the opossum as mascot

The opossum has some great attributes for the struggle. Living metaphors for the Stamper family motto in Sometimes A Great Notion: Never give a inch. Can't tell you how many times I had to try to out-stubborn a possum who liked to hang out in my parking space... sat there hissing at my car as though it was going to do the first part of any good. Kept sticking my head out my window to point out, "Look, opossum vs. automobile.... You. Are. Going. To. Lose. Take my word for it." And "playing possum" has tactical advantages. The opossum will go into a temporary coma when confronted by a predator, which usually results in the threat just going away. Their tails are so strong they can hang from them even while asleep. Tenacity incarnate. Some would say stupid. Maybe not. Maybe just transcendentally real. Either way you spell it.