Opposing Views

(An experiment, this poem can be sung to the tune of "America" from West Side Story.)

(Fans)

Donald Trump, oh,

You fearless leader.

Of praise you are so deserving.

Never liking what critics say…

And always hoping they'll go away.

(Critics)

Donald Trump, oh,

You nasty leader--

One who’s so blind and self-serving.

Only caring about the rich.

Your biggest concerns: your sales pitch,

And the people who snitch,

And the money you earn,

And the people you burn….

When will they ever learn

How you're destroying this nation?

And still you expect admiration!

(Fans)

We all agree we like Donald Trump.

We want to be more like Donald Trump.

Our cup of tea: it is Donald Trump.

(Critics)

Lying is key when you're Donald Trump.

(Fans)

We want to visit his tower.

(Critics)

Watch him accumulate power!

(Fans)

We think he rules us with finesse.

(Critics)

Though he's an autocrat, too. Yes?

(Fans)

Drilling off shore: that's with Donald Trump.

He'll never bore you--not Donald Trump.

Job growth will soar with our Donald Trump.

(Critics)

Tariffs galore with your Donald Trump!

(Fans)

We're going to vote for him next year!

(Critics)

It's hard to believe you are sincere.

(Fans)

The man is great; don't forget it.

(Critics)

Sorry, you're going to regret it.

Immigrants fear Mr. Donald Trump.

They won't go near Mr. Donald Trump.

One thing is clear about Donald Trump:

A racketeer he is--Donald Trump!

(Fans)

He says we all should do all right.

(Critics)

If you are rich and if you’re white!

(Fans)

Four more years will be a blessing.

(Critics)

Four more years would be distressing!

(Fans)

Well, don't you know that with Donald Trump

Stocks will all grow, yes, with Donald Trump?

You'll make more dough, yes, with Donald Trump.

(Critics)

With quid pro quo, yes, with Donald Trump.

(Fans)

If he wins, we're gonna be glad.

(Critics)

If he wins, we’re gonna be sad.

(Fans)

Certainly, no one can beat him.

(Critics)

Anyone, you must defeat him!

(All)

La la la la la la la…la…la…

La la la la la la la…la…la…

La la la la la la la…la…la…

La la la la la la la…¡Olé!

-by Bob B (6-19-19)

Good-bye, Sarah, Good-bye!

(Can be sung to the tune of the 1922 song "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Good-bye")

Good-bye, Sarah,° good-bye!

Good-bye, Sarah. Nice try.

The press won't have to fight you.

We hope you learned that lying will come back to bite you.

Maybe, Sarah, you'll see

Most will have to agree:

It can be grim out on a limb

When Donald Trump expects you to keep lying for him.

Good-bye, Sarah. Say why.

Good-bye, Sarah, good-bye!

Good-bye, Sarah, good-bye!

Good-bye, Sarah. Don’t sigh.

No more briefings start the day.

But when you led them, they were useless anyway.

When you're gone will you know

How low you had to go?

Hey, what the hell:

Trump thinks you're swell.

Those "countless FBI agents" will bid you farewell.

Sarah, keep a dry eye.

Good-bye, Sarah, good-bye!

-by Bob B (6-14-19)

°Sarah Huckabee Sanders, press secretary to Donald Trump

Orlando: The Third Anniversary

On a night three years ago this week

Forty-nine people died

In a mass shooting that once again

Left the country horrified.

The Pulse nightclub, Orlando, Florida,

A place of nighttime revelry,

Became the target where a hater

Carried out his shooting spree.

Maybe among the victims' names

Are none that you can now recall.

Nevertheless, the incident

Is one that affects us all.

It's sad when conditions are such

That mass shootings become the norm.

It's equally sad when lawmakers

Shy away from gun-law reform.

And sad, too, it is when hate-filled

Bigots boldly advocate

That the deaths of forty-nine clubbers

Should be a cause to celebrate!

Shame on them who take religion

And shape it into deadly words

That they sling at innocent victims

While stirring up hatred among their herds.

The path to truth is a winding path;

It's easy to stumble, easy to stray.

Some start out with good intentions

But then get lost along the way.

So many anniversaries

Of mass shootings to recognize!

Will the light break through the clouds

Of ignorance? We can only surmise.

-by Bob B (6-14-19)

Remembering the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting:

Stanley Almodovar III, 23

Amanda Alvear, 25

Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21

Martin Benitez Torres, 33

Antonio D. Brown, 30

Darryl R. Burt II, 29

Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24

Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28

Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31

Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25

Luis D. Conde, 39

Cory J. Connell, 21

Tevin E. Crosby, 25

Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, 50

Deonka D. Drayton, 32

Mercedez M. Flores, 26

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22

Juan R. Guerrero, 22

Paul T. Henry, 41

Frank Hernandez, 27

Miguel A. Honorato, 30

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40

Jason B. Josaphat, 19

Eddie J. Justice, 30

Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25

Christopher A. Leinonen, 32

Brenda L. Marquez McCool, 49

Jean C. Mendez Perez, 35

Akyra Monet Murray, 18

Kimberly Morris, 37

Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27

Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32

Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24

Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34

Shane E. Tomlinson, 33

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25

Luis S. Vielma, 22

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37

Jerald A. Wright, 31

Bringing It On

There on TV, in plain view,

Right before our very eyes--

Although what the president said

Was shocking, it was not a surprise.

Pulling no punches, he admitted

That he would not keep a distance

From foreign meddling in our elections--

That he would accept Russian assistance.

He did it before, he'll do it again.

Whose interests is he protecting

When he accepts outside help--

Something he should be rejecting?

Instead of protecting democracy,

He is basically doubling back

By letting our whole election system

Be undermined by an outside attack.

After observing the president's actions

During the past view years, I guess

The fact that we're not shocked shows that

We wouldn't expect anything less.

Some people call it treasonous.

Trump calls it another name:

"Oppo research." Winning to him

Justifies it. It's just a game.

Is there a breaking point for congressional

Republicans? Hard to tell.

Why don't we just give the Russians our ballots

And let them vote for us as well?

-by Bob B (6-13-19)

Our Country...

(Can be sung to the tune of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee")

This country once was grand.

It's hard to understand

What has gone wrong.

Without change, rest assured,

Rights that were once secured

Will all become obscured.

Hear this sad song!

Our country nationwide

Was once more unified;

Now it is split.

Our leader--not so smart--

Who lacks a caring heart

Is tearing us apart,

Yes, bit by bit.

When presidents defy

Rule of law, tell me why

People don't act.

Obstructing justice should

Prove they're up to no good.

Let this be understood:

They must be sacked.

When leaders lie we must

Find others whom we trust

To tell the truth.

Climate change ought to be

A huge priority,

If not for you and me,

Then for our youth.

If people are too dense

And have no commonsense

Can we survive?

May eyes be opened so

More people here can know

What we must do to grow.

Let wisdom thrive!

-by Bob B (6-12-19)

The USS John S. McCain

The president gazed out the White House window.

Squinting to see through the mist and rain,

He gasped as he made out the faint outline

Of the USS John S. McCain.

His pallid face froze in a grimace.

Turning, he said, “That just can’t be.

This has to be an apparition.

How could the ship be here in D.C.?”

Consulting his television set,

He let out a scream of utter disdain.

The image was on his TV screen:

The USS John S. McCain.

Dashing around the Oval Office

Like a madman, completely deranged,

He called his advisers, blathering madly,

"The name of that ship has to be changed!"

Off to Asia the president flew.

As he took in the view from his plane,

Down below him his eyes fell upon

The USS John S. McCain.

"Why…why…must he torment me?"

He asked his wife in a fit of despair.

He bit his lip with so much force,

The blood gushed out, causing a scare.

"Give me a towel!" he yelled. He held it

Up to his lip, which was throbbing in pain.

Moments later the blood left an image:

The USS John S. McCain.

Members of the president's team

Rushed to find places to hide.

Contradicting the angry boss

Would be political suicide.

The president, loving to bully others,

Finds his impulses hard to restrain.

May he be haunted forever and ever

By the USS John S. McCain.

-by Bob B (6-10-19)

Flat Earth Society

I met a guy the other day,

And this is what he had to say--

And yes, he says he is for real--

Despite the leaps of science, he

Says that he must disagree

For he has something sounder to reveal:

"Come join our Flat Earth Society.

Don't fear notoriety.

Come on: there's no degree of risk.

Just be a flat-Earther AND

Help the world to understand

That Earth is not a globe, it is a disc."

Astounded, I asked, "How can I

Accept your theory? Tell me why,

When that was disproved so long ago."

He said that science isn't true;

Scientists don't have a clue.

He knows because the Bible told him so.

I asked how he can prove his case.

Photos shot from outer space

Show that Earth is round instead of flat.

"Conspiracy, for goodness' sake!"

He said, "Those photos all are fake.

Flat Earth News is really where it's at."

He said, "You see: we allege

Antarctica is on the edge;

The Arctic is the center our plate.

Scientists all severely

Hurt us with their theories clearly.

Flat Earth truths are what we propagate."

Obviously, it makes no sense

When certain people are that dense

To try to reason with their addled brain.

As scary as it is, I guess

I have to say I must confess

It's humorous to hear their strange refrain:

"Come join our Flat Earth Society.

Don't fear notoriety.

Come on: there's no degree of risk.

Just be a flat-Earther AND

Help the world to understand

That Earth is not a globe, it is a disc."

-Bob B (6-8-19)

Food Doesn't Grow Here Anymore*

In the western highlands of Guatemala

Living conditions are turning sour

As people face adversity,

Day by day, hour by hour.

Climate change is taking a toll

On the lives of many, especially the poor.

When asked why they're fleeing, they say,

"Food doesn't grow here anymore."

The growth of many of their children is stunted;

Children are dying of malnutrition.

The parents want what all people want

Who find themselves in their position:

They want to leave, to find a place

Where their children can survive--

Where life is not an overwhelming

Challenge of trying to stay alive.

They know the journey north is hard;

Some have died along the way.

What are their options? To take a chance?

One thing's certain: they die if they stay.

Our government threatens to cut off aid

Which would only make matters worse.

That will not stop desperate people

From fleeing; it will do the reverse.

Hear the cries from Guatemala.

Don't close your eyes or cover your ears.

A ghostly lament will echo along

The banks of a dried up river of tears.

-by Bob B (6-7-19)

*Based on a report by Nicholas Kristof

Autocrats

Autocrats clearly despise

Congressional oversight,

For autocrats love control.

They always must pretend they're right.

Autocrats despise the truth.

If asked about it, they hem and haw.

They want to avoid our scrutiny,

Thinking they're above the law.

Autocrats have no problem

Obstructing justice. How they glower

At anyone who tries to prevent

Them from gaining total power!

Autocrats couldn't care less

Whether the people raise objections

As to how they rose to the top.

Forget the legitimacy of elections!

Autocrats stifle voices.

Freedom of speech? What is that?

Controlling what the people hear

Is the goal of the autocrat.

Autocrats have their fans

Who are quick to scoff and demean

Those who aren't brainwashed by

The huge propaganda machine.

Autocrats trample on rights.

Freedoms are on the chopping block

While the autocrats distract

The people with sanctimonious talk.

Autocrats can garner votes,

Despite their having no sense of shame.

If people elect autocrats,

They have only themselves to blame.

-by Bob B (6-5-19)

Beware of Hawks

Watch as the hawks preen their feathers.

Searching the landscape, they keep track

Of what is happening all around them

Before planning their attack.

Having a keen sense of vision

While on the lookout for easy prey,

They don't care how others see them

As long as they can win the day.

Traditional diplomacy?

No, that's not part of their plan.

Their hearts are set on crushing their victims

And seeing how far their wings will span.

Conflict seems to energize them,

For conflict is their food, their source

Of livelihood. They don't care

If others suffer. There's no remorse.

Surreptitiously, they act--

Never flaunting their true intent.

Their prime tactics cause confusion--

A truth they try to misrepresent.

They say that acting so is their nature.

Does ALL their aggression make them feel joyous?

It’s sad to suddenly realize

That they were always out to destroy us.

Peace comes at a giant cost

As high above us they circle and soar.

Negotiating with them is useless

When their minds are set on war.

Don't be taken in by their cunning.

Don't fall prey to their devious cries.

Save yourself and others by knowing

How to separate truth from lies.

-by Bob B (5-11-19)

Watch Out, Women!

Watch out, women! Across the country

Privileged white men are taking

Steps that will abolish for you

The right to your own decision-making.

Ah, these white, privileged men

Think that they are justified

In having complete control, as though

The Handmaid's Tale is their guide.

Something that isn't an easy decision

Will still not be yours to be made

If these white, privileged men

Continue to carry out their crusade.

If these privileged lawmakers

Get their way--just so you know--

And if you choose to defy their decree,

Off to prison you will go.

How these men love to decide

What you should or shouldn't do!

How these men love the power

To know what is best for you!

Once your rights are severely restricted

And these white men are on a roll,

Just watch as they then proceed

To tamper with your birth control.

Women all, be vigilant!

You must act before it's too late.

You'll be stripped of your rights. Is that

Something you will tolerate?

-by Bob B (5-10-19)

The Showdown

Congress has numerous duties

With oversight being one.

The president's decided that

Such oversight he will shun.

In other words, he chooses to thumb

His nose at our Constitution.

His lackeys in Congress refuse to defy him,

Fearing his nasty retribution.

Refusing to cooperate with

The lawful demands of Congress, he

Thinks that he's above the law,

Which justifies an inquiry.

Occurring at the moment is

A constitutional crisis, which

The president craftily plans

To pull off without a hitch.

Defying subpoenas and trying to silence

Witnesses' testimonies,

He's rejecting checks and balances

With the help of some of his cronies.

The president seems to think

That certain people should be exempt

From testifying. But watch as they

All are cited for contempt.

Americans deserve to know

What is really happening here.

Trump's obstruction of justice and his

Abuse of power are something to fear.

What it boils down to is this:

It's Trump versus the truth. That's it!

If you dig deep, you will find

What motivates the hypocrite.

If his record were squeaky clean,

Hearings could be set aside.

However, his suspicious behavior

Keeps us wondering, "What's there to hide?"

-by Bob B (5-9-19)

And He Lies to Us

(The poem can be sung to the tune of the hymn "He Walks with Me," as sung by Merle Haggard.)

We hear when Trump speaks on the news;

We're amazed at what he is saying.

But no fans believe how he can deceive

Those on whom he is preying.

And he lies to us and he cries to us,

"I am the greatest on earth!"

He is such a disgrace! How can his base

Ignore his full lack of worth?

He talks about helping us all.

That's not true; he's only pretending.

He would rather prop up those at the top.

His tales are never-ending.

And he lies to us and he cries to us,

"I am the greatest on earth!"

He is such a disgrace! How can his base

Ignore his full lack of worth?

Feel sorry for people who don't

See beyond the man's shifty notions.

Wait until they've learned how they have been burned.

He just goes through the motions.

And he lies to us and he cries to us,

"I am the greatest on earth!"

He is such a disgrace! How can his base

Ignore his full lack of worth?

-by Bob B (5-8-19)

Another Love Letter

Dear Donald, I have to say

How much I love our private jokes,

Especially the one that we

Both have called the Russian hoax.

You have learned a lot from me.

Fortunately, you're on my team.

All the power that I have

For you, however, is just a dream.

But keep up your strategy

Of duping the public. True, you'll find

You cannot fool everyone.

But there's one thing to bear in mind:

The more you condemn your nasty critics

And put the critical press on trial,

The more power you'll have. Can you--

While reading this-- see me smile?

The 2020 election will be

Very important. We can thwart

Your Democratic opponent, so

Let me know if you need support.

If you say a cloud has been lifted,

Then I think we both agree

That if you lift some sanctions, you'll

Lift the cloud that's over me.

I like how your trust in me

Overshadows the trust in your own

Experts there. For more advice,

Call me on the telephone.

By the way, I have to say,

I'm still counting every hour

Till I can have my penthouse view

From high atop your Moscow tower.

I'll support you, by the way,

But don't ask me to be your caddie.

I can dig up dirt on any-

One you want. Your friend, Vladdy.

-by Bob B (5-7-19)

An Accomplice to a Crime

"William Barr is my name,

But you can call me AG Barr.

Protecting Donald Trump must be

The highlight of my repertoire.

"I'll defy the rule of law,

And I don't give a damn if I'm--

Despite what others say or think--

A sly accomplice to his crime."

"Lindsey Graham is my name,

Call me Senator Graham, please.

Selling one's soul to the devil is

Where I have my expertise.

"I don't care if Trump's corrupt

Or stretches the truth all the time.

If he furthers my goals, I will

Be an accomplice to his crime."

"Devin Nunes is my name,

But you can just call me Devin.

Having Trump as president

Is a right-wing extremist's heaven.

"If you want to obstruct justice,

Follow the president's paradigm.

Give up your integrity AND

Be an accomplice to his crime."

"Sarah Sanders is my name.

I am THE press secretary.

Whenever I lie for President Trump,

I just say a quick Hail Mary.

"Working for this president

Is something that I'd call sublime.

No one really cares if he

Or she's an accomplice to his crime."

So many people willing to lie--

So many people willing to begrime

Their character and reputations

As accomplices to the president's crime.

-by Bob B (5-5-19)

ЯUSSIAN ЯOULETTE

Will Russia's election meddling ever

Come to an end? We keep hopin'.

But now the president blatantly

Colludes with Putin out in the open!

Recently, another phone call

Between Trump and Putin occurred.

Was Russian election meddling mentioned?

According to Trump, NOT one word.

But why would Trump want to stop

Interference in our elections?

If Russia helped him win before,

Why would he now raise objections?

He doesn't trust investigators

Here. He'd rather demonize

The FBI, while at the same time

He swallows all of Putin's lies.

Now team Trump seeks outside help

To hopefully tarnish the reputation

Of another political opponent.

Character assassination.

No maneuver is too low for Trump.

Will his actions come back to haunt him?

One thing we know: the Russians have

Donald Trump right where they want him.

People concerned about America's

Strength and safety should be upset

As Trump spins the cylinder

In a dangerous game of Russian roulette.

-by Bob B (5-4-19)

Lowering the Barr

(The poem can be sung to the tune of "Little Brown Jug.")

"Sessions was what you would call

Someone who's not on the ball.

First of all, that little elf

Should not have recused himself.

"Now William Barr--well, he's my man.

From the start he was my fan.

He'd have all the tools--yup!--

To cover up a cover-up.

(Chorus)

"Ha, ha, ha, and he, he, he…

I have found a devotee.

William Barr as my AG

Will certainly look out for me.

"Obstructing justice is I know

For me the only way to go.

Somehow if you play with it,

You can get away with it.

"Stack the cards and you will manage

To give yourself a great advantage.

Barr sent signs that he would thwart

The full release of the Mueller Report.

(Chorus)

"Ha, ha, ha, and he, he, he…

I have found a devotee.

William Barr as my AG

Will certainly look out for me.

"He to such a great extent

Knew how to misrepresent

Mueller's findings. Barr was smarter,

For he could help me be a martyr.

"Confuse the public! Misconstrue

Facts so they don't know what's true.

That is how I made my mark.

My bite is much worse than my bark.

(Chorus)

"Ha, ha, ha, and he, he, he…

I have found a devotee.

William Barr as my AG

Will certainly look out for me.

"With Barr at the DOJ,

I can make a power play.

I'll have my lawyers sue sue sue.

I'll defy subpoenas, too.

"I will stonewall--yes, I will--

To frustrate all on Capitol Hill.

Supporters will stand by my side,

Ignoring all I have to hide.

(Chorus)

"Ha, ha, ha, and he, he, he…

I have found a devotee.

William Barr as my AG

Will certainly look out for me."

-by Bob B (5-1-19)