Shutdown!

[prberk]

But couldn't they claim the same thing in the past, if they were walking around after the rangers went off duty? People were walking around at all hours of the night in the past, with only the police to check on them. Wouldn't they still need police patrolling to make sure people don't cross the barricades? The only difference I see is that right now there are no employees to answer questions. It's not as if you had to pay admission to enter (Like a National Park, fort, etc) - there was never any "enter" involved.

But perhaps I'm missing something?

Well, to be honest, in the case of these outside monuments where the barriers are small and can be walked around, I would guess that more than a little bit of political statement is involved in putting up the signs. But I also think that there could be a limit of liability that they could claim at least in the daytime (normal stated operating hours) if something happened (sort of like when lifeguards call for adult swim, but kids are not prevented from jumping in anyway).

 

[willtravel]

But couldn't they claim the same thing in the past, if they were walking around after the rangers went off duty? People were walking around at all hours of the night in the past, with only the police to check on them. Wouldn't they still need police patrolling to make sure people don't cross the barricades? The only difference I see is that right now there are no employees to answer questions. It's not as if you had to pay admission to enter (Like a National Park, fort, etc) - there was never any "enter" involved.

But perhaps I'm missing something?

Personally, I think this is the same game as the sequester. Hurt the public so there is an out cry to stop shut down.

 

[kfergdisney]

Well, unless they work for the DODS schools...not sure what's going on with those...

Public School. Not sure what that teacher was thinking. Unless she is a federal agent spy....

 

[Lucky]

But couldn't they claim the same thing in the past, if they were walking around after the rangers went off duty? People were walking around at all hours of the night in the past, with only the police to check on them. Wouldn't they still need police patrolling to make sure people don't cross the barricades? The only difference I see is that right now there are no employees to answer questions. It's not as if you had to pay admission to enter (Like a National Park, fort, etc) - there was never any "enter" involved.

But perhaps I'm missing something?

This is from a Washington Post columnist (I'm leaving out the more political parts of the column):

If you’ve ever been to the World War II Memorial, you know that it is an open space at street level. Under normal circumstances, government personnel have no role in admitting or denying access to the memorial. There are no gates, doors or defined entrance. There is nothing that inhibits anyone from walking through or simply standing on the granite sidewalk that is the memorial. In fact, I’ve always thought that the World War II Memorial looked like what should be a grand entrance to the World War II Memorial, but as it stands, the memorial itself is an open plaza.
Real effort had to be taken and precise instruction had to be given to round up barricades and have them installed in a clumsy, visible way that would block pedestrians from entering the memorial. It was an effort to supply a pathetic visual that would highlight the sad dysfunction of the government in Washington...

 

[Lucky]

This is a good letter to the editor from a Northern Virginia resident printed in today's Washington Post:

The charge of the veterans at the World War II Memorial [“Visiting veterans storm closed memorials,” news, Oct. 2] made for stirring theater, but it also highlighted the lack of common sense that often makes people despise the federal government.
What possible rationale is there for blocking access to open-air memorials rather than allowing people to visit even though — horrors! — no federal employee is available to hold their hands? If vandalism of unattended memorials is a concern, Park Police officers (who already are there) could easily protect the memorials from the ravages of visitors. If it’s “safety” (as if an employee presence would prevent stumbles and falls), put up a sign saying, “Visit at Your Own Risk.”
I see only two reasons for this silly policy: a desire to make the shutdown as painful as possible for as many people as possible, or because of a typically unthinking bureaucratic reaction to an unusual circumstance.

 

[RandomPrincess]

We might have to push our trip back now due to the shutdown. My DH works for a government contractor and the always receive lots of last minute orders the end of September before the fiscal year ends. Now they have tons of product coming in and they can't driver any of it due to the shutdown. They have to keep the items in a secure area until delivery but their warehouse is no where big enough to keep all the items. They can't just leave the items anywhere to to government procedures. So finding secure storage space is an issue. Then once the shutdown ends the government will of course want delivery ASAP. So all that need to be coordinated as well. Since my DH is head of that department they don't want him on vacation until this all clears up.

I know it's not as bad as all the people not being paid (trust me I know) but is still annoying to not know what's going on with a trip we are supposed to leave for in 16 days.

 

[luv]

I'm very proud of whoever let the old vets in their wheelchairs go visit the memorial, even though the rule said that wasn't what was supposed to be done.

 

[BiggerTigger]

Both of us are hit by the shut down, I have not work and my husband has to work without pay. We were told that there are no vacations authorized and we leave for WDW in 20 days. I guess you can classify us as AWOL.