Ode to Who??

Textbooks in Pakistan until recently contained this poem, entitled "The leader."

Patient and steady with all he must bear,
Ready to accept every challenge with care,
Easy in manner, yet solid as steel,
Strong in his faith, refreshingly real,
Isn't afraid to propose what is bold,
Doesn't conform to the usual mold,
Eyes that have foresight, for hindsight wont do
Never back down when he sees what is true
Tells it all straight, and means it all too

Bracing for war, but praying for peace
Using his power so evil will cease:
So much a leader and worthy of trust,
Here stands a man who will do what he must.

As described by the Guardian, "At first sight it is little more than a poetic polemic about the virtues of an effective leader. But a poem has been removed from school textbooks in Pakistan after it became clear that the first letter of each line spelt out 'President George W Bush'." The article, Veiled ode to George Bush deleted from Pakistani textbooks, states that the poem was "[p]enned by an anonymous writer, The Leader embarrassed education officials in the country after it found its way into an English textbook for 16-year-olds."

Anonymous writer, huh. My guess is Harriet Miers. She needs something to fill her time now that she's not up for the Supreme Court vacancy.

(Via onegoodmove)