The Nation Bows

He was elected and now the nation bows before him
King for more than a day
Who knows for how long he'll stay

And the people?
So many there are who love him
So many who bow and revere
But he will be the death of this nation
That's what the rest of us fear

Presidents were never meant for this
No, not to be kings and all
And they weren't meant to be worshipped
No, not at all

Tyranny's Flag

Justice flies a flag
Freedom does the same  
But when tyranny flies a flag
It's just a game

Follow the Trump flag, if you will
Follow it if you're a fool
That banner of tyranny will have your allegiance
If your eyes are covered with wool

 Listen to Karoline Leavitt

Listen to Karoline Leavitt as she trashes Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador last month. Abrego-Garcia's lawyers note a judge had ruled that since gangs were after him, he should not be sent back to El Salvador.

Kind of a protective order, that.

But who are we to believe -- Abrego-Garcia's lawyer or Donald Trump's press secretary?

Eyes aflame, Leavitt lists what she says are four facts:

Fact #1: Abrego-Garcia "was a member of the brutal and vicious MS-13 gang."

Fact #2: There was "credible evidence proving that this individual was involved in human trafficking."

Fact #3: "This individual was a member -- actually, a leader -- of the brutal MS-13 gang."

Fact #4: "Foreign terrorists do not have legal protection in the United States of America."

Never mind that the first and third facts are the same. Maybe that "fact" was so important it needed to be repeated, right? At any rate, after reading these "facts," most of you are probably wilting - withdrawing any good and kind feelings you might have had towards Abrego-Garcia. The MS-13 gang, you say? And did you say he was one of its leaders? Did you say he was involved in human trafficking? And a foreign terrorist, to boot? Ouch, we can't have this guy around. Lock him up and throw away the key.

Nobody wants such people to not see justice - not you, not me, not anyone.

But here's something else: Not a one of us should want an innocent person to be sent to one of the world's harshest prisons -- a place where prisoners die early deaths because of the conditions. If the press secretary paints Abrego-Garcia as the worst of humans, his wife paints him as one of the best. No criminal, but rather an "amazing person" and "an amazing father," someone who has always been there for their children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum and one who has epilepsy. The wife speaks of his role as a provider for their household and of the love they have shared for seven years. She paints Abrego-Garcia as a devoted family man who dealt with great challenges.

So, who shall we believe? The high-and-mighty press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, or the lowly housewife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura?

In a nation of justice, you know what they would do? They have what is called a court system. They bring both sides together and require them to provide evidence. You know, proof. In America -- under Trump -- we no longer do that. Justice is a relic of past. The new and improved America has no room for it. 

Vice President JD Vance has said Abrego-Garcia was a "convicted" member of MS-13. Leavitt was asked how the administration knows that, and she responded: "There's a lot of evidence. ... I saw it."

Did you? Then share it. 

Yes, there's "a lot of evidence." Just don't ask us what it is. Just don't ask us to produce it. Such a thing is only required of free nations. Dictatorships have no use for it. So, get out of our way.
 

(Index -- Trump essays)

 You Ask

You ask me, then
If I believe in securing our border
Securing America
And supporting law and order

I believe in securing
Yes, to secure is good
But if we're going to secure
Let's secure all that we should

I would secure the right
Of immigrants to seek freedom
I wouldn't chase them away
I'd tell them we need them

I'd secure them the right
To join their families here
To go to our churches
Without any fear

I'd secure them the blessing
Of work in our land
An honest day's labor
In a restaurant or as a cowhand

I'd secure them the right
To pursue the American dream
I'd make them our equals
Give them great esteem

The Voice of a Child

The voice of a child is precious to us
The cry of a baby touches the heart 
To protect each and every one of them
We're anxious to do our part

But what if we couldn't hear them?
What if we couldn't hear that cry?
Would we still seek to help them?
Or would we not even try?

Nothing is sweeter to look at
Nothing as precious to see
But what if the baby were hidden away?
Would he still be precious to thee?

When you look at the child and hear it
You notice it's tender and sweet
But I promise you it's just as wonderful
When the womb is its retreat

 Lady Liberty Self Deports

Was that Lady Liberty
Suitcases in her hands
Walking down the street?
I hear she's got travel plans

She's checking out of America
Self-deporting, I guess
No longer feels welcome
Feels that leaving is best

 Don't Talk Politics

Don't talk politics, they said
As their nation raced to ruin
Not around the table
And Mom slapped down her spoon

Don't talk politics
For it's hardly polite
Don't talk politics
For it will only start a fight

And so it was the weather
They talked about a lot
And the conversation remained civil
While the nation went to pot

Then one day at dinner
While the television was on
Their light conversation was interrupted
By news their freedom was gone

Don't talk politics, don't talk politics
Don't talk politics, they'd said
And it kept peace at the table
But their freedom soon was dead