sorry, I don't swing that way.

I still have a right to my opinion

my right

America

divided

by a question

most of us on the outside

don't even get.

the "right"

to purchase

an assault rifle

off the shelf,

because you are

a law abiding citizen

after all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

stock the cupboard

close up the borders

call your opponent a skank.

school yard bully politics

such an honest guy.

the whole world is

about to be "fired",

but as long as you

can keep an AK4

in your cupboard,

everything will be

alright.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry I don't swing that way

I understand.

No, who in the hell am I kidding?

I really don't.

You feel insulted

Because I don't swing RIGHT.

If I am against a madman in a comb-over toupee'

Being the leader of the free world,

I am against you, personally.

"You're fired," you say,

Defiantly, in an homage to Donald the Great.

And run away, before I have a chance to

Ask you, if you have an extra gun,

And a space for liberals

In that bomb shelter

In your head.

Author's Note

Reviews

[redzone]

Politics, YEAH!!!! and if we are accepting opinions mine can be found here : http://www.revcom.us
2 quick things: what does it say about a country/society that promotes as a legitimate presidential candidates a fascist and a war criminal; and two tell me the difference between christian fundamentalists and jihadists, if muslims and islam is to be baned/deported entry then these christian fascists should also be deported...both have targeted the gay community... how quickly americans have amnesia, Summer Olympics 1996 and a christian fascist bombed a gay night club in Atlanta...

KL, its a good poem/message you write... thank you

redzone

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I think for me it seems so simple, fascist yes - Christian? Ha! He managed to hook on to something there. He doesn't even practice what his own supporters preach. Yet he's said abortion should be criminalized. Ask most the developing world how that has worked out for them.

[Lydia Shutter]

Strong political opinions expressed well in this one. I will only say there is no reason in the universe for anyone to own an assault rifle....that is all. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

Well thank you dear Lydia, I think so too.

[Einstein Noodle]

politics ....boy oh boy! (please...not sexist) ;) you sure know how to take the bull by the horns (not cruel to animals ...please don't think so) ... :))
it is fascinating how much attention Donald gets ... so easily ... the right to posses weapons as citizens of the USA is buried deep in our history ... all the way to England ... way back then it was the people with the guns that controlled things ...our forgers of the Bill of Rights and Constitution were acutely aware of this; and its importance in a free society they envisioned .. they constructed a very new form of governance that kept that Government from being more powerful than the people so proclaimed their right to bare arms and assemble as militia if and when needed ..as well as separation of Church and state so that (as in England at the time) the Government could not tell us which religion to belong to ...but you know all that eh!? ;) pretty gutsy opening a political ball .... love and peace my friend!
E.

[Lyn Anderson]

Intellectually yes, emotionally, the notion kind of escapes me. Personally, I found the Donald's personal and public behaviour repugnant long before the election. The complete disregard for his treatment of women, and his history of using bankruptcy laws to get ahead financially due to his perceived "honesty" is beyond me. Same with firearms. I get the history, I just don't get the rejection of common sense gun ownership with rules. We need a licence for a dog or a car, it makes sense to build in checks and balances on gun ownership, including the type of weapon private citizens own.

[Einstein Noodle]

we do have laws governing gun ownership ... lots of them ..but like many laws they need to be enforced ... and have a few "loop holes" closed ... most Americans have no problem with that ... according to our FBI statistics more people are killed by hand and clubs (bats, hammers etc.) than long guns (rifles) check this out
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/expanded-homicide/expanded_homicide_data_table_8_murder_victims_by_weapon_2009-2013.xl

[James]

Politics is such a fun topic. Either vote for the loud mouthed bully and face backlash from the rest of the world, or for the panderer who will erode the rights of the middle and working class. I don't know if there is a lesser of two evils in this cycle.

[Lyn Anderson]

I do agree your election is a tough one. Thanks for popping in.

[V]

Political topics are difficult to elaborate on in creative writing, particularly in poetry, at least that's my impression and they're often very likely to get misunderstood. That's why I mostly stay away from it though I respect that you so directly stated your opinion on it in an originally reading piece of writing.

[Lyn Anderson]

I am apt to stir the pot now and again -- it is something that some people just cannot handle. But hey, if you're that sensitive, probably too difficult to interact with you, because something I say is bound to offend. This was actually in part spurred by a person who was angry over my characterization of the religious right as anti-gay. It was taken as a personal insult, which I find a little silly. The other part, well, really, is a complete misunderstanding of both the popularity of Trump and the steadfast insistence on owning guns as a "right".

[V]

And I think you're right about both points.

[Lyn Anderson]

One thing I find fascinating is that I have yet to meet a person from the States who can explain the gun thing to me in a way that I grasp. It seems to be more of a dogma, than coming from any rational place.

[V]

It is, I think. They take their rights to defend oneselves pretty seriously since it's also an amendment in the bill of rights. Still I cannot properly help you with it, either.

[Lyn Anderson]

Because I gravitate toward more progressive thinking people, and those who aren't soon block and delete me. Damned s****y liberal Canadian or some such thing ...:)

[V]

Haha yeah. Well I've recently been blocked by some people too, seems to be a pretty common thing to do on here when it comes to dealing with different opinions etc.

[Einstein Noodle]

i promise not to block either one of you ;) i love reading your poetry and when you give your impressions on mine ..peace out!
E.
ps. sorry to but in so rudely ;)

[Lyn Anderson]

no problem. feeling is mutual.

[V]

Who are you actually talking to now? ^^ I just pretend you referred to both of us. Thanks :)

[Shannon]

Sometimes writing says everything, making it difficult to even know how to respond. I will say, scathing tone came through beautifully, not always easy in writing.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I wrote these three little rants back to back, over a couple of days. I know it is hard for some people to separate politics from personal, and to lash out at people over their opinions. For me, I try to separate the person from the opinion, unless their opinion isn't opinion, but radical ideology.

[Shannon]

FYI I agree wholeheartedly with your opinions. Just decided to focus on the writing. ☺

[Lyn Anderson]

The most interesting part for me is the way women versus men are judged in the political arena. Imagine a female candidate twice divorced with a spouse the age of her son. She would never have gotten a foot in the door, let alone a run at the presidency.

[Shannon]

Oh, absolutely. I actually can't believe the Americans haven't dismissed him from contention, as his wife could not possibly be an acceptable first Lady! They must be above reproach, normally.

[Ana Papaya]

The last one struck me.
What is up with that 'you're either with us or against us' mentality.
How about debate and discussion, points of view, oh and here's a novel concept: mutually beneficial compromise. There's always a middle ground to be found. Respect should be in there too but...

Storm is coming in... (I actually mean that literally, it's hitting Durham region right now big time)

[Lyn Anderson]

Oh, I know, I was a little concerned we might be getting a tornado. It is really crazy, how you can't talk politics with some people. I have debated my friends' and parents' politics my whole life. No one thinks I am against them. You can't have an honest discussion if you are so close-minded. I am afraid for the U.S., but afraid for us, since we are so close. Trump is too unpredictable in a world with Putin and Kim Jong-Un

[Ana Papaya]

I hear ya, I soo hear ya. (Yeah, I'm watching my trees bending in the wind, looks nuts out there, thunder and lightning but no rain-crazy)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

God help us all if Trump becomes President.
Republicans spread the propaganda that democrats want to take our guns... No just eliminate buying automatics (that no one needs) and making background checks harder.
If Trump wins you can bet he will be the new Hitler.

[Lyn Anderson]

I watched some reports lately that are pulling no punches and calling him a fascist. The fantasy that gun regulation is a disaster is greatly exaggerated. I really don't think weapons should be owned without some checks and balances in place. But then again, I don't think guns are a "right".

[barleygirl]

Very well stated in your very original way. Best thing I've seen in awhile was a recent rally where protestors re-created D.T.'s banner like this: "TRUMP -- Making America Hate Again" . . . I am so irked by the assault rifle debate, I can't even find words to express . . . so thank you for making this central to your message. I especially like your references to "you're fired." Also, I think toupee needs another "e" at the end (is it really a toupee?) Thanks for sharing your viewpoint.

[Lyn Anderson]

yes. it does have two ees. Thanks.

[Lyn Anderson]

I fixed it. I was on my phone earlier.

[barleygirl]

I don't know how some people write whole stories on their phones! I need to use all my fingers!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

he surely does confuse in a way with his politics...but he also might seem pretty dangerous...
depends on point-of-view...

controversy seems to be his middle name whether you like him or not---

an opinion well expressed here in these three shorts.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, well, in politics there generally are no winners, only bigger losers, most notably, the voters, who are damned if they do and damned if they don't.