Archive for the ‘Barack Obama’ Category
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Big news on the health reform front: Dennis Kucinich caved. “Something is better than nothing,” the Ohio Congressman explained.
I’m not at all sure I buy the half a loaf theory because I have zero faith in Obama and his fellow Dems. I just don’t believe Democrats will ever manage to improve their health reform recipe.
Et Tu, Dennis? (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Obama takes lib’rals for granted,
And with Dennis’s “no” vote recanted,
It appears that he’s right:
Lib’ral pols have no fight!
Count this lib’ral as quite disenchanted.
Related Post: Dear Obama, Enough With The Voltaire!
Tags: Congress Satire, Democrats Humor, Dennis Kucinich, Health Care Reform, Incrementalism, Legislation Satire, Liberals Satire, Ohio
Posted in Barack Obama, Congress Humor, Democrats Satire, Health Satire, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Responding to his political crisis, President Obama is doing precisely the wrong thing. As Paul Krugman said,
A spending freeze? That’s the brilliant response of the Obama team to their first serious political setback?
It’s appalling on every level.
Something tells me that Obama’s State of the Union address is going to be jam-packed with pandering double talk.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Ode To Barack Hussein Hoover
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Prez Obama, once shaker and mover,
Is reduced to a pand’ring maneuver.
Dealt a setback, his plan
Is a spending freeze? Man!
We’ve elected a latter-day Hoover.
********
Congratulations to my good friend Don Davis of Satirical Political for taking top prize in this year’s HumorFeed contest and being named The Best Satire of the Year. Don won for his hilarious A Real War On Christmas: Outrage Grows Over Excessive Bonuses To Santa’s Elves. Congrats, again Don. Well deserved!
(Full disclosure: I was a member of the four judge panel. However, the contest submissions were anonymous, so there was no need to disqualify myself.)
Tags: Economy Satire, Herbert Hoover, Obama poem, Pandering, Paul Krugman, Political Setbacks, Recession, SOTU, Spending Freeze
Posted in Barack Obama, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
I’ve been searching for a positive note in the Massachusetts election debacle and its effect on health care reform and Obama’s agenda. And I’ve finally found the one up side to Democrat Martha Coakley’s upset loss to Republican Scott Brown:
Joe “Vote 60″ No Mo’ (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Joe Lieberman’s blue — in a pout.
Massachusetts has cost him some clout:
Mr. “Me-Me-My-Mine”
Now just “Vote 59.”
Dems are screwed with his vote or without.
Tags: Joe Lieberman, Martha Coakley, Massachusetts, Scott Brown
Posted in Barack Obama, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, Filibuster Humor, Health Satire, Joe Lieberman, Legislation Humor, Martha Coakley, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Scott Brown, Senate Satire | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
Are prominent right-wingers acting as unpaid PR agents for al Qaeda, in their zeal to undermine Obama?
In a word — yes! After all, the purpose of terrorism is to scare people into overreaction. So when GOP attack dogs like Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, Bill Kristol, Pete King, Pete Hoekstra, Jim DeMint and countless others characterize a failed terrorist attack as a success and try to terrify the public, they are unwittingly helping al Qaeda.
That leads me to my latest limerick:
Al-Qaeda Talking Points?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Michael and Peter and Dick,
Your Obama vendetta is sick.
Cuz behavior like yours —
Turning flops into scores —
Creates fear, which makes terrorists tick.
Tags: Abdulmutallab, Al Qaeda, Bill Kristol, Dick Cheney Satire, GOP Attack Dogs, Jim DeMint, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, Obama, Pete Hoekstra, Peter King, Terrorism
Posted in Barack Obama, Bill Kristol, Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, GOP Humor, George Bush Satire, James DeMint, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, National Security Humor, Pete Hoekstra, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Terrorism, White House | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
Republicans have been treating Nigerian Abdulmutallab’s failed Christmas Day bombing of Flight 253 like a Christmas gift from Al Qaeda — something really juicy to exploit.
In fact, the Republicans’ partisan response to this attempted terrorism has been so shameless, even Politico noticed.
Republicans like Pete Hoekstra, James DeMint, Dan Burton, and many others have earned themselves a triple limerick by playing politics with national security:
Shameless Republicans On Christmas Attack
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Exploiting a terror attempt
Is surely beneath all contempt.
But that never would stop
Such a GOP op:
“Bash Obama! He failed to preempt.”
There is plenty of blame they should share
For that terrorist scare in the air.
We’ve no TSA head:
DeMint “held” him instead
Of a vote. It’s Republican guerre.
As for funding our air travel screening,
They vote no. Seems they’re pro-terror leaning.
Though their record is poor,
They keep spouting full-bore.
Please Republicans, spare us your preening.
NOTE: Here’s some unrelated, but timely, New Years Resolutions humor: It Is Hereby Resolved.
Tags: Abdulmutallab, Al Qaeda, Dan Burton, Detroit, James DeMint, National Security, Pete Hoekstra, Politico
Posted in Barack Obama, Blame Game, Dan Burton, Foreign Policy, GOP Humor, James DeMint, National Security Humor, Pete Hoekstra, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Public Safety, Republicans Humor, Terrorism, Transportation Safety, White House | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Removing the Medicare buy-in from the Senate health reform bill (to appease Senator Lieberman) was the last straw for Howard Dean. Dean says, “Kill the Senate Bill,” and I’m inclined to agree:
This is essentially the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate. And, honestly, the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill and go back to the House and start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill.
I blame President Obama for this health reform fiasco. For it’s Obama who empowered Joe Lieberman to blackmail the Senate and hold health reform hostage.
And that brings me to my latest double limerick:
Dressing Down The President
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, your job is to lead.
You have failed. So has Senator Reid.
Seems you’d sign any swill
Labeled “health reform bill,”
And then brag that we’ve got what we need.
Yes, you’ve tragic’ly blown your great chance.
So spare us the song and the dance.
Though many will swear
You’ve done much for our care,
I am sorry — the prez has no pants.
Tags: Budget Reconciliation, Governor Dean, Harry Reid, Health Insurance, Health Reform, Lieberman, Medicare Buy-In, Obama
Posted in Barack Obama, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Harry Reid, Health Satire, Howard Dean, Insurance Humor, Joe Lieberman, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Senate Satire, White House | 12 Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Somebody please explain why the garbage and lies spewed by Richard Cheney are routinely treated like they’re gospel. Dick makes George W. Bush look like a statesman, for heaven sakes. And yet media outlets love to present the former Veep’s vicious distortions and malicious rants virtually without challenge.
The latest example is Politico’s regurgitation of Cheney’s lengthy tirade against President Obama. A tirade, I might add, made on the eve of Obama’s Afghanistan troop buildup speech at West Point.
Politico deserves a double limerick, don’t you think?
Dick Cheney’s Steno Pool (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Politico, kindly explain
Why you act like Dick Cheney is sane.
You repeat all his lies
Like they’re truthful and wise.
Your stenography’s worse than inane.
Richard Cheney has harmed our great nation.
Yet you act like each Cheney quotation
Is golden and true,
Worth transcribing on cue.
You’re not journos — you just take dictation.
UPDATE: Unbelievable! Apparently the Pulitzer Board is fond of Cheney’s steno pool. It just elected Jim VandeHei, executive editor and co-founder of Politico, to the Pulitzer Board. Can a Pulitzer Prize for Drudge be far behind?
Related Posts: Ode To Fresh Faces; and Bush & Cheney’s Blunderland Song Parody
Tags: Afghanistan Strategy, Dick Cheney Humor, Drudge Humor, Media Humor, Politico, Pulitzer Prize
Posted in Barack Obama, Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, GOP Humor, George Bush Satire, Media Satire, National Security Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, War & Antiwar Poems, White House | 7 Comments »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Fox News and all the usual wingnut suspects are simply horrified because President Obama, in a show of diplomatic courtesy, bowed to Emperor Akihito of Japan. This was a shocking and unprecedented show of weakness and subservience, according to sundry Obama bashers, including Karl Rove, Steve Doocy, and Dick Cheney.
It seems only Republican Presidents are allowed such bows (Richard Nixon to Japanese Emperor Hirohito, Dwight Eisenhower to Charles De Gaulle).
But as far as I’m concerned, President Obama can bow to as many foreign leaders as he likes. Although perhaps he should leave the Saudi Prince lip-kissing and hand-holding to George W. Bush.
And now it’s time for a limerick:
Bowing … And Scraping Bottom
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Kissing princes and hand-holding’s fine
For a Prez on the GOP line.
But a bow from Obama
To emp’rors — what drama!
Such nonsense, this sham wingnut-whine.
Tags: Diplomacy, Japan, Obama Bowing
Posted in Barack Obama, Diplomacy Humor, Foreign Policy, Fox News Humor, George Bush Satire, Hypocrisy Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Traitor Joe Lieberman is back to his old tricks, once again trying to undermine Democrats. So how’s Joe rewarding Obama and Harry Reid’s excessive generosity in letting Lieberman caucus with the Dems and chair the Homeland Security Committee? By threatening to help Republicans filibuster health reform over the public option.
Joe Lieberman’s latest misanthropic behavior reminds me of the single saving grace in Bush v. Gore: The election was stolen from Lieberman too.
I’ve already written Joe a song parody, so now it’s time for a limerick:
A Limerick For Traitor Joe
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Joe Lieberman’s meanness runs deep.
He’s a back-stabbing, Dem-screwing creep,
Who’s determined to kill
The health reform bill.
But at least he will never be VEEP.
Tags: Bush v. Gore, Filibuster, Harry Reid, Health Reform, Homeland Security, Joe Lieberman, Public Option, Traitors
Posted in Barack Obama, Filibuster Humor, Harry Reid, Health Satire, Insurance Humor, Joe Lieberman, Legislation Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Washington | 6 Comments »
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Remember when you could tell the difference between right-wing loons and your average Republican politician? Unfortunately, that distinction is rapidly vanishing. And Republican reaction to 1) Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize win; and 2) Chicago’s failure to land the Olympics are but two recent examples.
Ode To Party-First Republicans (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
When the Prez wins a prize, wingnuts sneer.
When we lose the Olympics, they cheer.
“Country first,” they once said.
Seems that sentiment’s dead.
If Barack killed bin Laden, they’d jeer.
Tags: Bin Laden, Chicago, Nobel Peace Prize, Obama, Olympics, Patriotism Humor, Republican Hypocrisy
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, George Bush Satire, Hypocrisy Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
Remember when a presidential speech to school kids was considered positive and uncontroversial? Back when Republicans were in the White House? Funny, what a difference one election can make.
President Obama wants to address schoolchildren about working hard, being responsible and playing by the rules, and all hell breaks loose:
Republicans Bring Classiness To the Classroom (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“Act responsibly. Stay in your schools.”
“Study hard and please play by the rules.”
How dare the Prez preach
Such sins in his speech!
Ain’t no way to breed right-wing tools.
Related Posts: “Education President” Song; Education Humor; and Bush Isn’t An “Education President,” He Just Plays One
Tags: Education, GOP, Hypocrisy, Obama, Presidential Speech, Republicans Humor, Schools, Values Verse
Posted in Barack Obama, Education Limerick, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Social Satire, Speeches Satire, Students Verse, White House | 6 Comments »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Watching Republicans out-maneuver President Obama on “bi-partisan” health care reform has been so painful, I sometimes feel forced to avert my eyes. So I’ve written this open double limerick to President Obama:
An Open Limerick To President Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, the GOP’s clear:
Won’t support any health reform. Hear?
You can whittle the bill
Down to bupkis — you still
Won’t get votes. Yes they’ve duped you, I fear.
Your naivety’s hurting our cause.
And so how about taking a pause?
Work with Dems on the Hill
To create a fresh bill
That has nary a GOP clause.
Related Posts: Republicans Were For “Death Panels” Before They Were Against Them; Tantrum Politics; and Waterloo Lies
Tags: Bipartisanship, Democrats Humor, GOP Lies, Health Care, Health Reform, Legislation Satire, Negotiations, Obama Verse, Republicans Humor
Posted in Barack Obama, GOP Humor, Health Satire, Insurance Humor, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Back in July, South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint bragged about Republican plans to “break” Obama. How? By killing health care reform, turning health care into Obama’s “Waterloo.”
So it’s no surprise that the President’s foes are wielding the Big Lie in their non-stop efforts to block reform. Or that their lies target the elderly, scaring them into thinking Democrats intend to mandate elder-euthanasia.
This brings me to my latest limerick, Waterloo Lies:
Waterloo Lies
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The GOP’s spreading big lies
To ensure that our health reform dies:
“The bill will kill gran —
Shorten seniors’ life span.”
Their goal? Cut Barack down to size.
Update: Check out the interesting and informative Health Wonk Review.
Related Posts: An Open Limerick To President Obama; Republicans Were For “Death Panels” Before They Were Against Them; and Tantrum Politics
Tags: Big Lie, Elderly, Euthanasia, Health Care, Insurance Reform, Jim DeMint, Obama, Reform, Republicans Humor, Scare Tactics, South Carolina, Waterloo
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, GOP Humor, George Bush Satire, Health Satire, Insurance Humor, James DeMint, Legislation Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Senate Satire, South Carolina Humor, White House | 3 Comments »
Sunday, June 28th, 2009
I’ve heard some twisted rationalizations over the years. But Rush Limbaugh’s attempt at blaming Obama for Mark Sanford’s failings really takes the cake.
A double limerick, just for Rush Limbaugh:
De-Moralized?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Rush claims that Obama’s to blame
For Sanford’s disgrace and his shame:
The stimulus bill
Destroyed Sanford’s will.
Wow, even for Limbaugh, that’s lame.
When a Democrat strays — no excuse!
Just right-wing attacks and abuse.
But conservative sins
Are spinned — turned to wins.
Try to reason with Rush? It’s no use!
Tags: Democrats, Hypocrisy, Limbaugh, Mark Sanford, Media, Obama, Philanderers, Radio, Republicans Humor, Scandals, Sins, Stimulus, Talk Shows, Womanizers
Posted in Barack Obama, Blame Game, Family Values Humor, Fiscal Policy, Governors Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Mark Sanford, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Radio Humor, Republicans Humor, Rush Limbaugh | 3 Comments »
Frankly My Dear Gaffney, You’re Nuts!
Saturday, February 27th, 2010Right-wing activist Frank Gaffney is at it again. His latest tin-foil hat paranoia involves the Missile Defense Agency’s website logo which, according to Gaffney, is part of a “nefarious” pro-Islam, submission to Shariah plot. As Gaffney sees it, the logo evokes all sorts of evil stuff:
The alleged plot is ever-so-slightly undermined, however, by the timing of the logo’s design — a full year before Obama’s presidential election.
So it’s back to the conspiracy drawing board for Frank Gaffney. I guess I’ll celebrate with a limerick:
Frankly My Dear Gaffney, You’re Nuts
By Madeleine Begun Kane
At Obama Frank Gaffney takes aim.
A “nefarious” plot is his claim.
What’s his latest complaint?
Logo’s “Islam”-like taint.
What a shame that Bush-Cheney’s to blame.
Tags: Conspiracy Theories, Frank Gaffney, Islam, MDA Logo, Missile Defense Agency, Nefarious Plots, Right-Wing Paranoia, Shariah
Posted in Barack Obama, Foreign Policy, Frank Gaffney, National Security Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House, Wingnuts | 1 Comment »