Week of May 13

Pope Francis has been busy since taking office, at least judging by his tweets. On Sunday he gave the whole humility thing a day of rest and swung for the fences by naming more saints at once than Pope John Paul II, the previous record-holder. Showing the same interfaith sensitivity as his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, he canonized 813 "martyrs" beheaded by the Ottomans refusing to accept Islam. Then he canonized two Latin American nuns, one from Mexico and one from Colombia, in a nod to key electoral blocs responsible for getting him elected.

Don't Cry, I'm From Argentina
[ Don't Cry for Me Argentina ]

Week of May 6

Desperate to find a friendly audience, President Obama went to Mexico to discuss immigration reform rather than spend the time here, negotiating with Sen. Marco Rubio and the Republicans, whose votes he actually needs.

Immigration Medley
[ Livin' La Vida Loca, One ]

Week of April 29

With the approval rating of Congress near an all-time low and with the approval rating for same-sex marriage near an all-time high, desperate politicians are giving new thought to the meaning of bipartisanship.

My Gay
[ My Way ]

Week of April 22

After a string of shootings and random killings, President Obama tried to make gun control a top priority. But the Senate had other ideas. Even though a majority of senators and an even bigger majority of Americans thought it might be a good idea to keep some guns and bullets out of the hands of lunatics and felons, the N.R.A. and its allies won the day. Consider this: even though 92% of Americans favored universal background checks, the same poll showed more Americans think the N.R.A. "better reflects" their views on guns than President Obama does, 46% to 43%.

Boys Just Wanna Have Guns
[ Girls Just Want To Have Fun ]

From the album Joy of Sax (1993)

Week of April 15

Happy Tax Day! Which thought cheers you more? Doing all the work of filing your return, paying all those taxes, or knowing that someone else is getting more benefits for the money than you ever will?

Tax Your Children Well
[ Teach Your Children ]

From the album A Whole Newt World (1995)

Week of April 8

Rand Paul learned a lot from his libertarian dad, but he just says "no" to legalizing pot. He's been a rebel in the Senate with his stands against drones, gun control, and the Federal Reserve — yet he refuses to stand up for one of his father's favorite causes.

Green, Green Grass at Home
[ Grren, Green Grass of Home ]

From the album Take the Money and Run (2012)

Week of April 1

Mark Sanford won three elections for the House and two for governor of South Carolina before taking a little time off to hike the Appalachian Trail. Now he's back, this time counting on "a God of second chances" for political redemption. Sanford's the favorite in tomorrow's special Congressional primary runoff, running on a platform of citizenship for immigrant mistresses.

Over the River and Through the Woods (at least that’s what I told my staff)
[ Over the River and Through the Woods ]

From the album Barackin' Around The Christmas Tree (2009)

Week of March 25

John Kerry visted Iraq just days after the 10th anniversary of the invasion to see if the U.S. has any influence left, at least when it comes to Iraq helping Iran and Syria. (Answer: not so much.) The new Secretary of State also used the trip to sharpen his skills at diplomatic understatement, to rack up more frequent flyer miles, and to get in a little relaxation in peaceful, post-war Iraq.

The Sunni Side of Tikrit
[ On the Sunny Side of the Street ]

From the album Fiscal Shades of Gray (2013)

Week of March 18

Congress and President Obama have until March 27 to avoid a government shutdown. So Congress is doing what Congress does best when it comes to debt and deficit reduction: nothing! At least for now. If there's no solution in sight for spending and taxes for this year or for the next ten, maybe they can agree on something for the next 75 years.

Down the Road Again
[ On the Road Again ]