Archive for November, 2012
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Republican Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte have a seemingly irrational vendetta against U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, centering on Benghazi. What explains it? Well, Rachel Maddow has a fascinating theory, which Mark Karlin buys, as do I.
Here’s how the theory works:
1) Republicans are lusting after John Kerry’s Senate seat, eying it for soon-to-be ex-Senator Scott Brown.
2) Kerry and Rice are the only contenders for Secretary of State.
3) If Kerry gets State, he has to give up his seat, and Brown has a good shot at winning a special election to replace him.
4) Rice is standing in Kerry’s way, so she must be eliminated by the McCain/Graham/Ayotte trio.
In other words:
Rice Madness (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
If Obama gives State to John Kerry
The GOP’s bound to be merry:
Scott Brown can then run
For John’s seat. Oh what fun!
This explains why they’ll Susan Rice bury.
Tags: Barack Obama, Benghazi, John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Lindsey Graham, State Department, Susan Rice, United Nations
Posted in Barack Obama, GOP Humor, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 6 Comments »
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
#My2k Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Obama’s new hashtag is meant
2 help middle class taxpayers vent
Via tweets 2 demand
That their tax hike is banned:
#My2k’s needed 4 rent.
(You can find the story about Obama’s social media PR efforts and this “fiscal cliff” related hashtag here.)
Tags: #My2k, Barack Obama, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Hashtags, Middle Class, Social Media Humor, Tax Hikes, Taxpayers, Tweet Humor, Twitter Limerick
Posted in Barack Obama, Fiscal Policy, Middle Class, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Social Media Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Twitter, White House | Comments Off on #My2k Limerick
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Dear Members Of The Media:
When a Republican refuses to consider any tax rate hike whatsoever … even for millionaires and billionaires … that’s an extremist position. So it would be nice if you’d stop acting as if the few Republicans claiming sudden independence from Grover Norquist’s tax pledge are moderates, when they’re still refusing to consider any rate hikes.
To put it another way, a slight compromise in one’s extremism is still extremism:
The way the whole “fiscal cliff” thing (itself a contrivance based on the Republican view that expiration of the Bush tax cuts and imposition of defense spending cuts would be an apocalyptic development) is being discussed in the MSM is a depressing vindication of the huge strategic advantages of partisan extremism. If you are crazy enough for a while, then agreeing to be slightly less crazy looks statesmanlike.
Open Limerick To The Mainstream Media
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The press is again just a dupe
In the make-believe compromise loop:
A mere marginal move
By extremists can’t prove
That they’re aught but a lunatic group.
Tags: Bush Tax Cut Extension, Defense Spending, Extremists Satire, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Humor, Grover Norquist, Mainstream Media, Media Humor, Partisan Extremism, Republicans Humor, Tax Pledge, Tax Rate Hikes, Taxes
Posted in Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Legislation Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 3 Comments »
Friday, November 23rd, 2012
This Republican behavior is so crazy, I almost couldn’t write a limerick about it.
Republican lawmakers in Michigan, a state which eliminated tax credits for children last year, have proposed a tax credit for unborn foetuses of 12 weeks gestation…
Critics said the proposal was “absurd” and described it as a backdoor way of trying to pass “personhood” legislation which would give rights to an embryo and crack down on abortion.
The irony-impaired Rep. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac said:
“You’re recognizing the fact that people have additional expenses, another person to take care of.”
Michigan’s Fetal Shenanigans (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A Republican law now forbids
Tax credits for Michigan kids,
But those same pols want credits
For fetuses. Bet it’s
A product of brains on the skids.
Tags: Abortion Rights, Fetal Right, Fetus Rights, Fiscal Humor, Jud Gilbert, Michigan, Personhood Humor, Republicans Humor, Tax Credit, Tax Humor
Posted in Abortion Rights, Birth Control Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Michigan Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, November 20th, 2012
Serious fiscal negotiations are (or at least should be) going on right now in Washington DC. And whether you think we’re facing a “fiscal cliff,” or more of a “fiscal incline,” here’s a Thanksgiving message to Washington politicians: Please talk turkey and work something out that makes sense for our nation.
Thanksgiving Limerick For DC Pols
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It’s time for some serious talk.
Please don’t bitch or complain, and don’t balk.
Our issues are great—
Act before it’s too late.
So kindly talk turkey. Don’t squawk.
Tags: Economy, Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Crisis, Fiscal Incline, Negotiations, Taxes, Thanksgiving, Turkey, Washington DC, Washington Politicians
Posted in Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington | 5 Comments »
Monday, November 19th, 2012
Congratulations to Dictionary.com for its excellent 2012 Word of the Year selection — Bluster. (Needless to say, its luster inspired a limerick.)
2012 saw the most expensive political campaigns and some of the most extreme weather events in human history, from floods in Australia to cyclones in China to Hurricane Sandy and many others. Man-made disasters spiraled as the European Central Bank continued to hem and haw over bailouts and austerity, and Greeks went to the polls after years of uncertainty. Even after many spilled words, the stability of the Euro fuels debate around the world. So what one word conveys these dominant trends of 2012? Bluster.
Limerick Bluster
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The wordies have managed to muster
An apt word for the year: It is “Bluster.”
Windy pols and big storms
Are Two-Thousand-Twelve norms—
Not to mention a big budget buster.
Tags: Bluster, Campaign Humor, Dictionary.com, Election 2012, Election Satire, Extreme Weather, Global Warming, Hurricane Sandy, Political Campaigns, Politicians Limerick, Weather Humor, Word Of The Year
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Faux Controversies, Global Warming, Partisanship Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Weather Satire | 2 Comments »
Saturday, November 17th, 2012
I know that I shouldn’t indulge in Schadenfreude, but I can’t help myself: Watching the Republican rats desert Mitt Romney’s sinking ship is immensely entertaining! And in my defense, Gail Collins seems to be enjoying it too.
Mitt Romney’s Sunken Ship Blues (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mitt Romney is now on the outs.
Having lost in a rout, Romney pouts,
Making whiny remarks,
Giving GOP sharks
An excuse for disownership shouts.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, Election Satire, Gail Collins, GOP Humor, Marco Rubio, Newt Gingrich, Presidential Election, Republicans Humor, Schadenfreude
Posted in Barack Obama, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Marco Rubio, Mitt Romney Humor, Newt Gingrich Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
Mitt “Sore Loser” Romney doesn’t use the word “bribes” in rationalizing his loss to his donors, but he sure comes mighty close:
A week after losing the election to President Obama, Mitt Romney blamed his overwhelming electoral loss on what he said were big “gifts” that the president had bestowed on loyal Democratic constituencies, including young voters, African-Americans and Hispanics.
In a conference call on Wednesday afternoon with his national finance committee, Mr. Romney said that the president had followed the “old playbook” of wooing specific interest groups — “especially the African-American community, the Hispanic community and young people,” Mr. Romney explained — with targeted gifts and initiatives.
If I understand Romney correctly, winning votes because of policies that benefit the middle class, minorities, and the poor is bad. But winning votes and tons of donor cash because of policies that will make rich people even richer is just fine and dandy. So glad we cleared that up.
Limerick Ode To Mitt “Sore Loser” Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mitt Romney is sore-loser cross,
Blaming targeted “gifts” for his loss.
Mitt in essence describes
Good programs as bribes
To Blacks, Youths, Hispanics. What dross!
Tags: African-Americans, Barack Obama, Black People, Blame Game, Election 2012, Election Satire, Hispanics, Joe Biden, Minorities, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Policy Humor, Presidential Election, Republican Donors, Republican Policies, Republicans Humor, Sore Losers, White House, Youth Vote
Posted in Barack Obama, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
Shush! Please don’t tell all those Red State would-be secessionists what a great deal they have right now. And how much better off financially we Blue Staters would be, if the sore loser Red Staters successfully seceded.
… a large number of patriotic Americans, mostly from states won by Mitt Romney last week, have petitioned the White House to let them secede. They should be careful about what they wish for. It would be excellent financial news for those of us left behind if Obama were to grant a number of the rebel states their wish “to withdraw from the United States and create [their] own NEW government” (the petitions emphasize “new” by capitalizing it).
Red states receive, on average, far more from the federal government in expenditures than they pay in taxes. The balance is the opposite in blue states. The secession petitions, therefore, give the opportunity to create what would be, in a fiscal sense, a far more perfect union.
Dear Red State Would-Be Secessionists: Buh-Bye! (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Greedy Red States who want to secede
Are “takers” and foolish indeed.
From the Fed they get more
Than they send — they’ll be poor
If they leave, and the Blues will be freed.
Tags: Barack Obama, Blue States, Federal Government, Financial Verse, Fiscal Humor, Presidential Election, Red States, Secession, Secession Petition, Tax Policy, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Election Satire, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, Texas Humor, White House | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
I’ve been trying to ignore the David Petraeus, John Allen, Jill Kelley, Paula Broadwell, shirtless FBI agent brouhaha. But it’s really hard to avoid.
The Press Laid Bare (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Juicy emails! Illicit affair!
FBI guy whose chest is quite bare!
In gen’ral the press,
Now bored with our mess,
Prefers fare with a sexual flair.
Tags: CIA, Cyberstalking, David Petraeus, FBI Agents, Frederick Humphries, Jill Kelley, John Allen, Media Humor, National Security, Paula Broadwell, Press
Posted in CIA Satire, FBI Humor, Media Satire, National Security Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | Comments Off on The Press Laid Bare (Limerick)
Monday, November 12th, 2012
Open Limerick To Angry Republicans
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Republicans rail round the clock:
“How on earth was Mitt beat by Barack?”
They have theories galore,
But they need just one more:
It’s the policies, stupid! Take stock!
Tags: Barack Obama, Election 2012, Election Satire, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Policy Humor, Presidential Election, Republican Policies, Republicans Humor, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 8 Comments »
Thursday, November 8th, 2012
When a political party loses big time, the way the Republicans lost on Tuesday, there are two ways to go: 1) Careful introspection; or 2) Blame game. Guess which route the Republicans picked.
Finger Pointing Blues (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Republican game is “cast blame.”
Faulting somebody else is their aim.
It’s Sandy! It’s Rove!
It’s Chris Christie, by Jove!
But they lost cuz the GOP’s lame.
Tags: Barack Obama, Blame Game, Chris Christie, Election 2012, Election Humor, Finger Pointing, GOP Humor, Hurricane Sandy, Karl Rove, Mitt Romney, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, Blame Game, Campaign Humor, Chris Christie, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Karl Rove, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
Congratulations to Barack Obama and Joe Biden on their reelection! And yes, it was a mandate.
Yay! (Celebratory Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There’s a thrill in the air. Can you feel it?
Prez Obama has won — can’t repeal it!
The fight was a tough one—
A falsehood-filled rough one.
But despite tries to steal it, Dems seal it.
P.S. Nate Silver was right.
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 8 Comments »
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Happy National Gin Day, November 7th!
National Gin Day Is Nearly Here … and None Too Soon! (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Martini buffs surely will grin
On the 7th: They celebrate gin!
Now I’m not a big fan,
But I’ll drink like a man
If Obama and Biden don’t win.
Tags: Barack Obama, Drinking Humor, Election Day Humor, Election Humor, Joe Biden, Martinis Limerick, National Gin Day, November Holidays
Posted in Barack Obama, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 9 Comments »
Monday, November 5th, 2012
When it comes to partisan obstructionism, Paul Ryan’s record can’t be beat. And yet he has the audacity to brag about crossing the aisle to get things done.
Limerick Ode To Paul “No-Compromise” Ryan
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“No-Compromise” Ryan is blessed
With a talent for lyin’ with zest.
He will brag he’s bipartisan—
Falsity-artisan!
At whoppers Team Romney is best.
Tags: Bipartisanship, Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Mitt Romney, Obstructionism, Partisanship Humor, Paul Ryan
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Paul Ryan, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 4 Comments »
Monday, November 5th, 2012
Rock Romney’s Boat
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mitt lies, lies, lies for votes.
Truth defeats his scheme.
Verily, verily, verily, verily,
Romney we must cream!
Tags: Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Mitt Romney, Song Parody, Votes
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Song Parodies | Comments Off on Rock Romney’s Boat!
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012
Stay classy, Tommy Thompson:
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Wisconsin Republican running for Senate, recently suggested that his wife was to blame for his decision to end his career in public service and join a lobbying firm because she “likes to shop.”
Limerick Ode To Tommy Thompson
By Madeleine Begun Kane
In the cringe-worthy GOP crop
Thompson’s coarseness continues to pop.
He defends with a smirk
His lobbying work:
Needed money — “my wife likes to shop.”
Tags: Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Feminist Limerick, Lobbying, Tommy Thompson, Wisconsin
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Feminism Humor, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Limerick Ode To Tommy Thompson
