Reason Morning Links: Minnesota Shuts Down, Tim Pawlenty Files Peanuts, Ohio Cops Tase a Mentally Handicapped Child

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  • The Minnesota government shut down this morning after an impasse during budget talks between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP lawmakers. 
  • "Dayton police 'mistook' a mentally handicapped teenager's speech impediment for 'disrespect,' so they Tasered, pepper-sprayed, and beat him and called for backup from 'upward of 20 police officers'." 
  • Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has raised this fundraising cycle roughly the same amount he raised in 2008, when nobody knew who he was. 
  • Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates apologizes for the unexplained firing and smearing of a defense intelligence analyst in 2009. 
  • Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaiao starts an all-female DUI chain gang.
  • Is there any doubt that British Journalist Johann Hari is a plagiarist? 

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