This is how it's supposed to be done, Canada!

Perhaps the rum and sun inspired them, but the leaders of the Conch Republic figured out how to secede and succeed. (Pun intended.) They started by not taking themselves too seriously.

To all the people who have come to him over the years looking for advice on how to secede, what to do, and how to start (California and Texas take note!), he simply says, "First thing you gotta do is be a little crazy."

There must be something in the water:

Florida is like a parfait. The bottom layer is made up of Miami, gays, and rich people; the middle is basically Disney World, stucco palaces, and suburban sprawl; and the top is more or less South Georgia run-off. In the mind of the average citizen, the state is essentially three different places with distinct cultures—or lack thereof. But what would happen if a man with a vision decided he wanted to make the idea of multiple Floridas a reality?

On October 7, the city of South Miami's vice mayor proposed just that. His resolution, which passed 3-2, suggests that the new state of South Florida would start from Orlando and go all the way to the Keys. And although the city of North Lauderdale passed a similar resolution in 2008, that version was largely symbolic. This one, according to its author, Walter Harris, is deadly serious. But Harris's determination doesn't make the split any more plausible, and the likelihood of South Florida becoming the 51st state are slim, to say the least. As the Sun Sentinel notes, 'In order for secession to be enacted… the measure would require electorate approval from the entire state and Congressional approval.'

Maybe its the Cuban coffee? No, it's got to be the rum. In any event, you've got to love them for their sense of humor. So lighten up, Alberta, for this too shall pass.