Bully (on Bush administration efforts to thwart the International Criminal Court) The U.S. on the world stage wields much clout Or so I thought, as Bush sent letters out Requesting nations grant immunity To prosecutions by the ICC. It violates our sovereignty, you see, If with our God-given impunity, We're summoned to account, or Justice cites Our violations against human rights. But what is this? Little Colombia, That like a tiny sparrow doth appear Beside the U.S. eagle, with a word Dares to defy the fierce, ill-favored bird. So falls the eagle. O unhappy fowl That bowed the nations to your raptor's scowl. The world once sought the shadow of your wings But hark! A little bird more sweetly swings. Like Phaëton and Icarus who burned, You thought to fly on wings you had not earned. In pride you rose, brief in the heights you soared And slew the lambs of innocence abroad. You tarred and feathered Dr. Watson (who Gave voice to Science's prevailing view The world is warming) from his World Bank role As if thereby to plug the ozone hole. Jose Bustani you also plucked out Who dared your insularity to flout As head of the inspectorate worldwide Of chemical-based weapons you would hide. And Mary Robinson was in your sights, U.N. Commissioner for human rights, Who protests Israel's racism and how You treat the captives in Guantanamo. But now the world is weary of your squawk. Like birds that mob an interloping hawk, They put to flight your pride before the fall Because you are the worst rogue state of all. September 2002