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The Diplomats

With bare, bone-dry bureaucratese, can camouflage their intentions; with official cordialities, can disguise their inclinations; can bury their predilections with layers of formalities; can rein in strongest emotions with theatrical flair and finesse. All these and the ability to tell a straight lie sincerely for national security, shrewdly, diplomatically, are the minimum requirements for state envoys and diplomats of the world's mighty governments in global games of dogs and cats!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009




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Date: 4/9/2009 2:45:00 AM
This is great. Humourous and accessible but showing great invention ('bureaucratese'. Brilliant!). The lines a measured exactly right for impact. Poems like this are difficult to write because there is so much going on in them. It reminds me of Maurice Bishop who wrote for the New York Times (I think). His tendency was for the serious theme introduced to the reader in an accessible manner withoutdumbing down. This is what youi achieve here!
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Date: 4/8/2009 6:36:00 AM
Very well done, and straight-on true. I share your contempt for these world politicians.
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things