by Robert Lederman
provided through OPENAIR-MARKET NET
A January 1, 1998 Inaugural Poem for Rudolph Giuliani
by Robert Lederman
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In New York City
as we greet the new year
our Mayor proclaims
not a thing's left to fear
He's banished all crime
won election victory
the price has been small
just civil liberty
In his "new" New York
where big business rules
Disney, Nike and Fox
will soon run our schools
The Mafia's gone
it's replaced by the B.I.D.s
taking over territory
the Dons promised their kids
He's turned our great city
around on a dime
as Louima found out
it's Giuliani time
Now cops, being only human,
sometimes have a bad day
but there's no need to worry
if they drag you away
They're New York's finest
they're the cream of the crop
if they're beating your head in
(politely) ask them to stop
If that doesn't work
There's Civilian Review
F.B.I., Department of Justice
and you always can sue
Soon you may be arrested
just for crossing the street
at a corner the Mayor's
restricted to feet.
Rudy proudly declares
crime's now at such a low
New York's the safest place
for a tourist to go.
But allow me to risk
our Mayor's hair-trigger wrath
his well-cooked crime statistics
deserve a big laugh.
The crimes we the people
most need to fear
are from city employees
in N.Y.P.D. gear.
And from the dealmakers
running City Hall
where our Bill of Rights
has been turned to the wall.
This New Year brings Rudy's
imperial coronation
in a suit or a dress
he's adored by the nation.
His New Year's Resolution's
now perfectly clear
1998 will be
the Police State's best year.
Robert Lederman, President of A.R.T.I.S.T. (Artists' Response To Illegal State Tactics)
http://www.openair.org/alerts/artist/nyc.html
255 13th St. Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215; (718) 369-2111; e-mail <ARTISTpres@aol.com>