October 2013: Photo of the Day

President Barack Obama, with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, listen as enrollees in the Affordable Care Act tell their stories in the Oval Office, Oct. 1, 2013. The enrollees later joined the President for a statement in the Rose Garden. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/october-2013-photo-day

Parker: Shutdown, schmutdown

In the hours leading up to and after Tuesday's government shutdown, conventional spin was that the tea party crazies popularly known as the Insanity Caucus were driving the Republican House, compliments of lead wacko-bird Sen. Ted Cruz, so named by John McCain and subsequently embraced by Cruz.

http://www.gazettextra.com/article/20131001/ARTICLES/131009974/1034

Piedmont Natural Gas to expand at Fort Bragg

Piedmont Natural Gas is expanding on Fort Bragg. Charlotte-based PNC announced the agreement with the Department of Defense on Tuesday.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/piedmont-natural-gas-expand-fort-bragg/nbCrP/

City, strip club tax settlement funds domestic violence shelter

With a not-so-veiled reference to the federal government shutdown, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday reaffirmed and strengthened the city's commitment to victims of domestic violence.

http://www.suntimes.com/22913941-761/city-strip-club-tax-settlement-funds-domestic-violence-shelter.html

Colorado teen pleads guilty in killing of school girl

A Colorado teen charged with kidnapping and killing a 10-year-old girl pleaded guilty Tuesday to all 22 charges against him, against the advice of his attorneys.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/general-news/20131001/colorado-teen-pleads-guilty-in-killing-of-school-girl

Republicans arena t crazy for fighting Obamacare

For many supporters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, continued resistance to the law isn't just mistaken.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/01/4523076/republicans-arent-crazy-for-fighting.html

Scoot Blog: Saints Shut down Dolphins and GOP Vote Shuts down Govt''

Of course, there is no connection between the Saints shutting down the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football and the GOP vote in the House shutting down the government, but I couldn't resist the temptation to use that headline! As the clock ticked down to the deadline for a partial government shutdown, much of America had put aside the battle ... (more)

http://www.wwl.com/Scoot-Blog-Saints-Shut-down-Dolphins-and-GOP-Vote-/13069478?pid=356624

Red light cameras coming down at 18 Chicago intersections

Chicago motorists are getting some relief from video surveillance just when Mayor Rahm Emanuel's speed cameras around schools and parks are about to start churning out $35 and $100 tickets.

http://www.suntimes.com/22914810-418/red-light-cameras-coming-down-at-18-chicago-intersections.html

GOP extortionists are Washingtona s playground bullies

As a child I was bullied by bigger boys who threatened to beat me up if I didn't give them what they wanted.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/01/4522981/gop-extortionists-are-washingtons.html

No end to shutdown in sight as GOP, Dems trade blame

First slowed, then stalled by political gridlock, the vast machinery of government clanged into partial shutdown mode on Tuesday and President Barack Obama warned the longer it goes "the more families will be hurt."

http://www.suntimes.com/22911280-418/no-end-to-shutdown-in-sight-as-gop-dems-trade-blame.html

Shutdown just a prelude to real threat of debt-ceiling debate: Editorial

The partial government shutdown that began Tuesday is worrisome, to be sure. It could have an adverse effect on the U.S. economy - not to mention local economies that rely on federal funding or institutions - if it drags on for very long.

http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20131001/shutdown-just-a-prelude-to-real-threat-of-debt-ceiling-debate-editorial

Treasury Says Debt Limit Date Still October 17, As Department Employs Final Extraordinary Measures

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said in a letter to congressional leaders Tuesday evening that his department is quickly exhausting measures to keep the federal government from breaching the debt limit, adding that the deadline for congressional action to maintain the full faith and credit of the United States is still October 17. "There are no other ... (more)

http://swampland.time.com/2013/10/01/treasury-says-debt-limit-date-still-october-17-as-department-employs-final-extraordinary-measures/

House to vote on reopening national parks

Top Senate Democrat Harry Reid said Republicans "are trying to cherry-pick some of the few parts of government that they like."

http://www.adn.com/2013/10/01/3104227/house-to-pass-bills-to-reopen.html

Printed letters, October 2, 2013

Recently, school board member Jeff Leany said, "Douglas County is 15 points ahead of us .

http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/articles/printed-letters-october-2-2013

Rep. Charlie Dent only PA Republican to vote against government shutdown

Rep. Charlie Dent, whose 15th Congressional District includes parts of Lebanon County, is the only member of Congress from the state's Republican delegation to break party ranks in a dispute that's plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown.

http://www.ldnews.com/ci_24213253/rep-charlie-dent-only-pa-republican-vote-against

Colorado House Republicans join others in failed attempt to end Obamacare

Colorado's 4th District Congressman Cory Gardner called the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act "the Holy Grail" of House Republican crusades. He must be

http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/articles/colorado-house-republicans-join-others-in-failed-a

We need to take the country back from our congressmen

As Congressmen and women cash their generous paychecks and go home to their comfortable lifestyles, we hope they will feel at least a small pang of guilt for the suffering they have caused.

http://www.parkrecord.com/editorials/ci_24217714/we-need-take-country-back-from-our-congressmen

Democrats endorse statewide candidates more than year before election

It's more than a year from the 2014 general election, but the Ohio Democratic Party already has placed its official backing behind five candidates for statewide office.

http://www.crescent-news.com/opinion/2013/10/01/democrats-endorse-statewide-candidates-more-than-year-before-election

George Will - The Fed's applied progressivism

Because Ben Bernanke's public persona is as mild as milk, the transformation in American governance in which he has participated is imperfectly understood and hence insufficiently deplored.

http://www.crescent-news.com/opinion/2013/10/01/george-will-the-fed-s-applied-progressivism

Shutdown time, and the living on Capitol Hill is slow

Nonetheless, the members of Congress on whose watch the shutdown occurred began coping with the consequences Tuesday.

http://www.modbee.com/2013/10/01/2952710/shutdown-time-and-the-living-on.html#storylink=rss

For Obama, it's the 'Republican shutdown'

For President Barack Obama, the U.S. government shutdown that rippled across the country on Tuesday is the "Republican shutdown" and he is working hard to see that the name sticks to his political opponents.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/01/usa-fiscal-obama-idUSL1N0HR29020131001?feedType=RSS&feedName=bondsNews

Texas reaches settlement with American Airlines, US Airways over proposed merger

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says the State of Texas has reached agreement on a settlement with AMR Corp. and US Airways Group Inc. involving the proposed merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2013/10/texas-reaches-settlement-with-american.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_sanantonio+%28San+Antonio+Business+Journal%29

Dying man ordered freed after 41 years in solitary

A 71-year-old Louisiana prisoner who spent 41 years in solitary confinement and is now dying of cancer was ordered released Tuesday by a federal judge who also ordered a new trial because women were unconstitutionally excluded from the grand jury that indicted the man in a prison guard's slaying.

http://www.cadillacnews.com/ap_story/?story_id=160683&ap_cat=1&issue=20131001

Your fault! No shutdown end; Dems, GOP trade blame

First slowed, then stalled by political gridlock, the vast machinery of government clanged into partial shutdown mode on Tuesday and President Barack Obama warned the longer it goes "the more families will be hurt."

http://www.daily-jeff.com/latest%20headlines/2013/10/01/your-fault-no-shutdown-end-dems-gop-trade-blame

MSNBC analyst on partisan media

A panel on MSNBC's "Now with Alex Wagner" today discussed host Chris Matthews's book, " Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked ."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2013/10/01/msnbcs-halperin-fox-news-limbaugh-drudge-things-on-the-left-hamstring-politicians/

Markets rise even as US government shutdown starts

Investors stayed calm on the first day of a partial shutdown of the U.S. government Tuesday and sent the stock market modestly higher.

http://www.daily-jeff.com/latest%20headlines/2013/10/01/markets-rise-even-as-us-government-shutdown-starts

Computer problems won't halt Sept. 11 hearings at Guantanamo, judge rules

Pretrial hearings in the September 11 conspiracy case will go forward at the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal while computer network problems are addressed, a U.S. military judge ruled on Tuesday.

http://www.trust.org/item/20131001233608-skpcy

Shutdown closes some immigration courts in Arizona

Although court functions that support immigrants who are in custody remained open, immigration courts in Phoenix and Tucson were closed.

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=22&sid=1666730

NJ asks for stay of judge's gay-marriage ruling

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration on Tuesday asked a judge to delay implementation of her order that the state allow gay marriage until an appeal can be decided, saying the state will suffer "irreparable harm" if same-sex marriages are allowed without its highest court weighing in.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/01/5786015/nj-asks-for-stay-of-judges-gay.html#mi_rss=Wire%20Nation/World

Abbott settles Texas challenge to airline merger

The Texas attorney general added his support to the merger of American Airlines and US Airways, reversing a position he took six weeks ago when he joined a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking the deal.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/01/5785474/abbott-drops-texas-challenge-to.html#mi_rss=Wire%20Nation/World