Shutdown: Your government inaction

Discouraging tomorrow’s voters today: The effects of the federal government’s shutdown are starting to be felt in large and small ways. For 34 students of St. Mary Magdalen School in Everett, whose visit to Washington, D.C. coincided with the shutdown, it means they won’t be able to visit the city’s famous memorials and museums. But their principal noted that the kids are getting a close look at their government in action.

Just don’t get too close, kids; it’s tough to get the mud out of your good clothes.

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Reply hazy, try again: The National Toy Hall of Fame has named its finalists for induction into the hall. Among the nominees are green army men, My Little Pony, bubbles, the rubber duck and the Magic 8 Ball.

And even if the Magic 8 Ball, which provides a random answer to a question when turned upside-down, doesn’t make the cut, it’s now a leading candidate to replace Congress.

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Don’t know much about history: On this day in 1950, Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip, “Peanuts,” began syndication in seven newspapers.

Charlie Brown, now 63 and employed by the federal government, muttered “Good grief” to himself as his furlough noticed arrived.

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