Playlist: The Department of Poetic Justice (and Poetic Reckoning)
Compiled By: Susan J. Cook
The eloquence of poems brought to politics will leave the harsh vitriol behind. We may even find the beautiful. Back in 2013, my collection "Blue: American Sonnets" was entered in a contest sponsored by the Alice James Press. Some are presented here. The poems written in sonnet form come from the longing for justice and the emotional angst of seeing this country falter. I did not know Wanda Coleman or her work which includes, published in 1994, "American Sonnets". She died in November 22, 2013 but her despair at the racist cruelties of this country stand, still. Here, my sonnets, odes, lyrical tributes- the emotional angst and pleasure of poetry is brought to the inexplicable,... Show full description
Sonnet for President Obama's Tear
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:11
First published on the eve of Martin Luther King Day , we turn to our preferred form of political expression, the sonnet, to acknowledge the compassion President Obama has brought to the Presidency. Today, we offer a "Sonnet for President Obama's Tear''.
- Playing
- Sonnet for President Obama's Tear
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Sonnet for President Obama’s Tear His tear is for every person lost since illegal guns became more, much, so much more available. How do you convince the NRA these dead are theirs too? Touch the darkness of those who will not ever know who their guns took, experience wretched calculations of forever’s duration, time with no end, grief re-sensed. They calculate abstractly the time passed for those whose children died, who are not here. We only know one madman’s moment lasts lifetimes when we can’t bear Obama’s tear. Obama’s tear tells what must be retold. Compassion’s time is for whom the bell tolls.
Susan Cook
Sonnet for the Dead Protester: In Memoriam Rachel Corrie
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:05
Remembering another Non-violent Protester who died.
Hope Is Not the Thing With Feathers
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :59
This Democracy brings us optimism, change and always, hope.
- Playing
- Hope Is Not the Thing With Feathers
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Hope is not the thing with feathers
-Susan Cook-
Hope is not the thing with feathers. It is
not like that at all. Its body is a
visible felt whole, slow, slipping within
you, starts the searching, tending with a
vigil for its passage back and forth, here
there, becoming solid, sculpted from mist
rising from marsh grass, water's murmur, mere
fluctuations, cast its shivering sheen.
There it is, a thousand drops of light splayed
out, that's all it takes, the weight of nature
waking, its thousand tons of motion staid
like minutes of fixation, ancient, pure.
Hope is not the thing with feathers, lies curled
within each being, thicker than the world.
In the Aftermath: An American Sonnet
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:03
Joseph Biden withdraws from the Presidential race.
- Playing
- In the Aftermath: An American Sonnet
- From
- Susan J. Cook
In the aftermath, the fear's aftermath,
there is the settling, the drawing down
of a nectar of calm, now, buckling up wrath's
intensity, taken from the lost. Found
now, the consequential, the valued stuff
we always think might drift away like a
moth caught in the wind’s draft. It's just enough
to restore us all and finally find the
angle upon which the head can place
itself, find solace, as if the sun’s rays
shining shield us all now from cold, misplaced
night, we need not fear, in the bright of day.
When fear is put away, finally ended,
there, still, kindness, its garden well- tended.
What Courage Wears to Bed
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :53
The values of a democracy shared through verse not vitriol.
- Playing
- What Courage Wears to Bed
- From
- Susan J. Cook
What Courage Wears to Bed
-Susan Cook-
This is what courage wears to bed. In the
winter, her robe is thicker than she's known
to wear in spring. Yes, it's anathema
to my idea, resilience simply goes
without. So many times she's had to change
as temperatures are warming, almost hot.
She's watched when goodness turned its back, a strange
and unpredicted fear that almost caught
her but she's not one to fawn or confess.
There's nothing to confess to. She just sees
it through. She won't dismiss, hand off or dress
down good, as hopeless, circumstantially.
I want to be much more like her, the dress
she wears in fragile moods, her sulkiness.
Protecting the Children: American Sonnet 1098
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:03
It began as a necessity.
Protecting the Children
American Sonnet 1098
-Susan Cook-
Protecting the children began out of
necessity. They gave sustenance, bread
and water, like needed rain. No doubt love
entered in. They knew many dangers fed
the flow, the stream each, every small being
is placed into, as soon as the breathing
in, out begins. They are us, you, me in
one drop of water's fall, day's end leaving
a cascade of possible harm, behind.
But when the glass door slams, the father shouts
exploitation of innocence, the mind
of a desperate man. There is no way out.
The needed becomes brittle, not stronger,
cannot hold back broken any longer.
An American Sonnet to a Fire Gone
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:20
Everything changes, if only we can see it.
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- An American Sonnet to a Fire Gone
- From
- Susan J. Cook
To a Fire Gone
Epilogue to "Breathing: American Sonnets"
"Reluctance”
-Robert Frost-
"Ah, when to the heart of man
Was it ever less than treason
To go with the drift of things,
To yield with a grace to reason
And bow and accept the end
Of a love or a season?"
When was it less than treason? But what do
you mean, Mr. Frost? That’s for countries to
feel short-changed by. Loss happens to those who
see the passing on of days, years, one blue
time in life, one breaking, undoing a
treacherous rope they were holding onto,
its deep burn. In the coldest time of day
or night, fires started that you thought grew
larger instead were, licked back into their
own intensity, remained confined on
one small patch of earth. You did not see where
the fire, some time later, died. You were gone.
Big difference, see, between countries resigned
to losing, small unfed fires, gone in time.
My 500 Pound Gorilla: A Citizen's Guide
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:11
I watched a program the other night about a 500 pound gorilla, or maybe it was a monkey whose owner taught him sign language. Whatever. I am beginning to think that maybe it was the gorilla who taught the owner to sign. That gorilla, all grown up- would move his finger an inch off his massive thigh- and that owner would coo and delight with immediate recognition. “Oh, that’s his sign when he’s whispering- kind of like at a cocktail party when you tell someone something from across the room so no one else will know.“ I would prefer a gorilla- any day- his place or mine- who was more straightforward. Or maybe- since I don’t know any gorillas personally- people who are straightforward.
This reminds of many things in life, but since the political season is upon us let’s start there. We have become a populace that will fill in the rest of the sentence, thought, public policy and legislative document for any gorilla. The gorilla gestures “gun control”, we fill in the sentence. The gorilla says “pro-life”, we fill in the rest. The gorilla says “fiscal irresponsibility”, we know what he means. I take this opportunity to remind you, we don’t know what the gorilla actually thinks. This is worse than sound bites. This is human beings reading gorilla’s minds.
- Playing
- My 500 Pound Gorilla: A Citizen's Guide
- From
- Susan J. Cook
I’d love to know what it means when the 500 pound gorilla crosses his fingers. It’s one good thing you can say about the legal profession has over the rest of the world- at least they require details.
Watch Your 500 Pound Gorilla Very Carefully: A Citizen's Guide
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:35
Not too long ago, I watched a program about a 500 pound gorilla whose owner taught him to sign. That gorilla, all grown up, would move his finger an inch off his massive thigh and the owner immediately recognized it. “Oh, that’s his sign when he’s whispering- kind of like at a cocktail party when you tell someone something from across the room so no one else will know.“ I will acknowledge here that I implied the owner was reading a lot into what the gorilla did. I said, "I would prefer a gorilla- any day- his place or mine- who was more straight forward. After the Republican Tax Overhaul bill passage, I am reminded: watch the Gorilla carefully.
A Citizen’s Guide
-Susan Cook-
Not too long ago, I watched a program about a 500 pound gorilla whose owner taught him to sign. That gorilla, all grown up, would move his finger an inch off his massive thigh and the owner immediately recognized it. “Oh, that’s his sign when he’s whispering- kind of like at a cocktail party when you tell someone something from across the room so no one else will know.“ I will acknowledge here that I implied the owner was reading alot into what the gorilla did. I said, "I would prefer a gorilla- any day- his place or mine- who was more straightforward."
But just before the song ends, the Senator votes "Yes" on a whisper and a tap on the thigh- Gorilla sign language after all. And she steps and turns around and does the Hokey-pokey and that's what's it's all about.
America's Sonnet
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :57
From America's Sonnet, "This sonnet's yours America, but you
will not take all my loves, turn my Black, brown, blue."
- Playing
- America's Sonnet
- From
- Susan J. Cook
In the Dept of Poetic Justice! Bannon's New Mic Technique with Lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:05
Bannon's free yoga, Pranayama and no more stuffy nose!
Bannon's New Mic Technique
(To the tune from “I'll Be Seeing You")
I’ve been working on it.
I mean my Mic technique.
I know you haven’t heard it
But I'll be out in about 10 weeks.
Whereas now where I'm working
The yoga class is free,
Ojai breathing, pranayama helps enormously.
Thinking back, I sounded stuffy.
My allergies were tweaked.
The medications didn’t help.
No, I was not smoking weed.
You know the name of my program
needs a General's bark.
When my nose was all stuffed up,
That usually was hard.
Speaking of My General,
Of course I’m still with him.
I watch his rallies when I can.
Yes, crowd numbers seem they’re still
Smaller than they were
When my program was on the air.
If that's because I’m now Off-air
More guilt than I can bear.
When I am at yoga
And they have us meditate,
I’ve got to tell you God is better
Than that really lame technique.
My thoughts are worth big money
Which is why I gave my all
And deserved a cut from
those donations to build the Wall.
So when I hit the airwaves,
To inspire all of you. My Mike
Technique upgraded,
Admiral Bannon on his toes!
It may be the pranayama
Which I’m going to emphasize
Makes My General levitate
Or at least he tries.
Stochastically Yours: Hey Nate Silver (and Amy Walter)! Polls Do Not Predict the Future.
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 08:01
The American voting public has become as gullible about Election polls as they are about quick weight loss plans. In Maine, Election eve, 2010, the Times Record newspaper published below page one's masthead, an AP reporter’s article on Rasmussen Reports polls. They showed the Gubernatorial Republican Tea Party candidate Paul LePage polling up. No mention that Rasmussen polls have the highest bias (chance of inaccuracy) of polls and are least respected by other pollsters.
Poll bias is measured by a statistic called "stochastic bias". Rasmussen Reports have the highest Stochastic Bias among pollsters- the most biased. At Princeton University, the Stochastic Democracy Group studies this at length .
All of this suggests, as we move toward Election Day, we all need to make a collective plea to media outlets to never publish polls without explanation of their stochastic bias. Statistics do not predict the future. They are a mathematical model that explains the likelihood of things that have already happened. Not ones that haven’t happened yet.
"I see Trees Standing in Deep Water" From The Department of Poetic Justice (and Poetic Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:49
The town of Brunswick, Maine is set to remove 2/3 of the trees on Maine Street because it is too expensive to work around them as they install new sidewalks. Thus, an American Sonnet about the oxygen trees create as they breath.
Here, An American Sonnet.
Sonnet 1081
-Susan Cook-
I see trees standing in deep water, their
roots, saturated. They have never had
an immersion like this and now they bear
vulnerability, standing as they have
since growth's inception, since the first seed grew,
waiting for just the right temperature, heat
seeping in to warm the earth. All we knew
of fear changed just then, fundamental needs
provided for, the breath of trees to take
their careful measure of air we deplete,
trees breathing out, the oxygen they make,
inextricably tied to fates we meet.
The trees don’t know we need them. We depend
as they do on breath, theirs, world without end.
The Falcon Teaches World Democracies about Intervening in Ukraine: An American Sonnet
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:15
The conviction of the falcon, not the eagle, is the model for Democracies to call upon to Intervene in Ukraine. "An American Sonnet for the Falcon."
The Falcon Teaches World Democracies About Intervening in Ukraine
A Sonnet for the Falcon
-Susan Cook-
Tonight, the falcon hears the falconer.
She has no intention of leaving him,
talons resting gently, gloved finger, her
ancient reassurance of this system,
knowing she'll go places he can't find.
She does then, sees him peering skyward,
wondering if she's gone for good, his mind
caught too. Absence pierces silence, is heard
even when it's very brief. Birds of prey
prepare us for predictions we can't make:
the clock that stops when someone stays away,
the meal the falcon can't return to take.
Tonight, falcon and falconer rehearse,
those lost, now found, dream of the universe.
A Poem to the President of the NRA
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:09
This poem to the President of the NRA has no statistics, no logic, no legal reasoning or principle. Only profound grief and sadness..
- Playing
- A Poem to the President of the NRA
- From
- Susan J. Cook
"It's A Grand Night for Bailing, Updated" in the Dept. of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning). Lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:39
We've been humming the tune from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "State Fair", again! "It's a Grand Night for Bailing, Updated! The Evangelical version" which could be sung to the tune from "It's a Grand Night for Singing!"
“It's a Grand Night for Bailing Updated”
-Susan Cook-
It's a grand night for bailing,
the writing's on the wall,
and somewhere a bird who is bound he'll be heard
is giving his lawyer a call!
Evangelical nature
requires that they ask:
Could this man be my pastor? They ignore the disaster
he'd be as their daughter's first date!
Evangelicals voting
for You-Know-Who because
they think he's the link between Sin and the Brink
forget that he's currently charged!
When you walk thru the Check-out,
the magazines for sale,
include one you know. It just goes to show
The Enquirer has survived!
There is no room for liars,
Evangelicals agree
at the Pearly Gates, God won't stand there and wait
for Mr. Pecker to be free.
To Role Model is different
than what a pastor does.
Generally speaking, it does not lead to preaching
that he is a morally upstanding guy!
Presidential behavior
can be role modeled too!
That means lying and cheating and expletive deleted
is not what is done with spare time!
Evangelic behavior
is not that different from
what might be expected from a man who's elected
for daughters and sons to admire!
They say “I would not want him
to be my Pastor" yet
his policies are good. Tell us does that include
permission to exploit the women with whom he's had s--?
Refrain:
It's a grand night for bailing!~
The writing's on the wall!
And somewhere the herd who have finally heard
are giving their Lawyers and Pastors a call!
In the Department of Poetic Justice "What Do I Owe You? I Thought I Already Paid"
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:45
Reconciling one man's self-defined Free Trade Agreements (Eeew) is hard to do. A Poetic Tribute to the lyrical dilemma of paying $130000 for something you don't think you should have to pay for because you are fabulous but you are trying to buy someone's silence so you can be elected to a high public office with the support of Evangelical Christians.
(The Great American Wrongbook)
to tune of "Getting to Know You"
from "The King and I"
-Susan Cook-
I thought I already paid.
What do I owe you?
I do not like to be made
into a shyster.
Your rates were far above
my financial free trade
agreement. My private codeword
for what I should not have to get
a bill for. That's not fair trade.
I did not enjoy time with you
I guess I neglected
to ask the same question of you.
For a couple of hours
(was it longer than that?)
for which I paid, did you realize
that I am a senior- AARP- as well,
discounts qualify. Couldn't you tell?
fifty-five plus you begin
to charge by the hour
instead of counting item by item.
"Je ne c'est pas"
how your bottom line fares.
I just know when I did real estate
finishing the deal
no matter how long it takes
one price from start till the end.
don't take this wrong but it seems
one hundred thirty thousand, well,
No, you didn't tell me-
there is a difference between
older fellows who last
I guess you could say. Than those on rapid lunch breaks.
Just like our country, you defer payment
for debt. Who carries that kind of cash?
I just don't get it.
President Clinton you know,
notoriously went out
at lunch time for his quick runs
in Little Rock. I am guessing he thought
money would cheapen deep love he had,
He made sure no cash would ever changed hands
No paying it forward,
he a liberal man.
I'm not a liberal but
I believe there are times
when paying it forward
helps cover the bottom line.
Eventually, the past
may bring up incidents
when changing the spelling of your name
would help avoid future repayment claims.
You weren't there. Cash was for your doppelgang
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning): 'To an Itsy Bitsy Spider'
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:50
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning), The River Is Wide offers a poem that could be sung to the tune from a tune in the public domain, of course, The Itsy Bitsy Spider. With lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook, "To an Itsy Bitsy Spider" is a reflection.
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and reckoning) with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook To an Itsy Bitsy Spider -Susan Cook- To an Itsy Bitsy Spider The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout. Once he was up there no one could get him out. So they chose him for governor. Now they’re sorry Itsy sits up there cause the itsy bitsy spider keeps having little fits. The itsy bitsy spider doesn’t like the income tax He had an itsy fitsy when his bill could not get passed So the itsy bitsy spider went looking for revenge And itsy said he’ll never sign another bill again. The itsy bitsy spider wanted to reduce The government budget. Itsy doesn’t have no use For asylum seekers coming here who’d like to be like the itsy-bitsy spider, enjoying liberty. The itsy bitsy spider forgot it’s not just him creating legislation. Itsy doesn’t seem to know he’s not the most important legislator who's around, so he vetoes everything and tells them no, no, no, no no. The itsy bitsy spider seems like he's inflated his own self- importance which is a little over-rated. It’s a problem that is treated with some sure de-levitators. That is heading to the State House to deal with Legislators. The itsy bitsy spider can have a real hard time. Just like Nikita Khrushchev sometimes you think he’ll pound his sneaker on the table when he gets very mad. Whoops! That’s the part we fantasized. Has itsy had past lives? The itsy bitsy spider did not come out of nowhere. His message is so simple. You wonder where he found the voters who believed him. Voters sometimes can be the sucker now they’re left to try and find a way to impeach… the itsy bitsy spider! …went up the water spout... 
"It's A Grand Night for Bailing!" In the Department of Poetic Justice (some Lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook) !
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:42
In The Department of Poetic Justice (with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook ) , remembering another moment of ex, um disclosure!
It's Not What You're Given, It's What You Do: A Parenting Guide to Understanding Presidentialism
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:52
Human Growth and Development textbooks may be the ‘go to’ reference to explain ‘what the hell is going on’ as the new Republican opponent apparent, Mr. Trump has said, in his newest Presidential race.
You may remember from your Human Growth and Development class the different kinds of parenting power and decision-making that Gerald Lesser, Diana Baumrind, Carolyn Newberger and others have identified. There’s the egalitarian parent’s power- the child has more influence in decision-making than the parent. Then there’s the democratic parent’s approach to power- decisions are made collaboratively. Finally, entering the room via the gold escalators, just to remind you who brings the bacon home, there’s the absolute authoritarian parent- What Dad says goes. Dad makes all the decisions. If Dad says we’re building a wall, we’re building a wall. Dad divys out praise or shame or warmth depending on whether Dad thinks you need it. Dad’s power, after all, controls the resources- financial, emotional and physical . If Dad thinks public humiliation and shaming is in order- well, this is just what Dad has to do. He doesn‘t have to apologize for injustice, crudeness or even the psychological violence of what he says or does. He is Dad.
Dad Donald- A Parenting Guide to the 2016 Presidential Race -Susan Cook- Human Growth and Development textbooks may be the ‘go to’ reference to explain ‘what the hell is going on’ as the new Republican opponent apparent, Mr. Trump has said, in this 2016 Presidential race. You may remember from your Human Growth and Development class the different kinds of parenting power and decision-making that Gerald Lesser, Diana Baumrind, Carolyn Newberger and others have identified. There’s the egalitarian parent’s power- the child has more influence in decision-making than the parent. Then there’s the democratic parent’s approach to power- decisions are made collaboratively. Finally, entering the room via the gold escalators, just to remind you who brings the bacon home, there’s the absolute authoritarian parent- What Dad says goes. Dad makes all the decisions. If Dad says we’re building a wall, we’re building a wall. Dad divys out praise or shame or warmth depending on whether Dad thinks you need it. Dad’s power, after all, controls the resources- financial, emotional and physical . If Dad thinks public humiliation and shaming is in order- well, this is just what Dad has to do. He doesn‘t have to apologize for injustice, crudeness or even the psychological violence of what he says or does. He is Dad. In this and many cultures , The Dad persona- and the person assuming it- is given broad license to do what Dad will. Parenting is an innate, developmentally and culturally defined mindset. I wrote an entire Masters’ Thesis about its intricacies. When someone subtly or overtly begins to play ‘the parental power card’ and exercise parental power over you, it’s hard to immediately recognize because - well, we all there at one time. None of us become our own parents- or parents ourselves- until we grow up or had to. Which is part of the reason it has been so hard to hear what Mr. Trump has been doing. He will parent us, or treat us and the problems of this country as if is he were the authoritarian parent yielding his absolute power like authoritarian parents do. And those of us who never rebelled - whether our parents liked it or not- and became our own parents can really be kowtowed. A turning point in human development is telling Dad- up front- “You can’t tell me what to do. “ Or some variation of questioning Dad’s omniscience. That power shift forever more changes human development. This is Donald Dad Trump. He doles out humiliation as needed- he threatens to take the car keys or build a wall- and once he comes down the gold escalator- Dad built that-you know-he will tell Mr. Cruz he’s smart. He will tell Reince Pribus what a big boy he is doing his job as Republican Party chair. And on and on. Great dads are a wonder to behold. My father was a great father. He held leadership positions of influence. He was the President of the Automobile Dealers Association in the state I grew up in the 1950’s- the automobile’s heyday. He knew parenting is also about knowing what you don’t know- and respecting that every child- every child- has something to teach a parent about how to be a parent. And to be President you have to listen to the economist , the defense and state department , the Supreme Court, and the Congress children. And I do not believe Dad Donald gets that not doing that is the end of the house of Dad Donald’s power. Many a three year old has told a shocked parent, ‘You’re not the boss of me.‘ Dad Donald doesn’t remember that .
Sonnet for Looking for China
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :59
From the Spring 2023 Maine Arts Journal. A poem about grieving.
- Playing
- Sonnet for Looking for China
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Sonnet for Looking for China
(Maine Arts Journal, Spring 2023)
-Susan Cook-
I am in my garden when I fall on
my knees because I remember I can't
find you now. Things that call or that beckon,
what walks toward me, has not been you. It can't
be. So, because I remember behind
everything, there is always something more,
I start to dig. People have tried to find
China this way. You found it, I bet, sure
now, of where it is that loss goes, the fall
it brings. I will find it too and when we're
there, together, we will celebrate small
truths. "Woman burrows to China." We'll cheer
human accomplishment, what cupped hands can
do, know what it is we didn't know then.
In the Department of Poetic Justice (The song and dance genre): All I Want Is My Debt Deferred
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:23
Well, in my state the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting published a lengthy article about a veteran lawmaker who is strongly supporting a bill to allow copper and zinc mining in pristine rural parts of the state by the brother company of a firm that has forgiven a debt of about $150,000 that the legislator owed the company. In our Department of Poetic Justice (and Poetic Reckoning) we today offer this poem "All I Want Is My Debt Deferred" which can be sung to the tune of "Wouldn't it be loverly" from "My Fair Lady" from The Great American Wrongbook.
Well, in my state the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting published a lengthy article about a veteran lawmaker who is strongly supporting a bill to allow copper and zinc mining in pristine rural parts of the state by the brother company of a firm that has forgiven a debt of about $150,000 that he owed the company. In our poetic justice department, we today offer this poem "All I Want Is My Debt Deferred" which can be sung to the tune of "Wouldn't it be loverly" from "My Fair Lady".
Way up north where I keep my word.
All they want is Bald Mountain mines,
"I Wonder Whose Pocket She's In" (The song and dance genre): A Lyrical Tribute to Corporate Influence on Elected Officials
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:46
Well, in my state we have a remarkable example of corporations having their way with state legislators to pass a bill that- in the long run did nothing but pay the corporation millions in cashed-in tax breaks. And the two legislators (one from each party) who sponsored the bill got nothing but $16,000 in donations to their personal PACS. This has sparked wonder and awe and inspired a lyrical tribute "I Wonder Whose Pocket She's In" which can be sung to the melody of the 1909 hit song "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now", if you like a good song instead of a bracing lyrical poem.
A Sonnet for Negative Ads
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :57
Sometimes, there is an ineffable quality to the offensiveness of negative campaign ads. We turn here to the sonnet to express deep concern about negative political ads. Thus, for this 2014 Election Campaign season, "A Sonnet for Negative Ads".
- Playing
- A Sonnet for Negative Ads
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Bannon, Santa Claus and all that in The Dept. of Poetic Justice
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:00
A lyrical tribute from one Special Viewer observing the 2020 Republican National Convention and a certain Pardon being given by You Know Who!
One thing in the jail cell
would not come my way.
And I Cleared It With You! You-Know-Who's Personal Attorney Speaks to Congress! Lyrics, too!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:09
In the Dept. of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook!
Sonnet for Gorbachev
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :57
The vision of Gorbachev now is destroyed by Vladimir Putin. A sonnet will remind us of what Gorbachev made possible and what is now lost by Putin's polarization.
- Playing
- Sonnet for Gorbachev
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Sonnet for the First Fish, Best Fish
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :51
Sonnets are a way to find optimism in difficult times. This is a sonnet that acknowledges that the first fish is the best fish and can provide for many.
- Playing
- Sonnet for the First Fish, Best Fish
- From
- Susan J. Cook
-Susan Cook-
Ode to Mr. Roubini's West Grand Lake Bass Update
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:18
In Maine, Bass fishing on West Grand Lake is a destination respite for many, including Mr. Nouriel Roubini, the legendary economist who was almost single-handed in anticipating the 2008 housing collapse and world-wide recession. This "Ode to Mr. Roubini's West Grand Lake Bass " is revisited in the wake of the recent change in , let's say, the landscape under the "River of Financial Abundance".
ODE TO MR. ROUBINI'S WEST GRAND LAKE BASS REVISITED
MR. ROUBINI, DO YOU THINK IT WAS THE WEST GRAND LAKE BASS
THAT HELPED YOUR BRAIN CELLS FORECAST THE 2008 CRASH?
LUCKY FOR YOU, SOME BASS STILL REMAINED
TELL US, WILL INTRODUCING ALEWIVES TO THE ST. CROIX RIVER DRIVE OUT THE BASS?
The 2022 Prologue,
Mr. Roubini, time to fire up the grill,
Your very best guide in this time of ticker tape upheaval
is not Bloomberg News or today's Wall Street Journal.
To keep your title as Dr. West Grand Lake Bass,
your Omega-3s jumping, still saving our last
nickels and dollars from going out with the tide,
go to www.grandlakestreamguides."
-SUSAN COOK-
In The Department of Poetic Justice (The song and dance genre): "Donald J. Trump"
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:46
In Today's Department of Poetic Justice, The River Is Wide offers a musical tribute to 'Donald J. Trump' to the tune of 'Seventy Six Trombones'. from that all-American treasure Broadway. Sing it if you're in the mood for song. Say it if you feel like no one is telling the truth.
In the Department of Poetic Justice ‘Donald J. Trump’ To the tune of ‘Seventy Six Trombones’ A Musical Tribute Donald J. Trump says he doesn’t want to see Anymore Muslims come to his country. He wants to know what the hell is really going on Since he thought that there was nothing wrong. Donald J. Trump has now found his perfect mate. A different circumstance, she could have had a date With that old New York Stallion that used to go a-tailing Twenty-something clones of Sarah Palin. Donald J. Trump does not like scenarios Where he’s disempowered , is not allowed to blow Up and explode if he’s confronted with the truth That he’s got no idea and doesn’t know How Donald J. Trump would get terrorists to stop Since militants hide before you can kick their ass What Donald J. Trump has not said but What he’s planning on is he’ll call a New York City cop. Donald J. Trump does not like to plan ahead He is a man of action who’ll act instead Like the extensive record of Donald J. Trump Placing his head adjacent to his rump. Which Donald J. Trump thinks is such a special feat For someone who won’t do yoga and likes to eat It means he can still perform like when he was back in heaven Watching models BLANK at New York’s Club Fifty Seven. He won’t be. He’s running for President Which brings up a favorite topic That Hillary ignores ,’When did she realize Bill had a taste for.. Donald J. Trump has been there. He lapped it up. Whenever his wives found out, he took the only decent course. He said ‘Sue me. Where is my divorce.’ He is excited. Coincidentally, He is adopting a son to tell what Presidents should know. His name is Mayor Bill Diblasio. He has admired Muslims especially when they go marry another woman and do not have to hire a lawyer just because Donald J. Trump was feeling bored and tired.
from Susan Cook
Donald J. Trump is not dating currently. Decadent
Donald J. Trump will tell Hillary what side is up.
Donald J. Trump thinks he thinks presidentially.
Donald J. Trump wants America to know
In The Department of Poetic Justice (with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook): "Donald J. Trump- The Evangelical Version" (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:59
In Today's Department of Poetic Justice (and The Great American Wrongbook), "Donald J. Trump- The Evangelical Version" which could be sung to the tune from "Seventy Six Trombones" from that Broadway treasure 'The Music Man' . Remember the story? A man goes to River City, Iowa where he intends to slam-dunk the town into giving him their most valuable asset to buy uniforms for a grand blustery band but abscond with the money before forming the band. Or you can just read the words silently to yourself.
‘Donald J. Trump- The Evangelical Version’
To the tune of ‘Seventy Six Trombones’
A Musical Tribute
Donald J. Trump is a Presbyterian
because he believes God thinks they’re superian.
God’s second preference is like Mr. Falwell
knows is to be an Evangelical.
Evangelist thinking’s slightly different
than Donald J. Trump’s. They think it’s significant
That their daughters are pure which has a special kind of meaning
Which Donald J. Trump finds a little Muslim-ish and boring.
Of course that does not mean Mr. Falwell can’t
have admiration for those religious rants
Donald J. Trump gets into . The man’s got fire and brim
which Mr. Falwell finds exciting when they’re about women
That Donald J. Trump has dated. They were temporary
while he contemplated entering seminary,
a thought he abandoned when he learned they had a rule
he could not bring his hairdresser along too.
Donald J. Trump left out biographically
His religious predilections and his fantasies
And now that he's planning on becoming President
He wants America to see his deep ambivalence
When Donald J. Trump ignored his religiousness
Mr. Falwell knows things God would never bless
Of course, after he victimized those models by watching them as they were getting LA____
Donald J. Trump now says went he outside afterwards and he prayed.
At least that’s what Donald J. Trump will surely tell
Evangelicals. They don’t vote for Presidents who are headed straight for hell.
Security cameras did not exist at Studio Fifty Four
And Evangelicals could not even get in the door.
But America should not hold its collective breath
to find out if Donald J. Trump has now actually confessed
To religious propensities like getting down and praying
At Studio Fifty Four .You don’t suppose he was doing a little master…
Donald J. Trump hopes praises from Evangelicals
will give him their vote,and save him from being sent to hell
Coincidentally, he might rename his tower "Nobis Deus"
capturing Italian votes as well.
In the Department of Poetic Justice 'L-I-M-B-O' A Tribute to a Fictional Radio Host (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:25
From the Department of Poetic Justice, here at The River Is Wide , we offer an original composition, titled 'LIMBO'. There is such confusion and frenzy in Presidential politics right now. It's time to turn to the comfort of an old familiar tune, BINGO, with new words, composed as a musical tribute to a fictional radio host named 'Rushton Limbo' . Here is the poetic and lyrical song called 'LIMBO'.
L-I-M-B-O- A Musical Tribute to Rushton Limbo, a fictional Radio Host To the tune of the song ‘BINGO’ -Susan Cook- There was a guy named Donald Trump. He’s now a big problem. He says he is Republican but really he’s a DEM. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name. Mitt Romney said Trump has small hands just like the Democrats Your pockets Donald Trump will pick and tax and tax and tax. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name. Mitt is a Mormon, kind of like an Evangelical. Mitt didn’t know picked pockets anatomically related to the Donald’s … Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name. I’m feeling rather horrified . Republicans steal my negativity My radio shows’ copyright. They’re using it for free. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name. What’s his name from Ohio, Ted Cruz and Rubio, did not use proper logic like I do on radio. If Donald Trump can do it, I can run for President, broadcast from the White House since I’ll be the resident. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name. I have a simple strategy. It is my campaign trick. To get me to the White House I will win come thin or thick. Save us from Bill and Hillary. Right wing the Republic. My promise is to ban debate about the Donald’s .. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo ‘s where I remain. I never thought anatomy was Presidential news and actually I hated Bill and Hilary as well. Now we have Republicans who bring it up again. They think it is essential for the votes they’ll need to win. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo ‘s where I remain. Republicans compare these thing. Why couldn’t they keep still. Instead we lost our biggest condemnation to vote against Hillary and Bill. Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo ‘is my new name.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: LIMBO, A Musical Tribute (The Leave It To Beaver version with song and dance)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:53
In today's Department of Poetic Justice, we offer a musical tribute to a fictional radio host, Rushton Limbo, who poetically longs for the respite of television watching and the iconic "Leave It To Beaver".
A Musical Tribute to Rushton Limbo, a fictional Radio Host-
The Leave It To Beaver Version
To the tune of the song ‘BINGO’
-Susan Cook-
It’s not nearly as interesting as listening to me.
But lately I’ve been thinking
So fascinatingly
Of turning on my TV, a little break for me.
Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name.
Ward Cleaver is a lot like me
Way back when I was slim.
I’d like to watch some re-runs. I don’t go on the web.
Especially the one of a President, denying he had sex.
Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name.
Of pictures of a girl from then.
I bet you know her too. Please join me in remembering
We’ll hold our nose together. As we recall repulsively
What our country had to weather.
Oh, L--I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, is my name.
Oh why couldn’t Newt Gingrich
Get Bill Clinton out the door. So un presidentially, his index
Finger pointed, he even lied to you and me
Said he did not have sex.
Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name.
less turmoil, at least nobody has brought out a blue dress.
My job gets harder everyday. With the GOP's big clammor,
Where did Mitch and Newtie go, with Hastert in the slammer?
Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name.
Can’t raise my Prozac dose Higher,
lest I end up asking her on my show.
I need some comfort now that the GOP’s upended,
a little harmless Beaver. Don’t go there, no pun intended.
Oh, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, L-I-M-B-O, Limbo is my name.
A Citizen’s Guide to Small-minded Denigration: A Sixty Second Moral Inquiry, Two and ½ Minute Conspiracy Theory presented in a Sonnet for The Department of Poetic Justice
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:34
In honor of the upcoming Presidential race, The River Is Wide presents a melding of our favorite features. A Citizen's Guide, A Sixty Second Moral Inquiry and Two and 1/2 Minute Conspiracy Theory presented in a Sonnet to place In the Department of Poetic Justice. Random The River Is Wide Series is not.
The topic:
A Citizen’s Guide to Small-minded Denigration (or a Conspiracy to Throw the Ethical Female Presidential Candidate Under the Bus for what She has Never Done).
A Sixty Second Moral Inquiry, Two and ½ Minute Conspiracy Theory presented in a Sonnet for The Department of Poetic Justice
women. Intelligently, insightful,
reliable, prestigious, humanly
accomplished, with sound judgment? Delightful!
What will have nothing to do with the job
she will do is the employee who lacked
judgment and chose a sick ex-husband, robbed
sense. The staffer, small-minded, at the back
of the bus, the Opponent now sinks to
say, should be used to run out the admired
Woman, who should be President, linked to
small mindeds just because of who she hired.
Hostile cruel minds Either sex can be numb.
Formidable President? She’s the one.
Sonnet for the US Ducks Independently Verified to Have been Neither Forcefed for Foie-Gras Production Nor Plucked of Their Feathers and Down During Their Lifetime
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:17
A United States outdoor clothing store sells coats, labelled to assure us that the down is from US Ducks Independently Verified to Have been Neither Forcefed for Foie-Gras Production Nor Plucked of Their Feathers and Down During Their Lifetime. Scott Pruitt who sued the Environmental Protection Agency over a dozen times had been installed as the agency's head, when I wrote this sonnet. In reading the label on a down coat, I have found consolation, hope and small victory that our environmental sensibilities will survive, sentiments presented here in a sonnet, in the Department of Poetic Justice.
to Have been Neither Forcefed for Foie-Gras Production
Nor Plucked of Their Feathers and Down During Their Lifetime
-Susan Cook-
I want these ducks to know my faith in our
country has been re-nourished by this feat
when they grow the down , in their pro-life hour
in their solitary stance against the elite
practices that feed the rich while the ducks
live lives of strangulation, the minute’s
peace, lost, the moment when the neck curves, tucks
itself inside the plush gift. Diminish
the significance of the gift, the down’s weight,
the coat that will keep anyone warm, no
matter their social standing, EPA
head or not? Surely, they’re not our new foe.
Even ducks saved from force feeding won’t feed
you, Mr.Pruitt, your stick figure needs.
"My Funny I.T. Guy" To the Tune of "My Funny Valentine'' (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:08
A musical tribute to "My Funny I.T. Guy" . Blackberry phones - like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had- used to be considered difficult to hack. The F.B.I. - having revealed their lack of technological competence very recently- now claims with conviction that her emails could have been hacked even though they have found no evidence of that and found fewer than 10 out of 30,000 emails worthy of a higher level of security- afterwards.
If the FBI now has new information technology sophistication, why don't they spend our taxpayer dollars on getting rid of truly offensive material anonymously sent in emails.
-Susan Cook-
A Musical Tribute to the 2016 Presidential Primaries: "Tonight" (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:22
The River Is Wide today offers a musical tribute to the 2016 Republican primaries to the tune of "Tonight" from the Broadway musical "West Side Story." The tribute is called '"Tonight".
‘Tonight- A Musical Tribute to the 2016 Republican Pirmaries’ To the tune of ‘Tonight’ from West Side Story -Susan Cook- Tonight, tonight, won’t be just any night. Tonight we will be hearing more news. Voters don’t want a President named Cruz or Rubio politically, who can’t tie their shoes. At least, it seems that way when voters see the screws now coming loose When Rubio or Cruz Tell them the truth On what it is they’ d do As president, what they’d choose. If they can win. But anyway they lose, wondering what Jesus would do. Instead, they bring Mitt Romney back to soothe them in his familiar voice So similar to An information -ad for laxatives to re---move You-Know-Who, toooooo-night.
There's a Hole in Your Ozone, Mr. President (from The Great American Wrong book and The Dept of Poetic Justice)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:52
Recently, millions protested government inaction on climate change and global warming. Let us find words to help the current administration grasp what global warming will end.
(sung to the tune of "There's a Hole in Your Bucket"
-Susan Cook-
Mr. President, Mr. President,
There’s a hole in your ozone,
We will soon wash away.
Mr. President, Mr. President,
The logic you’re using is
as small as a pea.
Mr. President, Mr. President,
Not that kind, Mr. President,
No prostate involved.
Mr. President, Mr. President,
It will hurt your golf course,
It will be washed away.
The hot ones, the hot ones
won’t like it, Mr. President
It will get their clothes wet.
Mr. President, Mr. President,
Viagra won’t fix it
Or put it back up.
Mr. President, Mr. President,
No concrete and rebar
Can patch up this hole.
For the science,
explaining why one more
degree is too hot.
Mr. President, Mr. President,
It’s totally different
Than women you’ve known.
Mr. President, Mr. Tillerson,
Is not one your EPA chief
Likes in a chick.
Mr. Tillerson, Mr. Tillerson
Earns for his shareholders
The world will still pay.
Your cabinet spouses
Will act just like icicles
They’ll say it’s too hot.
Sexual recreation,
No physical actions,
They’ll all be too hot.
will have transformed.
You’ll wish that your women
Were icy instead.
you Mr. President,
Too much of a good thing
Will take it away.
shouldn’t be your next paycheck
Ivanka’s, Jared’s,
Tiffany’s or Exxon’s.
Mr. President, Mr. Tillerson,
There’s hole in your ozone .
Wake up and feel the heat.
"You Scratch My Back, I'll Scratch Yours" In the Dept. Of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:08
In the Department of Poetic Justice, we offer a poetic tribute to the complex topic of hiring candidates for government jobs who carry heavy political indebtedness. Might be sung to the tune of "Love and Marriage" which was written for a 1955 production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town".
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with lyrics for
the Great American Wrongbook!
‘You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Your Back’which could be sung
To the tune from "Love and Marriage"
from a 1955 production of Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’
-Susan Cook-
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch your back
Julius Caesar didn’t take the right tack,
Handing out some big jobs might
Help Brutus fix the numbers and do the math right.
One for you and one for me, I guess
It’s kindness, a certain specialty,
political repayment
In the form of six figure paycheck improvement.
You did my way, I did your way,
Surprise, surprise, I’m ready for my payday,
Call me clever, greedy,
Pick me, I suddenly feel needy.
Just remember, when you cover
my butt, I certainly will re-consider
yours when you’re caught lying,
vote trading, need some good denying .
Exculpation, exoneration
Pardoning in any situation,
You for me, no matter
Who else gets nailed- My checkbook fatter.
This is not Ukraine, or Moscow,
Putin territory, where you might go
Hoping for some bribing
In Maine, it’s done through legal hiring.
Advocacy, conspiracy,
Cover my butt, six figures should do that nicely,
I’ll advocate so publicly,
for your job with the DEP or chairing public utilities.
There are people, who will be skilled
negotiating jurisprudence until
they're ready to retire. Lifetime
appointments if you hire
Them just after you take office.
Let's see what knowledge of the law can offer
Maybe not pronto, tout-de-suite
your law firm partners will gladly wait for their seat.
Let's be honest. Take the high road
Facilitating, as you take on that load
Chairing this and chairing that
But don't forget the itchy spot on your own back.
Permission-er, Commission-er,
Half-a-dozen, six of one. I have heard
Put your eggs in one basket.
Rewarded depending on who gets elected.
Chief of staff, hey, turn your back, hey,
I got you covered, every night and day.
I know you and you know me,
Composting dirt on any adversary.
Let's see now, the best advisor,
find a million dollar salaried devisor
of perfect plans, utilities
Last time I checked that's where the money's hiding.
Don't forget the sons and daughters
hoping waitressing will soon be fodder,
now compost paper resume
The new job? Highly Paid Superior Aide.
Looking for someone to okay
a multi-billion dollar forested way?
Put some shiny towers up!
Power binging instead of watching Netflix!
Or instead of Ben and Jerry's
Multi-nationally Christmas stockings
filling up with pristine Maine.
The moose, deer, beaver never in the fast lane.
Not like David, Ben or who's
the other one- Goliath, all big men
who made their mark in history
ignoring little people just like Maine's, see
Multi-million dollar dealers
have always taken more than they de-served
Before they found what their paycheck lacked
the lubrication from scratching someone's itchy back.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: We'll Give You A Job (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:47
In the Department of Poetic Justice, as we say "Sayonara" to Tom Price, government jobs distributed as they may be, a poetic tribute called "We'll Give You A Job" which might be sung to the tune "Home on the Range".
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Poetic Reckoning)
-Susan Cook-
where the fat salaries are
and the pay is the highest you've had,
where seldom is heard, your skills being what they are,
what's required to get hired for this?
if you do what I want when I say.
That may entail, never saying my name,
making sure our connection not clear.
where rewards will be dear
for your silence. Don't mention my name,
and the rest of your friends, we know what they will do
but remember they didn't tell you.
because I'm at the top of my game
and you and I won't get caught with our hand in the pot.
It's your friends who are busy all day.
I forget what job you did, before you
rose up on my radar screen.
Since you did just what I said, my involvement well hid,
You did landscaping, now I recall.
where the fat salaries are
and the pay is the highest you've had,
where seldom is heard, since your skills are what they are,
is he minimally qualified for this?
In the Department of Poetic Justice- 'Casino' (One for the Great American Wrongbook:The song and dance genre )
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:19
In the Department of Poetic Justice, a poetic tribute to longings for a casino which could be sung to the tune from the West Side Story classic "Maria".
In the Department of Poetic Justice
To the tune from ‘Maria’
Casino, two guys who I know like Casinos
And suddenly I see how much they mean to me
right now. Me hired,
For a job, somewhat bizarre. Oh, casino,
I had hoped my day’d come, if I just played it dumb,
Oh, casino.
And when complaints come in as public advocate,
regulations change, utility permits,
the neighbors might complain,
You’ll see the fix. I’m in, Casino. Just then
Dollar bills coming in,
If only I had known,
how much my bank book grown,
Casino.
And when people complain,
Just then I’ll mute my phone.
Casino.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: The Bills Are Alive to Get Rid of Healthcare (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:00
Congress has taken on eliminating affordable health insurance coverage for all citizens. For many, this year is 'anno horribilis'. In the Department of Poetic Justice, we observe possible outcomes of the proposed plans- still in flux- and explore the implications.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: "Scurrilious, Mr. Sessions said!" (The song and dance genre)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:00
The Senate Intelligence Committee hearings about Russian meddling in the 2016 election are Scurrilous one especially important testifier said.
- Playing
- In the Department of Poetic Justice: ...
- From
- Susan J. Cook
-Susan Cook-
To the 1921 tune of ‘Baby Face’
In honor of the testimony
before the Senate Intelligence Committee of
Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Scurrilous
You ask me questions
That I’ve already
told you before
I had no prior
knowledge for.
Squirrelish
Like I am running off
To hide something
in the backyard
Nuts, acorns,
I would not go that far.
With my flag, back at home
In Alabama, I mean my Old Glory,
Our country’s flag,
I don’t let her secrets
out of the bag.
Churlish and
No, I’m not like that when
Russians came to the GOP
Convention,
So they can party with me.
girlish when she told you
that I’m a decent, good
Hail fellow well met,
a.k.a Donald Trump’s favorite bet
Now that it turns out Putin
Likes the inside track
He won’t get from me,
Executive privilege, gee,
The Tiffany of privacy.
Scurrilous, you got me thinking this is
Scurrilous
You ask me questions
That I’ve already
told you before
I had no prior
knowledge for.
In the Department of Poetic Justice (The song and dance genre): "We're Going To Show You", after The Republican Senate Healthcare Bill
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:47
Now that the Republicans have rolled out the Senate version of Healthcare, a poetic tribute which could be sung to the tune of 'Getting to Know You' from "The King and I".
In the Department of Poetic Justice
-The song and dance genre-
To the tune of ‘Getting to Know You’ from "The King and I"
-Susan Cook-
We're going to show you
now that the bill's in our hands.
We're going to show you, now
it's our time to grandstand.
Our healthcare bill
is Big pharma's special prize,
restoring our friends, the GOP who’ve
been suffering from You Know Who.
We’ll not show him, no surprize.
^^^^
we've been working real late,
how to give tax breaks
trying to calculate, how we can make sure
every nickel and dime
the rich have spent
on healthcare problems, all tax deductions,
and won't give a cent
to those who don't have a dime.
We are not greedy.
You will not have any time,
to make calculations,
or to find reason or rhyme
for our deletion of Planned Parenthood funds,
while we give millions to wealthy men
each variation of pee-
nile correction, all paid for,
No condoms for girls.
We cannot help it,
if working people get sick.
If they were richer, maybe the idea would stick,
that subsidizing Insurance is bad for them.
They should be paying
Cigna, Anthem, as much as possible
Just so they can
Pay CEO’s millions,
Mostly they’re men.
Senator Collins is female
as you all know
She doesn’t like it
when the whole Senate can’t vote
So in committee she’ll vote yes
when she said
That she opposes a certain bill,
Votes to affirm it, forgets what she said.
With healthcare, oh well, you could be dead.
The US Senate
is not a hospital ward,
Outpatient treatment, day surgery
Elective or more
Invasive procedures. Those are your problem my friend,
And when Bill Gates, Exxon, Mobil Oil Corp,
Other big earners get more and more
Tax cuts, Mitch says that’s your cure.
We are not sorry if your health premiums go up.
The free lunch is over,
You will be sucking it up,
When your insurance costs
you more than a house.
Well, yes it’s starting to look that way,
Maybe it’s time for you to just say,
where’s China, Liberals in exile.
This is our country,
Mitch and the Senators know
That’s why they run it
as if you have to be told
Your health dilemmas
make you seem like a wimp.
The only people who should be healthy
And strong, white wealthy men, ok, Betsy Devos,
Ivanka, Tiffany also.
^^^^
In the Department of Poetic Justice (from The Great American Wrongbook): Donald Trump's Executive Order Recently Filed; Your Colonoscopy is Driving Him Wild
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:43
Why haven't pharmaceutical companies and oil corporations been asked to make health insurance lower by reducing drug costs or refusing federal subsidies? A poetic tribute to Trump's Executive Order Gutting Affordable Care Act health mandates just like GOP Healthcare Bill Would. Still "Your Colonoscopy Drives Trump and the GOP Wild", in the Department of Poetic Justice -The Song and Dance Genre.
Donald Trump’s Executive Order Recently Filed; Your Colonoscopy Is Driving Him Wild
To the tune of ‘For Me and My Gal’
-Susan Cook-
Your colonoscopy is driving him wild.
Donald Trump’s Executive Order recently filed
Excludes provisions to subsidize
Exploratory tools that just might find
More G-I problems. They’ll refuse to pay.
In other words health insurance costs
Are your own problem , says Mr. McConnell, to his boss.
The Federal Deficit is intricately tied
To your intestines, surprise. Surprise
Mr. McConnell and his Senate guys
Refuse to authorize or subsidize
Physical problems. Your body’s your own
Except for women. Or Big Pharma
Who wants you to loan
Your blood sugar, neurons, arthritic bones
So they can find hew drugs you’ll take at home
On health care for Americans. Just tell me when
Did they become more important then
ExxonMobil, Tillerson’s fracking friends,
Eleven billion in subsidies sent
To colleagues of Tillerson and their friends
So they can see what might be down in there
Kind of like colonoscopy for the Earth
Money well spent, Republicans have said
But just remember. Please don’t forget
No condoms, birth control for Planned Parenthood
That drives the deficit, brings us to the brink
Financial disaster, Thank God the GOP
saved Big Pharmaceutical’s tail, ExxonMobile , too.
Financial ruin all because of you.
Your colonoscopy is driving him wild.
Donald Trump’s Executive Order recently filed
Excludes provisions to subsidize
Your health too, Mr. and Mrs. America, hope you don’t lose your mind.
In the Department of Poetic Justice (The song and dance genre): You Don't Know This But You're Making the Federal Deficit Too High
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:54
The Senate and House Healthcare bills will replace Obamacare subsidies with tax breaks for the wealthy. Meanwhile oil and gas companies continue to receive billions in federal subsidies for oil and gas fracking and exploration.
To the tune of ‘You are 16 going on 17’
From the ‘Sound of Music”
but you’re making
the Federal Deficit
Go higher
than the GOP
can stand.
Why don’t you just confess?
is expensive.
When government pays out
That means the final
tally
will be
as red as
Rudolph’s nose gets.
likes his paycheck
and full health coverage.
He is a Senator
and you know,
he deserves
your last red cent.
Exxon Mobil
Get subsidies instead,
Fracking, attacking, so
they won’t be lacking
Gas for their
SUVS.
billion to Exxon-
from good old me and you.
Taxpayer dollars,
Their share is taller.
While You want
health care for free.
He’s seen their
bank checkbook,
delegates overseeing
The small print
To What-his-name, if his
recall is spotty at all,
It just because he forgets.
Maybe he is stressed out,
needs a break
from the scrutiny.
His health insurance
Covers the cost
If he needs
some therapy.
stressed because your
insurance is too high,
visualize your
Generous side.
You’re helping Exxon to find-
Oil, gas. Pat yourself
on the back.
Oh I forgot, sacro-illiac
Pain has got you
Disabled.
Mitch can’t muster
Subsidies
To pay for
Your premiums. I’ll say it again,
Federal deficits are too high.
but you’re making
the Federal Deficit
Go higher than
the GOP can stand.
Why don’t you just confess?
In the Department of Poetic Justice (the song and dance genre) : What Do We Owe You?
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:47
"What Do We Owe You?" This poetic tribute to the failure of the Republican sponsored bill to end healthcare for millions of Americans- could be sung to the tune from "Getting to Know You" . Hint-!!! What do they owe you? Not healthcare!
A Poetic Tribute to the Failure of the GOP Bill to Replace Obamacare
What Do We Owe You?
To the tune ‘Getting to Know You’
From My Fair Lady
-Susan Cook
Nothing as far as we know.
What do we owe you
Don’t ask because we’ll say No.
Our GOP colleagues
Think your health care is not
Something we’ll give you.
Our wealthy friends
Tell us they’re struggling just to make ends
meet. Your body? Not ours to mend.
****
we don’t have to vote
To buy insurance to cover
your tail. We got
two more elected
Senators, our fall guys,
To say no way will they ever vote
for this bill. No, we didn’t choke.
Obama care- we still will revoke.
****
Repeal this terrible plan.
To help you buy coverage.
You know that Medicare
Was a terrible idea.
Thirty million or more
who would have no
healthcare if we dumped
Obamacare. No, we have not jumped
ship. Someday we will get there.
****
To repeal
Obamacare
You should absolutely go there.
Since Mitch McConnell will be
On display
He’s such a Great American guy
who always gives it the old college try.
Mt. Rushmore. There with the other four guys.
****
We are not saying
that it will take a long time.
We mean the carving of his image
Into stone.
Obamacare will hopefully
be repealed
by then, replaced with something
we like. More and more tax cuts,
give Bill Gates a break.
Well, not him, he’d just give it away.
****
consider a health bill again,
Yes, one more time
we will be trying. By then
We will have convinced
one or two more of our guys
with chutzpah. This is not Israel,
France, Germany, or any of the countries,
with free healthcare,
Ninety percent of the western hemisphere.
''Bannon's Farewell Pose'' to the tune of ''I'll Be Seeing You''! Lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:18
In the Department of Poetic Justice, to the tune from 'I'll Be Seeing You', an Ohm for Mr. Bannon, updated now that he refuses an Insurrection Day subpoena.
Addendum to Bannon's Farewell Pose
Now that there's been progress re-electing You-Know-Who.
Not much time for yoga, An update on just what I do
day-to-day to keep busy, besides yoga, there's something new:
doing lots of favors those with repayments due!
As you know my allergies keep me on my toes.
It turns out using shaving cream, reeks havoc with my nose.
Yes it is a trade-off, 5 days' stubble keeps down the rose-
colored nose liberals said caused by something that rhymes with “So”.
I've maintained my regimen with someone I advise.
It's just my personality, “My Leader Do-or-Die”.
It hasn't made me famous. The liberal press think I would lie
about things like if You-Know-Who had gotten me re-hired.
No, the White House had not yet, given me a call
on January fifth or sixth. At least, I don't recall
if my direct deposit shows my paychecks still legal
right on time to see if I was still working there after all.
No, I won't go testify. My phone messages are off
limits. Details of my day-to-day are really all I've got
to build up my retirement. There's a book deal I might sign.
Want to know what he said? Find my book on Amazon!
In the Department of Poetic Justice: Take Them Off Our Agenda (Ending Affordable Care)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:01
The Senate Republicans have introduced a bill to send all Affordable Care Act funding back to the states so states can deny coverage to citizens and Republicans will get the problem off their backs. We turn to the Great American Wrongbook and the Department of Poetic Justice to fathom what they do. Could be sung to "Take me out ot the ball gamee."
On the NEW Republican Bill to Ignore Health Coverage for Americans
Take them off Medicaid.
Why should we divvy their healthcare up
Give states block subsidies,
Get this off of our backs.
Where Ted Cruz shows his hand,
Once again does not give a rat’s ass
About their sick children,
their spleeny heart attacks.
That used to pay for health care,
They can spend it on their own problems,
Maybe to help build
a Mexican wall.
For young women,
Maybe they’ll fix the homes
ruined by hurricanes then make more
Climate change, a topic
Cruz likes to ignore..
Get to decide as well
If you can visit your doctor when
Your back is aching,
The place is called Hell.
questions about his votes.
All the Republicans won’t be blamed
for turning their backs
when the voters complain
About soaring insurance payments.
Gee, Ted can’t help with that.
When they’re one, two, three times as high,
He and Mitch will not bat an eye.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: Uncle Donald Had a Farm
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:05
Turning once again to the extensive value of nursery rhyme to bring us deep understanding, which brilliant skilled public servants did Donald Trump ignore as he and Rudy Giuliani birthed The Big Lie? The same ones who went quiet like a clam until they got subpoenaed?
In the Department of Poetic Justice
Uncle Donald Had (had) a Farm
To the tune of ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’
-Susan Cook-
Uncle Donald has a Farm,
Got it with your vote
And on that farm he had a fit
History will note.
With a fit fit there,
And a fit, fit here
Here a fit, there a fit,
weekend’s are a big big fit fit.
Uncle Donald had a farm,
Bought it with your vote.
Got it with your vote
And yes, that farm is very big,
History will note.
With a snort snort here
and a snort, snort there,
Mar-a-largo ,
snort, snort, snort there,
Uncle Donald had a farm
Got it with your vote.
Uncle Donald has a Farm,
Got it with your vote
Likes to fit his golf game in
Every chance he got,
With a cheat cheat there
and a cheat cheat here
Drop a stroke, Move the ball,
Who will know he faked it all,
Uncle Donald has a farm,
Got it with your vote.
Uncle Donald picked his team
Scarramouchi too,
Started out with Sean Spicer,
But he had to go
With a Tom Price here
and a Bannon there
Comey, Pribus,
Prett Bharara,
Uncle Donald had his team
Fired them you know.
Uncle Donald doesn’t like
People who know more
Than he does
so what he does
Shows them to the door
Sally Yates, Michael Flynn,
Ethics Smethics Walter Shaub,
Michael Short and Dubke too,
All of them have lost their jobs.
Uncle Donald doesn't like
People who know more.
Uncle Donald doesn’t see
What the problem is
Thinks he’s back in New Jersey
Hitting a golf tee
With the ball up there
and the ball down there
Random, Land em
Any where there
Uncle Donald doesn’t see
What the problem is.
Uncle Donald hired a
Mouthpiece for his staff,
tells her what occurs to him
No thought of aftermath
McEnaney quotes him word for word
Irresponsible, absurd,
Uncle Donald
Hired her
Thoughtlessness what he prefers.
Uncle Donald had a Farm,
Got it with your vote
hired some small minded folk
Ee-yikes- oh no yikes oh no,
With a world threat here
Some racists there
Here a thug, there a thug
Everywhere some sheep dung
Uncle Donald had a farm,
Bought it with your vote.
The Freedom to Succeed and the Mind's Eye:One Runner's Success
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:01
In Maine, recently, an internationally known annual road race was held . 6338 runners raced. One runner in the group of the first 183 spent a full year- in another state locked up- not for committing a crime- but for having a mental illness. In some states that is still possible.
This year he missed the first 100 places in the 2017 Maine Marathon by a few minutes.
In order to have success you have to have freedom to succeed. And there are hundreds of obstacles to that - in this country- still touted as the free-est nation on earth. We know it's not always but most of us still hold out having the freedom to succeed as America’s cherished offering .
The current political rhetoric ignores that. The anti- freedom to succeed catch phrases of this Presidential election cycle remind us of that. Don’t let immigrants come here. Build a wall. She must be a liar-don’t let her succeed. Don’t trust her. And yes, he’s not fit countered by she’s not fit. I guess it comes down to success being having the freedom to succeed, and then seizing it. Many, many people don’t do that but that’s what this runner did. Where a person finds the motivation let alone - as another runner called it the audacity to hope- that success is still up for grabs- I don’t know. It takes a large mind to see what small minds shut out-and who is shut out. But it has nothing to do with the mind’s size. It has more to do with the mind’s eye- that sees the horizon, like runners see, when they get out on the road, getting out on the road, giving it another go, giving themselves the freedom to succeed, with only 182 others in front of them. It also takes a culture or a country that yes, may hold them back for awhile, but not long enough to take away the freedom to succeed for good.
-Susan Cook-
In the Department of Poetic Justice: If You Had a License Like Alabama's Natives Give..."
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:46
In the Department of Poetic Justice, and the Great American Wrongbook, "If You Had a License Like Alabama's Natives Give.." sung to the tune from "I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl who Married Dear Old Dad".
In the Department of Poetic Justice:
"If You Had a License Like Alabama's Natives Give.."
To the tune from "I Want A Girl Just Like the Girl Who Married Dear Old Dad"
From the Great American Wrongbook
-Susan Cook-
If you had a license like Alabama's natives give
to men who suddenly cannot decide
why they shouldn't take teenagers outside.
Get her into the vehicle and lock up both the doors.
She won't have what is often called a choice
No one will hear when she raises her voice.
Remember some day she may finally get a certain chance,
to tell the world that while he called her M'am
Roy Moore groped her, now calls it water over the dam.
Jeff Sessions, Evangelicals all knew him way back then.
They made like they never heard about assaults.
Now his wife says that it was not his fault.
Fast forward to this time and the license to assault
that Alabama's GOP gives out, a sign of depravity their default
moral position because remember what we said.
They gave this lawyer license way back then,
still are giving it - does it never end?
Women seen as there for exploitation, FGM
another way to keep her mouth shut tight.
Roy Moore likes it that way-
in Southern, you just say "Oh, men."
Jeff Sessions according to Maine's Senator Collins,
is a decent, fair-minded man.
Alabama's Board of Bar Overseers should do whatever they can.
Take Roy Moore's license back, so he will never practice law.
We'll keep our fingers crossed that Jeff Sessions
drops his amnesia and will not come to Moore's defense..
Then he won't have a license like Alabama's natives give
and men who suddenly cannot decide
will change their minds. No more taking teenagers outside.
In the Department Of Poetic Justice: "I Want a Leak Just Like the Leak that Richard Nixon Had..."
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:13
Drawing from The Great American Wrongbook, in the Department of Poetic Justice, which could be sung to "I want a Girl Just Like the Girl..."
" I want a leak just like the leak that Richard Nixon had."
(To the tune of "I want a girl just lie the girl who married.." )
A real eye-opener with special news,
Liddy, Watergate-ish and then he blew a fuse.
I want a leak just like the leak that Richard Nixon had.
I want to see lab results from a strand of someone's hair,
or clippings when he gets his toenails cut,
fingernais engrained with who knows what.
I want to see lab results from a strand of someone's hair.
I want to see behavioral comparisons each day.
Please check the weekdays close to the weekend.
Thursday, Friday, right near the week's end.
I want to see behavioral comparisons each day.
Where are the officials who monitor him day-by-day?
It's not like these are minor infractions,
Western civilization gone during his binge.
Where are the officials who monitor him day-by-day?
Kelly, Sarah Huckabee, even Mr. Tillotsen,
could give him a pat on his shoulder pads,
whoops, coinicidentally, happen to snag,
one strand with the follicle, answering what we have asked.
I want a leak just like the leak that Richard Nixon had.
A real eye-opener with special news,
Liddy, Watergate-ish. He might blow a fuse.
I want a leak just like the leak that Richard Nixon had.
In the Department of Poetic Justice:It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas..."
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:39
There has been a sudden shift in the hopeful tides that the Christmas season brings- toward hope that the majority in the US Senate will change. The current one passed a tax bill that thinks children are only important if they sit on Corporate Boards. And makes policy that says life ends as soon as labor and delivery are over! No increase in tax credits needed for child care. And no funds allotted for Children's Health Insurance.
(and the Great American Wrongbook)
It's beginning to look alot like Christmas,
every screen you see.
On the televised news updates,
they've opened the floodgates,
a new guy finding a new place!
with no history of offering
young girls that he'll give a ride,
as soon as their inside
molestation, ignoring their cries.
when men won't act like females are
objects they can abuse,
because they'd like to use
them. They show us what they are made of!
will finally take a look around
and ask themselves privately
would they take the chance and leave
a female child with their colleagues.
corporate wealth while children stay
in day care that's marginal
no background checks to show
what the caregiver might know.
that the people who can't vote
are not just the unenrolled,
they are also those whose clothes,
all small sizes, onesies.
will finally get the drift of it:
that someone must stay behind
pay for day care, somehow find
money to care for the child.
if she happens to take note
that tax credits for robots
indecently coopt
child care credits, parents lost.
include a word about children,
she could finally take it on,
ask Murkowski, maybe Mitch
where's the pro-life in that?
has confused reality,
thinks the GOP doesn't need
children who do not yet hold seats
on Boards of Major Companies.
she can share with her colleagues.
How about they all confess that
their policy suggests life starts with sex,
ends just after the birth?
twenty-one or fifteen months,
Republicans now believe
you should never get reprieve,
on college loans, no health care free.
is sucking up. We don't know why.
But the news coming in today
says there may just be a way
a Democratic majority any day.
every screen you see.
On the televised news updates,
Alabama opened the floodgates,
a New Senator put in place.
Human Resource Guy Scarramouchi on Bannon's Farewell: Department of Poetic Justice
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:29
Turning to the Department of Poetic Justice and the tune from "I'll Be Seeing You", a poetic tribute to Scarramouchi's recent observation about why Mr. Bannon left the White House staff.
(To the tune from "I'll Be Seeing You" from The Great American Wrongbook)
before his career took off.
You all know the job he left.
He used to hand out check-lists.
"Do you work best by your self?
When you're on a team
are you at your best?"
when his country asked him to
step up to do public service
for a special "You know who."
He had his checklists with him
mentally completed them.
Myers-Briggs profiles
can predict success.
Of course Bannon's would have helped
Presidential spokesperson
not the best use of Bannon's time.
Scarramouchi knew this
which is why he later said,
"Bannon's problem is he was a bad hire."
makes a world of difference.
Intuition better left behind
when the country faces a crisis,
Thinking qualitatively
leaves feeling far behind.
Bannon, soon would show,
constant judging his gift.
knew that was Bannon's profile.
Extrovert, intuitive,
feeling, judging all the time.
Alas, Joint Chiefs of Staff
all come up as introverts.
Sensing, thinking,
perceiver on the Myers-Briggs.
Myers-Briggs work from his HR days.
Tried to tell the President
Bannon will not last, not with his profile this way.
HR skills may be what
Scarramouchi brought with him.
His Legacy knowing Bannon
was not a good hire.....
In the Department of Poetic Justice: You Don't Know This But Your Civil Rights Are Violated
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:43
From The Great American Wrongbook and In Today's Department of Poetic Justice, a poetic tribute to the question: what's wrong with violating the civil rights of citizens who go to public hearings to testify. Could be sung to the tune from The Sound of Music, "You Are 16, Going On 17".
In the Department of Poetic Justice: You Don't Know This but Your Civil Rights
(and the Great American Wrongbook which could be sung to the tune "You are 16 Going On 17"
from "The Sound of Music")
-Susan Cook-
on the Internet,
can be reduced
to mush and you can't say
or even make a guess
they will not tell you.
Their IP numbers
lead you in circles
out on the World Wide Web.
Politicians and their staffers
think that their job includes
negative, hostile
demeaning, caustic
words they will aim at you.
Lunatic for criticizing,
exposing you could say,
electeds who don't know
why the voters
should have something to say.
Staffers can be good at lying
And maybe you should know,
Erhlichman, John Dean,
Haldeman, that scene,
dirty and just obscene
Politicians, dirty staffers
sometimes go hand-in-hand.
And in this Nation,
From DC to Maine
some often do slip through.
They will spend their time in the State House
trying to discredit you,
on your tax dollar,
Privacy Guarded, on sites
they've come to know
Where they'll post demeaning comments
Democrats do it too
While their Communication
Director pretends
she just doesn't know.
When it's time for applications
for jobs at the State House
misogynistic, fascist,
or sexist, oh well,
hide email notes?
Call the other party's staffer
try to get him on board.
Proxy, so toxic,
civil rights blocks it
when people file suit
Since the limitations
of the statute are not met
Solar pronouncements
liberal announcements
don't allow or defend
Violating civil rights,
the Director doth approve,
legal, illegal, law school achievers
might help prevent abuse.
Maybe yes or maybe no. Depends
if where they'd like to end
elected to Congress,
where they won't confess
their civil rights offense.
Pump it up and put it out,
the environmental news
sent to the press
now would be hard-pressed
to find out his real past.
If the Speaker brings corruption
into their messaging
there goes the free press,
Antidotally keeps
Democracy different
From some fascist dictator
who believes the public blames
who she decides
will ruin her game plan,
public jobs, personal gain.
Human rights, their violators
aren't just in one party,
Democrats,
GOP staff,
ignoring your civil liberties.
When they decide they will take
the b-i-t-ch out to the woodshed,
law school, a small school
compared to the
leadership's big decree.
bigger than Africa,
Ukraine, Rwanda,
where leaders still launder
human rights they've squandered
Are in danger of repeating
just what they've done before
violate people who
speak at a hearing.
We have seen all of this before.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: All They Want Is Their Bonus Checks
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:56
From the Great American Wrongbook, in the Department of Poetic Justice, a musical tribute to the Maine Legislature's recent corporate welfare giving 3 million dollars annually- to build sonar-equipped warships- all the while helping the Right Whale become extinct.
(and sung to the tune from The Great American Wrongbook:
'Wouldn't It Be Lover-ly?)
"All They Want Are Their Bonus Checks.."
General Dynamics to re-invest
into retirement from
money Mainers give to them.
helped to pass, 3 million greenbacks
in tax repayment. My goodness
Maine is such a wealthy state!
They forgot minor aged
children who survive by the grace
of God. Oh well let's make sure
Jon Fitzgerald gets his bonus paid.
from taxpayers. You'd think they'd know
that sonar-equipped warships
also decimate the whales.
managers. General Dynamics got
their cast of go-to suckups.
Maine legislators don't ask much
BIW. Right whales that are now deceased
don't vote. Democrats will say
whales are not in their district.
aren't their problem. The statistics
indicate right whales never signed
a clean elections check.
mind their business
who knows just what that is.
Maine legislators don't. Jobs are their priority.
Deny they're suck-ups on a good day.
Year end bonuses they'll give away
to multi-national corporate
lobbyists willing to pay
Maine's Statehouse. They don't realize
3 million dollars won't add
to their pay a single dime.
Legislators who like to be sucked up
by lobbyists. When will they
start to see things globally?
of right whales, a legislative proclamtion
to Maine's House legislators selling out,
for mayonnaise, mayonaise, mayonaise, More Mayo please.
Stop Guessing Just Whose Financing was Used... In the Department of Poetic Justice (and for The Great American Wrongbook)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:01
A musical tribute to a certain one hundred and thirty thousand dollars which it turns out a very special You-Know-Who-It-Is did reimburse his lawyer for which had nothing to do with a certain National election in 2016.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: Stop Guessing Just Whose Financing was Used...
(and in The Great American Wrongbook)
which could be sung to the melody from "New York, New York"
Stop guessing just whose
financing was used
to pay a certain woman a fee
she thought she was due.
Because now Rudy blows the cover
Michael Cohen discovered,
Sarah Sanders, new news for you?
Maybe he forgot
a bargain he thought
he got or maybe that's the only
checkbook he ever lost
when he hoped we'd elect
him, president, neglect to inspect
check memos: "This one's for sex."
Now Sarah must spin
the spot he is in. Did Rudy call her first
to explain the logic she will bring
to speaking nationwide
saying he never lied.
You know how lawyers
keep clients' hands tied.
The only thing worse
than Mike Cohen's curse
if his client spoke up
said, Yes he had re-imbursed
one hundred thirty thousand bucks,
because sometimes his lucks
run out or he forgets who he...
Start spreading the news.
Embarassed V. 2.
But Mr. Trump will say at least he's telling the truth.
Unlike the White House Correspondents
host, Ms. Wolf made comments
embarassed the Constitution and the Bill of Rights too.
Sarah Sanders might
get her turn next time
while Michelle Wolf is exiled,
excommunicated too
and next year's Nobel Prize
for fiction, Sarah Sanders wins one.
She'll be the Nobel Board's new P.R. hire.
In the Department of Poetic Justice: Someone Must Have Planted
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:55
Musical tribute to the Mueller investigation, sung if you like to the tune from "Some Enchanted Evening..", "Someone must have planted...."
In the Department of Poetic Justice
(and the Great American Wrongbook)
"Someone must have planted..."
(which could be sung to the tune from "Some Enchanted Evening")
-Susan Cook-
Someone must have planted
something in our laptops
or in our valises. How could they ever know?
Democracies don't
mean for sure, they won't
do whatever they can to get at the truth.
Yes, I was trying to find some friends
down there in DC,
hoping I would win.
I had never been there,
to the Oval Office
except in my day dreams
I thought that I could show
the management staff
how they could improve
the heating and cooling systems
since I know
which ones are better,
lowering the rate
for heat expenses.
I sell real estate.
Who knew Jared Kushner
went to all those meetings,
here and there a sandwich
with people who would know
the best banks to use
for funding just whose
mortgages, leases
I never quite knew.
I was quite busy
working at Trump Tower,
Mar-a-largo into
the wee hours.
So I guess I'll tell you
on my I-phone I have
gotten emails from some women I never knew.
And now I must ask,
is that where they hacked
when I exchanged messages, yes, I sent back.
Yes, they were women,
Russian what they said,
"Hot and excited"
Some wanting to bed.."
Sometime in the future
after the election
when I had some spare time,
of course, I never knew,
the first selection
for President then
would be yours truly. Even I was surprised.
Then I had no time to email back
President Trump.
They'd think their
laptops hacked.
It turns out I should have
had them all deleted
when I took a chance on
clicking the email line.
Now Mueller believes
that real estate deals
were on my mind. Does he forget my first rule?
If there are women,
looking for some fun,
shapely and pretty,
I'll get the deal done!
Someone must have planted
something in our emails,
in plants on the desk top
or in the office where
yes, when I was bored,
I'd go through the more
than 10,000 emails from Russians,
well, whores.
Now the FBI,
sent their guys too,
I bet they open
those hot emails too.
Someone must have planted
something in our laptops
or in our valises. How could they ever know?
Democracies don't
mean for sure, they won't
do whatever they can
to get at the truth.
Yes, I was trying to find some friends
down there in DC,
guess what yes, I won.
"What Do We Do # Me Too?" One For The Great American Wrongbook.
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:36
Exactly how does Mitch McConnell know what goes on inside a woman's body? For the Great American Wrongbook, possibly sung to the tune from "What'll I Do?", from Irving Berlin's Music Box Revue, performed from 1921 to 1924 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City.
In the Department of Poetic Justice
(and The Great American Wrongbook)
"What Do We Do, # Me Too?"
(sung to the tune of "What'll I Do?")
-Susan Cook-
How would he know,
he's in his Senate seat
and so he's not inside
the woman's body when she does not know
fertilization's arrived.
Mitch still thinks he's the one
who decides what
she does.
Mr. McConnell's gynecology
did not earn him degrees
nevertheless
his mind is focused on
a certain female body's recess
If we say where it is
Morning Edition
will not play that word.
So while we are on that topic
let us ask
just how it comes to this
GOP Senators and Congressmen
still give themselves access
To women's private parts
that Terry Gross can't
mention on Fresh air.
Mr. McConnell thinks that he knows best
just how the zygote fares
if it's in residue
from opiods
or something else she's used
I mean the woman
who was blanked one night
Steve Inskeep can't say it on air.
The man and woman made their bodies touch
McConnell says he knows
exactly if the woman can caretake
a child, or will Mitch care
when there's there's a birth
a new drug addict
neglected. It's just not fair
Will Mitch then just say,
Republicanly, "Oh, well, not mine to care?"
I shouldn't say
it's just Mitch McConnell,
Ted Cruz and Rubio
and Donald Trump- no surprise-
will control Planned Parenthood
as if they know-
what's good-
for a woman's body.
When will they lose their jobs
be fired too.
Their decisions grope
women's bodies
WE are their victims.
Hey wake up! Where are you?
No more groping.
Hash tag it's your turn
ME TOO!
"It Had To Be -Un [Kim Jong]" In the Department of Poetic Justice (and the Great American Wrongbook)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:46
A musical tribute to the most recent historic meeting of minds between You Know Who. And Who Else, to the tune from the 1924 tune "It Had To Be You",
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and from the Great American Wrongbook)
"It had TO Be -Un"
(could be sung to the tune from "It Had To Be You")
It had to be -Un.
It had to be -Un.
I travelled around, until I knew I'd found my -Un.
Yes, he's kind of short, oh, he's a brat,
said I was crazy,
how'd he know that.
It had to be -Un,
Wonderful -Un.
My -Kim Jong-Un.
Hey, maybe he said,
we won't move ahead
and try to agree,
I said "We'll see" . Hey, you know me.
Turns out he'd like
to take more time off,
like to be spening his time playing golf.
And I told him,
Hey I've got the spot
for my Chairman Kim.
Now, he won't be yearning,
just thinking and learning
refining his aim
fixing his game with that
golf club he's aiming.
He just needs time,
try to unwind ,
get South Korea off of his mind
That's what he'd like,
a golf course to hike,
see what he can find.
I told him I know
a place he can go,
practice his putts
Hey, no, he's not nuts.
Mar-a-lago
could be just right
for Chairman Kim.
You heard me say,
It had to be him.
Prime real estate,
right here in the States.
It had to Kim.
When he said "Ahnee",
I said "We'll see.
Kept saying "Eh"
like Trudeau would say,
but this guy today
he means, "Oh Yes"
He'd like to see
Palm Beach. Get out there.
Land some on the greens.
For this guy today,
It's "Yes", not just "Eh"
That's what he means.
Ok, we forgot,
Gulags that was not
top tier today
When I said "Eh, eh"
so they haven't gone away.
The first human right
that we'll address
a man and his golf game
Who would've guessed?
The guy is a hack
would like to get back
to working his game.
So you can relax
he'll be with the hacks,
Sunday, even more
No nukes to distract
as he attacks
getting his line so that his putt
will make him a winner,
My guy Kim Jong-Un
Putting it in, Sounds like I win.
It had to be -Un.
Sonnet for Donald Hall (after reading his essay on growing old)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:07
Donald Hall died on June 23rd. A sonnet written after reading his essay on growing old.
(After Reading His Essay on Growing Old)
-Susan Cook-
barns, for generations, have been lost
when one last winter snow storm tears the past
apart, barns like time, there until they're not.
And Donald Hall, I'm coming by to cook
for you, who've lived the inexplicable:
that foods are truly love, the loves that look
you in the eye, the meal that leaves you full.
And Donald Hall, your tree sees where you sit
and all who've watched before sitting by your
side. Bending back in time, were you a finch?
The tree a boy? We'll never now for sure
if trees were boys or men were birds. We knew
only this man. That's you, now. See? That's you.
Chick-Fil-Ay, Hey, Here I Come: In the Dept of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning). Mr Pruitt leaves the EPA
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:39
A tribute (which could be sung to a tune from the Great American Wrongbook and a song "California, Here I Come" from the musical "Bombo") to the Departure of Scott Pruitt from The Environmental Protection Agency
In the Department of Poetic Justice
(and Poetic Reckoning)
and from The Great American Wrongbook.
"Chick-Fil-Ay, Hey, Here I Come"
sung to "California, Here I Come" a tune from "Bombo"
-Susan Cook-
Chick-Fil-A Hey! Here I come right back where I started from!
Emissions, permissions,
No worries at night.
On Posture-pedic, I'll be sleeping real tight!
Memory-Foam, innersprings will do.
Back at home, there'd be no toodoo!
My right hand man or girls could pick up my shirts,
at the dry cleaners, Do ethics mean I throw my suits in the wash?
Time for me to get back home
set new legal standards low,
Contaminated soil, water and air
Well, in my phone booth,
no smells, Why would I care!
Asthma, smazmah, they'll regret
All the laws I couldn't get
accomplished because my friends showed up
a surprise meeting! Lobbyists, what the heck!
Don't write in "Days-At-A-Glance".
Sometimes they don't get the chance
to write down "Meeting at the EPA!
Scott Pruit promises he'll pave the way!"
You bet now that I'll be gone
Those reporters will be long
on explanations. In The New York Times
Morning Edition, Politico will find
more problems I didn't have .
Won't just leave it, Have to have
the final say and try to be the last
to say "Good riddance to Pruitt's sorry ass..."
Chick-Fil-A Hey! Here I come
right back where I started from!
Emissions, permissions, Ha!
No more worries at night.
On Posture-pedic, I'll be sleeping alright!
Memory-Foam or innersprings will do.
Back at home, there'd be no toodoo!.....
And They'll Clear It With You: In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning), Political Appointees!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:07
A musical tribute to political appointees (at the cost of the Public trust) with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook! which could be sung to the tune from "The Nearness of You".
"And They'll Clear It With You"
In the Department of Justice (and Reckoning)
and for The Great American Wrongbook
to the tune of "The Nearness of You"
A Musical Tribute to Political Appointees
It's not your old feats. When
you worked them
Your backstabbing to defend them,
Oh no. It's your new appointment.
Now that you're hired,
can't be fired,
job secure, nice checks when you retire.
Let's see. What else could I have you try?
You keep your mouth closed.
Hold your nose just so.
When I tell you, ok, now just let it go,
In New Jersey, they made the traffic go slow.
We won't conspire.
We're such good liars.
Selectively, we'll go much higher.
Punish those who interefered with my re-hire.
You know it's now our state.
We've got a mandate.
Now we can legislate. That is my take.
Slander and libel, we can always update.
So now don't go write
on a world wide website
you can just sit tight
when the time is right, you'll get hired.
I am not saying it's illegal
I'm just saying save your speil gal,
keep it quiet
Don't tell The New York Times.
In your new job, you can make sure,
your friends stay brushed up
forget the public's trust,
It's History, and you'll clear it with me.
It's not your old feats. When
you worked them
Your backstabbing to defend them,
Oh no. It's the nearness of you.
I've Been Having a Small Tirade: In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:53
With lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook, a tribute to You Know Who and how his workday goes sometimes. Sung to "I've been working on the railroad" that American folk song written for the truly hard-working Americans who make our country a beacon of hope and prosperity for the rest of the world.
- Playing
- I've Been Having a Small Tirade: In the ...
- From
- Susan J. Cook
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
"I've Been Having a Small Tirade..."
sung to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad..."
with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook
I've been having a small tirade
all the live long day!
I've been having a small tirade
If it gets big, clear the way.
Can't your hear the fake news coming!
Fine with me. I'm on my game
Can't you hear the fake news coming
When they hear my name!
I've been working on my golf game
every chance I get !
I've been working on my golf game
trim the ice cream off my waist.
Can't you hear the press complaining!
Why is he gone so much?
Can't you hear the press complaining
Jealous, that's my hunch.
Yes, I get a little grouchy
if they say too quick.
Yes, I get a little grouchy.
But I can only take so much!
First, they say that I'm a loser
lost by one hundred thousand votes
Then they start to ask each other,
who wrote her that check?
Cohen don't you blow,
Cohen don't you blow
Cohen, don't you blow your horn..
Cohen . don't you blow
Cohen, don't you blow,
Cohen, you say, "I don't know!"
I know Mitch McConnell loves me
Yes, he's kind of shy!
I know Mitch McConnell loves me
He's afraid his a__ will fry
if he openly opposes,
says things that sound like Hillary
since he hasn't gotten an inkling
how I got chosen.
I have been extremely good at
making friends world-wide!
I have been so good at taking
the small countries for a ride.
Think of all those in Korea
worried I might be mad at them
I gave Kim Jong Un the idea
that we should be friends.
Rudy, don't you blow,
Rudy, don't you know
what you told the press last week!
Rudy, don't you blow
Rudy, don't you know
forgeting makes you seem real weak.
So the butler or the valet
wrote that I get a little cross
Actually, I am not certain
What a way to treat your boss!
Put it in the paper, now it's nationally on view
Just remember nothing changes,
It's still "Big Grouchy" to you!
Grouchy, I might be
Grouchy I might be
Grouchy I might be on Tues ues day!!
Wait a couple days!
Out on my golf range,
I'm a really fun golf guy!
You Say Tomato, I'll Say Tomato! In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:41
Recently, diplomacy has evolved to a new - let's say species! Poetic justice and reckoning all in one tune! Trump, Putin, Crimea and golf! After all Dan Scavino, Jr. former manager of a Westchester golf course owned by a Certain Someone (and golf caddy for that special Golfer) is now Director of Social Media, i.e. International Relations, with an office right next door to You Know Who.
- Playing
- You Say Tomato, I'll Say Tomato! In the ...
- From
- Susan J. Cook
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
"You Say Potato, I'll Say Potato"
(and for The Great American Wrongbook, sung to the tune of
"You say Tomah-to, I say Tomay-to")
-Susan Cook-
You say potay-to, I'll say potay-to.
You say tomay-to, I'll say tomay-to.
You say Nukes are good for me.
I say, "Hey, Pal, yes, I see."
Potayto, Potayto,
Tomayto, Tomayto,
Some new Nukes, some cute Nukes,
Forget all the old nukes.
I say you don't know a thing.
You say, "Nyet-ski, Who would think!
Fixed elections, me-oh-my!"
I know that you're on my side!
Inflated! Mutated! The vote count debated!
And Putin disputin'
fake news they've been making'!
When I say you're innocent,
Det-ka, you are heaven sent!
Let's say potato, let's say tomato!
Putin refutin'! Donald disputin'!
Let's go out and hit the limks!
Commie-shmommy! I like pink!
Let's sink one! A pink one! We make a great twosome!
We're solvin' by golfin' ,
dissolvin' , resolvin'!
Mar-a-lago Crimea! Golf goes red!
That's my idea!
Idea! Crimea! The links where I'll see ya'!
Might be a resolver, the tee shots we're solvin'!
Nyet-ski! Det-ka! My little dove!
Can't believe we fell in love!
Dept. Of Poetic Justice time! "Oh, They Did Shed Light on His Conduct Back At Home"
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:25
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook and sung to the tune (Traditional) from "My Old Kentucky Home") a musical tribute to the decision by Sen. Collins and Sen. McConnell to ignore the #MeToo movement. Senator Collins also decided
to discredit women who have been sexually assaulted because - hold on- Senator Collins is the person to decide who the assaulter is - not the victim's decision. Susan Collins's call.
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook
"Oh, They Did Shed Light on His Conduct Back at Home"
which could be sung to the tune from "My Old Kentucky Home"
Oh, they did shed light on his conduct back at home.
Was it when his Mom was out of town?
Did it make Mitch think that as long as no one found
a dead body he had found his man?
Susan Collins thinks that the first rule to uphold
is her favorite "Don't bring up the past."
If you do, she'll get Mary Mayhew at her side,
the expert at leaving out the facts.
Oh, when the Senator goes out around the town,
Mitch is the one man that she's ever found
who told her she is his only saving grace,
a pound of wet leather has more gravitas.
And when Mitch said, "Hey, remember our first rule?
I will not bring up the past. If you vote for this
embarassment of mine, we will try
to get your reputation back.
Mitch and Susan don't remember the new rule.
Harvey Weinstein, even Catholic priests,
spend their time thinking, 'Gee, I wish I only knew
female fierceness. Now there is #MeToo.
Monkey business used to mean the man got caught,
no indictment. Time for divorce court.
Mitch McConnell doesn't realize that Me Too's
Betrayed women are getting their fair due.
Let's hope Susan Collins likes retirement,
playing golf or maybe she'll be caught
in recycling her betrayals of days old,
Instant messaging with Gary Hart.
Chorus:
Oh, they did shed light on his conduct back at home.
Was it when his Mom was out of town?
Did it make Mitch think that as long as no one found
a dead body he had found his man?
The Generic Election 2018 Senate Candidate Anthem: In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:19
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) , a generic anthem for each and every Election 2018 Senate candidate.
The Generic 2018 Election Senate Candidate Anthem
-Susan Cook
Oh beautiful, for spacious me, I am a profound man
So don't keep asking me to say for what it is I stand.
My friend Big Grouchy told me, "Just say you do not know
which Senators agree with you. Voters don't have to know.
" Oh beautiful, for spacious me, Big Grouchy meant to say
Don't tell them how you'll vote until they really have to pay.
Friday before Election Day, when Silver's polls are up,
Their vote will be your Hostage! Kavenaugh the final wedge!
Oh beautiful for spacious me. Big Grouchy says I can
hide all the facts about my past, my voting history.
I'm not anonymous you know. But Grouchy gets real mad
if someone tells the truth and he can't find out who they are.
Oh beautiful, for spacious me. Big Grouchy also said
Make sure you scan the Internet and pay some overhead
to Google every minute to tell you if they post
the facts you know, so they won't blow the cover off of you.
Oh beautiful for spacious me. Big Grouchy says he will
send out subpoenas rapidly when Truth's anonymous.
It's not that he's a liar. It’s public image work.
He says just show them what I want. The rest they can forget.
Oh beautiful for spacious me. My only problem is
because I have said things outloud, it’s not anonymous.
I mean the public record. It’s out there on the web.
Maybe Big Grouchy’s next lawsuit will ban the Internet.
Oh beautiful for spacious me, I know that I can win.
I've got them all so nervous. I think it is a cinch!
The most important thing to me is getting to D.C.!
Constituents? What's that? The issue's loyalty to me.
Oh beautiful for spacious me, I don't know what Brie is.
Food you know is not my thing. It doesn't go ka-ching!
My checkbook always needs me: I round up every sum.
The difference goes to charity, Guess what ! Lowers the tax for me!
Oh beautiful, for spacious me, I don't do sacrifice.
The Senators earn 100 thou. I don't plan to be one of them.
There is a difference, I'll tell you, no, I don't think I can.
I don't want citizens to think they are the ones I'm better than.
Oh beautiful for spacious me, I give to charity.
It comes to point zero zero one of my salary.
My supporters don't do math. Plus I am not a Mormon.
They give their ten percent away. No way I'll outdo them.
Oh beautiful, for spacious me, I won't let wages rise.
A dollar here, some quarters there. What do poor people buy?
I 'm not that big a spender, except for my TV,
It's part of my economy. Don't ask me: "So, tax-free?"
Oh beautiful, for spacious me, a trillion dollar gap,
would not be my problem when I am down there in DC.
It's not something I started . It wasn't on my time.
Too bad for you. you've got enough to pay me on your dime.
And yes, environmentally, contamination might
happen somewhere, the EPA has problems keeping sight
of chemicals and stuff like that. My votes will all be right
Don't start inventing reasons for me to take on your gripes.
Oh beautiful for spacious me. There are times when I'm wrong.
It doesn't really matter though, because I know I'm right.
It shows that I'm a leader. I will do what I want.
Do not forget I have to fend for my financ..um.. political life.
Oh beautiful for spacious me. I'm not a hypocrite.
Computers are for everyone and helps them feel they fit
into the world of cyberspace. Who knew they’d be Anonymous
and spread the truth about my past while I'm in politics.
Oh beautiful, for spacious me, I 'm so glad that I found
the time that I will really need to make my way around
to donors who will help me run my Senate race for free:
Make sure the check's signed properly "For More Money...For me."
They Ran For Congress! In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:39
Sailing toward the Midterm election, lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook sung to a seafaring tune.
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Poetic Reckoning)
with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook
"They Ran for Congress..."
(could be sung to the tune from the 1936 "We Saw the Sea")
-Susan Cook-
They ran for Congress so they could finally
get rid of gridlock eventually.
Now don't tell voters they didn't end it
Instead They liked it eventually.
When they got down there, they found that gridlock
is not what you'd call a two-way street
since they would caucus with the like-minded
the ones with whom they all agreed.
They'd tap them on their padded shoulders
and say "Hey, bro, you want to chat?"
Then Mitch McConnell stared at them blankly,
said "All the Democrats sit in the back,"
It hurt their feelings but there was no way.
At least, they tried.You might as well,
know now they're grateful since they have realized
at least their a--s--- did not get fried.
Bailing, bailing, not for them!
And leave their big fat salaries.
Short work days, their cup of tea
Remember! Vote and send them back to DC!
They thought they'd find out intricate details,
how they could fix things that aren't broken.
They read their pamphlets and their instructions.
Of course, they also like to win.
They couldn't manage to fix the problems,
the ones that aren't cracked. You'd think they could
at least make up for all the gridlock.
Turns out they only made things worse.
They heard Commissioners down there in DC
are very nice and know their jobs.
The only problem's they never saw them,
I guess no GPS for Ms. DeVos.
They heard in Congress, they'd make decisions
and more decisions on policy.
The only problem is they'd be thinking
they got it right but no one else agreed.
Bailing, bailing, not for them!
And leave their big fat salaries.
Influence their cup of tea!
Just remember! Send them back to DC!
Dept. of Poetic Justice tune: "Nate Silver's Been Counting All the Numbers..." sung to "It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas..."
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:20
A musical tribute to polling before Election Day! In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with lyrics for "The Great American Wrongbook" sung to the 1951 "It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas"
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and reckoning) with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook
"Nate Silver's been counting all the numbers..."
(sung to the tune from the 1951 "Its beginning to look alot like Christmas"
Nate Silver's been counting all the numbers.
Every poll you see.
Time for Nate Silver to put down
his wizard wand, take off the gown.
The Dumbledore one, his disguise.
We are worried because we still remember
Just two years ago his quirks
acting like his numbers reversed ,
somehow knew the future first.
Didn't call Ellen Langer or channel Stephen Jay Gould first.
I hope he has finally come to realize
he is not at the race track.
The numbers he likes to trace
are events that all took place
when respondents picked up phone lines.
Or answered the caller on the cell phone
and said "Yes, I soon will vote."
Heads up, Nate, what that answer is
is what the person said just then
at that moment not two weeks hence.
A person responding to a question
is just the same as you or me
when we enter a voting booth
and record that moment's truth:
when we vote things up or down.
Maybe Hogwarts Online could help him
understand time difference
as they say over in Par-ee
Hier ce n'est pas aujourdhui
C'est difference. They're different days.
Hogwarts alumni have ongoing
seminars in wizardry.
And reassert all the time
prediction is not their game.
They do their magic in real time.
Nate Silver could sign up for the course
on wizardry for those in math.
Statistic anomalies still won't
change a basic fact:
elections won't turn Nate's clock back.
The day of the polling he was using
to predict who'd win or lose
He denies it with all his might
but he was hoping he was right
his Wizard hat perched way up high.
Over his favorite Dumbledore robe.
Don't you wish he'd just fess up
math has models that don't explain
future happenings which aren't the same
as what is counted when polls are made.
There are racetracks that run the horses daily
They like their polling geeks
since there's money on the table
picking ponies a good gig.
when Nate retires. Is that next week?
We Won't Take That Away From You! In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:51
A musical tribute to a special soon-to-be-retiring Government Elected! George Gershwin might not mind if you sing this to his 1937 "They Can't Take That Away From Me!" New lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook!
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook
which could be sung to the 1937 George Gershwin tune
"They Can't Take That Away From Me...'
-Susan Cook-
INTRO: Your Bromance didn't help you start to launch it,
Donald Trump the guy you taunted,
hoping for that big job you wanted.
Soon you're gone.. Now we'll solve all the problems still remaining
All the memories we'll remember as you fly south to leave...
The way you just forgot
the way you seemed to toss
the vulnerable, the lost
under the largest rock that you could find.
The cost to feed the kids,
Somali immi-grants,
You said all those food stamps did
was pay strippers after they had stripped.
The scratch tickets poor people bought
instead of eating. Who'd have thought
the little kids that you had caught
gambling watching women oh so hot..
The way you used your words,
when your bills didn't get two-thirds
of Legislative votes
sustaining vetoes. So you made things worse
Got on your telephone,
voicemailed the legislator at his home,
It wasn't just your tone,
No, you sounded like a homo-ophobe..
You know it sometimes seemed
like that's the way you leaned
Did you really believe
civil discourse includes vaseline?
And then there's Veto- ville,
the place you liked to fill.
with legislation you tried to kill
After you melted down in hissy fits.
Oh, we won't take that away from you.
Then there's your vengeful side,
You didn't try to hide,
a tax on newspapers,
the ones poor people used to like to buy
To maybe get behind
the facts you tried to hide
They thought he's lost his mind
Yes, you did that take away from them
Then there's the cut-down trees
so when the snowstorm's breezez
blows drifts across the road, freeze
cars right there, stuck in snow.
I-95 a mess, no pine trees there to slow
accumulating falling snow.
And that's another thing before you go
that we will never take away from you.
Refrain:
Climate change will make Florida much hotter,
Don't forget the seashore rising
ever more so rapidly.
If you start to think Maine's nicer,
cold and all, you a little older after all,
Remember? No such thing as Governor recall.
So now we're back on track
Medicaid 's coming ,
Hey! compassion's coming fast!
Now people know we've got their back.
Oh you'll never take that away from us.
Bannon's Farewell: An Addendum "I Was Seeing Him"
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:47
Great American Wrong Book lyrics for Mr. Bannon, now that Roger Stone, one of 6 of his former campaign colleagues indicted, is one of 3 now convicted.
Addendum to Bannon's Farewell. "I Was Seeing Him..."
to the tune from "I'll Be Seeing You.."
-Susan Cook-
I was seeing him, yes
it was a minor whim
I probably should have stayed home
watching re-runs of
a certain Cosa Nostra film .
I had no idea
it was a favorite of his too.
I was hard at work helping You-Know-Who.
So I guess I'll change my pattern.
Try to get back to the gym.
Do a lot more yoga.
See if my PC could possibly fit in
The next space launch they're having
maybe Elon Musk could try
get it out there- headed straight
for Mars, hey, maybe for Saturn.
Actually, I barely knew him.
Roger Boulder, was that him?
The other thing I do not do
is send out emails
on a whim.
I hope you understand emails
easily are faked.
The important things- I say, face-to-face.
That was why I saw him briefly,
usually at yoga class.
He is a big tanner.
Not my style. Burns my nose too fast.
I spend enough time dealing
with my allergies to dust.
How I got by with no yoga,
Let's just say, it's now a must.
Now I won't be seeing him
at yoga anymore.
It may be a little while before
a class offered near him. But more
and more, federal prisons opt
to have it. Keeps the prisoners calm.
No more tanning booths.
Just downward facing dog.
I will not be seeing him.
I got my computer cleaned up.
Gee, I'm sorry that he's hit
a road bump. Sort of a hiccup.
I don't think back to those days,
I secretly admired
Mr. Mueller. Those head stand shoulders,
shout out, Yoga something he has tried.
AND DON'T FORGET!
THE ORIGINAL!
A Poetic Tribute to the Departure of Mr. Bannon’
To the Tune from ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’
Susan Cook-
read between the fine lines,
called reporters back,
still read things in The New York Times,
I didn’t ever bother,
I never used words like suck or cock.
I’m a journalist.
You know I just like to talk.
I am kind of Presidential.
I think that came through.
Yes I’m allergic to
Certain foods, mold, cat dander too.
That’s why my nose looked stuffy
Kind of red, yes, my eyes too,
never got a chance to Photoshop
my best side for you.
they both do
A certain kind of yoga pose,
I’ll tell you just between us too,
I think yoga is liberal ,
Mahatma Gandhi had his version too
Who’d do that kind of thing?
Alt-left wingers ok Melania, too.
There might be a yoga version
made with alt-right guys in mind,
Politically on target
Where you keep your ammo by your side
I won’t have that much time,
I am not planning to retire
I’ll be back at Breitbart,
White guys only need apply!
starting his own studio,
Sean Spicer, Reince, maybe even
Mitch McConnell might decide to go
And when the class is over
Lying in Shavasana,
They will all be chanting
Three times,
What happened,
Ohm, Ohm, Ohm, Ohm.
l
Myths, Proverbs and so on. The Sword of Damocles: A Citizen's Guide
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:23
Quick and to the point! Citizens' Guides adapted from Greek myths, proverbs and so on.
The Sword of Damocles: A Citizen's Guide
-by Susan Cook-
Once in Greece, there lived a king, Dionysius. Many admired him for his wealth. One courtier, Damocles, admired him. Dionysius asked Damocles why he admired him. Damocles said he would like to do whatever he wished for a day like the king. Dionysius said tomorrow the next day Damocles would do that.
The next day Damocles was dressed in royal robes, he had fine food, and good entertainment. Suddenly he saw a sharp sword hanging from a thin thread hanging above his head. He asked why it was there. Dionysius replied, "I live with that sword above my head always." Damocles begged the king to take back his power. Damocles never did envy the king again.
COVER A
MYTHS A-
WRITING A-
SPELLING A-
It's Not What You're Given, It's What You Do With What You Get: My Supermarket Monopoly Game and The Pentagon Budget
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 08:36
Fifty-four cents of every federally appropriated dollar goes to the Defense Department budget. Exactly where, the Pentagon auditors find "impossible" to track. Maybe they should hire some Supermarket game auditors to help out.
It's Not What You're Given, It's What You Do With What You Get:
My Supermarket Monopoly Contest and the Pentagon Budget
In my state, the annual "Shop, Play, Win Monopoly"game, a"Collect and Win" game offering" "over $250 million in prizes and money saving offers" after 3 months of fabulous opportunities at every checkout moment at my local Supermarket is winding down.
Fingers crossed . I finally went through the hours long process of tearing open (along the perforated lines, of course) each potential gold mother lode held in each small folded square (one for each 10 dollars spent) and then placing each individual rectangular stamp (after meticulously moistening the back) on the "Monopoly Board.
The one million dollar cash prize required that you randomly receive 6 certain stamps each with an assigned number (333A1, 334B1, 335C1, 336D1, 337E1 and 338F1) of bewildering complexity.
I knew it would be tough to win that. So I set my sights slightly lower, the $100,000 cash prize maybe with only 5 specifically numbered stamps .
In every single category I came up one stamp short with the exception of the One Million Dollar prize in which I came up 2 short. Correction, I also came up 2 short for the $500 Portable Grill and Groceries which I didn't really want. Last year, almost the same thing happened. I won nothing.
But how is it that a supermarket chain presenting the same contest in several states offering 28 different prizes manages to precisely track the distribution of millions of these tiny rectangular stamps and confidently state that 3 lucky shoppers "might" win the million dollars or 250 "might" win the $500 Portable Grill and Groceries?
This is in stunning contrast to The Nation magazine's article (November 27, 2018) "Exclusive: The Pentagon's Massive Accounting Fraud Exposed". Independent auditors Ernst and Young and others hired to externally audit the Department of Defense reported it impossible to have a reliable audit because of a completely flawed Pentagon accounting system. The audit request came because The Pentagon for 26 years failed to internally audit themselves despite the 1990 Chief Financial Officers' Act requiring all departments and agencies to reliabily internally audit. Only the Pentagon has failed to comply. Impossible to have a reliable Pentagon audit? So, why doesn't the Pentagon hire auditors who took the same statistics classes the people who design the "Shop, Play, Win Monopoly " game did? In the supermarket game, "impossible" probably means one person getting all the little stamps to win "the Million Dollars" and "the $500 Portable Grill and Groceries" and the "$30,000 Jet Skis" . Maybe the "$20,000 College Tuition". And, you know, the Supermarket statisticians know exactly the impossibility of one person winning all 4 of the prizes .
Now, the bookkeepers at the Pentagon have far better benefits and far better salaries. than the Supermarket chain contest makers, let alone the benefits and salaries of the high school kids and young adults who work as baggers and cashiers. But those Supermarket statisticians still figure out these complicated probabilities and get every penny the Federal government levies on the workers in taxes.
By the way, The Pentagon receives $.54 out of every dollar of federal appropriations.
It has a 2.7 trillion dollar budget and no one knows exactly where that money goes.
The Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said at least they tried and the Pentagon didn't think they would pass anyway. That attitude would not be tolerated at my local supermarket chain. They after all track those millions of rectangular stamps and insure that only 75 of the "$7500 Family Vacation" prize will be available. Or have the where-with-all to hire auditors who can. No way will more than 75 people ever become lucky winners of that prize- unless- through some miracle in which Pentagon bookkeepers are suddenly cast down the ladder of success and hold jobs at the Supermarket Chain corporate headquarters. And then more Family Vacations then you could imagine going to the unsuspecting shoppers who- it turns out- with the same stroke of Pentagon incompetence have a major lucky day.
The Nation article went on to say that years of fraud in the Pentagon books works like this. Quote "When the Dept of Defense submits its annual budget requests to Congress, it sends along the prior year's financial reports, which contain fabricated numbers. The fabricated numbers disguise the fact that the DoD does not always spend all the money Congress allocates in a given year. However, instead of returning such unspent funds to the US Treasury, as the law requires, the Pentagon sometimes launders and shifts such money to other parts of the DoD budget." All of it a violation of the US Constitution. And thus the Pentagon's budget increases every single year.
Congress does not demand that the Pentagon enforce the 1990 Chief Financial Officers Act . Each year, the cost of the military budget goes up and up.
Going through the Supermarket Checkout line is very poignant sometimes. Food is our life blood. Sometimes, there's the young mom trying to keep a baby quiet and a 4 year old engaged while waiting to see the cost of all the food piled high in her grocery cart. Food is a largely unsubsidized commodity in this country or at least never subsidized at the $.54 cents of every dollar that the military receives. Until Congress demands that the financial record be set straight, no one knows exactly what the Pentagon spends on what. But you can bet, when military conflict comes, the Pentagon is more than willing to entice the low-paid , no subsidized college tuition - federally taxed supermarket workers- to enlist or - be drafted- to place their lives in the the lottery that every military bloodbath inevitably creates.
One small correction. I did win won thing this year. A free bagel.
"Newt! He's Such a Great History Buff!" Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:37
A lyrical tribute to a history buff who just might have the Big picture (and a certain State of the Union address) in his back pocket!
- Playing
- "Newt! He's Such a Great History Buff!" ...
- From
- Susan J. Cook
In the Department of Poetic Justice
(and Reckoning)
with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook!
"Newt! He's such a great history buff!"
(Lyrics for the tune from "Kids!" from the 1960 Broadway musical "Bye-Bye Birdie!")
Newt!
We know he's a history buff!
Newt!
I guess he's not had enough
of a certain Special Someone
who's not done as much reading as Newtie has done.
Newt!
May have a special edition
of
a bookf ull of erudition!
"Classic American Speeches!"
The latest? You Know Who's rendition!
How
to get the Crowd Up On its Feet!
How
to get the House out of their seats!
You Know Whose State of the Union !
Crowd Pleasing
no matter how thin!
Facts!
Newt checks them before the press
says,
"Hey wait a sec! Recession is
Not what you'd call an economy's boom.
No, Roubini,
brought into the loop!
Newt!
Apparently has never fished!
On
his laptop in Rome, with Callis-
ta, who is there with the Pope.
Newt busy emailing
back home.
Tips
and pointers to a special One
Not
the Pontiff, Newt's advising done
about a speech that hits a homerun!
Kids, D-Day, World War II accomplishments!
Be-
fore Facebook and hashtag Newt,
in-
stant messages.That was not one
of the problems others have faced.
American Speeches
Newt said "Hey do not waste...
Time
on things like that silly shutdown
Bring
up bigger things
The Holocaust!
Donald Trump was not even born!
Newt said " No, bring it up if you want."
Get
the listeners to appreciate
ev-
erything you're doing! The bigger stake
is your re-election next year!
So what? If the stock market tanks?
Rou-
bini is a flash in the pan.
Hap-
pened to wake up,
feeling quite bad.
He ran out of West Grand Lake bass
muttered "Things are looking quite bad!"
This,
while he was talking to the press.
Newt,
read it, said "Bah! It's not the bass!
he could eat. I always have fish.
On Fridays, I like,
my Crappie and squid."
"Great
American Speeches" might show
How
The President
happened to know
history like the back of his hand!
Did Newt coach him? We deserve to know!
Newt!
We know he's a history buff!
Newt!
I guess he has not had enough
of a certain Special Someone
who's not done as much
reading as Newtie has done!
"Why Can't We Have Advisors Like Newt Gingrich?" In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:37
A musical tribute to Newt Gingrich, sung to a tune from "How do you solve a Problem Like Maria?" from "The Sound of Music". Music is one of the few free necessities available to Government workers during the Newt-advised shutdown.
Department of Poetic Justrice
(and Reckoning)
with lyrics for the Great American Wronhgbook
Why Can't We Have Advisors Like Newt Gingrich?
Why Can't We Have Advisors Like Newt Gingrich?
Why do we have to wait for Donald Trump?
Why do we have to see if Trump is changing
his mind, a hundred times when Newt would decide once?
How come the public has forgotten Newtie?
Such a decisive leader was he.
Newtie would have taken Ms. Pelosi
and wrapped her right around his right hand's big pinkie.
Newtie doesn't like using the back door
even if it is on Air Force One.
He knew William Clinton was ignoring
that Newtie had important business to get done.
At least it seemed that way to Mr. Gingrich
A Contract with America he made
Way ahead of Hillary's intention
to give the public health care coverage that she made.
Newtie is a very good advisor.
He tells Donald Trump what he should do.The problem
is that Newtie isn't always
available to talk at two or three AM.
That's when he and his third wife are sleeping
Correction. She is only number two
Unlike William Clinton, he has segwayed
into marriage one more time. Try something new.
When Newt was sequestered in the rear part
of the airplane, you know he was mad..
he thought since he finally was made Speaker
He should at least be coming down the front plane stairs.
What makes Newtie such a good advisor
is his deep and probing grasp of life
and he was increasingly excited to hear of times
when Clinton cheated on his wife.
You bet Newtie helped the Congress fund it.
Mr. Starr's examination probe
into whether Mr. Clinton perjured
himself when denying what no one was supposed to know.
Impeachment started under Newtie's gavel.
Fairly quickly moved to bigger things
Infidelity I guess is common
and Newt term as Speaker got unravelled.
Turns out other things were on the table
Speaker Gingrich preferred to forget
A certain blonde-ish matter named Callista
Apparently he had forgotten when they met.
They kindled their romance before Bill Clinton
met a White House Intern during one
of The Speaker's Shutdowns. Newt had started,
his chick magnet thing and he caught a special one.
So when the House was trying to send off Clinton,
fact checkers on overtime to track
accusations against Speaker Gingrich
to see if Newt a pot calling the kettle black.
Turns out Newtie's memory for a proverb,
not that great, so he had to resign,
then the House scavenger hunt was started:
for non-womanizers? Hastert the only one they'd find.
Now that Speaker Hastert serves his jail time,
decency and non-abuser low
on Newt Gingrich radar as advisor
to Donald Trump whose character slightly below
Newt Gingrich who probably has learned his lessons.
He no longer wet behind the ears
the big picture not his special province
so Donald Trump's shutdown hopefully will mimic the way he like Newt Gingrich will go.
No Newt Gingrich isn't Presidential,
the back door Air Force One his long term fate,
At least he can console himself forever
knowing Clarissa will still take him on a date.
Newt and Callista now meet with the Pontiff,
AKA the Pope who has a plane,
and you bet Newt's serious misjudgements have been absolved.
Yes, he exits through the front door of the plane.
Why Can't We Have Advisors Like Newt Gingrich?
Why do we have to wait for Donald Trump?
Why do we have to see if Trump is changing
his mind, a hundred times when Newt 's bad choices just take once?
"Marginal!!" In the Department of Poetic Justice (and reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:10
Musical tribute with Santa Claus paying attention to who's marginal and who's not!
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and reckoning)
with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook!
(could be sung to the 1923 tune from "Babyface!")
Marginal !!
Santa weighs in...
-Susan Cook-
Marginal, you got me thinking that you're marginal!
Every time we turn to you for some inspiration
all we get
misinformation.
Santa Claus pays it forward.
He never puts on pause
his bad behavior list
and even now he's thinking way ahead
past this shutdown to two years when
Yes, we know that you still wake up thinking
how'd he know
that you were hoping that you'd win
the Presidential election
You being your first Selection.
So Santa got
things moving
with his special Santa bot.
On Facebook, got the
Russian adwriters
to come on-board! Hillary completely ignored!
You don't know
that Santa has a list
that goes way back
to Richard Nixon, Harry Truman who he gave a break
That Christmas. The headlines a mistake.
Coming soon, just one more Christmas
and we hope you're not surprised.
Christmas 2020 when
your stocking starts to bend
down to the floor,
Coal for a President on his way out the door!!!
Should Old Fish Stories Be Forgot? Auld Lang Syne lyrics for 2018
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:46
To the tune from Auld Lang Syne - for the Great American Wrongbook- a musical tribute to say farewell to the past and anticipate a more visionary future in Maine politics.
Should Old Fish Stories Be Forgot?
2018
(to the tune of Auld Lang Syne)
-Susan Cook-
Should old fish stories be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Like humans after business closed
and leave it all behind.
How could we do that now
that someone's finally finished up
his bariatric surgery paid,
the healthcare compliments of us.
And now that vaseline will take
a back seat in the news,
no pun intended . We're just glad
There'll be respect for diverse views.
From politicians who will not take offense
when they differ
and not begin to verbalize
the foulest thoughts inside their quiver.
Now to this day, like someone who
exagerrates their catch
and says the fish was two feet long
when it had barely hatched.
The bright star that delivered Paul Lepage
to us in Maine
was not divine Providence
or because his base all came
To vote for him Election day.
No, that's not the reason why.
The ones who pushed his vote count up
made completely different claims.
The first one's known as Rasmussen,
the rest belong to Equality Maine.
Rasmussen, knows how easily
voters voting can be swayed
When a poll shows who is ahead
Ha! Stochastic bias? What is that?
It measures numbers so it seems
they are all somehow in-bred!
If that sounds like Rasmussen's numbers
have relations with each other,
Well, that is just what Stochastic
means. It adds extra numbers!
Now enter those in Maine
who said "Wow! Rasmussen's polls are up!"
The Honorable Libby Mitchell falling
like water poured out of a cup.
Here, in Maine, gay marriage was
high up on the to-do-list
of Equality Maine, and the rights
LBGT folks had missed.
Now please remember Mr.
Nine Million Dollars said he'd try
to protect gay marriage,
Cutler the name we got to know him by.
Eliot Cutler knew that his chance
of winning almost quarantined!
Here comes Rasmussen fixing a long shot,
His polling almost warrantied!
Equality Maine's leaders (now
Matt Moonen in Maine's House,
turned nauseous, sick to his tummy,
Yes, he turned white and quite pale.
He too decided to email
their membership and push
a vote for Cutler, not for Mitchell,
Polling Statistics not his forte.
Now Gay marriage, Equality Maine
feared was headed south,
Rasmussen chuckling from afar
Made sure his polls left no doubt.
Maine Press joined Rasmussen's band,
he resting down in New Jersey
or who knows where. We only know he turned
the Governor's race topsy-turvy.
Who knows if Equality Maine
has brushed up stochastically
when it comes to skewing numbers
how to make polling numbers lean.
We only know that Paul LePage
got enough more of the votes
because Equality Maine fell for
a pollster's pre-election hoax.
Eight years have passed
and Mr. Moonen has a brand new job
seeing the wreckage left by lack of vision
by someone who shouldn't have risen to the top.
So from now on let's try to find
the visionaries in our politics
who refrain from cyber trash-mouthing
and took courses in statistics!
An edge in the elections, as if
the outcome could be hacked.
LePage likely would not get in
without vote-changing emails hijacked.
Should old fish stories be forgot
and not allowed to surface
Not if you want bad pollsters banned,
Elections fair, not contaminated on purpose.
"Irrelevant!" For You Know Who! In the Dept of Poetic Justice, with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 05:21
Attention Evangelicals! What if Jesus holds the Second Coming down in San Joaquin- you all stuck on the other side of the W--- that You Know Who just had to build?
Irrelevant!
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook
(could be sung to the tune from "Unforgettable!)
-Susan Cook-
Irrelevant!
Mr. President! How you'd become so irrelevant!
I only say this since you now forget
Democracy's genetic
inheritance-
one nation free . That's what the founders meant.
It's not for you to decide who is relevant.
Irrelevant.
This is how you got to be so irrelevant?
Even alt-right wingers start to see
six billion dollars quite
excessive. See,
you could be buying ammo
for the army, navy, you know, militarily?
It's better spent
in ways that aren't quite so
irrelevant.
Mr. President, you could buy some more
fries and burgers
feed the NFL some more .
At least free tickets
when you're shown the door?
Spending our last cent
on burgers a little closer to what
Ben Franklin meant
When he signed the Constitution,
Oh, McDonald's
had not been invented yet.
But you can bet
burgers are more relevant.
Evangelicals
think there's something more angel-ical
Steel slats, see through,
What if Jesus means
to hold the Second Coming
down in San Joaquin,
Even Ted Cruz can not intervene
and he'll miss out on the biggest scene?
Irrelevant!
How'd you end up
so irrelevant?
When the alt-right chose you as President
more ammo coming. You were heaven-sent.
Is Home Depot,
Lowe's your new constituent?
Big boxes making us irrelevant?
Mitch McConnell too,
at Home Depot somewhere
down near aisle two
cannot find where steel slats are on view,
looking for the large post diggers too,
Waiting for the clerk to
help him find
wall stuff. Is this a waste of Mitch's precious time?
Irrelevant.
Now tell us, Mitch, are we irrelevant?
Please don't tell us that you do not care
If Home Depot signed up for
some new welfare
six billion dollars because of You Know Who?
And you still waiting there
Customer assistance? Not for you?
Even Scarramouchi knows
-since he's not working he's been down at Lowe's
checking prices on their wall supply-
noticing they're getting high.
Kelly Ann and Sarah Huckabee
he's seen them down near aisle twenty three
six billion dollars for a wall would be
a lot of gift cards- yes, those would be free-
but still no ammo for their constituency.
Even Scarramouchi here
could help you out. He'd warn you not to smear
with words the New York Times will have for lunch
on paper plates recycled from their private hunch
that you are sexist, racist, the whole bunch
of alt-right buzz words.
which will be relevant
and make you more irrelevant.
Irrelevant!
Now we find out that he never meant
to lead this country
like Abe Lincoln did
or FDR. Yes, we know, those guys are dead
but Principles live on in what they said,
The Girl Scouts get it
Just like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
When You Wish Upon Bill Barr! Lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook!.In Dept.of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:08
As Mr. Mueller testifies before Congressional Committees, a look back and forward to Democracy's dimming light.
"When You Wish..."
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning)
with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook
- sung to the tune of "When You Wish Upon a Star"
When you wish upon Bill Barr
to give you the lowdown are
you prepared to notice when his judgement is not up to par?
When it comes to coming clean
filling in the blanks. You've seen
all the places where he just pushed the tab "delete"?
Now, he's passed the torch along,
Mr. Mueller takes it on,
tells the rest of us
if Trump should also now be gone.
It's exciting, don't you think?
Finding out what seemed to sink
in the sand when Mr. Barr saw all the links
(Let's be honest) just recall
the last Presidential fall
was a chat with Russians, Nixon;s last phone call?
Donald Trump just wanted spin
Jared, Junior, Ivanka in
real estate you know
their loans, the debt they're in.
Could be helped by Russian banks
financing before their business tanks,
making calls to Russians offering their thanks.
Surprise! Donald Trump went on and won
Innocent phone calls were done.
Democrats so negative they're trying to come
Down on Donald. What is new?
Democrats think the other shoe
soon will drop. (Don't hold your breath!) on You-Know-Who?
Mr. Mueller now will start
redacting, a special art,
painting with a broader brush, The Truth, His Part.
Testifying, pumpkin spice
latte, waiting, his small vice,
after he come clean, Congress picks off the lice.
Many think are living there-
the convictions that now bared
Manafort the others' dirty underwear.
Thirty Four indictments is
quite a lot. If innocence
still the same concept we all think it is.
Miss Redactor, who is she,
or is it in fact a he
Today, we find out what only Sharpies see.
Putting down the velvet tip,
indictments, just who has skipped
walking through grand juries, where Dick Nixon tripped.
Co-conspirator who thought,
Yes, a President who's caught
breaking legal rules, leaving our country lost.
Co-conspirators! Who thought
Yes, a President was caught
breaking legal rules at our country's cost.
What we lost on William Barr
disappears- so good, so far
Stay tuned. Mueller's turn to raise Democracy's bar.
Tell me now, what do you think?
Did you hear the President
focusing on You Know Who. Is he on the brink?
On impeachment, well, so far,
Trump seems like he missed the part
about Russians voting, changing our vote's part.
Should we let Russians decide
which President is on our side
Donald's ego kisses that concern goodbye.
"Walking These (Impeachment) Articles Back Home.." For The Great American Wrongbook
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:51
As Nancy Pelosi gets ready to hand-deliver the Articles of Impeachment to Mitch McConnell in Kentucky at his home when she gets there from her home in San Francisco ...walking ... some lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook.
Auld Lang Syne to 2019: Fitbits, Cerebellum and Walking My Impeachment Articles Back Home!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:38
Auld Lang Syne for 2019: Fitbits, Cerebellum and Walking My Impeachment Articles Back Home!
Auld Lang Syne 2019
Should old fish stories be forgot
and finally laid to rest
their gills and fins and scales and such
like old golf hacks who've lost their touch.
The polish finally off the balls,
the sheen off the comb-over,
the implants brittle and now gray
'placed, of course, in ancient days.
And Mitch now that his shoulders
still recovering from his fall,
Kentucky's finest on the rocks.
We mean, the bourbon, not the Boss.
Or maybe he got hurt from Donald Trump
who climbs up there, trying to see
a way to pretend nothing's wrong.
After all, he's been impeached.
Donald testing out the strength
of Mitch who is quite short.
His shoulders not like giants have
or the ones Obama has.
We've noticed Mitch has not brushed up
on the time line that's about
the Constitution's Regs on mailings sent to Sen-
ators from the House.
When Mitch thinks no one's there
he nibbles on his fingernails
especially since Ms. Pelosi
said she does not use Express mail.
Back in the day when Ben Franklin,
Thomas Jefferson et al
were sending stuff from here to there
Pony Express was not.
Back in the day, when Ben Franklin,
Thomas Jefferson et all
declined to say how long to take
since there was no US mail.
In seventeen eighty eight,
the Founders findly hailed
Congress to get a move on things
and build post offices for mail.
Nancy Pelosi has a certain time in mind
to send Articles of Impeachment,
just one of the many things
she'll do when she has time.
She's got alot piled on her plate.
The Constitution drafters too,
took their sweet time, the first Post Office
built in Seventeen Ninety Two.
So do the math. That is four years.
To save the government some money
Ms. Pelosi could walk from her home
to give them to Mitch in Kentucky.
The GOP prefers to save
their nickels and their dimes
especially for CEOs,
Insurance guys and their kind.
Who more often find a fan
and their ally, Mitch McConnell
and his shoulders. Those are
the ones on which they try to stand.
So Ms. Pelosi's will depart,
her fitbit strapped to her arm
and her briefcase with two articles
toward San Francisco and its charm.
Now, you know why no one set
time limits back in Ninety Two
average Senate life expectancy
half as long as when Impeachment Articles were due.
And here in Maine, Bath Iron Works
still implanting sonar bows
while my neighbors cerebellum
on an MRI may look like they've been fried.
The cerebellum is the place
in the brain where balance lies.
Since their lawyers still can walk upright
they're content to close their eyes.
Should old fish stories be forgot
and finally laid to rest,
their gills and fins and scales and such?
Not while Pelosi still can walk.
An American Sonnet for the Woman Who Is A Journalist
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:02
As Gwen Ifill is honored, as the Holocaust murders of the ancestors of Terry Gross are revealed, in the aftermath of the harassing effort to intimidate NPR's Mary Louise Kelly by the Secretary of State, an American Sonnet for the Woman Who Is A Journalist.
American Sonnet for the Woman Who Is a Journalist
For G.I., T.G., and M.L.K.
The moral righteousness of the human
spirit gradually appears as suffering,
a dark spot on the lungs, another strand
of fatigue. Her sustenance, enough, brings
the heaviness to us differently. Just there,
in her questioning, we see physical
intricacies of transformation. This
is how evil spreading its miserable
inhumanity begins to change. This
is how goodness brings itself to the small
crevice inside, sleeping, reawakened,
rising from the body's cellular call,
compassion, for those who've been forsaken.
The softened voice speaks as if her bones find
words, chiselled there by those buried alive.
-Susan Cook-
"Me for You, Don't Make Mine Two!" The Iowa Caucus App in Dept of Poetic Justice
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:34
In honor of the Iowa Caucus App Developers, lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook in The Dept. of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning). Hey, it happens everywhere!
Department Of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with
lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook
In Honor of The Iowa Caucus App Developer
"Me for You, Don't Make Mine Two!"
(To the tune from "Tea for Two"
from the 1924 musical "No, No, Nanette"
Me for You! Don't Make Mine Two!
Computer Apps for counting. Who
knew when caucuses met, to vote so positive?
Hiding underneath the stairs
Wizards? No one like that there
Computer techies picked by lottery?
Iowa is pretty big.
Use your cell phone for the pick
for leaders of the Western hemisphere!
Only problem- bandwidth means
might not work when there's fifteen
thousand maybe more sending in!
Nothing worked. The Democrats!
No Plan B! They'll take their chance.
Keep their fingers crossed that things go well!
Didn't happen. One phone line
busy for a long long time
Fifteen hundred caucus chairs calling in!
Harry Potter Under stairs
Not that kind of magic there
Hiding just like you might have feared.
Phone app guy no longer there.
Guy we said, maybe a girl.
No one seems to know exactly where.
Now in Iowa, they're back
Pencil, papers can't be hacked
Counting out the hopeful candidates!
For President not residents
of Iowa. The world now wonders:
how did they screw this up?
Let's be clear. Right here
in Maine. Two thousand four
the Caucus was a little more
like Iowa than not!
Caucus Chair, his counter too
applying formulas. Who knew
simple math still room for arrogance!
Howard Dean and John Kerry
Kucinich, the others very
hopeful, caucus votes were counted right!
Oh well, didn't happen then!
Gave Kucinichway to man-
yee votes and Howard Dean a tiny spot!
Triangles, I guess you'd say
wouldn't give the time of day
to people saying that the math is wrong!
Triangles, by that I mean,
Caucus chair, vote counter there,
Important people, do not forget that!
I was there. Said I'd email
the Democratic State Party Chair
to find out how to fix the problem math!
"Do not contact anyone
about a thing." The caucus done.
The caucus chair replied in the email back!
Statewide Howard Dean thus tanked,
a few more vote counters thanked
Now President Howard Dean will not be!
Triangled, they wouldn't say!
Hey, we'll recount votes anyway.
Then they'll be accurate no matter what!
That's how caucuses come down.
Human error, Arrogance.
Still a problem. Maine to Iowa.
Someday, Dems will get it right.
Learn the proper way to fight.
No more Trollers, Snarks their favorite hires.
Tea for Two. And Me for You!
Votes for President are true
and Yes, we're hoping they'll still turn blue!
Holding Hands With Avengrid, What's That They Put In Your Palm? Lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook !
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 02:19
Now that Mainers have said "NO!" to CMP and Avengrid destroying the North Woods, a lyrical tribute from the Great American Wrongbook!
"Holding hands with Avengrid, What's That They Put In Your Palm?"
(To the tune from George Gershwin's 1937 tune "Nice Work If You Can Get It..."
In the Dept. Of Poetic Justice (and Reckoning) with lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook.
Holding hands with Avengrid, what's that they put in your palm?
Nice work if you can get it. If you can get it, why not try?"
The SEC reports fill in exactly how much their Board is paid.
Were they thinking we'd forget it? Two hundred thousand for work for seven days?
Just imagine CMP waiting at Avengrid's Board Room door, where they'll make sure they get it, the largest paycheck, hey, maybe more.
In one year Avengrid pays their executives more,
than legislators will be earning until two thousand twenty four.
Vote like those who pay you. Hey, do you think they will bail? Ha!
Say "Hasta Luego" to Avengrid, Iberdrola!
Quebec, Massachusetts, CMP want Maine's forests stripped
so they can drive gas guzzlers offload their greed and guilt.
While all of us lie nights awake, wondering if CMP can again
screw up consumer billing under David Flanagan?
Mainers like to pay up, make sure their employees get paid!
But not six figure paychecks for Board Directors for 7 days pay!
Who among you thinks the Board and Management will kiss off
Multimillion dollar paychecks no matter who picks up the cost?
So bringing CMP under the State of Maine's fiscal roof,
Won't they want those paychecks intact? Before they say "Yes", where's the proof!
Holding hands with Avengrid, what's that they put in your palm?
Nice work if you can get it! If you can get it, why not try?
Dept of Poetic Justice! Nate Silver's Still Counting All the Numbers! Extra Golf Strokes!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 07:10
No False Equivalence here! The Pandemic. Trillions of Dollars of National Debt! And You Know Whose Extra Golf Strokes! Counting Every One!
Nate Silver's Still Counting All the Numbers"
In the Department of Poetic Justice and Reckoning
(With lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook to the tune from
'It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas'
Nate Silver's still counting all the numbers.
It's that time. It's what he does
like post offices sorting mail,
delivering snow, sleet or hail.
Nate Silver's on it. Never fail.
We're hoping he's got more time to focus.
There's no football. All that fuss
is finally put on hold
so we are hoping we'll be told
what voters will actually do.
We're taking a moment to remind him
like we did two years ago
to call Ellen Langer right up, try
a seance, maybe two with Stephen
Jay Gould. They both know.
When voters pick up the cell phone ringing
and they're asked who they will choose
the next thing he must require
is this answer. Yes, it's dire.
Will they be mailing in their vote?
Kelly Ann Conway has decided
a good way to sabotage
the abundance of dislike now
for You Know What he's called.
He lives in Washington D.C.
Cheryl Sandberg creates the conscience
for Facebook. Yes, she's not an app
but she and Mark Zuckerberg
decided to make Truth their act
Just click Like on a Facebook Page.
Just in case you haven't noticed
how she and Mark just said "Ok"
to posting lies left and right, on Facebook pages,
What's the gripe with Russians
sharing Voting plans?
So what if they're not really voters?
Remember US citizens
have always had to enroll, prove they live here,
Zuckerberg, Cheryl Sandberg,
look it up!
Nate Silver, I guess, did not have Facebook
on his radar, plus Russian hack-
ers would not answer calls,
"Are you voting in the Fall?"
Til' Paul Manafort said"Hi, it's me."
When You Know Who's not on a golf course
spoiling for those who admire
the skill of hitting the ball,
the little white one so it will fall
into a hole with a big flag.
One of the most disturbing shortfalls
of this man's abilities
is when he picks up the stick
tries to reach it back to hit
the little ball off of the tee,
There are probably house flies in the suburbs
who are thinking while they laugh
along with the PGA
and Sunday Hackers who would say
"Maybe his fly swatter works best?"
For accomplishing something that eludes him.
In this case, to hit the ball.
Mitch McConnell likely regrets
Not just the trillion dollar debts
but Trump's golfing embarassment.
Displaying ridiculous ineptness.
We're not talking when adhoc
he starts making things up to say
in press conferences. No, it is the way
he pretends he's playing golf.
To get back to Nate Silver's special forte
accuracy, counting skill
Though statistics cannot predict
Election outcomes that will stick
because the ballots must arrive.
Nate Silver learned that the hard way.
We know now he's on his game.
Maybe lovers of golf can save
admiration for this game
and hire Nate to clarify
Exactly how many strokes are taken
by You Know Who after he shakes
his golf club above the tee,
tries to give it the old heave-
Ho to make it move toward that small hole.
Nate Silver can finally help them realize
the cost the country now must bear.
The Pandemic has taken more
lives than several major wars.
And then there's Donald fake golf scores.
The country has got to hope there's something
left when- Syonara- he is gone.
Yes, I mean living human beings
but don't forget the viewers seein'
the mockery he's made of golf.
We're not making falsely equiva-
lent. The Pandemic is far worse
but give us a little break
for Sunday hackers now trying to take
socially distant honest strokes.
It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.
Don't hold your breath. Just check your mail.
The golfers in every town want Nate
counting extra golf strokes You Know Who takes!
Something Russians cannot hide!
In Dept. Of Poetic Justice "When the Saints See My Receipts" Turbo Tax Tribute!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:58
Lyrics for the Great American Wrongbook! Depreciation. Commuting miles. My Old and Trusty Mileage Log. Tax Experts Waiting to Answer! And much much more.
“When The Saints Find My Receipts”
--Susan Cook-
A Musical Tribute to Turbo Tax To the tune from “When I Paint my Masterpiece”
by Bob Dylan
Oh the sheets that hold
all my deductions
MS Works and Excel too
Spread mighty wide,
The rows and columns,
stretch up high,
toward heaven too.
Refrain
I sleep calmly knowing my deductions
for my taxes clean as they can be.
If I've erred, I'll find my redemption
I have always kept receipts.
You’ve got all last
year’s deductions,
Rental properties, you knew,
The nonprofits
I give my time to
My hourly fee
Of course you knew.
Refrain
Sleeping calmly kmowing contributions
to non-profits where they ought to be.
Someday, maybe more things will be tax-free
Then I'll stop keeping receipts.
My mileage log
is old and trusty
Audometers
I use to tell
The truth to you if I get busted
Commuting miles?
The road to hell.
Refrain
Tax experts are always standing ready
Answer any questions I might have.
Do I have depreciations?
God Bless You! You know I have!
Just goes to show
Our home computers,
Desktops or a laptop too
Can bust the chops
of higher taxes
Knock down how much
Federal tax due.
Refrain
Of course you always Will review them.
Ask politely let's go through again.
You looking hard for one more tax break.
For hard earned cash I shouldn't spend.
The streets where gold
Is used for toilets
Mostly down
In Manhattan.
The IRS
tries to stay on it, hence
you devised Audit Defense.
Refrain
I sleep calmly knowing the deductions
for tax I've paid accurate and clean.
If I erred I'll find my redemption.
When the Saints see my receipts.
Oh the sheets that hold
all my deductions
MS Works and Excel too
Spread mighty wide,
The rows and columns,
stretching high,
toward heaven too.
Nate Silver Does Not Believe In Santa! In the Dept. Of Poetic Justice!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 04:18
Polls do not predict the future. Remember the poll that really counts most always is the vote you cast. To the tune from "It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas!" With lyrics for The Great American Wrongbook!
In the Department of Poetic Justice
for calculating variance.
Does Nate Silver somehow believe he'd predict
gone the way of Hillary.
out on South Dakota Plains or Colorado's grazing range
in South Dakota where they'd roam
"So-called experts" now would say
they've preserved their DNA in Kristi Noem, the Governor.
I'm not talking about who's in the White House.
Remembering We Have Already Said Farewell: "Epilogue: To a Fire Gone" from "Breathing: American Sonnets"
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:42
An American Sonnet to those to whom we have said "Farewell".
From "Breathing: American Sonnets"
by Susan Cook
(available from GulfofMainebooks@gmail.com)
Epilogue
To a Fire Gone
After "Reluctance: by Robert Frost
Ah, when to the heart of man
Was it ever less than treason
To go with the drift of things,
To yield with a grace to reason
And bow and accept the end
Of a love or a season?
When was it less than treason? But what do
you mean, Mr. Frost? That’s for countries to
feel short-changed by. Loss happens to those who
see the passing on of days, years, one blue
time in life, one breaking, undoing a
treacherous rope they have been tied onto,
its deep burn. In the coldest time of day
or night, fires started that you thought grew
larger instead were, licked back into their
own intensity, remained confined on
one small patch of earth. You did not see where
the fire, some time later, died. You were gone.
Big difference, see, between countries resigned
to losing, small unfed fires, gone in time.
Auld Lang Syne Repurposing the Bottom Line To Hear For Whom The Bell Tolls!
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 03:45
This year, even with its dashed hopes and fear of "deja vu all over again" an abundance of good prevailed.
Auld Lang Syne !
Repurposing The Bottom Line To Hear For Whom The Bell Now Tolls!
-Susan Cook-
Should old stock options be forgot and not put up for trade?
Curevac, Novartis, Sputnik Five
Oh, right Sputnik's not on our exchange.
Now do not fret. Moderna and German-based Bio N Tech pulled through
and managed to earned good money
unlike what Pfizer, their US partner could not quite do.
For those of you who wonder how vaccine makers gears did shift
to their bank accounts
and bigger wallets to make sure their profits fit.
Into their pockets to not confuse the world (they are discrete)
their job of saving lives
with good old American Wall Street greed.
And don't forget the home test kits, administered at your leisure
so when you board a New York bus
your weapon will not be your sneeze.
Now for a minute, let's forget Nancy Messonier, the queen
of 2020 Test disasters
like the CDC had never seen.
And put on hold her minimizing so she'd stay employed
the virus which we needed testing for,
the bug we needed to avoid.
So fortunately Abbott, Quidel stepped up to the plate
and gave us Binax, Quick-Vue tests
to check on antigens we've made.
And since we're on the topic, yes, these home tests are great.
Please remember twenty-nine point six,
Abbott's stock increase this year, to date.
Now, no one in their right mind, well, hard times can bring forgetting
this country's favorite sound.
It goes like this: Ca-ching, ca-ching, ca-ching.
Even so, some companies disregard the bottom line
when a crisis comes
(think 3/10/20) they thought of us all the time.
In Maine, some companies said, “We 'll make products that will help”
Protective clothing and face masks, hand
sanitizer, and brand new tests.
Alcohol once used in Maine Spirit Bourbon quarts
was repurposed in a Growler size
to sanitize germs of all sorts.
And Idexx didn't drop the ball, recommissioned Canine tests
to accommodate Covid genomes
found in human nostrils through their tests.
And LL Bean did not bail out on doing what they could.
They made masks, protective shoes,
and gowns. Just their way of doing good.
These times have been exhausting. Yes, we've been raked through the coals.
For some Maine business, the bottom line
listens for whom the bell now tolls.
Tell Me How Many Black Seabirds
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :56
In these times, a poem for the places we find resilience.
- Playing
- Tell Me How Many Black Seabirds
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Tell Me How Many Black Seabirds
-Susan Cook-
Tell me how many black seabirds
woke up this morning, flew to a high place,
shook off a thousand drops of river, heard
each one, in slow motion, fall, a trace
of where each one began inside. This is
a daily ritual. They celebrate
with such silence, quiet applause, which is
to say, this abundance will tell a (late
sometimes) lie. The absence of chaos, just
drops of water shaken off, lets the heat
from the sun's dependable rays, we trust,
bring heart to any body's weary beat.
Tell me how we remind ourselves to turn
to the deliberate, needing it just now.
"I Saw Santa Scrolling Through his Phone at Nate Silver's Polls" In the Dept of Poetic Justice !
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :00
In the Department of Poetic Justice (and Poetic Reckoning)! The Midterm Election results according to Santa's List .
My We-Contained Democrat
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :59
If we live in a we-contained world, shouldn't we all be Democrats?
- Playing
- My We-Contained Democrat
- From
- Susan J. Cook
David Brooks' new book raises a big question: When is he going to be a Democrat?
An American Sonnet for The Woman Who Is a Journalist
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 01:11
During National Poetry Month, an American Sonnet to bring us to know better the women journalists of Ukraine.
-Susan Cook-
Death of a Paddler
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 06:41
Those who sign on for white water rafting trips, fishing and hunting day trips are hoping to find a few hours or so of Great Abandon, an experience the Pandemic has made even more difficult for many Americans to access. Some years back, a River rafting Guide who brought that experience to many passed on. And now so much has changed.
- Playing
- Death of a Paddler
- From
- Susan J. Cook
Death of a Paddler
A white water rafting guide died on July 24, some years back, four weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. "Sully" was a white water rafting guide out of the West Branch of the Penobscot slightly northwest of the place where the flow of the East leg joins it to become the Penobscot River.
When I was told that he died of a very aggressive cancer four weeks after initial diagnosis, my first thought was, "I wonder if he had health insurance." White water rafting guides, registered Maine Guides, commercial fisherman, small family farmers, all the self-employed seasonally based vocations that are the bristling heart and soul that Maine's natural resources offer up, do not have a reliable, affordable health insurance network. Going without means missing medical check-ups.
I only knew this particular guide because he was a guest at a relative's wedding, the groom and his bride, both White Water Rafting Guides. The wedding celebrated every aspect of Maine's outdoors. The vows were exchanged on "Miss Moggin", a lobster boat decorated with white tulle, moored off Pumpkin Island Lighthouse, at the southern end of Eggemoggin Reach. Other wedding guests reached the wedding location on a boat formerly used as an island mailboat which tied up on the port side of the "Miss Moggin" and the "Millie", a smaller lobster boat tied up on the starboard. The officiant, a commercial fisherman, donned his white Captain's shirt, trimmed with gold braid epaulets along with a white dress cap loaned to him for the occasion by the local Fire Department chief. Under blue skies, with a fair wind, over sixty guests on the mailboat, 30 others on the Miss Moggin and 10 on the Millie observed as the couple vowed "to love and cherish" "til' death do us part" noting that "marriage is a vow not to be taken lightly". The bride wore a white, empire-style wedding gown, with beaded bodice and lace overlays. Both the bride and groom wore boat shoes. The Miss Moggin, despite the white tulle, still looked like a lobster boat which the groom's soon-to-be-mother-in-law noted, to no one in particular, “She knows I don't like boats.”
At the reception, the couple's engagement with the outdoors was on full display: the two tier wedding cake, decorated with fishing rods, canoes, moose, deer and white water rapids, a collage of the couple with the moose which the bride had shot when she won a permit through the Moose Lottery, with the groom as co-permitee. Several photos of the couple with deer and various fish they shot or caught together were included, along with one photo of a rafting run in which the groom served as stern paddler with the bride paddling at the side. The best man congratulated the groom on sharing his life with a bride willing to lather herself up with fly dope, to walk 2 miles through the woods to fish for trout.
The bride invited the crowd "to party it down". Sully and the white water rafting guides, dressed in their semi-formal wedding attire: water-proof sandals, short-sleeved shirts and dressy water-proof shorts,took her up on it. Their gift to the bride was a bottle of "Hot Damn", a Made-in-Maine liquer. The female rafting guides decided to move away from the stuffiness of the dance floor to the less restrictive area on the top of their table (#11 in the Guest Seating Guide) from which the dishes had been cleared. They were joined , shortly thereafter, by their male rafting guide companions, Sully included. They danced with great abandon until the groom's maternal aunt tapped the dancer closest to her on the ankle, pointing to the table that looked like it might break. "Thank you", she said, and they got down. The party was, one of rafting guides said, "A Ray-jah (spelled R-a-g-e-r).
Great abandon moves a body through a landscape far different from a cancer diagnosis that ends a life in 4 weeks.Great abandon is what day trippers try to get a taste of when they sign up for a rafting trip. Maine legislators, if they want to insure that young people cultivate careers as Outdoor Crafters of Great Abandon, need to make health care available and affordable to them, maybe even allowing them to buy into the Maine State employees' health plan. Maybe even at the same rate that legislators do. "In wildness is the preservation of the world", Thoreau wrote. He too relied on the expertise of Maine Abenaki guides to craft his trip into the Maine Woods. Someone needs to be looking out to preserve the health and wellbeing of Maine's Outdoor Crafters, who create the rafting, bird hunting, fishing trips, Great Abandon moments for those lacking those opportunities in their everyday lives.
It turns out Sully had moved to Alaska from Maine and found his dream job, calling on his knowledge of the wild,that maybe even gave him health insurance. Twenty years and four new paddlers later, the now very married couple drove to the Forks. They missed the spreading of the ashes but got there in time for the party.
Still A Fried Mosquito and a Black-Eyed Pea: Froggy Still A-courting To Take the Affordable Health Care Act Down, But Froggy has Become Greedier, Less Compassionate
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | 07:40
The US Senate and House Healthcare Bills hold no intention for the government to feed the whole crowd, like those in the song "Froggy Went A'Courtin''. In their proposed bills, the government is running fast and furiously from paying insurance coverage for anybody. The Senate and House bills propose that insurance premiums can be bought for a Fried Mosquito and a Black-eyed Pea. They’ll just be catastrophic plans with high deductibles. In this world view, all the hoarded, stockpiled Fried Mosquitoes and Black-eyed Peas will be used to pay off the huge medical bills the insurance will no longer cover.
But Froggy has Become Greedier, Less Compassionate and Still Doesn’t Get That Insurance Premiums Cost Too Much
And People Don’t Have the Money to Pay Upfront
-Susan Cook-
Oh yes and the reimbursement for those fried mosquitos paid out on insurance premiums will be in the form of tax credits which will be paid, no surprise here either, in real American dollars directly to insurance companies. All of the Obamacare efforts to give insurance companies their fair- repeat- fair share was not enough. United Health Care, for example, with 11 billion dollars in profits last year- just has to pull out of the Community Health Exchanges because they aren’t making enough money. In 2017, filling pockets- insurance companies pockets comes at the expense of providing healthcare, covered by reasonably priced - affordable premiums.
In 2017, all of Maine’s children are insured through Mainecare.
I can’t get rid of the image of Mr. Rat shaking his fat sides just like in “Froggy Went A-courting” along with the insurance companies who still claim deficits- while we all sit with a fried mosquito and a black-eyed pea. The US Senate and House Healthcare Bills - if they pass- will make that just a little bit of cornbread sitting on the shelf just like the song says.
This Is the Meaning of the Crow's Morning: Re-seeing the World is Caring for Us All
From Susan J. Cook | Part of the The River Is Wide series | :53
The natural world makes meaning each morning.
This is the meaning of the crow's morning caw
-Susan Cook-
This is the meaning of the crow's morning
caw, the starting, stopping. They fly within
the light's river reflection. Their warning
comes off as a greeting, a welcoming
as if the obligation each day is
to bring the outside alive, to distill
from silence, Being, all over again, made in
us, becoming who we are each day, filled
with the inside of us, the mind's eye there
in every movement of the river's wake,
moving like a minute hand we have dared
to hold in the hand's fragile give and take.
We come each morning merely to listen,
come to listen, emptying out old visions.