Such Tomfoolery

Air: "Joe Hill," words by Joseph R. Stromberg

I dreamed I saw Tom Ridge last night,
going through my things.
"Tom," I said, "Get out of here."
"I never stint," said he,
"Homeland Security."

"I've never been an Arab, Tom,
or played one on TV" –
but Tom just kept right at his work,
"I can't neglect," said he,
"Homeland Security."

"The Fourth Amendment, Tom," said I –
"Don't mean a thing," said he.
"You have to give it up," he said,
"So we can keep you free – Homeland Security."

"Well, Tom," I said, "I just don't see" –
"You will in time," said he
"These black-bag jobs preserve your rights –
That's how we keep you free,
Homeland Security."

"But won't you leave me a receipt?"
"No time for that," said he.
"We've two more break-ins on your street,
extra-judicially,
Homeland Security."

He left untouched the silverware
And all the DVDs.
In sooth, the only thing he took
Was surplus liberty:
Homeland Security.

November 10, 2001

Joseph R. Stromberg [send him mail] is the JoAnn B. Rothbard Historian in Residence at the Ludwig von Mises Institute and a columnist for Antiwar.com.

Copyright © 2001 LewRockwell.com

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