In the spirit of a recently-expressed desire for the end of National Poetry Month and a return to feverish political debate, I took the liberty of combining the two and cutting up the President’s remarks from last night’s press conference. Here’s what it looks like to me, but I’m sure you could splice it any way you want.

Pax Americana

I

I’ve traveled the country to talk with the
American people
They understand
I happen to be one of them

A majority of Americans disapprove
So I’m not surprised
The American people understand
Why aren’t you doing something to fix it?

There’s a hole in the safety net
Why is that the case?

But I also understand the mind of the American people
They’re wondering what’s going on
America is a hopeful place in the future
And we’ll continue to work with China on this issue.

And all that’s left behind is cabinets full of IOUs
I can leave it whomever I want
Now, I hear complaints saying,
Well, you know, there’s going to be high –
Fleece the people

II

You can’t wave a magic wand. I wish I could.
It’s like that soldier at Fort Hood.
I said, I wish I could.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to shoot it down?
It just doesn’t work that way.

It’s amazing, isn’t it, that people want to serve?
It’s kind of a zero-sum attitude.

You bet, we’re going to fight people before they harm us.
There are some positive noises on Capitol Hill.

We’ll be relentless, we’ll be smart
We’ll use our friends and allies
We’ll find them where they hid

III

Some aren’t happy with democracy.
You’re like a dog chasing your tail.
But Iraq is – they’ve got people.

IV

We went down to Crawford with Jiang Zemin.
Really happy to talk to him.
I hope he comes soon.

V

And the reason why I think it’s working is because we’re measuring.
And I can say that with certainty, because we’re measuring.
Instead of just spending money and hoping for the best, we’re now spending money
And saying,
Measure.

And some people don’t like to measure.
I believe it’s best to measure early.
In other words, we said,
We’re going to measure.

It shouldn’t bother whether you measure.
That’s all we’re asking.
And that’s just not right in America.
It wasn’t working.

VI

Now wait, don’t get personal here, that’s international TV.
That’s a cheap shot.
In other words, if you’re a two-working family,
See what I’m saying?
It seems unfair to me.

I’ve talked to too many people when their spouse died early
And all they got was a burial benefit.
If you die early, that’s an asset you can leave to your
Spouse or children.
The system today is not fair,
Particularly if a spouse has died early.
And this will help remedy that.

VII

Let me finish with the TV people first.
You’re not a TV person, Ed. I know you’d like to be.
Stretch? Do you mind if I call you Stretch?
Final question, Hutch?
For the sake of the economy.

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