Saturday, April 23, 2011

A Few Good Bullies

Recall the Rutgers freshman who,
While cozy with another guy
Was caught on tape and bid adieu
Not just to school. He chose to die.
But not before A Facebook post,
For—“sorry”—giving up the ghost.

His former roommate’s just been charged
On fifteen counts. A hate crime, one.
Humiliation, much enlarged
Once on the 'Net, can’t be undone.
It’s clearly cyber-bullying,
And sometimes leaves a fatal sting.

The cruelty is nationwide
And some say normal consequence.
If someone has some thing to hide,
Some fiend at his or her expense
Delights in causing misery,
Or Schadenfreude (Deutch), such glee.

In former days, those facing jail
Might take up arms and not do time.
And though such deals no more prevail
(The Pentagon steers clear of slime),
I say these beasts—female or man,
Engage instead the Taliban.

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