[Newspoetry] Arsenic and Young Bush

[Gavroche]

Tell me if I am doing this completely wrong, and need to submit this poem in
triplicate, add a few lines about the number of pets in my household, or any
other "submission guidelines."

Just discovered this site a few days after I decided there was no site out
there specifically for political poetry and it was high time for me to start
one, but there's probably room enough for the both of us.

The below poem (except for the last stanza) is based on a WSJ article I read
on Thursday I think.

Thanks,
John Newmark
gavroche at gavroche.org

Arsenic and Young Bush

       In '62 when W was sixteen
       And JFK was president,
       The US Public Health Service
       Declared there's too much arsenic
       In our drinking water.
       A standard of 10 ppb --
       Instead of fifty--
       Is what they advised.

       After 38 years of studies
       The EPA agrees
       And announced so
       Last October.

       But W said no
       To this "last minute"
       38-year decision.
       "More studies are needed."

       After much hullabaloo
       He's changed his mind...
       He'll allow an increase
       In the standard
       But only to 20 ppb
       And a year from now
       After those studies he wants to perform.

       Why does it seem
       W cares so little
       About arsenic in our water?
       Perhaps since he knows
       His supporters all drink
       Evian or beer.