Understanding the Mess (and Why it May not Get Better Anytime Soon)

The situation we currently find oursevles in is very much driven by structural issues.

Sane Republicans Trying to Take Party Back

Reasonable members of the House GOP caucus are fighting back. Are they outnumbered?

Defense Civilians Could Go Back to Work

The Defense Department might open for business while the rest of government remains shut down.

OTB Caption Contest

Time for the Thursday OTB Caption ContestTM

Lessons from a Dying Ulysses S. Grant

The diary entries of a dying Ulysses S. Grant shed some interesting insights into a different time.

Obama Warns Wall Street On Debt Ceiling

President Obama had some potentially market-moving news for Wall Street.

NFL Games for Deployed Troops Stopped During Shutdown

The NFL donates its game broadcasts to troops deployed in harm’s way but they still won’t get to see them during the shutdown.

On Debt Ceiling, GOP Lawmakers Get Different Message From Base Than From General Public

If you want to understand why Republicans in Congress are acting like they are, just look at the polls.

Why is Apple So Incompetent?

Why is Apple unable to meet the demand for its products?

The Most Unessential Man in America

Air Force lieutenant colonel (designate) Erik Brine is so unessential that it hurts.

Tom Clancy Dead at 66

Tom Clancy, author of dozens of bestselling military thriller novels, has died aged 66.

Shutdown Likely To Drag On For Extended Period

There’s no sign that the government shutdown will end any time soon.

Yes Congress Is Still Getting Paid, You Can Thank The Constitution

Congress is still getting paid during the shutdown, and there’s nothing that can be done about that.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Break A Leg Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Chris Christie Hits Congress, President Over Shutdown

Chris Christie had some words about the crisis in D.C., and they almost sound like they could be part of a 2016 campaign message

A Day Of Glitches For Day One Of Obamacare’s Exchange Websites

Day One of the Obamacare online “marketplaces” is proving to be a bit of a bumpy ride.

Blaming Obama for Government Shutdown

Nick Gillespie advances the counterintuitive argument that President Obama is responsible for today’s government shutdown.

Shutdown Stupidity

The American taxpayer spent a lot of money today paying their employees not to work.

Line of the Day

What are the implications of the GOP winning this confrontation?

Is There Really A “Congressional Exemption” From Obamacare?

The news PPACA controversy appears to be based on a complete misunderstanding of one provision of the law.