Diatribes by Joah

Another thing wrong with our education system...

Yes, this needs to be said...and said again.

Oh, the Republicans

I am deeply troubled that Texas Gov. Rick Perry is polling so high in the latest round of results matching up the current crop of GOP presidential hopefuls. Not only does he not represent the values that make a city like Austin so wonderful, IMHO, but he also fails to reflect the core values that have made the Republican Party a stalwart in American politics since before Abe Lincoln's time. To him and his supporters, I give you this ode: Oh, the Republicans...

 

Oh, the Republicans

How I long to join you

But you make it impossible

To ever be proud of you

 

With your pandering ways

Your revolving door candidacies

Lack of historical perspective

And short-sighted policies

 

Oh, the Republicans

The party I long to affiliate

So little concern for democracy, it seems

Yet a keen desire to dictate

 

We don’t need your religion

Nor do we want your tea

We just want real solutions

Not just for you, but for we

 

Oh, the Republicans

I was once a card holder

But while America’s cities get younger

Your legislative concepts get older

 

Waiting for you to wake up

It looks like it’ll be awhile

Before we get a legit sex-ed plan

You’d rather put Roe v. Wade on trial

 

Oh, the Republicans

People are jobless and poorly schooled

Your focus on the wealthy and privately learned

Leads to our public education system’s ridicule

 

Wasted opportunities aplenty

Immigration, Wall Street regulation and such

Us brown people and paycheck to paycheck types

Realize you don’t really care for us much

 

Oh, the Republicans

You use the Bible and union bashing as shields

Although neither is a primary source

By which sound federal policy yields

 

Wicked games you often play

Going using social issues to incite hate

So much time passed being controversial

Diplomacy and open minds show up too late

 

Oh, the Republicans

I believe you know Lincoln and Teddy

Are today’s voices in politics for the right reasons

Or just opinionated and camera-ready?

 

Work on something meaningful

I’m talking about lasting and valued endeavors

You may have a solid base of supporters

But you don’t have your shit together

 

Oh, the Republicans

Fiscal restraint with little environmental concern

Education reform with faulty judicial prudence

Issues you should be leading at every political turn

 

Why must you insist on this path

Of minimal dialogue and talking head sensations

When the history of the party

Is one of political prowess and innovation

 

Oh, the Republicans

From Lincoln’s Proclamation and Teddy’s Yellowstone

To Senator Dirksen’s leadership and Mayor Guiliani’s tone

 

Wondrous accomplishments to build upon

If only the sincere and true focus were there

Your candidates say they want to be President

But can they show us why we should care?

What is it?

It's a regret, the first of its kind

It's a memory, distant in due time

It's a lie, lived long enough

It's a fact, the going was rough

It's a lesson, learned once before

It's a test, never no more

It's a bluff, called once again

It's a scheme, not trusted by friends

It's a game, played with vigor

It's a shot, in the heart for pleasure

It's a gamble, dealt with a price

It's a chance, seldom given twice

It's a ruse, not to be trusted

It's a risk, to mistake love for what lust is.

The Rules of Evidence by Lee Robinson

Sent to me by a very good friend who knows me all too well...

What you want to say most
is inadmissible.
Say it anyway.
Say it again.
What they tell you is irrelevant
can't be denied and will
eventually be heard.
Every question
is a leading question.
Ask it anyway, then expect
what you won't get.
There is no such thing
as the original
so you'll have to make do
with a reasonable facsimile.

The history of the world
is hearsay. Hear it.
The whole truth
is unspeakable
and nothing but the truth
is a lie.
I swear this.
My oath is a kiss.
I swear
by everything
incredible.

Golden Rule Disregard

It's April, which means so many things to me: Earth Day, my birthday, my favorite time of year, NBA playoffs start (although the Lakers didn't seem to realize it), and National Poetry Month. Here's something for my poetry fans. It's inspired by the current lack of kindness and genuine desire to relate to one another that I see taking place in public discourse and I call it Golden Rule Disregard.

 

When the Golden Rule applies

That means I cannot lie

For my actions are not equal

These reactions need no sequel

Time shall tell us what is right

Memories will give plenty insight

As to what was proper or wrong

'Twas very short but felt too long

Reality met with expectation

Pleasantries hiding confrontation

Many nights and weekend minutes

Peak hours ruined within it

Who does this over and over

Looking ahead and over shoulders

Dates and special occasions

Plenty talk, little rumination

The world is big, but here is small

Can this mountain not be so tall

Perhaps a test of intuition

Something desired without fruition

Nasty taste left behind

Nice words though not that kind

Really of a different sort

Still waiting for the last retort

Listening to Nutshell

Heart trapped in a jail

Cracked the code, broke the bank

Only fumes remain in this tank

This happens from time to time

I won't do yours, you won't do mine

I'm on a poetry kick, and I love it.

It takes a world of focus, discipline and poise

To pave your own way instead of just kickin’ it with the boys

There’s an independent struggle that requires a team of talent

But within yourself are all the necessary skills and balance

Sometimes it’s difficult to keep it in check and hard to maintain

Your determination to succeed, above all else, must be sustained

Through all the criticism, skepticism, trials and tribulations

Because the second you win the game, they’re right there congratulatin’

As if they knew you’d do it all along, but seldom actually believed

That those lofty goals of yours would ever be achieved

For many a person has a bright idea, even more have a dream

Still very few follow through to fruition, most run out of steam

Be the exception not the rule, yes you can inspire yourself

Suspend your disbelief, tie on your aspirations and make your ambition your belt

Don’t value the doubt of naysayers, just listen, nod and smile

Knowing they wish they were in your position all the while

Long ago they gave up and settled like many of the rest

Only a few can do the hard part, only a few strive to be the best

Cocky confidence, a fine line you should walk with pride

Bypass all the bullshit around you, stand tall and keep your stride

With each new venture and every new endeavor

More hurricanes, tornadoes and storms are forecasted in the weather

And weak men fold, run from the rain, this game they cannot play

While you press on against the wind, bluffing the entire way

Then comes the prize, the payoff for the victor are all the spoils

Yes, the best laid plans, done properly, are never foiled

Pessimist think negatively, optimist think only about how to win

Haters often wear costumes to disguise themselves as friends

They love your great idea, they hook onto your every move

Infect you with their poison, try to effect your mood

Real friends are the true supporters, they help when help is needed

They share your tears of failure and tell you it’s a lesson to help you succeed

Later in life it’s easy to tell, friends and foes are easy to assess

But in the meantime, there’s no one formula although I do have this advice

Set a goal, have a plan, choose friends carefully and never settle in this life.

Poety about no one

There was a moment in between

And I can’t quite figure it out

Perhaps my mind playing tricks on me

Still unsure what this is about

 

I’m being dictated by who knows

Though possibly from within

Which is one way to explain

How we became more than friends

 

I suppose it was female intuition

For her to have read me straight

To leave me standing all that while

Women do like to make men wait

 

Eventually the moment comes far too late

And too soon forgotten

The apple seed not long ago planted

Still the first bite tastes rotten

 

No one can say for certain why this is

Or why there’s no other way

I wonder why some choose not to win

Isn’t that why we all play?

 

Man, a creature of task and force

We’d rather act on first inclination

Woman, a creature of time and feelings

Often side with procrastination

 

Both are creatures of habit

Building emotional patterns and trends

So yes, just about every man and woman

At some point falls in love with a friend

 

And uncertain as the path may be

This course, we now must finish

A friendship we are potentially ruining

With this one unforgettable blemish

 

This is the thought of the pessimist

The pragmatist not far behind

While the optimist feels little burden or regret

Not yet convicted of this crime

 

Two people tangled in webs

Scandal, romance and mystery

Challenging all that time spent together

Building a now-dated history

 

Of hellos and goodbyes, laughs and cries

Platonic status disregarded

Those moments were special indeed

But this new feeling is rather cathartic

 

When running 100 miles per hour

Even if in the wrong direction

There’s little to no time to waste

On something like second guessin’.