The Debate

“Devoid of decorum and dignity”
Is one of the quotes that I heard.
To know it relates to the POTUS debates
Is as awful as it is absurd.

On one side, a bully whose bluster
Would get him suspended from school;
With no self-control and a hole in his soul,
He’s a pompous, perfidious fool.

On the other side, he who’d replace him
Wants to pacify, help and unite
Yet in making his case, what instead he must face
Is a nasty below-the-belt fight.

In the middle, befuddled and helpless,
Is the person who should be in charge
But when things go off-track, he can’t stop the attack,
Like a substitute teacher writ large.

We watch, feeling sick and despondent,
In shock at how low we have sunk
And that outrage and shame, for which we have no name,
Lingers on in a nightmarish funk.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Krutsinger Avatar
October 17, 2020 at 6:03 PM
Easy to see why we are the laughing stock of the world now. I watched in disbelief, hoping no children were watching. We teach them to take turns and listen to each other in kindergarten.
Devonshire Avatar
October 2, 2020 at 11:25 AM
Had to stop by again, Irene. Now that the president has the virus, there may not be another debate between Trump and Biden. What a crazy world we have!
Leffanta Avatar
October 2, 2020 at 12:50 PM
I doubt they have the virus. Trump does not want to debate when he does not have full control, and being silenced is something he can not take. Aloha! Rico
Leffanta Avatar
October 1, 2020 at 11:33 AM
This is by far the most accurate and eloquent review I have read! POTD FAC! Well done, indeed, Ilene! Aloha! Rico
Devonshire Avatar
October 1, 2020 at 10:55 AM
Before I saw the debate, I had low expectations and they were met. Now they're talking about cutting off the president's microphone when Biden is talking. You did a great job expressing our angst, Ilene. Perhaps we'll see change in November. Best wishes, Carolyn
Mcintosh Avatar
October 1, 2020 at 3:34 AM
Wonderful words, my friend. God bless you always and keep you safe and content
Faulkner Avatar
September 30, 2020 at 9:01 PM
Your poem nailed the shameful, bullying behavior of Trump, he is putting our country in real danger and needs to be voted out! I did see on the news that the next debate will have microphones turned off when that candidate is not being asked a question - but why didn't they do it for this one? Most people knew what he would do!
Devonshire Avatar
October 1, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Biden called Trump's performance a "national disgrace," but it is really an INTERNATIONAL one. We've alienated so many of our reliable allies and people around the world are laughing at our president.
Logan Avatar
September 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Trump disrupted the 'debate' as much as he's disrupted our country during his time in office. His rage and disrespectful interruptions robbed the American people of hearing Biden's views, but by doing so, they were able to see him for what he truly is. Pity that so many are blind to his lies. I appreciate you putting the absurdity of the night into poetic form, Ilene.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
September 30, 2020 at 2:34 PM
Yup. From the wee bits I have ingested turning my stomach, you have nailed it. xomo
Wolf Avatar
September 30, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Amen. Couldn't agree with you more. This farce was a disgrace to the nation. Sure hope they either cancel the remaining two debates or else change the ground rules, so that interruptions are not tolerated... We'll see, I guess. :) gw
Ashley Avatar
September 30, 2020 at 2:09 PM
Your political pen is incisive, Ilene. You’ve expressed it so well! I fear for our democracy as long as the dictator-in-chief is in the WH. Last night was a lesson, in real time, in delusions, derision and division by this poor excuse of a ‘leader’ - oh how deflated our allies must be and how delighted his authoritarian buds must be! Oh, Americans beware! We are on a steep and slippery precipice. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Allison Avatar
September 30, 2020 at 1:02 PM
You tell it as it is Ilene:-) He is a poor excuse for a man i hope the voters see the potus for what he really he is and make the right choice on election day:-( hugs jan xx
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