So the Department of Homeland Security is currently shut down

[gfarber]

38. Good Sense

There once was a shutdown of State,
With security running on “wait,”
Yet war drums were played,
And bold threats were made,
While Homeland was guarding the gate.

The TSA tightened no belts,
FEMA felt funding’s harsh welts,
The Coast Guard afloat
In a half-manned boat,
While cyberspace guarded itself.

A leader declared with a grin,
“It’s their fault we’re all in this spin!”
Though talks were refused,
And tempers were fused,
The blame found a partisan bin.

If cynics were prone to suppose
Some strategy hid in the throes,
They’d whisper, “An attack
Might help to give back
Emergency powers he chose.”

“But surely,” the faithful would cry,
“No president schemes such a lie!
To wager the land
For political hand—
That’s far too disgraceful,” they sigh.

So here stands the puzzle immense:
Make war while defunding defense.
One hopes in the end
Cooler heads will amend
This curious lapse in good sense.

> © 2026 Glen Farber. All Rights Reserved.