Fascination With Assassination Poem by Mark Bratlie

A violent society
is certainly what we are
And when it comes to hi-tech killings
we are number one by far

Enemies' low-tech devices
we look at with disdain
Only when they are more civilized
will they follow our refrain

The use of those messy IED's
would be embarrassing for us
While a precise impersonal killing
raises very little fuss

We are world leaders afterall
to be viewed with respect and awe
So, while IED's are illegal,
high-tech killings fall within our law

We can choose our human targets
and end lives without regret
Since they are mostly violent terrorists
who are forever in our debt

That we attempt to kill only bad guys
is a truth to which we cling
And civilian collateral damage
we view as an unavoidable thing

And guilt by association
is enough of a reason why
If we can't get the actual culprits
then their associates must die

It seems that we're off and running
as our President sets the pace
And our fascination with assassination
leads us to embrace the drone arms race