by Mary Pitt
Recently, the fine state of Wisconsin passed legislation which makes it possible for stray cats to be designated as "game" and to allow them to be shot by hunters. Soon we will be regaled by pictures of big men in hunter green, bandaliers flung over their shoulders and proudly displaying the bag for the day: Tommy, Fluffy, Sweetie Pie, and Tigger! It is a sign of the times and of the deterioration of our culture that is is now deemed appropriate that anything which becomes an irritant "deserves" to be destroyed.
The cat, a "herd animal" which has been a loyal companion to mankind for more centuries than man can document, a creature that asks nothing more than kind treatment and a bit of food from time to time can, after experiencing neglect, abuse, and abandonment, return to the feral state and fend for itself. However, in this instance, it is feared that they may kill and eat too many of the precious birds and small rodents that the he-men of Wiisconsin so sorely need in order to feed their families. Of course, the cats must be destroyed, so why not have a bit of fun with it? Will they build "cat blinds" to lie in wait for them or use tree stands where they can perch in safety, beer in one hand and a gun in the other, waiting for an unwary cat to wander by? Tracking one will be difficult, due to the extra-ordinarily keen senses which the creature possesses but the avid hunter/killer will find a way.
However, that is not the point. In a recent article, "Stand Up Next To a Mountain", http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/050305B.shtml, the inspiring progressive writer, William Rivers Pitt, (no relation), wrote this regarding those of us on the "left":
"Folks on the Left are like cats. They are loveable, affectionate, strong and independent-minded. They are also pointy on five out of six sides and liable to use their claws at strange and seemingly random moments. It has always been this way and will always be this way, and it cannot and should not be otherwise. Combine that with the thundering frustrations that have accumulated over the last months and years, and the outcome is predictable."
This reference, considered within the allegorical connection to the first news item, could be a chilling factor to those who are currently considered as "leftists". But is it? On the one hand, a herd of cats can do great damage when they act in unison in response to a threat from a marauding dog-animal but, singly, they are quite vulnerable, particularly to a human with a gun. In that case, their only friend is their speed as they flee in panic. If those on the left are faced with the same assault, they should coalesce into a group rather than to try to run and hide. To this end, we await the emergence of a "boss cat", a leader, one who is honestly fearless and truly dedicated to the cause of the people and immune to the siren song of the power brokers. A word of caution; these "leftists" are not all the same "breed of cat" and the "Republican-Lite" people like Clinton, Lieberman, and Kerry need not apply. Cats do not compromise! This herd is more likely to fall in behind someone with the thinking of Dennis Kucinich or Howard Dean during the 2004 campaign. Many "cats" decided to withhold their votes because they did not feel that they were presented with a sufficiently clear choice.
If such a leader were to arise and inspire the many separate Acolonies@ of citizens to whom the actions of the present administration are repugnant and just plain wrong, means could be taken to solve the most pressing problems which would be the beginning of the much-needed reconstruction of our democracy. True voting reform, leading to every eligible voter being allowed to vote and every vote being accurately counted would be an important first step. Ethics reform in Congress and the administrative offices would be essential, as would be enforcement of existing laws against business monopolies, forbidding the employment of illegal aliens, assuring the separation of Church and State, etc., that would ameliorate the mistrust of government and allow America=s traditional institutions to operate in the manner and for the purpose for which they were intended.
If such a leader were to arise and inspire these disenfranchised "cats" and if they could survive the power struggle within the Democratic Party itself, we might be pleasantly surprised to find that more than fifty per cent of the eligible voters would go to the polls and the strangle-hold of the Republican Party upon the throats of the American citizen could be removed, our precious democracy restored, and the prestige of the United States as an instrument for peace in the world re-established. With determination, daring, and the help of the One True God, it can be done.
But, to stay in the allegory of Mr. Pitt, the culture is such that even cats, lovable creatures that they are, may become targets if their numbers reach the "nuisance" stage. There have recently been examples of opponents of the ruling party being "suicided" by shooting themselves in the head....twice..... or dying in inexplicable plane crashes. For this reason, any leader of this "band of cats" must be wary and very, very careful in order to succeed. However, with the proper organization and good leaders, this "herd of cats" will be able to put the "hounds of war" back into the kennels where they belong.
Mary Pitt is a septuagenarian Kansan who is self-employed and active in the political arena. Her concerns are her four-generation family and the continuance of the United States as a democracy with a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people". Comments and criticism may be addressed to mpitt@cox.net .
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