Archive for the ‘New York Politics’ Category
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
I’m a liberal New York Democrat, and I’ll say one thing for Carl Paladino — the guy has chutzpah. After his bizarre, near-violent attack on the New York Post’s Fred Dicker last week, he had the audacity to describe gubernatorial opponent Andrew Cuomo as “out of control.”
Apparently this is how an in-control candidate behaves:
1. Accuses his opponent (Andrew Cuomo) of cheating on wife.
2. Accuses Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post of bias because it didn’t ask Cuomo about wife-cheating.
3. Menaces and comes dangerously close to physically harming the old, frail-looking Fred Dicker because Dicker had the audacity to ask if he had any evidence that Cuomo cheated on his wife.
4. Promises to produce wife-cheating evidence at the appropriate time.
5. Denies that he promised to produce wife-cheating evidence.
6. After a video of his bullying, abusive, and near-violent attack on Dicker draws a negative response and a loose cannon perception, even among Republicans, tells the Wall Street Journal he wants to focus on the issues.
Limerick Ode To Carl Paladino
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Paladino is always irate,
Spreading venom and anger and hate.
He claims to be able,
But seems quite unstable.
If he wins, we are screwed — no debate.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, Campaign Satire, Carl Paladino, Election Humor, Fred Dicker, Media Humor, New York Post, Rupert Murdoch, Wall Street Journal
Posted in Campaign Humor, Carl Paladino, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Media Satire, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Republicans Humor, Tea Parties, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
When it comes to sexism posing as a compliment, I try to cut Harry Reid’s generation some slack. But Senator Reid really ought to know better:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had an unusual form of praise for New York’s junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, this morning at the fundraiser Mayor Bloomberg hosted for him at his townhouse – referring to her as “the hottest member” as she sat just a few feet away, according to three sources.
The comment prompted Gillibrand to turn red, according to the sources, and created a bit of stir among the small crowd there.
That leads me to my latest limerick:
Harry Reid’s Not So Hot Remark
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Kirsten Gillibrand’s hot says Sen. Reid —
The Sen’s “hottest member,” indeed.
Now I know Harry’s old,
And I don’t mean to scold,
But that “compliment’s” sexist. Take heed.
Here’s more on subtle sexism, including my Gender At Work essay. (Gender at Work, under the name My Most Attractive Adversary, is the lead Gender Gap chapter essay in a pair of college textbooks by Gary Goshgarian: The Contemporary Reader and Readings For Today.)
Tags: Compliments, Feminist Limerick, Gary Goshgarian, Gender Humor, Harry Reid, Kirsten Gillibrand, Sexist Humor, Subtle Sexism
Posted in Appearance Humor, Feminism Humor, Gender Politics, Harry Reid, Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Senate Satire, Washington | 3 Comments »
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Scary people keep winning Republican primaries. For instance:
* Christine O’Donnell in Delaware’s Senate race
* Carl Paladino in New York’s gubernatorial race
* Joe Miller in Alaska’s Senate race
* Rand Paul in Kentucky’s Senate race
* Sharron Angle in Nevada’s Senate race
Yes, I know all about the conventional wisdom — that Democrats should be happy because these extremist Republicans can’t win general elections. But conventional wisdom can sometimes be rather unwise. After all, these candidates weren’t supposed to win the primaries either. Yet here we are.
That brings me to my latest two-verse limerick:
Radical Verse
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The primaries made it quite clear
That our nation could lose all that’s dear.
The ballots are toted.
Republicans voted
For radicals. Dems, please don’t cheer.
I’ve been hearing some “general” spin
That these loons can’t November’s vote win.
This assumption’s not sound.
We’re in trouble profound.
We don’t fight? They’ll be in … just like Flynn.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Carl Paladino, Christine O'Donnell, Conventional Wisdom, Election Humor, Joe Miller, Rand Paul, Republican Primary, Sharron Angle, Tea Party Members
Posted in Election Satire, GOP Humor, Kentucky Humor, Nevada Humor, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Rand Paul, Republicans Humor, Tea Parties, Voting Satire, Wingnuts | 5 Comments »
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
I’m never surprised when Republicans try to trash the U.S. Constitution. But Senator Harry Reid’s position about the proposed Cordoba House — the inaccurately nicknamed “Ground Zero Mosque” — disappointed me.
But then what do I know? I’m just a 1st amendment fan who lives in New York City. And I’d rather see a mosque than a burned out former Burlington Coat Factory store.
That brings me to my latest limerick:
Mosque Mockery
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A “Ground Zero Mosque” — oh how shocking!
Hurray for the folks who are blocking
That mosque to replace
The old coat-selling place.
If perchance you can’t tell — yes, I’m mocking.
Tags: Burlington Coat Factory, Constitution Verse, Cordoba House, First Amendment, Ground Zero, Harry Reid, Islamic Center, Mosque Limerick, New York City, nine-eleven, Religious Humor
Posted in 9/11 Satire, Constitution Humor, Faux Controversies, Harry Reid, New York Politics, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Religious Satire | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
I don’t meant to minimize the importance of the Congressional ethics charges against Rep. Charlie Rangel. But I can’t help wondering why the media can’t spare just a bit of space to cover the FBI’s criminal investigation into Sen. John Ensign. Hey journalists — I thought you liked covering juicy scandals involving money and sex.
That brings me to my latest limerick:
Why So “Liberal” With Charlie Rangel Coverage?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I’ve a question dear journos — a gem.
And kindly don’t haw and don’t hem.
Where’s your cov’rage of Ensign?
You sure love dispensin’
The dirt on Rep. Rangel — the Dem.
Tags: Charlie Rangel, Double Standards, Ethics, FBI, John Ensign, Media Bias, Media Humor, Nevada, New York
Posted in Congress Humor, Corruption Humor, Crime, John Ensign, Media Satire, Nevada Humor, New York Politics, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | Comments Off on Why So “Liberal” With Charlie Rangel Coverage?
Monday, July 19th, 2010
I usually ignore Sarah Palin’s language-mangling. But her “refudiate” the “Ground Zero Mosque” Twitter “tweet” is too priceless not to comment on:
Refudiating Sarah (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Sarah, it’s time to rebootiate
And to malapropism “refudiate.”
Cuz your incorrect usage
Is language abusage.
Either learn to speak English, or mutiate.
Update: This is too funny: Sarah Palin excuses her malapropisms and accidental word coinages by comparing herself to William Shakespeare.
Update 2: Good news! Shakespeare Refudiates Sarah Palin.
Tags: Ground Zero, Language Satire, Malapropisms, nine-eleven, Sarah Palin, William Shakespeare, Word Coinage
Posted in Language Humor, New York Politics, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Religious Satire, Sarah Palin, Twitter | 7 Comments »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
On behalf of my fellow New Yorkers, I want to thank Sarah Palin for her generous gift to the State of New York. Palin’s leadership in driving moderates like Dede Scozzafava out of the Republican party handed New York Democrats a Congressional Seat (District 23) that had eluded Dems for well over a century.
Thanks also to Dick Armey for his help in electing Democrat Bill Owens. (I understand Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman has a big, wet kiss for Dick Armey too.)
And now it’s time for a limerick:
Celebrating Sarah
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Sarah, your meddling is great.
I just love what you did to my state.
Your GOP purge
Will make Democrats surge
As you spread anti-moderates hate.
Tags: Bill Owens, Congress Humor, Conservative Party, Dede Scozzafava, Democrats, Dick Armey, Doug Hoffman, New York, Republican Moderates, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, House Satire, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Sunday, April 26th, 2009
For such a fan of secession, Texas Gov. Rick Perry sure is quick to ask for federal bucks. Hurricane disaster assistance? Check. Antiviral medications to combat swine flu? Check.
Now I live just two miles from the Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York swine flu outbreak at St. Francis Prep School. And I’m all for sending swine flu meds to needy areas like Texas. I just wish Texas didn’t have such a hypocrite for a governor.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Secession? Did I Say Secession?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
My Texas is quite independent,
Said Rick Perry — secession-defendant.
Then he called for the feds
To send anti-flu meds.
With hypocrisy Perry’s resplendent.
Tags: Antiviral Medications, Disaster Assistance, Flu Vaccine, Fresh Meadows, Health, Hurricane, Hypocrisy, New York, Queens, Rick Perry, Secession, St. Francis Prep, Swine Flu, Texas
Posted in Health Satire, New York Politics, Political Limericks, Rick Perry, Texas Humor | 11 Comments »
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
How to become a GOP family values champion:
1. Marry your cousin.
2. Pretend you didn’t know she was your cousin.
3. Get your lengthy marriage to your mystery-cousin-wife annulled.
4. Marry someone else, have kids, then cheat on your second wife very publicly and notoriously while you’re New York City mayor.
5. Inform your wife that you want a divorce via press release.
Rudy Giuliani sounds like the perfect anti-same-sex marriage spokesman, don’t you think?
Rudy’s Family Values (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
To marry your cousin is fine.
To pretend not to know it — divine.
To flagrantly cheat
On your wife — that’s just sweet.
But same-gender marriage? Malign!
Tags: Annulments, Divorce, Family Values, Gay Marriage, Giuliani Limerick, New York City, Same Sex Marriage
Posted in Family Values Humor, Gay Rights, Gender Politics, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, New York Mayors, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Rudy Giuliani | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
I don’t have anything against Caroline Kennedy. By all accounts she’s bright, hard-working, a good education-related fundraiser, and knowledgeable about Constitutional law. And if she ran to represent New York in the U.S. Senate, I (a New York City resident) might very well vote for her.
Nonetheless, I share Ron Kuby’s antipathy towards legacy appointments. And like Kuby, I wonder why so few liberals and progressives are speaking out against New York Governor David Paterson’s potential Caroline Kennedy appointment.
I believe that a U.S. Senate appointment should go to someone who has more demonstrably earned it and whose positions on a wide array of topics important to New Yorkers are better known. And that brings me to my latest limerick:
There once was a Kennedy daughter
Whose dad was a victim of slaughter.
She sought an appointment —
A Senate anointment,
And few but Ron Kuby, Esq. fought her.
Tags: David Paterson, Dynasty Appointments, Kennedy, Kuby, Legacy Appointments, New York, U.S. Senate
Posted in Caroline Kennedy, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Ron Kuby, Senate Satire | 9 Comments »
Friday, March 14th, 2008
What does Spitzer’s downfall prove? That you don’t have to be a Republican to be a hypocrite.
Eliot Spitzer deserves a limerick, don’t you think?
Ode To Eliot Spitzer
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Though Spitzer has said he abhors
Prostitution, he paid to use whores.
And one of his cons
Was he punished the johns
While committing their crime on all fours.
Tags: Eliot Spitzer, Elliot Spitzer, Hypocrisy, Law Humor, Laws, Legal Satire, New York State Humor, Prostitution, Spitzer
Posted in Eliot Spitzer, Law Satire, New York Politics, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | 13 Comments »
Limerick Ode To Carl Paladino
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010I’m a liberal New York Democrat, and I’ll say one thing for Carl Paladino — the guy has chutzpah. After his bizarre, near-violent attack on the New York Post’s Fred Dicker last week, he had the audacity to describe gubernatorial opponent Andrew Cuomo as “out of control.”
Apparently this is how an in-control candidate behaves:
1. Accuses his opponent (Andrew Cuomo) of cheating on wife.
2. Accuses Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post of bias because it didn’t ask Cuomo about wife-cheating.
3. Menaces and comes dangerously close to physically harming the old, frail-looking Fred Dicker because Dicker had the audacity to ask if he had any evidence that Cuomo cheated on his wife.
4. Promises to produce wife-cheating evidence at the appropriate time.
5. Denies that he promised to produce wife-cheating evidence.
6. After a video of his bullying, abusive, and near-violent attack on Dicker draws a negative response and a loose cannon perception, even among Republicans, tells the Wall Street Journal he wants to focus on the issues.
Limerick Ode To Carl Paladino
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Paladino is always irate,
Spreading venom and anger and hate.
He claims to be able,
But seems quite unstable.
If he wins, we are screwed — no debate.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, Campaign Satire, Carl Paladino, Election Humor, Fred Dicker, Media Humor, New York Post, Rupert Murdoch, Wall Street Journal
Posted in Campaign Humor, Carl Paladino, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Media Satire, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Republicans Humor, Tea Parties, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »