We may be in the midst of a partial government shutdown, but various agencies continue to waste large amounts of money anyway. For example, just before the October 1 deadline, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spent roughly $3.5 million on *furniture*. On the other hand, all those furloughed workers do need a place to sit. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy went ahead with the 2013 Solar Decathlon where, according to their website, "collegiate teams ... design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive." Just like government bureaucracies.