Reading time – 2:06; Humming time – 3:18 . . .
Perhaps you caught part of President Trump’s stunningly cringe-worthy presentation in Puerto Rico, wherein he boasted about the fantastic job FEMA is doing and the amazing contributions of our military on that island, even as most of the relief supplies were still sitting in shipping containers. Their release has been awaiting memos – memos! – from mayors of the cities and towns on that island, as idiotically required by FEMA administrators.
Later Trump threw rolls of paper towels to citizens like the guy at the basketball game shooting T-shirts into the crowd. Let’s see, they desperately need clean drinking water, food, medical supplies, fuel for generators and repair of their electrical power system and Trump was throwing rolls of paper towels across the room.
He called out General Kelly, letting us know that he’s a 4-star general and, boy, that’s really something and that he – Trump – is providing more F-35s for the Air Force, which brought me to my gag point. First, the Pentagon has repeatedly told Congress that they don’t need the F-35. Second, and far more important, this bombastic display by our president took place in front of Puerto Ricans, who have friends and relatives all around their island who are suffering and some are dying, and instead of focusing on serving all those suffering people, this fool of a President is lauding his chief of staff and bragging about himself for forcing yet more F-35s onto the Pentagon. Reprehensible. Absolutely reprehensible.
And that’s when the song burst onto my laptop screen nearly fully formed.
Sing it yourself to the tune of Unforgettable, originally sung by Nat “King” Cole, then later mixed as a duet with his daughter, Natalie Cole. Here’s a karaoke version for your accompaniment. Note that these stanzas don’t perfectly follow the recorded arrangement.
Reprehensible
Reprehensible, in every way.
Reprehensible, that’s how you’ll stay.
Just because you think the universe
Spins around you, but you’re just perverse.
Never before has someone been more . . .
Reprehensible, dog whistles, too,
And the constant lies when truth would do.
In PR you’re talking fighter planes,
While folks die, your neglect is just insane,
And the truth is Reprehensible you.
Reprehensible, your Russia thing,
Putin on your side, let treason ring.
And the nuclear war you’re itching for
And the press – you’re always bitching more.
Presidential you? That’s delusion, it’s true . . .
Inauguration crowd, one-tenth the size
Of the Cubs parade, that’s no surprise.
That’s why, Donald, it’s incredible
That you won; wish that were shred-able.
‘Cus you’re always Reprehensible you.
Got a stanza to offer? Put it in the Comments section below for all to enjoy.
And another thing . . .
Are you pretty well sick of the heartfelt “thoughts and prayers” our legislators offer after every mass shooting? The problem, of course, is that thoughts and prayers don’t stop bullets from ripping apart the bodies of the next innocent victims.
Gun safety legislation is prevented by the massive contributions of cash to politicians from the NRA. Have a look at the short list compiled by David Leonhardt of the New York Times for an idea of just how persuasive this lobbying organization for the firearms industry really is.
I know you want gun safety legislation to begin to stem the flow of the blood of innocents – 90% of us do. But as I demonstrate in my Money, Politics & Democracy talks, You’re Not Getting What You Want. And you won’t, as long as we allow our legislators to be in the pocket of big money.
You and I have a part in this in another way, too. Have a look at the article from the Washington Post by Danny Hayes to understand Why it’s so hard to pass gun control laws (in one graph). Hint: we all have BSO Syndrome (bright, shiny objects).
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Ed. note: There is much in America that needs fixing and we are on a path to continually fail to make things better. It is my goal to make a difference – perhaps to be a catalyst for things to get better. That is the reason for these posts. To accomplish the goal requires reaching many thousands of people and a robust dialogue.
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Copyright 2024 by Jack Altschuler
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3 Responses to Reprehensible
Sharon Sanders October 15, 2017
And, of course, he strongly feels the brown people of Puerto Rico are leeches. The media needs to follow up with the fact that we have done nothing to help their economy before this happened–and they won’t. Funny how we bailed out the banks in ’08, hand out corporate welfare like it’s candy, but we can never help individuals in need. And, in the mold of the Republican Party, they will try and bankrupt every state and territory so they can get their greedy hands on what’s left of value and buy up what’s left for their private portfolios.
Jim Altschuler October 8, 2017
I’d love to add a verse. Certainly there have been more than ample instances of actions (or lack thereof) and statements (whether spoken or tweeted) that would fit into this category. But every time my brain begins to move toward forming that verse, the bile begins to rise in the back of my throat. I just can’t bring myself to think about that inconsiderate, self-serving, self-agrandising, elitist S. O. B., especially on a Sunday (or, honestly, any other day of the week).
David Houle October 8, 2017
Love the song! Get someone with a great voice to record and upload to You Tube!!