Breaking Limerick: Michelle Obama’s hair

For First Lady Michelle R. Obama,
Malia and Sasha’s dear mama,
it just isn’t fair when the news of her hair
gets more press than the new healthcare drama.

Filed under: Breaking News, Commentary, Limerick , hair, Michelle Obama

July 23, 2009

Honduran President Zelaya failed
to gain his Congress’ backing for the plan
to bring him back. Some threaten he’ll be jailed
if he attempts to go back to his land.
Sales of existing homes increased in June,
which led to optimistic statements that
perhaps the housing market’s recent swoon
will now get better — or, at least, stay flat.
Last night, Obama spoke on healthcare change,
in light of Congress’ balking on the bill;
he talked about the problems and a range
of options that have traction on the Hill.
He also said cops “acted stupidly”
arresting Gates unnecessarily.

Filed under: Daily Summary, Iambic pentameter, Shakespearean sonnet , healthcare, Henry Louis Gates Jr., home sales, Honduras, obama, zelaya

July 22, 2009

Today’s eclipse (a solar one) will be
the longest for another century.
In China, scientists worked hard to see
if an eclipse can impact gravity.
Late Michael Jackson’s doctor’s office was
investigated by the D.E.A.
the “raid” contributed to online buzz,
but Murray’s not a suspect, police say.
The Watergate Hotel could not be sold;
they asked for offers but nobody did.
This means its prior owner has to hold
the property until someone will bid.
The flap about Skip Gates goes on apace,
which proves how troubling are issues of race.

Filed under: Daily Summary, Iambic pentameter , china, conrad murray, DEA, eclipse, gravity, Henry Louis Gates Jr., michael jackson, race, watergate hotel

July 21, 2009

The California budget’s finally done:
Republicans refused all tax hikes, so
the Democrats cut programs to the bone;
no one knows how much longer this can go.
Two billion dollars for F-22’s,
designed for air superiority,
was cut in Senate voting. The excuse
for keeping it? Our weak economy!
Last Thursday, “Skip” Gates broke into his home
to get inside. A neighbor called the cops,
who booked him, though he says that they were shown
I.D. Today, all charges have been dropped.
“Exceptionally low” Fed rates will stay
for some time yet, Bernanke said today.

Filed under: Daily Summary, News, Shakespearean sonnet , arrest, california, california budget, F-22, Federal Reserve, Henry Louis Gates Jr., interest rates, Senate, Skip Gates

Editorial Note: On vacations…

I should have forewarned all the people who visit
my blog that I would be away. But, now is it
essential to do a new sonnet each day,
or just put something up here in meter and rhyme?

Shakespearean sonnets are harder than most
and while writing them quickly’s a talent I boast
when I took my vacation to lands far away,
I neglected my readers as I had no time.

A reader (whose writing I also admire)
asked that I return, so I must not retire!
I’m going to put something up every day,
be it doggerel, masterwork or just plain “fine”.

Filed under: About the Blog, Anapestic tetrameter , vacation

Breaking Limerick: Palin Resigns

Alaska’s good Governor Palin,
said she’s quitting without her unveilin’
if she’s running next year, though Republicans fear
that they won’t win Obama v. Palin.

Filed under: Breaking News, Limerick , resignation, Sarah Palin

July 3, 2009

A woman was acquitted on appeal
of charges of illegal network use.
A girl killed herself; the woman’s spiel
played her fake boyfriend, ending with abuse.
The Washington Post newspaper announced
it would not host events where patrons paid
to meet officials. Most Post staff denounced
the scheme, the Post’s integrity betrayed.
Honduras’ high court told an envoy that
they would not reinstate its President.
The O.A.S. demands have fallen flat,
the coup now setting troubling precedent.
A jury in Virginia wants to see
if CIA trashed tapes of torture scenes.

Filed under: Daily Summary, Shakespearean sonnet , CIA, cyber-bully, Honduras, torture tapes, Washington Post

July 2, 2009

In Helmand province, in Afghanistan,
today four thousand US troops arrived
to free the province of the Taliban.
So far, just one Marine has not survived.
The WHO head, Margaret Chan,
said swine flu is “unstoppable” to show
concern about its growing worldwide span
when speaking at events in Mexico.
The US unemployment rate climbed still,
to 9.5%, a record high
since 1983. This sent a chill
on US shares, which tumbled in reply.
In India, a court said that a law
forbidding all gay sex must be withdrawn.

Filed under: Daily Summary, Shakespearean sonnet , afghanistan, casualties, gay sex, helmand, india, margaret chan, marines, swine flu, unemployment, WHO

July 1, 2009

The “Green Dam” software China hoped to launch
has been delayed in a surprising turn;
although the new technology could staunch
the flow of porn, there are free speech concerns.
About New York’s state senate, one can’t think
too much. Republican Frank Padavan
was counted present going to get a drink,
with Democrats in session on their own.
The State of California did not meet
a budget deadline that expired today.
With few alternatives, it’s taking heat
for I.O.U.’s in lieu of cash to pay.
Karl Malden died at 97 today,
and Jackson’s will was published in L.A.

Filed under: Daily Summary, Shakespearean sonnet, Uncategorized , budget, california, china, green dam, karl malden, michael jackson, new york senate, padavan

June 30, 2009

Al Franken won his Senate seat today;
Norm Coleman offered a concession speech
after the Minnesota courts let stay
official counts with Franken out of reach.
All US troops left cities in Iraq,
which prompted massive celebrations there.
A car bomb going off tried to detract
from what was otherwise a festive air.
Honduras’ President Zelaya cast
scorn on those who deposed him in a coup.
“We [don't] want to go back to a dark past,”
Obama said, as opposition grew.
Sir Allen Stanford didn’t get his bail;
accused of fraud, he’ll wait for trial in jail.

Filed under: Daily Summary, Shakespearean sonnet , car bomb, coleman, franken, iraq, obama, stanford, zelaya