Tidbits and Cat Treats — Halloween Edition

By Sniffles

It appears that Dede Scozzafava, the Republican Congressional candidate in NY-23, has been scared out of the race. She's suspended her campaign — citing money troubles. (Hm. Election Day is only a few days away, but never mind.) We cats regret the move, since we savor any and all Republican infighting and have particularly enjoyed the snarling and hissing in NY-23. But we're not at all displeased that right-wing nutbags have managed to cow a moderate Republican into submission at the expense of their party's broader electoral appeal.

Speaking of scary, can Virginia really be ready to elect Robert F. McDonnell Governor? We cats find it amazing that after eight years of George W. Bush, any American voters would be willing to believe a right-wing religious nut when he says he'll govern as a moderate, and be a uniter, not a divider. What was it Bush tried to say? "You can't get fooled again!"

By the way, we also can't believe that Liz "I'm Nobody, But You're Supposed to Care What I Think" Cheney will be very happy about a McDonnell ascendancy. She's thinking of running for Senate in Virginia, and a Republican Governor limited by state law to one term would certainly be a potential rival.

Meanwhile, out in California, while we're sorry that Mayor Gavin Newsom has decided to drop out of the race for Governor, we're pleased that apparently the Democrats will have no primary while the Republicans will. Let them duke it out — nastily, divisively and expensively.

Finally, on a happier note, one of the last icky legacies of the late, unlamented Jesse Helms was removed yesterday when President Obama finally lifted the ban on HIV-positive people who want to travel to the United States. Jeez, it's about time, folks. Now maybe the World AIDS Day conference can be held somewhere in the U.S., and one of our cities will benefit from all the tourism dollars. (That's in addition, of course, to the fact that the U.S. is no longer behaving like Neanderthal hypocrites about AIDS — which pleases us very much.)

Happy Halloween, everyone! Pet a black cat today.