It's new-clear, Mr. President . . . .

Bush can't pronounce the word, but now North Korea has the nuclear bomb. Somehow, I don't feel BushCo has made us as safe as they seem to want us to believe.

Here's a song Tom Lehrer wrote around 40 years ago that seems pertinent now as much as it ever has.

WHO"S NEXT?

First we got the bomb and that was good,
'Cause we love peace and motherhood.
Then Russia got the bomb, but that's O.K.,
'Cause the balance of power's maintained that way!
Who's next?

France got the bomb, but don't you grieve,
'Cause they're on our side (I believe).
China got the bomb, but have no fears;
They can't wipe us out for at least five years!
Who's next?

Then Indonesia claimed that they
Were gonna get one any day.
South Africa wants two, that's right:
One for the black and one for the white!
Who's next?

Egypt's gonna get one, too,
Just to use on you know who.
So Israel's getting tense,
Wants one in self defense.
"The Lord's our shepherd," says the psalm,
But just in case, we better get a bomb!
Who's next?

Luxembourg is next to go
And, who knows, maybe Monaco.
We'll try to stay serene and calm
When Alabama gets the bomb!
Who's next, who's next, who's next?
Who's next?

(Change "Alabama" to "North Korea" [even the meter is right] and this could have been written yesterday. As it is we may be next, but not quite in the same way.)