Supreme Court Justice sited in auto accident

Police in Washington issued a traffic ticket to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia following a four-car accident on the George Washington Parkway. The justice, whose car was towed from the scene, was accused of following too closely.



     It Might Be Appealing

Justice Scalia was driving to work
When what to his eyes should appear
Than other cars cruising along
Just ripe to be hit from the rear.

Allegedly driving too close,
And possibly hit with distraction,
They say the justice then caused
What's described as chain-type reaction.

The justice accepted his ticket
As others were standing and waiting;
The judge, it seems, now stands accused
Of, would you believe it, tail-gaiting.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

War Vet Denied Citizenship?

A Centralia, Washington man who served in World War Two has been told he’s not really a citizen of the United States. It seems 95-year old Leland Davidson was born in British Columbia to American parents. It seems, however, that they failed to register his birth with the U.S. government.



             Citizenship

Though he fought for the USA
In WW-Two,
He’s told, now, to go away:
Goodbye, so long, and adieu.

Leland 's dreams of peace and security,
Appear to have been distorted;
As he faces future obscurity
And threats of being deported.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Obama sees Brazil as model

President Obama described Brazil as a model for change. He praised the country’s pride and fight for democracy in the face of unrest in the middle east.



           Model For Peace

Mr. Obama expressed his good will
During his visit with folks in Brazil;
He spoke of their pride
In turning the tide
From dictator to a democracy.

Meantime, warplanes were pounding away
In a quest to keep violence at bay;
The middle east is distressed
With folks put to the test
To free themselves from an autocracy.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Palin praises India

Sarah Palin encouraged ties between the United States and India during her visit to New Delhi. The former mayor or Alaska is on a trip that includes a stop in Israel. Some see her trip as an attempt to build foreign policy credentials in preparation for the 2012 presidential elections.



Praise From Palin

Sarah went to India
To let her listeners know
That she and all Americans
Hope relations grow.

Each needs the other, Sarah said,
From across the seven seas;
And then she warned they should beware
Of anything Chinese.

Next stop for Sarah’s Israel;
It’s clear she’s far from hesitant.
Some say it’s part of Sarah’s plan
To run, next year, for president.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Haitians Welcome Former President

Supporters gave former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide a warm welcome as he returned to the Haitian capitol. Back after seven years in exile, Aristide he has no plans to return to the political arena. Critics, however, feel his return could hinder the much-delayed presidential election in Haiti.



Homecoming

Jean Aristide
Is back, indeed
Among friends in PORT-AU-PRINCE;
He’d been shown the door
In Two Thousand Four
And folks hadn’t seen him since.

He says he won’t mix
In politics;
Education’s now his yen.
Twice deposed,
The case seems closed
Till he's booted out again.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Students rally against cuts

Students in Kutztown, Pa held “the largest campus rally in years” to protest proposed cuts in State subsidies. College officials have indicated tuition costs may increase more than 30 percent.



       Balancing The Books

College students got off their butts
To protest upcoming budget cuts.
Why go and wield those fiscal axes,
Instead of raising all our taxes?
Or maybe state-subsidized tuition
Is a candidate for abolition.


©  2011  Jim Gordon

Persian Gulf Cleric: Ban Alcohol

Oman’s highest ranking religious leader is calling for a ban on alcohol. The Sheik claims drunk people are unproductive and prone to vice.



         Lose The Booze

Sheik al-Khalili sees whiskey
As a drink that’s simply too risky.
He feels Scotch over ice
Leads to nothing but vice
After making imbibers too frisky.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

ID Foils Robber

A Dallas bank teller foiled a robbery when she demanded identification from a man who demanded money. The would-be robber was arrested as he tried to flee with $800. A judge subsequently sentenced Nathan Wayne Pugh to eight years in prison.



                   The Bank Account

‘Twould seem it simply wasn’t Nathan’s day
To rob a bank and quickly get away.
The teller said she needed some ID,
And our culprit did, most pleasantly, agree.
Then, when he turned to exit from the bank,
The cops showed up; Nate had himself to thank.


©  2011  Jim Gordon

State Representative Wants Sober Hunters

A bill introduced by Pennsylvania Representative Deberah Kula will limit how much alcohol may be consumed by hunters in the state. The measure is aimed at ending “drunk hunting.”



         Un-Loaded

The Pennsylvania House
Is sending out the call
To put an end to hunting
While drinking alcohol.

The law, when finally passed
Will limit hunters’ gear
To ammo, food, and rifle.
Forget the booze and beer

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Education programs in Pennsylvania face dire funding cuts

Students from kindergarten to college would feel the impact of proposed funding cuts. Governor Tom Corbett sites Pennsylvania’s fiscal crisis.



                           Cut It Out

The brand new gov’nor of the Keystone State
Says we need someone else to pay the freight
For time spent in college down to kindergarten;
Harrisburg’s funds will become quite Spartan.
He wants a return to what’s fundamental
With the source of money less governmental.
It looks like a harbinger of cessation
Of Commonwealth funding of education.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

The President and O'Reilly raise close to a million dollars

President Obama and conservative talk show hose Bill O'Reilly have something they can do together. Their signatures on the notes from their January interview has raised more then $700,000 for Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House builds "comfort homes" for military families.



  Not Quite Contrary

The President and Mr. O.
Have their differences, of course;
One leans left, the other, right;
Each rides a different horse.

But when it comes to injured troops,
They have a rather good foundation;
They found away to help the folks
Through mutual co-operation.

Each signed the notes from their White House chat -
The President and civilian;
So the Fisher House Foundation soon
May be richer by a Million.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Proposed bill bans illegal aliens - almost

Texas officials are considering a bill that would ban what's described as "unauthorized aliens." Hiring such people would be punishable by two years in prison and a fine of $10,000...unless they're hired to do household chores. Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena is quoted as saying without the provision a large segment of the state's population would end up behind bars.


                   One Way Out

With Texans getting set to ban illegals,
Residents really needn't be afraid.
Such workers may still get on the payroll
If one pays close attention to their trade.

There's a loophole in the bill before the state House
With some conclusions said to be foregone.
Such controversial folks will be permitted
To work around the house and mow the lawn.

Officials say it's really very simple
Why legislation covers this detail;
As one lawmaker puts it quite succinctly,
Without it, half the state would go to jail.

 
©  2011  Jim Gordon

Army to toughen basic training

The Army plans to make combat training tougher than it's been in 30 years. A pilot program, aimed at improving strength and endurance, will include running an obstacle course in full combat gear.

                  Seeing Fit

The Army needs troops to commit
To be combat ready and fit;
So it'll toughen up training
With more running and straining
For soldiers to show their true grit.

 
©  Jim Gordon

Gingrich For President?

Word out of Washington is that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich may soon declare he's candidacy for the White House. He's among several Republicans considering a run for President.



    Revving Up

It seems that Newt
Is in pursuit
To be among our Presidents;

In twenty-twelve
He just may delve
To run and take up residence.

Others may brace
To join the race
Like a political band of brothers

You'll get to root
Not just for Newt;
But for six or seven others.



©  2011  Jim Gordon