We cats are going to take a detour into Canadian politics today. Not only because a news item commands our interest, but because we find the American political scene kind of dismal at the moment.
What else are we to think, when the House of Representatives is hell-bent on a repeal of healthcare reform — all because John Roberts didn't vote the way they wanted? (Sidebar: We can't help believing that while Roberts saved the Affordable Care Act, he still wreaked havoc on the Obama Administration with Citizens United. Thus are the vagaries of government.)
Anyway, where were we? Oh, yes, Canada.
It seems that the Calgary Stampede has run into a bit of controversy. Apparently, a bilingual recording of "O Canada" was played one night, and the staunchly non-Francophone crowd refused to sing along. After which an all-English version was played — after which — well, you get the idea.
Now, Stampede officials vow to play the English-French version, no matter what. Sheesh. We cats can only hope that if the Anglos in the crowd can't handle "Terre de nos aieux," maybe they can just mouth the words until they get to "God keep our land glorious and free." Because even though the bilingual version includes French, the English language clearly rules the anthem.
That aside, we are amused at the spectacle — because Canada, for all its linguistic contortions, is still light years ahead of the United States.
Really. Can you imagine how the US would implode if anyone insisted that the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner" be partially translated into Spanish? It would be appropriate — a quarter of us are Hispanic, after all, and the rates are rising fast— but the teabaggers and the racists would simply combust.
So, Canada, congratulations on being enlightened enough to have this Calgary Stampede controversy occur in the first place. We cats believe you should be honored — even if you don't feel that way.
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