President’s Gun Plan Raises Little Enthusiasm

Members of congress show little enthusiasm for President Obama’s plan to curb gun violence, including background checks and a ban on assault weapons. There’s some reluctance, it seems, to going against the NRA, which is opposed to the president’s measures.



        Ready, Fire, Aim

Not much enthusiasm, there,
For the president’s “anti-gun”.
Republicans all fail to see
Anti-NRA as fun.

Gun-toting voters want it known
They’ve worked hard to gain their skill.
And among the rights they all enjoy
Is the one that let’s them kill.

They wait all year to load up and go
After game both big and small;
They work hard at all their jobs
Just waiting for that call.

So they want us all to let them be
With their bullets, booze and jokes;
And hope and pray there never comes
Open season on real folks.
  ©  2013  Jim Gordon

Justice Thomas Speaks – In Court

Justice Clarence Thomas broke a seven year silence in the Supreme Court during oral arguments. His comments came during a lighthearted exchange over whether a defense attorney was qualified to take part in a death penalty case. His comments made his colleagues laugh. But no one seems sure what he meant by “Well – he did not –“



What’s That, Yer Honor?

Justice Thomas broke his silence
After seven quiet years;
Everyone inside the courtroom
Was, well, let’s just say ‘all ears.’

No one’s sure just what he meant;
On Earth or up in Heaven;
Stay tuned; but please realize,
It may take another seven.

  ©  2013  Jim Gordon

Soft Drinks May Be Hard On The Emotions

A recent study shows that soft drinks may be bad for our minds as well as our bodies. The study shows a link between sweetened soft drinks and depression.



Watch Those Bubbles

Your favorite soft drink
Might taste great
And may not get you drunk.

But over doing
Soda Pop
May leave you in a funk.

  ©  2013  Jim Gordon

Mis-pronouncing can be costly

“Wheel of Fortune” fans were less than happy with the way one contestant was treated. Renee Durette was ruled incorrect when she dropped the “g” from the phrase “Seven Swans a-Swimming.” It cost her nearly $4,000 – and the game.



  Beware The Blurred Word

When appearing on a game show
And you want to win some money,
Avoid the judges’ “kayo” -
Keep your disposition sunny.

When you decide on the solution
And are all set to announce it,
Plan well your execution –
Be sure you can pronounce it.

©  2012  Jim Gordon

Increased activity at the Pole.

The North Pole is the scene of increased activity as Santa and his staff make final preparations for the night before Christmas. All indications are that lift-off will be right on time.



                On His Way

As Santa prepares for his flight,
That begins on Christmas Eve night,
The Elf and his deer
Should have nothing to fear
As they fly in and then out of sight.


©  2012  Jim Gordon

Merchants gear up for Black Friday, hoping it’s not a turkey in the face of the current economy.

Consumers prepare to enjoy parades, football and lots of turkey for Thanksgiving day. It’s their preparation to continue Christmas shopping.



        Give ‘em the bird

As we watch paraders strut
And football teams make downs,
Enjoy dinner, soup to nut;
And don’t drink too many rounds.

‘Cause the next day is Black Friday,
Which could leave us quite bereft.
It’s nice that, after shopping,
We have some money left.

As we spend from mall to mall,
Our goals could well get murky;
It’s fine to buy for loved ones;
Just don’t become a turkey.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Voters approve same sex marriage and smoking marijuana

Maine and Maryland are the first states to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote. Meantime, voters in Washington state and Colorado set up a showdown with federal authorities by legalizing marijuana use.



              Marriage and Marijuana

Maine and Maryland both cleared the decks
For marriage of folks of identical sex;
Colorado and Washington made it a point
To make it OK to light up a joint.
Will this be enough for gays and straights
To explode population in those four states?

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Candidates face off in second debate

President Obama and Mitt Romney let the sparks fly on their second encounter before the voting public. They faced off on topics ranging from the economy to women’s rights, and immigration.


          Thoughts of one debated at

I’m sitting here engrossed in all the drama
Between Mitt Romney and my president, Obama.
One seems a heavy weight, the other light
One’s considered left, the other, right.
But none of this is what will get my vote.
No, common sense is really all she wrote.
I sit and listen to each candidate erupt;
But my vote’s for him who doesn’t interrupt.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Pakistani girl in England for medical treatment

British doctors are treating a Pakistani teenager who was shot in the head by members of the Taliban.  Militants vow to kill the girl because of her vocal promotion of education for girls.

 

                 Time to Heal

The co-ed teenager from Pakistan,

Protected from those of the Taliban,
Is in the UK for medical care,
Guarded by those who took the girl there.

The Taliban says it's simply not fooling

In its opposition of all of that schooling
For women it feels should cover their faces,
Do what their told, and stay in their places.


©  2012  Jim Gordon

Biden and Ryan vie in Danville

The vice-presidential candidates are in Kentucky for their only debate in preparation for election day.



               Mates Debate

American voters continue to wait
As Biden and Ryan prepare to debate
And do what they can to guide the direction
Of how votes will be cast in next month’s election.
The pundits will judge how each man comes across
As each does what he can to win for the boss.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Romney comes out fighting

President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney went one on one in their first of three debates. They faced off for 90 minutes over the future of the economy, tax cuts, education, and health care.



       Contention

Romney and Obama
Debated face to face,
On why each man’s a winner
In the Presidential Race.

They touched on matters fiscal
As well as people’s health;
And argued over how each one
Would tax the voters’ wealth.

The two will meet twice more, though,
And we’ll listen as they feed us
Reasons to decide on
Who we want to lead us.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Obama says Romney’s a better debater

President Obama says Mitt Romney is a “good debater” while he describes himself as “just ok.” ‘The president told an audience in Las Vegas that he hopes for a serious discussion on the economy and help for the middle class.



Under Questioning

Mitt and Barack
Have an upcoming date
To take center stage
And launch into debate.

Some say it’s time,
With tacks that are brass,
To talk about help
For the great middle class.

For the outcome, the voters
Must wait until later;
But Barack says that Mitt’s
A much better debater.

The media’s focus
From down on the floor
Will be centered on whom
Will have the best score.

But folks who must choose
Amid all the suspense
Just hope the debaters
Will make common sense.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Actor admits to “hot affair”

Arnold Schwarzenegger has confirmed he had a "hot affair" with actress Brigitte Nielsen at a time he was dating, and living with, Maria Shriver. Neilsen says she had no idea, at the time, that the actor was involved with Ms. Shriver.



      Arnie Recalls

To hear Arnold tell it,
It seems at a glance
He simply can’t keep
His act in his pants.

Such a rogue is our Arnie,
He’s, indeed, an old flirt,
He seems always ready
To “get into” a skirt.

He admits he indulged
In a steamy affair
While his lady, Maria,
Was quite unaware.

Arnie’s made lots of money
Amid action and thrills.
And did it although
He has few acting skills.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

NFL officials agree on a new contract

Locked-out NFL referees are expected back on the football field this weekend. The league and its officials agreed to a new eight-year contract, after two long days of talks that included commissioner Roger Goodell.





                           Unlocked

The fans and the players are quick to react
As the NFL refs agree to a pact.
They’ll all be on hand for the rest of the games,
Saving coaches and fans from going down in flames.
It’s the moment for which so many have prayed –
Officials who know just how football is played.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Football fans protest replacement refs

Fans of the Green Bay Packers gathered outside Lambeau Field to protest their teams’s Monday night loss to the Seattle Supersonics. They blame it on the replacement refs and are calling for an end to the NFL referee lockout.






       Pass In Review

There’s something amiss
The NFL must address;
It’s quite simply this:
The year’s games are a mess.

The guys in the stripes
Are without the right props;
And among other gripes,
Lack pro football chops.

So, Mr. Goodell,
May we ask in chagrin,
That you please break the spell -
Let the real refs back in.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Romney: Obama’s trying to fool voters

Republican candidate Romney accuses President Obama of leveling inaccurate attacks. He says the president is misleading voters into thinking the republican believes things he doesn’t believe.



                   Clearing The Air

Says Romney, Obama’s misleading us all
On what Mitt’s campaign is about.
He says he’ll explain a bit later this fall,
As soon as he figures things out.


©  2012   Jim Gordon

Kelsey Grammer tuning out the Emmys

Television star Kelsey Grammer says he won’t be watching the Emmys, this year. Described as “irked”, Grammer says he’s at a loss for why he was omitted from the awards ceremony.



                    Sensing A Snub

Kelsey won’t tune in the Emmys this year
Because he feels somewhat dismissed.
Not being picked for a statue, we fear,
It seems that “Boss” Grammer is pissed.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

U.S. officials discouraging trips to Pakistan

The State Department says Americans should postpone un-necessary travel to Pakistan as protests continue over an anti-Islam film.  Officials report more than 1,000 protestors tried to storm the U.S. Embassy.

 

        Reel Problems

Uncle Sam is suggesting

It might not be the best thing
To travel to Pakistan.

Things are not quiet;

There's many a riot
Since all that unrest began.

It seems there's this movie

That's not seen as groovy,
And seems to be causing a threat.

As things are unraveling,

Postpone your planned trav'ling -
'Cause those Muslims are really upset


©  2012  Jim Gordon

No name change – for now

Trustees at Penn State are holding off on renaming the Gary Schultz Child Care Center at the university. Any such decision, it seems, will await the outcome of Schultz’s trial on perjury charges.



             Appellation Fixation

That building named for Gary Schultz
Will stay unchanged, awhile;
Trustees will keep the moniker,
At least, until the trial.

Though tension seems to still be high,
Folks strive to keep their cool.
There just might be some folks who want
A new name for the school.

  ©  2012  Jim Gordon

Macy’s employee sets a record

Rose Richardone has decided to retire. From her first day on the job, Rose witnessed lots of retail history being made. Despite how much she loves it at Macy’s flagship store, Rose says a broken hip is prompting her to step down…at the age of 92 after a record-breaking 73 years on the job.



The Missing Rose

Rose saw many
A change of pace
Since she went work
At Macy’s place.

Though hours were long,
She enjoyed herself
As she got to know
Almost every shelf.

A broken hip,
The final blow,
Made it quite clear
That she must go

So, at ninety-two,
Rose just retired
Seventy-three years
After she was hired.

©  2012  Jim Gordon