Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hey, Craig,

Read through this political 5-7-5. A good candidate to highlight this word of the day. There's all sorts of packaged imagery with her name and story. Curiosity and a different kind of struggle for her that I can't even imagine, about her, the choices that brought her to where she is, yet... for the most part, I agree that for standing beside Trump, she manages to not invoke anything but my curiosity and ... (don't know the word, but it's not pity. The word I'm looking for means, more ... wow, that sucks... how'd you get yourself into that mess, and is it worth it?)

I have a hard time seeing her ... actively plagerizing? (though it's so par for the course I wouldn't be surprised if she was using Fanstory rules on plagerism. ; D ) Which is questionable.

Though, I figure she was more apt to say, I want this updated for me ... and someone else did it, with little to no enthusiasm? And she wasn't paying the details no mind...

Gha. Who knows?

Point is, there is an accuracy about this 5-7-5, even if she did plagerize, for the most part, people aren't taking her to heat for it. Maybe because the expectations are low? And people recognize that the political arena can get pretty vicious, that the wives and children should just be given some slack to have been pulled into it at all.

 Comment Written 10-May-2018

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reply by the author on 10-May-2018

I suspect your theory about how Melania's situation with the book came about is not far from the truth, Turtle. Judging by the evidence I've come across, even in "writing" circles, tolerance for plagiarism is pretty high ;-) But her difficulties on that score weren't really part of my theme - it just so happened I chose to use her as a subject on the very day the revelations came out. Much more of interest was how she remains relatively unscathed while... well, I don't need to go on.

Thanks for a great review, again.

Craig

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

Hi Craig,

Melania may seem unaffected by all of the heat surrounding Trump, but how can she NOT be affected. I think she's just good at hiding her emotions. I hadn't heard about the latest plagiarism report.

I like how you applied an old time scenario (the bible story) and brought it into present time in order to showcase the word "shadrach". ~~ Connie

 Comment Written 09-May-2018

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reply by the author on 09-May-2018

Yep, I think you have a point there, Connie. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say she deals with it well, rather than she's unaffected. Much appreciated , Craig.

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written 5-7-5 poem. I did not hear about the claims of plagiarism, it is quite unfortunate that something like that would happen to her. It is kind of lack of knowledge about these things.

 Comment Written 09-May-2018

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reply by the author on 09-May-2018

I agree it's unfortunate, Sandra. She seems like a nice person - quite in opposition to her husband. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig;
You've given us a new way to look at the poor, unfortunate First Lady. I pity her because she is married to a man who doesn't respect women. Her attempts to make herself seem more continues to plague her.

She is supposed to have an assistant to help her with these things. Perhaps this is yet another White House position that wasn't filled.

A great use of your new word - thank you for sharing,

~patty~

 Comment Written 09-May-2018

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reply by the author on 09-May-2018

Hi Patty, I suspect Melania is, in fact, a good person - a statement I would not make about her spouse. Most of his "advisors" seem to be rank amateurs, and perhaps those who are advising her are of the same ilk. It's a shame. Still, as others have pointed out, even a basic education should make it clear it's not acceptable to put your name to things others have created. Thanks for reviewing :) Craig

reply by Mustang Patty on 09-May-2018

Totally agree with you - not sure whether we should vilify her along with the hubby, or pity here.

reply by the author on 09-May-2018

Well, in spite of the author footnotes, this particular poem was meant to present her in a good light :)

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

A clever write here and you have to be thick skinned to be in this role and it is for no shrinking violet! But she will ride the storm as they all do, politics in the US seems to be like a Hollywood series, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 09-May-2018

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reply by the author on 09-May-2018

Thanks very much, Dolly. I have no doubt she will survive :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from ciliverde

Excellent

Very interesting indeed, Craig, on many levels. The use of Shadrach is unexpected, and quite good. I looked him up on Wikipedia as I have not read the Bible...so I learned something today. I wonder if Melania never went to college? Any college-level writing class kinda hammers it into you that plagiarism is bad. Maybe she doesn't have good ideas of her own? I bet she hates the sight of him. She always looks cool, then you see her smile snap off when he turns away from her, and she swats him away.
Nice job, I like this one a lot.
Carol

 Comment Written 08-May-2018

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reply by the author on 08-May-2018

Thanks very much, Carol. Yes, I'm certain she is not with him for his charm and gracious wit :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Good job, Craig, on this presentation. I do know the Bible story you related in your notes. Your poem is a great explanation of this word. I enjoyed learning there really is this word. Who knew? Thanks for sharing. Great author notes, too. Jan

 Comment Written 08-May-2018

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reply by the author on 08-May-2018

Thanks very much for the kind and thoughtful review, Jan. Most grateful - Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It's been a while since I've considered that book of Daniel.

It's just too much of a coincidence that Melania Trump has once again been engaged in plagiarism. Surely her staff, or even her husband, are responsible for this incredible mistake but yet again. I wouldn't put it past him to deliberately sabotage her anti-bullying efforts. And, her communcations staff should've caught that. Plagiarism is so uncool and for the first lady to engage in the thievery sends such a bad message to youth. She should've given recognition to the true authors and added her own personal letter. Ugh. I feel sorry for her being sabotaged again.

Anyway a good topic for conversation, Craig.

Gloria

 Comment Written 08-May-2018

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reply by the author on 08-May-2018

I feel sorry for her too, Gloria. To me, and of course, I could be wrong, it seems that, unlike her husband, she has a good heart. I wouldn't be surprised if her advisors have no more understanding than his. Thanks for athe thoughtful review - Craig

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

What a great use of that word! I do know the story of Daniel's friends. I like your application to Melania. She must be under that same illusion that "plagiarism is the highest form of compliment." Some of the earliest Russian plays seemed like the plot was lifted from Shakespeare.

 Comment Written 08-May-2018

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reply by the author on 08-May-2018

I didn't know that about the Russian plays - thanks for that useful piece of information. Of course, I imagine there are countless knock-offs of the Bard's work, if we were to go looking for them. Most appreciated - Craig