(Tennessee SB 49) 'Twas April, in a state called Tennessee When proudly rose one man upon the hill.

"Don't mention homosexuality in schools," he said. "And thus I bring this bill."

One Stacey Campfield gave this stirring speech, Eliminating gayness just like that.

"A subject we don't mention and don't teach, Will likely disappear in no time flat. But why stop there? There's so much more we need.

Let's outlaw talk of being poor, or black, Pretend that Christian is the only creed, And kids won't choose an inconvenient track."

One truth to Tennessee we must convey: Not saying gay won't make it fade away.

(Indiana HB 1007) When Jud McMillin introduced a bill Demanding drug tests to receive welfare, He said, "I think that this will help instill These folks with the desire to live with care, And do what's right, to better their own lot."

Some representatives did not agree, And added an amendment on the spot, Which said, "If they must drug test, so must we; For surely if we wish to make the claim That drug tests are required to get state aid, The principle involved must be the same Whenever someone by the state is paid."

Amendment passed, bill subsequently sunk, Which likely shows the principle is bunk.

(US HR 3261) Lamar Smith, to protect the copyrights Of corporations facing work infringed Suggested we should simply take down sites Which others claim have in some way impinged.

Infringement in a forum or a blog, Or link upon one user page

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of these, Would still be cause to block the site whole hog, Domains shut down, removed from ISPs.

The Internet was roused, and quickly fumed, That claims alone could kill a site quite dead.

To take down sites, no innocence presumed, Would quickly help a censorship to spread.

The labels feel that freedom is worth squat.

Will open net be killed? Let's SOPA not.

(US HR 1540) A country needs to have a strong defense.

This is a fact that few would dare dispute, And thus when voting on some funding thence, The bill is fairly easy to pollute.

In this case, two key sections would allow Indefinite detention without trial In military prisons. Which, somehow, I think would not have made the founders smile.

Due process, in the Bill of Rights enshrined, Protects our citizens from unjust force.

But with this bill, were someone so inclined, A "terror!" claim would take the habeas corpse.

That's why the bill was stopped, as we all know.

I kid! It got signed just five weeks ago.

Seth Brown, whose words appear here every week, enjoys pentameter 'cause he's a geek.