ACT II: Government shuts down as lawmakers miss funding deadline. This is what Obama and the Democrats wanted.

SCIENCE: 5 Ways Feral Cats Do More Good Than Harm for Wildlife.

IF BIKERS THREATEN YOU, NEVER STOP. If necessary, run ’em down. Because, you know, a motorcycle is much smaller than an SUV. Or just shoot ’em. But in civilized Bloombergistan, the choice is running people down or having them attack you: “One biker takes off his helmet, which he uses to smash through the driver’s side window. Another man tries to punch through a window to the backseat, where Lien’s baby was in a carseat. The shocking footage suddenly cuts off — but police said the bikers beat the driver up and slashed his face and chest.”

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Also, Fall deals in Patio, Lawn & Garden.

SO FEARS OF BEING CALLED RACIST ONLY GET HIM A 2% MARGIN NOW? “49% of all people in the poll say that Obama is acting like a responsible adult in this budget battle, with 47% describing him as a spoiled child.”

Of course, there’s this, in the comments: “From what I know of spoiled children, their methods get results.”

HMM: EXPLOSION ON THE BERKELEY CAMPUS, with unconfirmed reports of multiple injuries.

THE DEMOCRATS WANT A SHUTDOWN: Two hours before deadline, Senate rejects latest House funding bill.

House GOP seeks conference with Senate Dems to prevent shutdown.

Not giving an inch is seen as best strategy for win at White House. Well, I guess they hope it’ll distract people from the Obama trainwreck tomorrow.

FROM FAUSTA WERTZ, a big roundup of news on South America and the Caribbean.

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MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS POST is Eleanor Roosevelt’s handgun carry permit.

WELL, THE GOP CAN CUT A DEAL NOW, MISSION’S ACCOMPLISHED: Harry Reid has forced every 2014 Senate Dem to reaffirm their support for the individual mandate & medical device tax.

GOOD NEWS: If The Government Shuts Down, You’ll Still Be Able To Buy A Gun. CNN, however, seems to have gotten this wrong.

JAMES POULOS: More Shutdowns, Please: The Pro-Democracy Case For An Obamacare Crisis. “Isn’t the ultimate threat to democracy an enforced vow that once one hapless collection of Members or another votes to spend money on something important, we have to pay for it forever?”

REPORT: Falcon 9 Launch Created UFO Scare In South Africa.

SIGNS OF RESISTANCE.

PROF. KINGSFIELD WOULD BE SMILING, IF HE EVER SMILED: Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results. “There is something to be said about a teacher who is demanding and tough not because he thinks students will never learn but because he is so absolutely certain that they will.”

SCIENCE: Programming genetic code can lead to better designer genes. “Reprogramming bacteria to produce proteins for drugs, biofuels, and more, has long been part of the job for bioscientists, but for years they have struggled to get those bugs to follow orders. Those days may be over. It turns out that a hidden feature of the genetic code controls how much of the desired protein bacteria produce, a team from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard reported in today’s online issue of Science. The findings could be a boon for biotechnologists, and help synthetic biologists reprogram bacteria to make new drugs and biological devices.”

SIZE COMPARISON CHART: Science Fiction Starships.

A PARTICLE ACCELERATOR ON A CHIP. “Researchers have used commercial lasers to speed up the electrons instead of microwaves, which are typically used. They were amazed to see an incredible acceleration in such small distances. The device is three millimeters long. The advantage is cost. Since this tiny device is made with a laser, it can be mass-produced. This development makes a particle accelerator available to any lab for a few thousand dollars rather than the billions of dollars that a present day conventional technology costs.”

NOW UP: The Carnival Of The Cats #498. Because what’s the Internet for, but posting pictures of cats?

COMING SOON TO REALITY TV: Glowing sperm go head to head in fight to be the daddy.

MY USA TODAY COLUMN: The Obama Presidency and Government’s Damaged Brand.

THE MOST POPULAR QUESTION AT HEALTHCARE.GOV: How to Get Exemption From Lack-of-Coverage Penalty Fee?

UNWILLING TO ACCEPT OBAMACARE DELAY, Democratic Senate rejects bill to fund government.

TRADE: “American Made” Nissan Leaf Has Only 15% U.S. Content.