Filibuster Cartoons
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It may be surprising to hear me admit it, but I have quite enjoyed the coverage of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the United States. The Queen has gotten an overwhelmingly warm reception form the American people and their political leaders, while media the coverage has been excited and respectful.
What I like about this visit is how genuine the support is. When the Queen visits Canada, or some other Commonwealth realm, the visit is always infused with so much political subtext. The republic vs. monarchy debate overshadows all the festivities and everyone is continuously asked for an opinion on the matter. When our politicians show support for Elizabeth they do so with phony, gritted smiles, knowing full well that they are making a controversial constitutional statement by doing so.
The United States has moved beyond all this, however. When the Queen comes to visit the US she does so as a symbol of America’s past, but also as a representative of America’s contemporary, mature relationship with the United Kingdom. There is no irate republican outrage or gushing apologism from monarchists. It is just a nice visit from a special lady.
