SOLVED! After loading alternate cd and installing identical packages (with exception of nvidia-current) everything still worked properly. Since the nvidia was the only missing package, I thought about the issues I have with window focus in WINE. The only other configuration difference between running machine and VM would be the Desktop Effects under the Appearance preference, being that the VM is set to none. I set my desktop to none and git-cola worked as it should. Thanks all for listening to my rambling, and I hope this may help someone else, or maybe if someone else has the time to track down the reason... signing off this comment for good!
SOLVED! After loading alternate cd and installing identical packages (with exception of nvidia-current) everything still worked properly. Since the nvidia was the only missing package, I thought about the issues I have with window focus in WINE. The only other configuration difference between running machine and VM would be the Desktop Effects under the Appearance preference, being that the VM is set to none. I set my desktop to none and git-cola worked as it should. Thanks all for listening to my rambling, and I hope this may help someone else, or maybe if someone else has the time to track down the reason... signing off this comment for good!