Posts Tagged ‘New York Times’

Our Industrious Lawmakers (Limerick)

Saturday, May 25th, 2013

This New York Times headline doesn’t exactly come as a shock: Banks’ Lobbyists Help in Drafting Financial Bills:

One bill that sailed through the House Financial Services Committee this month — over the objections of the Treasury Department — was essentially Citigroup’s, according to e-mails reviewed by The New York Times. The bill would exempt broad swathes of trades from new regulation.

In a sign of Wall Street’s resurgent influence in Washington, Citigroup’s recommendations were reflected in more than 70 lines of the House committee’s 85-line bill. Two crucial paragraphs, prepared by Citigroup in conjunction with other Wall Street banks, were copied nearly word for word. (Lawmakers changed two words to make them plural.)

Our Industrious Lawmakers (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

It seems Wall Street is writing our laws;
Co’s like Citigroup — clause by bad clause.
If you think it’s a crime
That the rich win each time,
That right there is your probable cause.

Open Limerick To Michael Bloomberg

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

I’m convinced that most so-called “undecided voters” are doing it for the attention. And that includes New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has declined to endorse either Obama or Romney for president. And who voices complaints about both of them to the New York Times.

Open Limerick To Michael Bloomberg
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Dear Mike, I have long been a fan,
But alas, you’re no longer my man:
Prez endorsement? You waffle,
Though Romney is awful.
Need attention? Find something to ban!

Limerick Ode To An Amateur

Monday, May 28th, 2012

It’s a sad day when highly respected LBJ biographer Robert Caro loses his number one New York Times non-fiction slot to his polar opposite: hit job “author” Edward Klein.

Limerick Ode To An Amateur
By Madeleine Begun Kane

The Amateur, hit job and whine
On Obama by error-prone Klein,
Has slimed up to first
On the Times list — we’re cursed:
Public taste for the facts on decline.

Mitt Critiques Newt (Limerick)

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Mitt Romney told the New York Times that Newt Gingrich is too “zany” to be U.S. president.

Mitt Critiques Newt (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Newt Gingrich is “zany,” says Mitt,
Which makes him for prez quite unfit.
I’m no Mitt devotee,
But I can’t help agree.
“Zany’s” best saved for toons or a skit.

Dear Maureen Dowd, I Don’t Like Your Tone

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

I’d hoped that Maureen Dowd was all done with her Michelle Obama biceps obsession. But apparently not. In her latest column, Dowd insinuates that Michelle’s “sinewy arms” belong in the Oval.

Dear Maureen Dowd, I Don’t Like Your Tone
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Dear Maureen, please I’m begging, enough!
Yes, the First Lady’s biceps are buff.
But I really don’t need
To constantly read
About “sinewy arms.” Stop the fluff!

Dear Bush, Doesn’t Your Brush Need Clearing?

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

Like The New York Times’ Gail Collins and so many others, I think Bush and Cheney need to take early retirement. Otherwise, by the time Obama is president, there won’t be anything left to preside over:

Dear Bush, Doesn’t Your Brush Need Clearing? (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Dear Dubya, you’re only success
Is at failure. Leave early. Egress!
We have found your replacement,
So end the debasement.
Let Obama start fixing your mess.