What Surviving Bush Loyalists In the White House Would Like to Say Privately to Scott McClellan

Deadline Poet

By Calvin Trillin

This article appeared in the June 23, 2008 edition of The Nation.

June 4, 2008

We think you know the trouble you've begot, Scott.
So don't expect from us a thanks-a-lot, Scott.
If you were here, we'd give you such a swat, Scott.
You knew that loyalty is all we've got, Scott.
(It's obvious that Camelot it's not, Scott.
The chief's as popular as, say, Pol Pot, Scott.)
And yet you chose this time to send a shot, Scott,
Toward him, who's paid you since you were a tot, Scott,
Confirming that our neocon-ish plot, Scott,
Hyped weapons just 'cause we were hot to trot, Scott.
And Condi thinks you're such a little snot, Scott.
Your book has got her knickers in a knot, Scott.
That "mushroom cloud" was something folks forgot, Scott,
Until your talk of propaganda's spot, Scott,
In launching what's become our biggest blot, Scott.
You're hoping that this book will buy a yacht, Scott?
Well, may you sail it down to hell and rot, Scott.

Subscriber Login

4 ISSUES FREE

Subscribe Now!

The only way to read this article and the full contents of each week's issue of The Nation online is by subscribing to the magazine. Subscribe now and read this article -- and every article published since for the past five years -- right now.

There's no obligation -- try The Nation for four weeks free.

.

About Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation's "deadline poet." He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1963 and has written the syndicated weekly column "Uncivil Liberties" since 1986. He has authored many, many books, including Tepper's Not Going Out and Deadline Poet: My Life as a Doggerelist. more...
Most Read

Issues »

Most Emailed

Issues »

Popular Topics

Blogs

» State of Change

It's 3 a.m., Hillary's on the Phone | It looks like Clinton will be the Secretary of State.
John Nichols

» Capitolism

Left Out | Would it kill Obama to have an actual progressive or two in his cabinet?
Christopher Hayes

» The Beat

Key Committee Pick Signals Obama-Pelosi Direction | Waxman gets Commerce chair, amid signs of focus on healthcare, environment, consumer protection.
John Nichols

» The Dreyfuss Report

That Iranian "Bomb"? Relax. | Obama has lots and lots of time to deal with this problem carefully and rationally.
Robert Dreyfuss

» The Notion

A Clinton Administration? | Given the Obama appointees so far, you might think Hillary had been elected.
Tom Engelhardt

» Passing Through

Should GM Survive? A Wall Street Analyst's View | Maybe they should just let it die.
Jane Hamsher

» Act Now!

Take the Joe Lieberman Pledge | In America, it's never too early to start preparing for the next election.
Peter Rothberg

» Editor's Cut

Smart Defense | Rep. Barney Frank is leading the charge to end the Pentagon's weapons spending spree. Is anybody listening?
Katrina vanden Heuvel

» And Another Thing

Election Updates --Good News and Not | Details on some ongoing stories
Katha Pollitt