A Hero's Tale
LARRY,UK CAT, CONFRONTS TRUMP 'BEAST'
CREDIT: Jon Sopel, BBC
Larry, this is Cat, writing to you from America.
You should know the tremendous respect that I and all the world's cats have for you in how you risked your life by standing in President Donald Trump's way yesterday during his visit to the UK.
We are in your debt, both in affirming the Special Relationship between our two countries – all that Paws-Across-the-Pond rot – and the way in which you demonstrated the core values shared by cats the world over: unimpeachable ethics and unyielding courage. (We in the US try to use a variation of the word 'impeachment' whenever possible).
We were thrilled when images of you were flashed around the world from 10 Downing St., London, which is both your home and workplace.
First, you were spotted resting on a window ledge outside the famous doorway to the residence of England's prime minister, as President Trump and his wife, and Theresa May and her husband, posed for photographers.
Not only did you succeed in getting in the videos and photos, you looked totally uninterested in, and disdainful of what the faux heads of state were doing.
You should know the tremendous respect that I and all the world's cats have for you in how you risked your life by standing in President Donald Trump's way yesterday during his visit to the UK.
We are in your debt, both in affirming the Special Relationship between our two countries – all that Paws-Across-the-Pond rot – and the way in which you demonstrated the core values shared by cats the world over: unimpeachable ethics and unyielding courage. (We in the US try to use a variation of the word 'impeachment' whenever possible).
We were thrilled when images of you were flashed around the world from 10 Downing St., London, which is both your home and workplace.
First, you were spotted resting on a window ledge outside the famous doorway to the residence of England's prime minister, as President Trump and his wife, and Theresa May and her husband, posed for photographers.
Not only did you succeed in getting in the videos and photos, you looked totally uninterested in, and disdainful of what the faux heads of state were doing.
CREDIT: Ben Stansall/AFP Getty Images. Used without permission
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IN AN EVEN MORE heroic gesture you sat – unmoved and unswayed – underneath Trump’s official limousine, an armored, hermetically sealed Cadillac nicknamed “The Beast,” as it was parked near 10 Downing St., symbolically, if not in fact, delaying Trump’s progress.
But we were distressed that some reporters erroneously wrote that you had gone underneath the limo to get out of the rain.
To get out of the rain? Your fellow cats instantly knew otherwise: that you were putting your life on the line to make a silent, bold statement.
But we were distressed that some reporters erroneously wrote that you had gone underneath the limo to get out of the rain.
To get out of the rain? Your fellow cats instantly knew otherwise: that you were putting your life on the line to make a silent, bold statement.
CREDIT: Jon Sobel, BBC
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SOME OF US recalled the famous photo of a lone demonstrator standing in front of a line of tanks in Tienanmen Square after the Chinese military slaughtered hundreds and maybe thousands of democracy advocates, ironically on the same day, 30 years ago, of Trump’s visit to your Downing Street digs.
Whether you were inspired by “Tank Man,” or you were in British understatement, “simply carrying on,” I’m certain that you knew the risk you were taking:
As commander-in-chief and executive psychopath, Trump, who doesn’t have a cat OR a dog, easily could have given the order, “Driver, Just Move On.” And afterwards, his and Theresa’s lackeys would have rushed to scoop up the bloody remains of the “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.” Later, both governments would deny that any such incident had taken place; that there ever was a cat named “Larry,” living or dead, anywhere in England; that a cat ever resided at 10 Downing St.; or that there was an official position in government of “Chief Mouser.”
Whether you were inspired by “Tank Man,” or you were in British understatement, “simply carrying on,” I’m certain that you knew the risk you were taking:
As commander-in-chief and executive psychopath, Trump, who doesn’t have a cat OR a dog, easily could have given the order, “Driver, Just Move On.” And afterwards, his and Theresa’s lackeys would have rushed to scoop up the bloody remains of the “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.” Later, both governments would deny that any such incident had taken place; that there ever was a cat named “Larry,” living or dead, anywhere in England; that a cat ever resided at 10 Downing St.; or that there was an official position in government of “Chief Mouser.”
LARRY - Official portrait CREDIT: WWW.GOV.UK
BUT YOU STAYED the course, Larry. You left when it suited you, not when it stopped raining; not when anyone in officialdom gave the word.
What’s more, it was Trump, and not you, who left 10 Downing, to be followed a little later by the disgraced Theresa May, who is resigning as prime minister after her failed handling of the Brexit debacle.
America’s cats wish that an equivalent moment similarly would unfold here, with the occupant of our own official residence packing his bags and boarding Marine One one last time, to be lifted up, up and away from our collective lives.
As a keen student of history, Larry, you know that it’s happened before. But as an experienced Chief Mouser, you also know – as the cat who was brought in to rid 10 Downing St. of rats after one was spotted skittering across the famous doorway during a BBC newscast – how dispatching one rat doesn’t necessarily end the story. There’s always another rat to take her or his place.
Indeed, Larry, you’ve seen this movie before.
After assuming your official duties in 2011 during the term of Prime Minister David Cameron, you saw what happened after he foolishly proposed the referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union. Upended when the “Leave” campaign won, he left 10 Downing St. He was replaced by Theresa May, and now she’s history.
But like a horror movie that won’t end, she’ll be replaced by a new prime minister. who’ll most likely be even worse, such as the duplicitous and loud-mouthed former mayor of London, Alexander "Boris" de Pfeffel Johnson. or the even more virulent Nigel Farage.
Same thing here, Larry. Should Trump face an early exit, the loathsome Vice President Mike Pence is waiting – some say impatiently – to take over.
What’s more, it was Trump, and not you, who left 10 Downing, to be followed a little later by the disgraced Theresa May, who is resigning as prime minister after her failed handling of the Brexit debacle.
America’s cats wish that an equivalent moment similarly would unfold here, with the occupant of our own official residence packing his bags and boarding Marine One one last time, to be lifted up, up and away from our collective lives.
As a keen student of history, Larry, you know that it’s happened before. But as an experienced Chief Mouser, you also know – as the cat who was brought in to rid 10 Downing St. of rats after one was spotted skittering across the famous doorway during a BBC newscast – how dispatching one rat doesn’t necessarily end the story. There’s always another rat to take her or his place.
Indeed, Larry, you’ve seen this movie before.
After assuming your official duties in 2011 during the term of Prime Minister David Cameron, you saw what happened after he foolishly proposed the referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union. Upended when the “Leave” campaign won, he left 10 Downing St. He was replaced by Theresa May, and now she’s history.
But like a horror movie that won’t end, she’ll be replaced by a new prime minister. who’ll most likely be even worse, such as the duplicitous and loud-mouthed former mayor of London, Alexander "Boris" de Pfeffel Johnson. or the even more virulent Nigel Farage.
Same thing here, Larry. Should Trump face an early exit, the loathsome Vice President Mike Pence is waiting – some say impatiently – to take over.
CAT at his and Phoebe's Newport, RI residence, rear deck. CREDIT: On Trump's Trail
LARRY, IN ANY CASE, you are an inspiration and role model for us all.
I personally have been practicing getting underneath and in the way things by sacking out under a chair on our back deck here in a region of the US known as 'New' England.
All cats are buoyed by your patient, persistent and courageous example, Larry.
And we are mindful as well by your motto, Larry, which surely could serve as the mantra for cats the world over:
"One rat at a time; one at a time."
I personally have been practicing getting underneath and in the way things by sacking out under a chair on our back deck here in a region of the US known as 'New' England.
All cats are buoyed by your patient, persistent and courageous example, Larry.
And we are mindful as well by your motto, Larry, which surely could serve as the mantra for cats the world over:
"One rat at a time; one at a time."
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