NEWS ITEM: In a burst of anger over a speech delivered by Barack Obama, the Rev. Jesse Jackson told a colleague that he felt like castrating the presidential contender. Jackson did not realize his remark was being picked up by a live microphone.

When Jackson feels the urge to vent,
He’s apt to wax inelegant.
(Remember when he won renown
By calling New York “Hymietown”?)

Now Jesse’s made a nasty crack
About the eloquent Barack.
Is this the way to talk of pals?
To reference their genitals?

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Republicans are sure to laugh
At such a monumental gaffe.
The folks who campaign for McCain
Are toasting Jesse with champagne.

It’s reasonable to expect
A pol to be more circumspect.
Can thoughtful Democrats defend
Such language from a reverend?

Should they rebuke with mild “tut, tut”
So pointedly unkind a cut?
His parlance makes the mind recoil
Envisioning a vengeful moyl.

But if Barack election wins,
He’s sure to pardon Jesse’s sins.
Few Dems this matter will recall
If there’s a presidential ball.

Ven Jackson vil nor epes zogn,
Kumen di verter fun zayn mogn.
Di fraze, “Hymietown,” iz zayn.
Mir proklamirn, “Feh, nisht fayn!”

Yetst makht der man a beyzn atak
Oyf zayn barimtn fraynd, Barack.
“Kastrir dem elokventn Solon
“Un varf avek zayne genitaln!”

Oy, a shande, aza shiltn!
Aza klole hert men zeltn!
Politikantn far McCain
Bagrisn Jesse mit champagne.

M’vayst az a politikant
Muz nit geyn shlogn kop-in-vant.
Barekhnt muz er zayn, a friend,
An emesdiker reverend.

An umglik oyf im, der bandit,
Der man fun der umfrendlekh shnit!
Dos oysklebn vet Jesse spoil?
Er zet oys vi a broygez moyl!

Nor az Barack vert president,
Zeyer shnel vet Jess-eh-leh repent.
Un kumt shoyn an inaugural,
Vet zayn a presidential ball!

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. We’re in the middle of our Passover Fundraising Drive, and we have a very ambitious goal of $127,000 by April 22.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a Passover gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Make a Passover Gift Today!

$90 $180

$360

Other amount