Friday, September 27, 2013   Published Weekday Mornings   To see the full version of today's cartoon, click on the preview graphic of the cartoon (below the Commentary) to be taken to the full version in your favorite web browser. Smashingly Bad Behavior GOP Sen. Corker takes on Sen. Cruz as GOP feuding moves to the Senate floor Boehner Nixes 'Clean' Senate Bill To Avert A Government Shutdown Washington pollster: On idea of preventing Democratic debt limit increase, GOP is delusional Republicans Are Going Crazy And A Shutdown Is The Least Of Our Worries Wall Street to GOP on debt ceiling debacle: Are you nuts? House Repubs also lack votes to move their own plan to raise the debt ceiling The GOP's Dangerous Debt Limit Demands: A Christmas Tree Of Conservative Goodies Steve Benen: A debt-ceiling ransom note takes shape Republicans Willing To Risk Debt Limit Disaster In Vain Attempt To Win Concessions From Obama President Obama: "I won't negotiate on anything when it comes to the full faith and credit of the United States of America" Ed Kilgore: "No Negotiations on Debt Limit" Means What It Says Suzy Khimm: The U.S. has three weeks to raise the debt limit-or risk default Barro: Republicans Have Finally Abandoned Any Pretense That The Debt Limit Fight Is About Debt Matthew Yglesias: The House GOP's Behavior Shows Why Obama Can't Compromise on the Debt Ceiling Dan Pfeiffer: White House not 'negotiating with people with a bomb strapped to their chest' Nancy Pelosi Resurrects 14th Amendment Option In Debt Ceiling Fight Analyst: If all else fails, Obama will raise debt ceiling himself Ezra Klein: Don't just raise the debt ceiling. Get rid of it forever. Shutdown Showdown Sen. Majority Leader Reid sets final votes for Friday on stopgap bill funding government Republican hard-liners block strategy to avoid federal government shutdown. As government shutdown looms, Americans brace for possible disruption, disappointment Government shutdown would entail billions in wasteful costs Government Shutdown Threatens Federal Workers Already Squeezed By Sequestration Federal agencies begin telling employees today who will be furloughed during govt shutdown Dylan Matthews: Sorry, Chris Matthews - Tip & Reagan were terrible at averting shutdowns Energy, Climate & Environment IPCC climate report: Humans are the 'dominant cause' of warming The science of global warming has changed a lot in 25 years. The basic conclusions haven't. Nations In Turmoil Most of Syria's toxins can be destroyed more easily than officials initially thought As war rages on, jihadists torch statues, crosses in Syria churches Bus bombing in Pakistan kills 18 The War Over There Kenya widens mall attack probe, alert for al Qaeda sympathizer, UK citizen called the 'White Widow' International News Iran's Rouhani Wants Nuclear Deal Without Conflict In 'New Era' With U.S. Rouhani, Blunt and Charming, Pitches a Moderate Iran Dozens feared trapped in collapsed Mumbai building Money in Politics Liberal Group to Fight Dark Money...By Raising $40 Million of It Midwest Roundup Nebraskans get hint at potential Obamacare rates: Hundreds of classical cars up for sale today at Pierce, Neb., auction Government shutdown would hit Iowa National Guard Near-record highs expected in Iowa today before weekend cool down Smashingly Bad Behavior We feel like parents, coming home to children or pets who've destroyed our home - and each other - while we were away. Multiple members of our staff have been traveling in different directions across the country this week, while we've been covering some heavyweight topics for you. We'd hoped the more sensible Congressional Republicans would have reined in their extremist colleagues in the GOP by now, and that at the very least a deal to keep the government open would be in the final stages of passage - so that everyone could enjoy a nice, relaxing weekend. Looking at the news, however, it's obvious that Congressional Republicans don't give a damn what the plans of any other American is, either for this weekend or for the foreseeable future. Hostage takers rarely do. As people all around the world witnessed this week, Republicans in both the House and the Senate have been far too busy, destroying each other and their own party, to handle their Congressional responsibilities - things like paying the bills they already ran up or ensuring the government has enough money to continue to operate. That irresponsible behavior has even driven some on Wall Street like Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics to finally speak out against the Republicans in Congress, since either a government shutdown or a debt ceiling default will deal lasting economic damage to the nation - and to the bottom line of Wall Street corporations. Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress are... To continue reading... click here. And now, for your Daily Felltoon preview for September 27, 2013 (Click the preview cartoon above to see the full version of the cartoon) Jobs & The Economy Second-Quarter Growth Pegged at 2.5%;U.S. Economy Continuing Same Positive Pace Fed official Kocherlakota: It is time for resolve in fighting unemployment Howard Schneider: These two charts that show why the U.S. economy is ready for a rebound Wall Street Watch Stock futures fall as Washington debt deadlines approach JPMorgan chief Dimon meets with Holder & DOJ in bid for deal to end probes, avoid criminal charges Securities & Exchange Commission  now making a 'subtle shift' in its pursuit of individuals Income Inequality Paul Krugman: The Plutocrats Are Feeling Persecuted. Too Bad. | Drum: We Can Reduce Poverty If We Want To. We Just Have To Want To. Health Care Checkup Americans Are Stupid: Poll Shows More People Opposed To 'Obamacare' Than The 'Affordable Care Act' GOP pollster: Don't over-interpret disapproval of Obamacare | The top 16 myths about the new health care law Jonathan Cohn: Obamacare Is About to Go Live. Here's Why It Was Worth the Wait. At The United Nations Sec. of State Kerry, Iran's Zarif hold unusual private meeting on sidelines of nuclear talks All 5 members of UN security council agree on wording of resolution on Syrian chemical weapons The Spying Game 'Loveint': NSA reveals employees eavesdropped on girlfriends, spouses NSA leaks 'extremely damaging,' national intelligence director tells Senate hearing Here It Is! Your HuskerNutz Preview for September 27, 2013 (Click the preview cartoon above to see the full version of the cartoon) White House Update President Obama's line in the sand is on the debt ceiling News From Capitol Hill Brad Plumer: Good news! Congress just averted a global helium crisis. On The Left Could Obamacare add more Democrats to the voter rolls? Yup. Wendy Davis to run for Texas governor, sources say John Nichols: The House GOP Debt-Ceiling Plan - Just Romney & Ryan's Losing Ideas From 2012 On The Right Ezra Klein: The falling deficit has been a disaster for the GOP Ryan Lizza: Where the G.O.P.'s Suicide Caucus Lives Michael Tomasky: It's The End Days for the GOP States Of Confusion Texas Anti-Teen Pregnancy Effort Tries Abstinence-Only Website That Doesn't Mention Birth Control | $300 Million in Detroit Aid, but No Bailout We hope you enjoy "The Daily Felltoon" every business day. Thanks for continuing to be a member! Paul Fell Shawn "Smith" Peirce Paul Fell Cartoons, Inc.