

Speaking from experience about the one we had.

But, until they drag themselves from ignorance and fear,

I think the United States had better just steer clear.

Race for the White House - Hillary - 2016

Secretary of State Clinton and international delegates to Women in Service Institute at Wellesley. (Photo credit: Associated Press)

Hillary at Wellesley is like Benedict in Rome;

On that lovely campus, Madame Secretary's home.

Wasn't too surprising that they're urging her to run.

In 4 years, after our current President is done,

I would love to see that too. She'd have my full support.

Something that she didn't have, I'm sorry to report.

Thought her choice of husband proved her judgment badly flawed

So, back then I chose, instead, to give Barack the nod.

On his Team of Rivals Mrs. Clinton's headed State;

Where I've gained a great deal of respect for her of late.

Thoughtful and articulate...  She's funny and she's smart.

Guess it's not my problem if her husband broke her heart

Sorry she's retiring but hoping that it means

She intends to use the time to work behind the scenes

Getting ready for a run for President, 'cause then

I'll be voting Hillary - despite her taste in men.