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Kerry At The Bat
special to and for FreeRepublic ^ | 30 July 2004 | Ernest L. Thayer (John Armor)

Posted on 07/30/2004 1:30:40 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Democrats that day, The polls were down by two, with but one inning more to play.

And after Gephardt died at first, and John Dean did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast. They thought, "if only Kerry could but get a whack at that. We'd put up even money now, with Kerry at the bat."

But Sharpton preceded Kerry, as did also Dennis K; and the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake.

So upon that stricken multitude, grim melancholy sat; for there seemed but little chance of Kerry getting to the bat.

But Al let drive a speech, to the wonderment of all. And Dennis, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball.

And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred, there was Al safe at second and Dennis a-hugging third.

Then from five million throats and more there rose a lusty yell; it rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;

it pounded through on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat; for Kerry, mighty Kerry, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Kerry's manner as he stepped into his place, there was pride in Kerry's bearing and a smile lit Kerry's face.

And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, no stranger in the crowd could doubt t'was Kerry at the bat.

The nation's eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt. A million tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.

Then, while the writhing President ground the ball into his hip, defiance flashed in Kerry's eye, a sneer curled Kerry's lip.

And now the first great issue came hurtling through the air, and Kerry stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped -- "That ain't my style," said Kerry.

"Strike one!" the pollsters said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, like the beating of the storm waves on a stern and distant shore.

"Kill him! Kill the pollster!" shouted someone on the stand, and it's likely they'd have killed him had not Kerry raised his hand.

With a smile of Catholic (?) charity, great Kerry's visage shone, he stilled the rising tumult, he bade the game go on.

He signaled to the President, and once more an issue flew, but Casey still ignored it, and the pollster said, "Strike two!"

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!" But one scornful look from Kerry and the audience was awed.

They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, and they knew that Kerry wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer has fled from Kerry's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate. He pounds, with cruel violence, his chin upon the plate.

And now the President holds the ball, and now he lets it go, and now the air is shattered by the force of Kerry's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright. The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light. And, somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout,

but there is no joy for Democrats -- mighty Kerry has struck out.

as modified by John Armor, aka Congressman Billybob


TOPICS: Humor; Military/Veterans; Poetry; Sports
KEYWORDS: dean; freeperpoetry; gephardt; kerry; kerrypoem; kucinich; sharpton
It was a natural. Had to revise the classic and use it. 90% fit with almost no changes.

I hope the person with the hamster poster graphic will put it here also.

1 posted on 07/30/2004 1:30:41 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
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To: Congressman Billybob
That is one of the greatest tales ever told.
I'm going to lift it and mail it out so bold.
2 posted on 07/30/2004 5:50:22 PM PDT by ThreePuttinDude (Cevapcici and Slivovitz......for everyone)
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To: ThreePuttinDude; Congressman Billybob

Ditto, if you don't mind,
This is indeed a fabulous find.


3 posted on 07/30/2004 7:09:57 PM PDT by ErnBatavia ("Dork"; a 60's term for a 60's kinda guy: JFK)
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To: ErnBatavia; ThreePuttinDude
Y'all hava good time with this'n as ya choose. Tho do keep ma name attached ta it.

John / Billybob

4 posted on 07/30/2004 7:14:22 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob (www.ArmorforCongress.com Visit. Join. Help. Please.)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Tho do keep ma name attached ta it.

So it is written, so it is done.
Now we're gonna 'forward' and have some fun!

5 posted on 07/30/2004 7:16:43 PM PDT by ErnBatavia ("Dork"; a 60's term for a 60's kinda guy: JFK)
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To: Congressman Billybob

Stroke of genius. Nice job. No joy in Crudville.


6 posted on 07/30/2004 9:31:34 PM PDT by My2Cents (http://www.conservativesforbush.com)
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To: Constitution Day; TaxRelief; mhking
F.Y.I. This is not my regular column, just a tidbit that seemed to be an obvious task today. Ping folks if you choose.

John / Billybob

7 posted on 07/30/2004 11:28:25 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob (www.ArmorforCongress.com Visit. Join. Help. Please.)
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To: ThreePuttinDude
Thanks Congressman Billybob this is a treasure
I'll keep your name and add your link with pleasure
8 posted on 07/31/2004 3:13:09 AM PDT by ThreePuttinDude (Cevapcici and Slivovitz......for everyone)
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To: Congressman Billybob

Brilliant


9 posted on 08/02/2004 9:00:20 AM PDT by bdh (Liberalism is an excuse to fail)
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