We Take Exception

By Baxter

Whew. There's a big debate going on at washingtonpost.com about "American exceptionalism" — which, first of all, means that the Post once again is kowtowing to the folks on the Republican side who are jockeying for their party's nomination for 2012. Believe us, nobody out in flyover land is worried about America's "exceptionalism" right now. They're more concerned with getting that mortgage out from under water, or getting back to work again.

But nevertheless, the GOP is wallowing in it, because that is What They Do. And the inside-the-Beltway media are following suit. Sigh.

Having lived abroad, we cats know that the whole concept of "exceptionalism" doesn't go down well with other folks on the planet. So, contrary to what the teabaggers and the famous quitter from Alaska think — if they think — we see nothing wrong with downplaying this particular notion in the interest of forging alliances and, say, keeping the world from blowing up.

Back at home, we can only think that folks cling to "exceptionalism" in order to justify the genocide committed against Native Americans. But oh, my, that's a subject for the world's longest post, isn't it? In the meantime, since the "exceptionalism" conversation has been started, allow us to throw in our two cents.

Yes, there is a case of American "exceptionalism" — but not as the teabaggers would define it. America is unique because it began as a representative democracy whose government was completely separated from an official national faith. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." As we cats understand it, no country had ever done this before. Bravo, Founding Dads!

In short, we think that the separation of church and state is something to be proud of. We cats PURR.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

By Zamboni

It seems as if the Obama Administration has been doing a lot of thwarting lately. Of terrorist plots, that is.

("Thwarting" is one of those words that we cats always want to use. It's kind of Old-Hollywood retro — not something you'd say in everyday conversation. Sort of like "reticule" and "ablutions." But, we digress.)

As the world knows by now, a 19-year-old loser was arrested Friday night for attempting to blow up a phony bomb at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland. This FBI sting operation was the latest in a small string of successful mayhem foilings by the federal government. Remember the plot to blow up Washington's Metrorail system? And the guy who was going to detonate a Dallas office tower?

We cats do. And we've been wondering when the chattering class was going to start praising Democrats for protecting the country. After all, we're in charge — midterm results notwithstanding.

Then it dawned on us that it would be helpful if the Administration would take some credit for themselves. After all, Republicans certainly would! But, being non-saber-rattling, non-jingoistic types, the Obama folks probably hesitate to do that.

So, we cats will do it for them. Job well done, would-be-terrorist thwarters!

(IMAGE: Oh, come on, you know who this is.)

What We're Grateful For

By Miss Kubelik

We cats are not known for evincing gratitude, but this day after Turkey Day, we are thankful for a few things. Let us list them.

That Tom DeLay was convicted of money laundering. We would have liked to have seen the reaction of Michael Schiavo, a man who in 2005 was personally tormented by a Republican Congress, led in part by then-House Majority Leader DeLay. We hope that "The Hammer's" jury has given Michael a small but well-deserved taste of schadenfreude.

That Black Friday appears to be a hit. We cats were out and about ourselves today, and we can tell you personally that the traffic was terrific. It would be nice if the economy would continue to improve, so that the Obama Administration could finally get credit for fixing the disaster Bush left.

That the famous quitter from Alaska doesn't know the difference between North and South Korea. "Oh," but the teabaggers say, "it was just a slip of the tongue." We cats say, no. When you're obviously an intelligent person like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, it's a gaffe. When you're Sarah Palin, it's just more proof that you're dumb as dirt.

(IMAGE: DailyPets)

Tidbits and Cat Treats — Too Many Turkeys Edition

By Sniffles

We cats actually prefer a nice seafood pate to turkey with all the trimmings. But we're willing to indulge (it's a bird, after all). Here are some observations while we prep for the holiday.

Our nominee to moderate the first Republican primary debate in 2012? Katie Couric. You see, the famous quitter from Alaska has declared, "I will not waste my time with her." Gee — anybody remember how the right wingers and the media went crazy when the 2008 Democratic candidates objected to debates hosted by FOX "News"? As Bob Dole used to say, where is the outrage?

Looks like national "opt-out" day is, so far, a bust. We cats are happy about that, because these anti-TSA hissy fits are manufactured and silly. Apparently the libertarians and the teabaggers have decided that getting home for Thanksgiving is more important than expressing their dislike for America's first black President.

(And can you imagine how they'd be screaming "off with Obama's head" if, God forbid, something happened? Goodness, it makes our furry little heads spin.)

Speaking of airport security, we couldn't be more pleased that the color-coded terror chart could be on its way to the trash heap.  It was stupid and unclear — which explains why it quickly became a source for clever satire. And we got awfully tired of Bush Administration officials trotting it out whenever they wanted to score some political points.

We've left the turkey-est of turkeys for last: Fred Phelps and his sorry band of Wichita terrorists. Remember how his hate group showed up in Woodbridge, Virginia last week, and our neighbors shouted them down? It's happened again — this time, to protect a soldier's funeral in Harrisonville, Missouri. Way to go, heartland of America! We cats now have hope for you.

(IMAGE: Deep Woods Designs)

It's Only Called "Keeping America Safe" When Republicans Do It

By Baxter

After days of overheated coverage, it's become clear — as we cats suspected it would — that most Americans support the TSA's latest airport security measures.

We do wonder, though, whether all the hyperventilating would be taking place if this idiot were still President.

How quickly would the Bushies accuse any complainers of treason? We cats shudder to think.

Not Too Taxing For The Teabaggers

By Zamboni

We cats went to Tyson's Corner mall over the weekend. (No, they don't allow animals, but we received special shopping dispensation.) We always park far away from the entrance so we can get some exercise — and we walked past a number of cars with this license plate.

Which got us to thinking: Do the maniacally right-wing, government-hating teabaggers support statehood for the District of Columbia? Goodness knows they should — they hate taxes like poison. And having to pay 'em without even a voting voice in Congress seems pretty unfair.

But somehow we cats think, "Nah." Don't you dare call them racists, of course! — but we can't imagine the Republican base getting all enthusiastic about two new African-American Senators and an African-American House member showing up on Capitol Hill.

So just for yuks, we paid a quick visit to our nutty friends over at Free Republic to check out their views. Unfortunately, we didn't see anything specific about D.C. statehood. However, we struck gold when it came to Puerto Rico. Which is a pretty good clue, we think!

They don't rush to dump tea in Boston Harbor when it comes to taxing black and brown people, do they?

We cats HISS.

Lisa's Revenge?

By Miss Kubelik

Since the current Senate has already pretty much gone to the dogs — what with the "country first" GOP forcing the Democratic majority to pass everything by 60 votes for the past 18 months — we cats have come up with an interesting thought for when Congress reconvenes in January.

The idea dawned on us when we heard that Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is just a teensy bit miffed that her party deserted her after teabagger Joe Miller beat her in the August primary. Not only that, but the GOP establishment is continuing to toss money Miller's way — to force a recount, disenfranchise Native Americans or, at least, keep the election results from being certified — all because they're too chicken to face down Murkowski's arch nemesis, the famous quitter who used to be Governor.

There being no doubt in our little cat minds that Lisa will make it back to Washington as a successfully re-elected Senator, we have a suggestion for her. Ma'am, if you really feel like getting back at Cornyn and DeMint and the chinless wonder from Kentucky, you could.

Since the Democrats will retain the majority with 53 seats, all you have to do to reach the magic number of 60 — which alas, we assume will continue to be necessary — is cobble together a caucus of somewhat reasonable Republicans and conservative-leaning Democrats and bring 'em to the table.

Let's call them the Murkowski Red Dogs. Here are a few potential members: Scott Brown, Susan Collins, Mark Kirk, Ben Nelson, Joe Lieberman, Richard Lugar and Olympia Snowe. That's seven right there. Add you, and it would be eight.

We cats are not usually impressed by dogs, but you and the Red Dogs might make the Senate worth watching next year. You'd be able to A) wield some well-deserved vengeful power, B) make Mitch McConnell's life miserable, and C) counter the newly elected teabaggers, who as we know are all barking mad.

What do you think, Senator? We cats are panting to hear.

(IMAGE: Clifford, of course!)

Tidbits and Cat Treats — "Once Upon A Time" Edition

By Sniffles

More than two years after President Clinton got into trouble for using it during the Democratic primaries, the term "fairy tale" is back. And we cats are less than thrilled. Here are a few reasons why.

We thought that the disastrous marriage of Charles and Diana would have put all notions of "fairy tale weddings" to rest forever. But now that Prince William has popped the question to his great and good friend Kate Middleton, journalists reporting the story around the dial have lazily reached for that trite and hackneyed phrase. Come on, people, you can do better than that!

Here's another item straight out of Grimm's: There's a new fringe group in town. They call themselves the "sovereign citizens," but they're really just a bunch of middle-aged white guys who claim that U.S. and state laws don't apply to them. We cats find it amusing that a lot of these losers are from Staunton, Virginia — birthplace of Sixteenth Amendment champion and 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson.

Last but not least, there's the famous quitter from Alaska. She's spun a lot of fantasies lately: That the media are out to get her, that talentless moneygrubbers are bad (hel-LO!?!) and that abstinence works. But — "I could beat Obama in 2012"? Now, that's a fairy tale.

(IMAGE: Daisy the Curly Cat. Hmmm... doesn't look too happy.)

Sore Losermen

By Baxter

We cats thought it would be amusing to visit our wingnut friends over at Free Republic, to see how they're taking the news from Alaska. The state GOP has issued a statement asking teabagger and famous-quitter darling Joe Miller to concede the Senate race to Lisa Murkowski.

Of course, Miller has since asked for an injunction to keep the race from being certified. But in the meantime, the Freepers are hopping mad. Here are a few of their sputterings, along with some snappy feline comebacks.

"Screw them! Don’t fall for it Joe. This election is being stolen from you. Fight them tooth and nail. Don’t let them sucker punch you. You are fighting for all of us who can’t stomach these crooked, fraudulent, stolen elections. Enough!" (Where was this guy in 2000? Hm!)

"This is exactly what is wrong with the two party system. If we do not get a third party I suppose I will have to quit voting." (Great idea. You do that.)

"Its [sic] an uphill battle, but I hope Mr. Miller fights this one to the last bullet." (There they go with those Second Amendment remedies again...)

"This would not happen if Sarah were in the statehouse." (Well, friend, she quit. And it's the Lieutenant Governor who oversees the division of elections, anyway.)

And finally, our favorite: "Fight the bitch all the way to the supreme court and back." While this poster neglected to capitalize the name of the highest judicial body in the country, he apparently learned how to hurl insults from Barbara Bush.

KA-BOOM!

By Zamboni

So, how would you have liked to have been in the room when the famous quitter from Alaska learned that her nemesis Lisa Murkowski had defeated her pet teabag, Joe Miller? Gosh!

"Miller's loss is a major rebuke for Sarah Palin," The Washington Post reports. "Miller's defeat means Palin couldn't deliver in her home state for a candidate she roundly endorsed."

Because we cats despise the famous quitter, we send our hearty congratulations to Senator Murkowski for her valiant (and now, successful) war against the teabags.

We think it's pretty sad that these days, evidence of statesmanship and reasonableness on the Republican side is when somebody like Murkowski says, "I am not one of those who wants Obama to fail. If he does well, that means the country's doing well." But we'll take what we can get.