Patient and steady with all he must bear,
Ready to meet 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 mould,
Eyes that have foresight, for hindsight won’t do,
Never backs down when he sees what is true,
Tells it all straight, and means it all too.
Going forward and knowing he’s right,
Even when doubted for why he would fight,
Over and over he makes his case clear,
Reaching to touch the ones who won’t hear.
Growing in strength he won’t be unnerved,
Ever assuring he’ll stand by his word.
Wanting the world to join his firm stand,
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.

Hint: Write out the first letter of each line.

Over the past few days we have learned that the U.S. has been placing news propaganda stories in the Iraqi media. Is it possible that they are doing the same to the Pakistani education ministry in order to counteract the teachings of those darn madrasas? Ummm, no. That’s a bit farfetched. But then how in the HELL did the above poem end up in Pakistani school textbooks?? Where is that panel of historian fact-checkers when you really need them?

The BBC reports (thanks for the tip Kumar):

The anonymous poem, called The Leader, appeared in a recent English-language course book for 16 year-olds.

Critics say it praises Mr Bush. Its rhyming couplets describe someone “solid as steel, strong in his faith”. Officials cannot explain how the poem entered the curriculum. Pupils are to ignore it ahead of a reprint next year.

This is just too darn right surreal. How could it have happened??

An education ministry spokesman argued that the poem was a good description of a true leader - which might explain how it got through the vetting process.

That is unassailable logic right there.

The education ministry said it would remove the poem from the textbook and discipline the person responsible for including it.

I think they should make the official write out the poem a 1000 times on a school blackboard.