A State of Emergency

By Baxter

So we cats left South Florida last year for Northern Virginia, thinking that we'd escaped hurricanes forever. Think again.

Our silly Republican Governor has declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Irene, and we're apparently in a tropical storm watch right now. But natural disasters are not solely occupying our furry little minds this afternoon.

American politics are in a sorry state. After the debt ceiling debacle, the President has gone on a vacation we counseled against, and the Republicans are behaving despicably over the NATO success in Libya. We cats do not have high hopes for progress when Congress and the President get back to work in September.

Meanwhile, watching the Jack Layton commemorations in Canada today, we're wondering how many American politicians would merit the kind of send-off that he's receiving this week. We're guessing, not many.

Layton's farewell is that rare combination: a celebration of a lefty life with the trappings of national mourning. Saturday's Layton funeral undoubtedly will regale us with "O Canada" — as well as a rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."

In our opinion, we Americans need more leaders who would celebrate this kind of spirit. Until then, consider us in a real state of emergency.