Debt Talks in Disarray as House Balks  —  WASHINGTON — With the federal government on the brink of a default, a House Republican effort to end the shutdown and extend the Treasury's borrowing authority collapsed Tuesday night as a major credit agency warned that the United States was on the verge of a costly ratings downgrade.

Exclusive: Glenn Greenwald Will Leave Guardian To Create New News Organization  —  The reporter who broke the NSA story promises “a momentous new venture.”  A “very substantial new media outlet” with serious backing, he says.  Updated.  —  Greenwald in Rio de Janeiro in July.  —  Sergio Moraes / Reuters

Hearsay from Hillary Clinton: On Joe Biden and the Osama bin Laden raid  —  Former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton was in town today.  A few Secret Squirrels, and some not so secret, agreed to be our sources, given that her speech to the National Association of Convenience Stores was encapsulated by a cone of silence.

Three Theories of House GOP Brinkmanship—And One More  —  As we await the next development in the fiscal saga, it's worthwhile to look at three theories kicking around today for exactly why House Republicans are continuing to engage in economy-risking and popularity-damaging brinkmanship …

Antonin Scalia: 14th Amendment Protects Everyone, Not ‘Only The Blacks’  —  During oral arguments on an affirmative action case on Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said the 14th Amendment protects everyone, not “only the blacks.”  —  The quote was tweeted by the New York Times' David Leonhardt:

A Bleak First Week: 99.6% of Healthcare.gov Visitors Did NOT Enroll in Obamacare  —  Since October 1st, Americans living in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. can purchase healthcare through exchanges as part of the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare.)

KEY VOTE: “NO” ON HOUSE SPENDING AND DEBT DEAL  —  Tonight, the House is scheduled to vote on a plan that would extend government funding to December 15 and the debt ceiling through February 7 in exchange for overturning the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ruling that created the congressional exemption.

Obama vows veto over Vitter measure  —  President Barack Obama told House Democratic leaders Tuesday that he would veto debt-ceiling legislation if it includes a provision pushed by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and House GOP leaders that would cut health subsidies for congressional …

As Debt Limit Deadline Nears, Concern Ticks Up But Skepticism Persists  —  Despite Image Problems, GOP Holds Ground on Key Issues  —  With just two days to go before an Oct. 17 deadline to raise the nation's debt limit, 51% of the public views a rise in the nation's debt limit as …

“Tea-Tard” Sign At OFA Protest Draws Bipartisan Condemnation From House Disabilities Caucus  —  “I find it really unfortunate that this offensive slur was used to characterize anyone,” Langevin says.  OFA: “We neither support nor approve of the inappropriate language used in a sign on the mall today.”

Boehner to Tea Party: Shut Yourself Down  —  “Thank you, Mr. President.  Signed, John Boehner.”  —  Deep beneath the year-round tan, the Camel Ultra Lights and the merlot, there beats a grateful heart.  Somebody had to take on the Tea Party that has turned Boehner's tenure as House speaker into a living hell.

The Top Ten Reasons The Government Shutdown Isn't All Bad  —  10. Approximately 15,000 EPA employees are furloughed, making it less likely fake CIA agents at EPA will be ripping off the taxpayer  —  Last month, John C. Beale, a former EPA senior official in the Office of Air & Radiation …

I, Rielle Hunter, Apologize  —  I behaved badly.  That may seem obvious to you but it's taken me a long time to admit that, even to myself.  For years I was so viciously attacked by the media and the world that I felt like a victim.  I now realize that the attacks are actually beside the point.

Seeing Its Own Money at Risk, China Rails at U.S.  —  WASHINGTON — China has become shrill in its criticism of the fiscal train wreck in the United States, arguing that the answer to a potential government default is to begin creating a “de-Americanized world.”

Walmart Says Food Stamp Shopping Spree Was ‘Right Choice’ … Walmart has no regrets about allowing a wild shopping spree at two of its Louisiana stores when an electronic glitch lifted the spending caps on the cards of food stamp recipients.  —  “We know we made the right choice,” …