Heard on Lawrence Welk (I swear to God)

Can I hold you closer to me
And not feel you going through me?

Edit: And here it is

Cultural Insensitivity

Paul Haggis: The Scientologists didn't want this one.

Triple Lutz

NBC is showing Hallowe'en themed figure skating which is creepier than Hallowe'en themed ANYTHING ELSE.

Because I'm mean:

Revised Chorus for Czolgosz/Goldman song

If you'll be Emma, I'll be Leon
Raise my ire, raise your fist
Oh! Strike me down; I'll be on
that like a hankie round a pistol.

The Nicest Thing Ever Said About Manton

The only library in Northern Michigan that has Mackenzie Phillips' book is Manton's and there is no joke there.

You're High!/You're Drunk!

[placeholder for a piece about Dave Levey, the winner of the latest season of Hell's Kitchen, and his broken wrist as a metaphor for the inspired, willful direction our country ought to be taking]

MoQ 5: "Took-me-out" Criticism

In the poetry workshop classes I've taken, there was a common expression used whenever a poem expressed its mechanics too fully, or any other vague offense it had committed.  The offended would claim that he or she had been taken out of the (reality? of the) poem.  No further explanation needed, no further help provided. 
Poetry is not creative non-fiction, it is free to expose how it works (in fact, this should be encouraged), poetry is allowed to implode on its own irony.  Poetry is not Show Choir.
It is rather jejune of anyone to think otherwise.
One moment of hypocrisy: I honestly believe that only left-aligned poetry is capable of having pleasing qualities.

Observation

Ken Burns' The National Parks: America's Best Idea probably condemns capitalism more deeply than Michael Moore's new movie. You must watch it.

The United States shall e'er be competitive in Sci(l)ence

Kirk Cameron wants to molest your children intellectually spiritually.



Please review Matthew 6:5.

Most Inflammatory Sentence, Ever

Perhaps the people who desire to find a comparison between President Barack Obama and Adolph Hitler are less upset by the mass murder he committed and more upset by the meticulous records he kept of it, (or they just have no idea what either fascism or socialism are). 

Verse for "If You'll Be Emma, I'll Be Leon"

If you dropped your hankie,
I'll wrap it round my pistol
Like myself around your pinky
Or my lips upon your fist, oh.

Showing his hand (All. Reds.) Images from the Pete Hoekstra Town Hall

The "wrap-it-up" signal he gave to the health care professional who was trying to relate the rigamarole involved in supplying teenagers with mental health aid, including several disheartening phone calls to Florida, while standing next to the "Obamacare flowchart". 

The look on Danielle's face when the woman asked about health care for illegals as she waited for an opportunity to take the microphone away.

The derisive "That fag" laugh from the audience at the mention of Representative Barney Frank.

The "you-got-me...CASH?!?" look on my face when Pete was describing how privatized health care can be subsidized by revenue obtained by lowering taxes...?

Put down "The Fountainhead" and join the real world, please.

Perhaps to satisfy the (so-called modern day) Libertarians, a "chump don't want the help, chump don't get the help" clause should be added to the Health Care Reform Plan with a subclause "jive ass dude ain't got no brains anyhow."

(Young American) Pogrom

She glides in just astride the ledge
and he talks her down; he frowns,
"Gee, my life's a runny thing,
are we still too young?"

He wished her then and there
took her sting, took her rabies,
Took her minutes, took him nowhere
Leaven rows when she spake and everything but

Chorus:
All night she haunts the young American
Young American, young American,
she haunts the young American
All right she gaunts the young American

Spamming strife through the lecher windows
she binds a thinking vagabond,
Appalled as she gasses her Ford Mustang
Heaven for bid, and she'll take anything

"He's a freak and his type: all for something."
He misses a step and shows his hand
Cutting bluffing we whoop with a song
She cries, "Where have all Poppa's heroes gone?"

Chorus

All the way from Washington
Our bread-winner begs on the Town Hall floor
"We give for just these fifty years
Do we have to lie for twenty more?"

Chorus

Do you remember you President mixin'?
Do you remember the pills you have to tray
Or even yesterday?

Have we all been un-American?
Just you as you're idle singing falsetto 'bout
Whether, ever, anywhere or
every myth cleft of a ghetto.

Well, hell, well would you carry a taser
You know in case, just in case of suppression
Get up your hands with a bus of purveyors
gushing at all the appro-seaters.

Ain't too close to shove.
Ain't that poseur love?
It ain't that harpie-doll.
Her art's been stokin' just like you have.

Chorus

You got a limp but you got a Chysler
You ain't a lady but sure are a hustler
Lacks got respect and blights got bellow taint
Obama's got hamps but look at your tan saint

I heard the news today, oh boy
You got defeat and you got a suite
Ain't there a plan that can do some more?
Ain't there a woman I won't sock on the jaw?

Ain't there a child who can scold without judging?
Ain't there a pen that will write before we die?
We ain't proud even when we have faces
Ain't there one damn song that will help me take down the lie?

Chorus

Image for Bidet

Ann Curry doing her white-lady-slow-jam to Kings of Leon

Two questions (I meant to post Monday)

1. Iraqi-American educational exchange, who gets the better end of that deal?

(We do.)

2. Birthers, who would you rather have run for president in 2012, Arnold Schwarzenegger of Peter Hoekstra?

Thing I said to my brother

There's a line between ironic enjoyment and cynical perversion, and [your occasional mock obsession with The Breakfast Club] crosses it.

As All Stars Do

We proceed cautiously, faltering ever
so slightly at first, yet proudly

reaching the target.  That's proof that gleams—
and I look fucking cute in this jacket;

let us go then, me and you,
Where the ferrous curvature dares delight the view.

Response to the Man with the peach colored tie and creepy smile

(Comme "health of the mother") Ben and Jerry's
is technically a "small business".
You and I both know they have to pay their taxes.

and

I refuse to believe that you don't believe
your choice of the woman who dropped the basketball
and saved a turkey wasn't the biggest mistake
of your life.

This Week in Honesty

Al Roker called the preempting of the fourth hour of the Today (bidet) show by Wimbledon coverage a "win-win."

New Mixology 1

Sniper's Delight

1 part gin (pref. Seagram's Extra Dry)
1 part Irn-Bru (or Mountain Dew)

Chill if desired, DO NOT SHAKE, serve in a shot glass (or glass jar)

Because the correct lyrics aren't posted anywhere

Broken Window

Deep in the past, far in the future time.
Deep in the past, far in the future time.
Just 'cause no one saw you, that don't mean it ain't a crime.

They say they know me but they only know my name.
They say they know me but they only know my name.
They're through asking me questions, I ain't gonna learn to sing.

If they want it they can take it, they don't need no reason why.
If they want it they can take it, they don't need no reason why.
The night they took you from me I saw the broken window and I cried, cried, cried, cried, cried...

They bound my eyes and they bound my hands.
They bound my eyes and they bound my hands.
Where they're gonna take me now? No one understands.

They say they know me but they only know my name.
They say they know me but they only know my name.
They're through asking me questions, I ain't gonna learn to sing.

Lay their hands upon me now, this midnight blue.
Lay their hands upon me now, this midnight blue
They didn't know me and they didn't know you. No, no

But now they do since the night in the dark when they came for you.

I gained the world but I lost your trust.
I gained the world but I lost your trust.
They throw their money at you, it ain't easy to adjust.

Come out, and put your hands on your head.
I said come out, and put your hands on your head.
Come and join the rest of us, we are already dead.

They want it they can take it, they don't need no reason why.
They want it they can take it, they don't need no reason why.
The night they took you from me I saw the broken window and I cried, cried, cried, cried, cried...

Woe unto them if they touch a hair on your head.
Woe unto them if they touch a hair on your head.
They're gonna join the rest of us, we are already dead

They won the battle, but the war is through.
They won the battle, but the war is through.
They didn't know me and they didn't know you. No, no

But now they do since the night in the dark when they came for you,
you, you, you, you, you, oh you, oh you, you, you.

Socialize the Losses; or Free, Base Scene H

Shot or Get off the Pit

A bar, Karaoke area upstage. Toby Keith (any song, or an imitation) quietly churns and hisses at us through speakers that seem to only have tweeters. FINN is at the bar, JENN is standing by the toilets on a cell phone.

JENN

(too controlled, too articulate)

You are in what, Judd?...

Why, ever, would you punch him?...

I see.

This isn't good for the image, Judd...

She walks back to the bar.

JENN

Well, I think you should just stay there for the night; we'll think of something to do...

Would you like to speak with your brother?...

She gives Finn the phone. His face goes from general pleasantness to disbelief to concern. He closes the phone and gives it back to the Mayor.

FINN

Your husband is very mad at me

and I think I know why.

JENN

Why would Judd be mad at you?

FINN

I know about Perdita Basser,

and I'm pretty sure you know too.

JENN

And I know you're too kind to let that hurt me or Judd.

She takes his hand and puts his head on her shoulder. He kisses her and immediately breaks away; some spastic apologies. Music fades out.

JENN                                                                         FINN

 

Oh, Christmas on a Cracker!—                             Oh my God, I'm so sorry!—It's just—

No, don't, it's alright.                                                 you look like he did without the...

He points to his face.

FINN

Oh. It's my turn.

Finn on Karaoke: “When It's Springtime in Alaska (It's Forty Below)” with air guitar solo. Jenn examines herself with a spoon.

JENN

Oh.

I do, don't I?

The song ends, Finn returns.

JENN

Ugh! I can't see myself as a woman, now!

She throws away the spoon.

FINN

(smiling)

The better to fill you with cruelty.

JENN

Well, I could say the same to you.

A beat.

FINN

(trying and failing to hide an emotional breakdown)

This can only end horribly.

JENN

Don't say that.

We are all capable of being saved.

We can all be kind, we can all be fond.

FINN

(smiling, wondering)

...How?

Jenn stands, offering her hand.

JENN

...If you can't be nice, at least be vague.

A pause before Finn has an hysterical fit of laughter, falling to the floor. Jenn assists Finn, now covered in sawdust, to his feet. Exeunt, with difficulty.

Fin

Socialize the Losses; or Free, Base Scene G

Shoney's-Town Hall

A few hours later, mild disarray. JUDD is on the table tearing down bunting, GILL, sitting is taking advantage of the situation. He sings the last verses of “North to Alaska” beating a rhythm on the table.

GILL

George turned to Sam with his gold in his hand

Said, “Sam you're a-lookin' at a lonely, lonely man.

I'd trade all the gold that's buried in this land

For one small band of gold to place on sweet, little Jenny's hand,

“'Cause a man needs a woman to love him all the time.

Remember Sam a true love is so hard to find.

I'd build for my Jenny a honeymoon home

Below that old White Mountain just a little southeast of Nome”

A Beat.

GILL

A hell of a party.

Judd looks down and smiles nervously.

GILL

Jenny is really quite the forceful and executive speaker.

I'm sorry we couldn't get Perdita here;

we—

...There was a situation.

A too firm tug from Judd.

GILL

Can I ask you a few questions, Judd?

With trembling hand, Judd allows Gill to assist him down, he sits. Gill pulls out his pad.

GILL

This is completely informal

but I want to be certain of a few things.

When Perdita Basser was treated for burns to her face,

you told me she had been struck with a grilled mooseburger.

Judd responds with a small, vigorous head nod.

GILL

Which, on its way to her face,

went through a glass of spiked—maybe—lemonade.

The nod again.

GILL

You didn't directly witness any of this,

A shake this time.

GILL

but you kindly saw it as your duty to take her to the ER.

A nod.

GILL

It's been quite a string of bad luck for her:

First her husband goes MIA...

or was the euphemism AWOL?

And since then she's had this chronic congestion

and now this.

Do you know how much cough syrup she's had to buy?

A blank stare straight ahead.

GILL

I would say it's too much for five people

but I don't have chronic congestion.

 

The strange thing is, she only bought enough to avoid suspicion—

A sharp intake of breath.

GILL

“Suspicion of what?” you ask?

Well, cough syrup isn't only used to bring mucus to the tip of the throat.

It can be made into—let's call it “cherry candy”.

O, and Mis'ess Basser treated it like an art,

“Perdy's spring harvest is gonna make you see through time,” you'd hear the Treasurer say.

Today, Phinny and I went to her house to find out what, exactly, she was growing

and we found out when it blew up.

Thank God it wasn't in her face this time

and thank god it wasn't a mooseburger.

A Beat.

GILL

I hope you didn't tell Jenn about it.

We see Judd losing his temper and feel the threat of an impending fight. Blackout.

Socialize the Losses; or Free, Base Scene F

Shoney's-Town Hall

A few tables have been aligned with perhaps too many chairs surrounding them. Patriotic table covering and bric-à-brac. JENN is standing on the table hanging bunting, JUDD is arranging placements and taking advantage of the situation. Jenn looks like a high-end prostitute for America! Judd wears his hockey jersey over a shirt and tie. They try to whistle Sousa's “Washington Post March” but it turns into “The Liberty Bell” and/or “Semper Fidelis”.

JUDD

You're right. “At least it isn't mono.”

JENN

And she's going to be such an asset.

Nobody can attack me on this.

I could drown puppies on live TV,

No one would dare go after a young mother.

JUDD

Unless they're stealing from the Government.

Jenn finishes decorating, Judd assists her down.

JENN

Exactly!

You know, Judd,

I sometimes think you're the only one that understands me,

and for that, I love you.

They kiss. They continue setting places.

JUDD

Does he love her?

JENN

Does Big EZ love Devon?

He'd better if they're going to get hitched.

JUDD

No shotgun right?

It's gotta look legit.

A Beat.

JUDD

Did I tell you about his mother?

JENN

(There will be a temptation, but don't get smug.)

No. What's there to tell?

They're trash. Our constituents, if you will.

We know all about their demo.

Judd arrests her activity and whispers in her ear for at least ten seconds. Her face goes from general pleasantness to disbelief to concern.

JENN

Is she using?

JUDD

No.

She justs makes it and sells it.

As far as I know.

JENN

Well.

(a flash of pensiveness)

She is an entrepreneur.

And I salute her.

(she does this)

JUDD

What if somebody finds out?

JENN

We'll find any way we can to protect my image.

...or change it.

They resume their work. Slow fade to black.

Socialize the Losses; or Free, Base Scene E

The Front of the Basser Residence

Phineas “FINN” Arcaddy and GILL walk in tandem singing Johnny Horton's “North to Alaska” to Perdita Basser's door (downstage, center). Finn has no goatee; please do anything else (within reason) to distinguish Finn from Judd (in general, slightly more stylish). Gill should appear vaguely off-duty, but very patriotic.

BOTH

Where the river is windin'

Big nuggets they're findin'

North to Alaska

They're goin' north, the rush is on.

GILL FINN

Way up north. North to Alaska.

Way up north. North to Alaska.

FINN

(whispering in Gill's ear; visible but inaudible)

You're such a fag.

GILL

(quietly, pinching Finn's ass)

Don't I know it.

If we get Jenn elected, we never have to see her again?

FINN

Her literature says that she's, “gonna get on Washington like a piranha,” or—

 

(he consults the pamphlet)

GILL

No, she changed it to “Kodiak”.

(brandishes a paw)

“Jenn the Den Mother.”

FINN

Anyway, some voracious terror.

A Beat.

FINN

This is taking a long time, isn't it?

GILL

Let me try knocking.

He raises a fist as the door opens. This is a duet.

FINN

Hello, Mis'ess Basser. How are you today?

BOTH

Good.

GILL

 

As you probably know, our Mayor—

FINN

Mis'ess Imogen—

GILL

call her “Jenny”—

FINN

Arcaddy—

GILL

My good friend.

FINN

My sister in law—

GILL

Who loves us dearly—

FINN

is running for Senate—

GILL

A great office—

FINN

in Alaska—

GILL

A great state.

FINN

She wants to get down to Washington—

GILL

and re-introduce those elitist politicians—

FINN

 

to some American ideals—

GILL

 

American values—

FINN

She's gonna take Washington like a Kodiak—

They brandish their outside paws.

GILL

 

like a Den Mother—

FINN

And she's going to get what she wants!

GILL

Or she'll come back here—

FINN

And take this state—

GILL

This great state—

FINN

and its oil back for us—

GILL

Away from tax-and-spend liberals—

FINN

And their New York standards—

GILL

And San Francisco values—

FINN

America needs its real values back—

GILL

Its standards—

FINN

Back to Reagan's ideals—

GILL

His principles—

FINN

It can be Morning in America, again—

GILL

With solid economic standards—

FINN

Trickle-down principles—

GILL

Strong moral ideals—

FINN

Treacle-down moral economics—

GILL

Good American marriages—

FINN

Common sense American values—

GILL

Common sense moral standards—

FINN

Genuine economical marriages—

GILL

Like Judd and Jenn—

They do the paw thing again.

FINN

Like Jenn the Den Mother—

GILL

Who loves us dearly—

FINN

 

How can there be any—

BOTH

Sin in sincere?

(slower)

GILL

And we sincerely hope you'll come—

FINN

to the local RNC meeting tonight—

GILL

At the Shoney's—

FINN

At the Town Hall—

GILL

At the Shoney's-Town Hall.

FINN

And it's not even rubber chicken.

GILL

Those Republicans set you up!

Half a Beat.

FINN

Perdy, do I smell you making cherry candy?

A flash of light and sound from a tiny explosion.

BOTH

 

(non-unison)

Oh my God.

GILL

 

(far too calmly)

Finn, get my radio and call the FD here.

I'm sorry, Perdy.

Finn exits running. Slow fade to black as Gill reads Perdita her Miranda rights.

FINN

 

(O.S, shouting)

This won't be good for the image!

Socialize the Losses; or Free, Base Scene D

Medical Exam Room

The application of disinfectant on a cotton swab by the NURSE to PERDY's injury as they sit facing each other. Bandages are reapplied. An examination table is obscured by a privacy curtain.

NURSE

You're healing nicely in just a week.

You might even get away without any scars

...Nothing disfiguring anyway.

The doctor says you're well enough to do this on your own;

Just put on this salve and replace your bandages every day,

Gently, just like I'm doing.

Okay. That feels better, right?

Perdy nods her head.

NURSE

(gestures toward the curtain)

Now. I have to see about this.

Her mother's coming to pick her up

but did you want to stay?

Perdy shakes her head and makes a polite and hasty exit.

NURSE

Okay. We'll see you next week!

A Beat.

NURSE

(to the curtain)

Are you alright? Do you want another People?

I'm sure I can find one without Angelina on the cover.

A Beat.

NURSE

If you want me to tell her, I can

But you'll feel better if you do it yourself.

I know it feels like the end of the world,

but it isn't.

JENN enters. The Mayor wears clothes that can only be described as glamorous and tasteless at the same time. This must contrast with everyone else who simply dress for cold weather.

NURSE

Hello, Mayor Arcaddy.

JENN

I was carpooling practice, but I got here as fast as I could. How's Mis'ess Basser?

NURSE

Oh, are they married?

I have to tell you, I see, uh, accidents all the time

but this actually makes it, uh, sweet. You know?

Half a Beat.

JENN

I meant, “How is Perdy Basser?” Where is my daughter?

NURSE

(gestures to the curtain)

She's in there.

She has something important to tell you.

JENN

(into the curtain)

Devon?

What happened?

(hushed, to the Nurse)

What happened?

NURSE

I guess she's decided to let me tell you.

She is pregnant

with Ezekiel Basser's baby.

The Nurse winces slightly but the Mayor's stern face turns into a cautious smile.

JENN

(if you really want to do the voice, this is your only chance)

Well, praise be to God!

I thought she had mono or something!

Quick fade to black.

Socialize the Losses; or Free, Base Scene C

Emergency Admittance, Exterior

Guillaume “GILL” Donoray (played by the actor playing JENN and PERDY) approaches JUDD; He wears a goatee and a trooper uniform.

JUDD

Oh, hey, Gill.

GILL

Hi, Judd.

JUDD

Uh, do you think Mis'ess Basser is going to be okay?

GILL

Yeah, I think it just looks more horrifying than it actually is. It's only first or second degree burns but, you know, it got—

JUDD

—so much of her face.

GILL

Yes. Now. I understand you told the nurse it was an

(checking a notepad)

...errantly flung mooseburger that caused all this?

JUDD

Yes.

GILL

They extracted some glass fragments, do you—

JUDD

She had a lemonade at the time.

It must've gone through her glass.

GILL

All of us noted a strange odor—

JUDD

(slight flash of panic)

It was Country Time,

mixed with some Everclear, maybe.

We treat the moose meat with a preservative.

GILL

Alright.

Now, did you see who flung this mooseburger?

JUDD

No.

That is, I'm sure it was one of the boys.

Probably one of the centers,

But no one is going to nar—

(catches himself, sharp intake of breath)

rat anyone out.

It would be useless to ask any of them.

GILL

Hm. I just want to know what you know in case Mis'ess Basser wanted to press any ch—

JUDD

Oh, I take full responsibility.

GILL

Though I don't imagine that she would.

JUDD

Me either.

Gill continues writing in his pad in five seconds of silence.

JUDD

You know what? I have some of Jenny's campaign literature for you and Phineas in the truck.

Could I get you some?

GILL

Why, sure.

Judd exits. Gill continues writing, whistling a verse of Tillman Franks' “When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below)”. As Judd returns, Gill finishes writing with a flourish and sings.

GILL

When it's Springtime in Alaska, he'll be six feet below.

JUDD

Okay, basically the only new item is the change of the word “values” to the word “standards”.

 

GILL

 

What does—

JUDD

You'll really have to ask Jenny.

 

A Beat.

Is Perdy going to be alright?

Fade to black as Gill looks over his notes, giving a

non-committal head nod.