ODE TO CHEERLEADERS

Once upon a midnight dreary, (oh no I’ve got my poems confused)

I came upon a sad and teary tale so trite and overused

I found it in a prominent paper it may have been the New York Times

The author though she tried to shape her

Story couldn’t hide the crimes

Rah Rah Rah block that kick Jennings or Woodruff take your pick

The drumbeat goes on every day validation to the state

A tribute to the American way or honor to a trade magnate

Yet hardly ever in this land we hear that we have done a wrong

It’s always easier to join the band it’s always easier to sing along

Rah Rah Rah hold that line O’Reilly, Blitzer both are fine

The pen of privilege dictates truth without it we would all be lost

Still, victims of wars and bloody ruth less carnage cry: But what’s the cost?

The unemployment rate’s too high Sean Hannity has just the spin

So lift those pom pons to the sky don’t let the sorry truth get in

Rah Rah Rah strike him out Ailes or Williams leave no doubt

The lives we live hang by a thread it’s best we look the other way

A bomb leaves ten Iraqis dead it’s not our problem the pundits say

And if by chance in some far off place a million elders die of hunger

We shrug for it’s a different race the population will be younger

Rah Rah Rah Slaaam dunk Couric or Beck speak no bunk

The scribes who serve all those in power write their stories with a slant

Cheerful faces we need no dour critics to destroy the chant

It’s Brokaw, Krauthammer and George Will they all know how to turn a phrase

They help us swallow the bitter pill they keep us strong our fists we raise

Rah Rah Rah double play Brooks and Dowd know what to say

We pay them well we lavish guys with costumes, make-up all the perks

We never see their silly lies it never fails it always works

Can anyone deny the fact beneath this thin veneer of bluster

The corporate state remains intact but America has lost its luster

Rah Rah Rah dee-fense Lauer, Sawyer make no sense

On Rumsfeld, On Palin, On John McCain (this poem has lost its way once more)

Sad to say it’s still quite plain that so few people know the score

The spokesman, anchor, op-ed writer they serve their leader, corporate master

Unburden us, our hearts grow lighter our pulses beat a little faster

Rah Rah Rah go team cheerleaders save the American dream

How do I love thee let me count (this mixing poems just has to stop)

Dear Rush please help us to surmount the one per cent that’s at the top

Then siss boom bah let’s raise a glass to those who boldly lead the cheer

Just give Americans a free pass keep telling us what we want to hear

Rah Rah Rah get some hits let’s all applaud for hypocrites