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California Meme-ing

—on Gov. Newsom’s recent ban of AI deepfake memes

The perilous and puckish AI fairy
Has magicked mocking memes so sharp they’ve shocked
Grand Guvnor Noos’em—spoofs have proved so scary
His poison pen has got this scoffing blocked.
Just like the wondrous works of finest fiction
These merry memes seem oh-so-very real—
So real they’re apt to conjure spells of friction
Twixt voters and campaigners out to steal
The freedoms, funds, and fun from sunny days.
To giggle at an oligarch’s expense—
To snigger at a skit that scorns the ways
The deep-state lackies lack a lick of sense—
Will blast a tyrant’s temper through the roof.
In memes are golden glimmers of the truth.

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Susan Jarvis Bryant is a poet originally from the U.K., now living on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

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28 Responses

  1. Joseph S. Salemi

    Susan, this is top-notch work from you, but — when have you ever posted anything that wasn’t great? Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You are Queen of the SCP. VIVAT REGINA!

    As for that flaming asshole Newsom, by what damned authority can he presume to ban things from the internet, which is international? Does he think he’s the emperor of Planet Earth?

    The imperious attitude of Newsom is a reflection of the elitist mentality that underlies all of left-liberalism — the presumptuous conviction that “we know best,” and the rest of the world is obliged to listen and obey in silence.

    If that sick bitch Harris is elected (God forbid!), we will have to put up with the smug, self-satisfied, tyrannical overlordship of thousands of bureaucrats in Newsom’s mold. Just look at the guy’s face.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      I am over the moon the craftmanship shines through the bleak message my poem portrays. I try hard to make the words fun and funny. I believe humor is a great tool for highlighting the calculated cruelty of our draconian overlords and showing up their constant pushes for “care” for what it really is – iron-fisted control of the masses. We the people are not intelligent enough to work out who to vote for without being “guided” in the right direction by a particular brand of truth… the sort of “truth” that buys the powerful a lot more power. Joe, I thoroughly appreciate your keen eye and your support. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. jd

    Really enjoyed this, Susan, for its bite and
    exercise of lip and tongue. Also for its mockery of just one of the devil’s lackeys.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      jd, it’s always lovely to hear from you. I’m glad you like my poem and that you can see right through the manipulation of those who have only their interests at heart.

      Reply
  3. Warren Bonham

    Another hard-hitting gem. At this rate, you may end up being banned in California.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Thank you, Warren. You could well be right on the banning front… I’m definitely not the sort of visitor California would care to welcome. I’ll cross them off my holiday-destination list… with a smile.

      Reply
  4. Brian A. Yapko

    Absolutely brilliant, Susan! You hit the issue and you hit it hard. Indeed, “a very palpable hit.” And a brave one. Oh, “to blast a tyrant’s temper through the roof!” How grateful I am to have you on our team!

    It’s astonishing how easily Gavin Newsom reaches for fascist solutions to things he doesn’t like. He is a true megalomaniac (with the emphasis on “maniac”) and the fact that such a one as he proudly endorses Kamala Harris shows just how twisted our political landscape has become. It’s hard to believe Newsom sits in the same office once occupied by Ronald Reagan. I lived in Los Angeles for 40 years and to see what has become of California hits me hard. It also makes me praise God for Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis.

    Do I dare post Elon Musk’s video reply to Newsom or will it get us in trouble? Oh, what the hell. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=8330115750437014&rdid=HdZs0dDuSaF0u4y2

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Brian, your “true megalomaniac (with the emphasis on “maniac”)” description of this ban-misinformation-as-I-make-a-lucrative-living-from-lying hypocrite is spot on. And how telling that your humorous link highlights with accuracy the crux of California’s problem with Gruesom as Governor. The Western world has indeed become a joke. Let’s hope sanity returns soon! As ever, thank you for your fine eye, your support and your inspiration. It’s a real privilege to be on your team!

      Reply
  5. Lannie David Brockstein

    “By following the science, I have divined it is racist for anybody to post memes, because being highly sensitive to memes is a well known side-effect of using Big Pharma’s antidepressant and hormones-altering gender-changing drug products.” ~ Governor Irksome, who is ‘Brought to you by Pfizer’.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      I like your Governor-Irksome-inspired humor Lannie – if only everyone could see through his “caring” facade to the money-hungry swindler beneath.

      Reply
  6. Roy Eugene Peterson

    I call it “Californication.” I can only echo what Dr. Salemi, Brian Yapko, and the others have said in their comments with their superlatives for you and darts for Newsom.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      “Californication” is so funny and so apt. Thank you very much for your kind words and continued support, Roy.

      Reply
  7. Mark Stellinga

    Excellent piece, Susan. 🙂 If you haven’t already experienced it, I thought you ‘n’ Mike might get a ‘puke’ out of this little gem meme. I’m hoping this now all but unfindable video, showing Walz demonstrating his delicious dancing skills at what has to be a full-fledged cross-dresser’s club – (watch the far background very carefully – after you’ve taken a big swig of Pepto Bismol), finds its way to the Babylon-B folks, Newsmax, and certainly Trump’s campaign people. This clip was provided by his FAMILY!!! Be sure to turn on the sound –
    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=1249489346054159&external_log_id=416dfa11-a258-47c9-9cbf-153e6438ac40&q=tim%20waltz%20dancing

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Thank you, Mark, and oh my giddy aunt! Can the perversity of politicians get any worse?! The only thing for it is satirical poetry… as the subject of my latest proves – they are threatened by laughter. A good giggle is key to a better future for America… if you can’t laugh with them, laugh at them. As we all know, memes cause misery.

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Yael, thank you very much for your appreciation, support, and that great Babylon Bee dig. Turning-the-tables-hilarity is the way to go!!

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      James, how right you are. Thank you for your appreciation and your encouragement.

      Reply
  10. Adam Wasem

    Timely, apt, clever and pointed as always, Susan, and eminently necessary. As someone who has been visiting my grandparents and now father in California my entire life, as well as spending my college years there, I’ve been especially saddened to see what Gruesome and the rest of the Kalifornia Klown Krew have done to that once majestic state. In the 70s, 80s, and well into the 90s, it was like paradise.

    Most telling, to me, about this incident, is that California is a supermajority Democrat state. Newsome won his recall by a 2-1 margin, and is going to term out after this term anyway. In no way conceivable could he or the California State Democrat party be meaningfully impacted, voting-wise, by an AI meme. That Newsome still thinks a national career is possible, after what he’s done, shows you he’s not only tyrannical, but delusional. Scary stuff indeed.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Adam, I can empathize with you on your sadness over California – the land of beautiful memories trampled over by a tyrant. Exactly the same thing is happening in my homeland now, and every time I read about it or return to see it with my own eyes, my heart sinks further. You’re spot on when you say this is scary stuff… anyone who knows just a smidgen of world history that hasn’t been rewritten, should be well aware of what the future has in store if we don’t stand up and speak up when it matters – it’s our duty to do so for the sake of future generations. For me, satire is a great vehicle for doing this. Mocking the madness shows these cheats and liars up for who they are which is exactly why these hilarious and telling memes must be crushed by the iron-fisted liars they poke fun at.

      Reply
  11. Lannie David Brockstein

    Susan, as the mamas and papas in your dreamy or rather nightmarish “California Meme-ing” sonnet mentioned, that airheaded Left supremacist legislation by “Guvnor Noos’em” is definitely beyond the pale, as most things progressive are. It is always ends up being a job for the Right to conserve what is left of the civilized world, such as by bringing all failed legislative experiments down to Earth, and thus to repeal, reform, or revolt against them.

    There is a reasonable free speech argument to be made that says it is necessary for there to be legislation that requires a disclaimer to be used if a meme, poem, or any other form of intellectual property was manufactured by AI, similar to how there is internationally respected legislation that says only sparkling wines made from grapes grown in the Champagne wine region of France can legally be labeled as champagne.

    Original works of art created by humans should not have to compete in the marketplace with AI manufactured works of art, anymore than females should have to compete at the Olympics with gender confused athletes. This argument does not claim that all AI manufactured art is more artistic than all human created art. It simply acknowledges that most individuals cannot paint as well as they can photograph.

    But Governor Irksome has legislated that all memes about elections must be censored and their content contributors criminalized, if those memes are not approved by his authoritarian government as being politically correct. That is basically what two-tier Keir and his fellow Daleks are doing to thousands of Brits, especially regarding any mention on their Facebook posts about the Muslim supremacist grooming gangs that are terrorizing Britain. It goes to show that Left supremacist schmuck is already scheming to be the Demented Party’s 2028 presidential nominee.

    From Lannie.

    P.S. Susan, I salute this line in your sonnet, as it is similar (yet done in an original manner) to what Shakespeare did in many of his sonnets:

    In “California Meme-ing”, Susan Jarvis Bryant wrote:
    >>> “The deep-state lackies lack a lick of sense—”

    In “Sonnet 18”: William Shakespeare wrote:
    >>> “And every fair from fair sometime declines,”

    In “Sonnet 24”: William Shakespeare wrote:
    >>> “Now see what good turns eyes for eyes have done:”

    In “Sonnet 138”: William Shakespeare wrote:
    >>> “And age in love loves not to have years told.”

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Lannie, thank you very much for this thoughtful and though-provoking comment. I agree with you on the AI-disclaimer front. The meme in question had the word “parody” written on it. Elon Musk sent it out on X with “parody” removed… which says to me Musk isn’t the “free speech” advocate he claims to be. He’s there to stir things up. He’s already shut down a slew of significant voices on his site. He’s also into selective free speech – free-speech-but-no-reach censorship. When I’m concerned about someone’s motives, I follow the money. Musk has gotten rich and is getting richer from government money (our money). He’s not here to assist “we the people” – he’s here to lick the hand that feeds him.

      I love your Shakespeare observations. I didn’t think of the Bard when I wrote the poem… but I feel his essence pulsing through my veins, such is his poetic power to this day.

      Reply
  12. C.B. Anderson

    David Rubin always refers to the governor as “lizard-man.” I always try to call him Gavin Noisome.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      These quirky nicknames have been royally earned by this scaly bloviator. Thank you for the smile.

      Reply
  13. Jan Mennite

    Hi Susan,

    The skillfully expressed truths of your poem work like a medicine for this Cali native this morning. There is much to enjoy and appreciate in it. The final line, “In memes are golden glimmers of the truth,” is a particularly thrilling one to me.

    Having been born and raised in California and lived here most of my life, I’ve seen the astonishing beauty, the absence of problems between ethnic groups, then the incitement of problems among people who always had lived peacefully, and now, the nightmarish attempts at complete destruction of this beautiful state and its people.

    I pray every day for the healing of this land and trust that I’m joined in that by many millions.

    Jan Mennite (aka yohanna)

    P.S. Here is a not-so-elegant limerick(y) response:

    Please daily pray that Kam is not elected
    It’s best for all that she not be selected
    With her and ‘Nuisance’ ruthless
    It’s best they’re rendered toothless
    And all their lies and tyranny rejected

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Jan, thank you so much for your appreciation of my poem and for your excellent limerick(y) response – wonderful!

      You make a great point about California’s destruction. It’s devastating to watch. The same thing is happening in my homeland, and my heart bleeds for my country, my family, my friends, and all those beautiful people who came to the U.K. with love and hope in their hearts. The blame lies solely at the feet of governments that have sold their souls and their people to the horrors of tyranny… sadly, this evil pervades the USA. Let’s hope we can pull back from the brink of complete destruction.

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Josh, thank you for your comment and thank you for those much-needed memes! They shed a shining light on the machinations of the iron-fisted… which is exactly why tyrants want them banned. I’m glad you like the closing line – I feel those words say it all.

      Reply

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