Following the apparent death of cap and trade, a White House aide says that President Barack Obama will veto any bill limiting the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. That means that for now, the response to climate change will be located in the executive branch, where 60 votes aren't needed to act, but where action comes in the form of blunt regulations rather than a price on carbon.

Meanwhile, revised estimates show the budget deficit topping $1.4 trillion this year. The reason? The economy is still bad, and when the economy is bad, tax revenues fall. Which is why it's very difficult to see the deficit substantially shrinking until the economy has recovered, or at least is doing a faster job of recovering. This year's deficit was projected to be lower because the Obama administration -- and many others -- thought the recovery would have taken more of a hold by now.

Plasma Cutters, Halloween Costume, Fantasy Football