Your mail will arrive as usual, your check for Social Security or unemployment will come on time, your Medicare benefits will still be available, federal air traffic will be directed, the TSA will harass travellers, meat will be inspected, supposedly dangerous products will be recalled, cases will be heard in federal courts, prisoners will remain guarded, food stamps and school lunches will be handed out, Mission Control in Houston will be manned, the National Weather and National Hurricance Services will operate, members of the military (thanks to the efforts of those obstructionist House Republicans) will continue with their operations and receive their paychecks. Pace what Mary Landrieu said last night on the Senate floor, even applications for visas, passports, and greencards will be processed without interruption.

If on the other hand, you happen, in late September, to be camping in one of our national parks, you’ll be fine for at least 48 hours, after which time you’ll have to get on your way. Visitors hoping to see the new baby panda at the National Zoo will be turned away. No one will be able to purchase the new 2013 Golden Gate Bridge Christmas ornament at the Alcatraz Island gift shop.

Pretty bleak, eh?

More here.