Just read an article in the Washington Post concerning the possible upcoming federal government closedown. If agreement is not reached, the government may shut down "non-essential" operations, including national parks and monuments. During the last shut-down, 368 National Park Service Sites were shuttered for up to 17 days. I know that a lot of camping sites in national parks are run by private concessions and I don't know if a government shut-down would affect their operations, but it would really be a bummer-and-a-half to travel cross-country only to find out Yellowstone has a "closed" sign hung on the gates. Guess we'll just have to keep our collective fingers crossed for good accord.
I remember this from years ago and yes it can happen again. Same trick in the Army. We run out of money so no fuel for trucks or heater in cold Germany. Only good part was they did not shut down the mess halls. The COE parks could fall into this mess as well.
QUOTE(jamarynn1 @ Feb 24 2011, 10:25 PM) [snapback]25497[/snapback] Just read an article in the Washington Post concerning the possible upcoming federal government closedown. If agreement is not reached, the government may shut down "non-essential" operations, including national parks and monuments. During the last shut-down, 368 National Park Service Sites were shuttered for up to 17 days. I know that a lot of camping sites in national parks are run by private concessions and I don't know if a government shut-down would affect their operations, but it would really be a bummer-and-a-half to travel cross-country only to find out Yellowstone has a "closed" sign hung on the gates. Guess we'll just have to keep our collective fingers crossed for good accord. It won't last for long. And you can bet on one thing. The personal assistant to the aide to the secretary of the 3rd assistant to a random congressman's wife will be considered an essential operation. Somehow government shutdowns only apply to the parts of government people actually look foward to using. The IRS will be open!
I am curious; when the government shut down the last time and they closed the parks, did they somehow barricade the roads to keep people out? I don't remember seeing gates to block the roads, just the little booths to collect the fees. If they didn't block access, I say let them shut down the Federal Government for the rest of the year! On the other hand, if they did shut down, what are the chances that would save us, the taxpayers, any of the 3.75 TRILLION they say they need to operate?
Ok, as an Ex Federal employee..... the word "essential" when referring to shutdowns (which also applied on snow days) meant..... employees that were critical to safety and health. The word "essential" seems to have morphed into something else starting with the big shutdown that occurred in the 90's under the Clinton Administration. JJ
