What's with all the cat killers?

Can someone explain to me the fear and loathing certain authoritarian types have about cats? Are they too independent for the average O-3? Seems the Army Navy Club has been home to a colony of feral cats for some years. This from the WaPo:

But now club officials have decided that the cats must go.

Although most of them have been trapped, vaccinated and spayed or neutered, usually at club expense, some board members fear that a new cat might move in, become infected with rabies and bite someone on the grounds, said Al Baker, the club's vice president.

Baker, who stressed that he was not speaking for the club and does not agree with its position, said he had heard the cats are to be trapped, beginning as early as Jan. 1, turned over to a shelter, and most likely euthanized, since strays that have never lived with humans are not easily adopted.

However, animal experts have warned the club that such a measure is unlikely to solve any problems. Without the resident cats, the club would soon begin hosting a new band of cats -- fertile, unvaccinated, and more feral than these.

Or worse. My sister tells the tale of Camp Smith, Hawaii, in the eighties. They too had a colony of feral cats. They too decided to trap and remove (read 'exterminate') all the cats. After the cats were gone, the rats moved in. But while cats were content to remain outside, the rats weren't. No, the rats not only moved in, they MOVED IN. As in inside all the buildings on base. The base became very familiar with the rat-catcher. I think feral cats are cheaper...

But wait, there's more...

The issue has caused a brouhaha at the venerable club, which is full of military families, senators, congressmen and diplomats.

Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), a 20-year club member, said he is outraged.

"That's just terrible," he said. "It doesn't make sense to me, it doesn't meet the common-sense test."

Citing his work on behalf of animals, including writing language into bills to limit the use of cats in military experiments, and to allow a wounded veteran to keep the dog she had worked with in Iraq, Murtha said he plans to talk with board members about the cat removal.

"We can't let that happen," he said. "Let me get involved in it and see."

I'm looking forward to hearing the end of this story. And I'm opening up a whole new category on the Boyfriend List, just for John Murtha - the Congressional Boyfriend.