The Government Is Down, So Why Aren't Stocks?

Apparently, markets have nothing to fear but fear itself. Yesterday, they were down in anticipation of the looming government shutdown. But so far today, US stocks are slightly up, and international markets have been mostly holding their own. Japan opened up, with business confidence at its highest level in years. Germany is up a bit too, and London and Paris are holding steady. Part of this is investor disbelief that the shutdown will last very long.