Government Shutdown

[cactuscat]

This was written by an NPS Ranger friend of mine - I think she really hit the nail on the head! -KW

Why I won’t be visiting a federal agency during the shutdown.

Maybe We The People shouldn't be out having fun when our government is in a shutdown.

While working the shutdown I’ve noticed some American’s don’t even know there is one. One woman asked why the entrance gate was empty, and when I replied that we couldn’t take money during the government shutdown, she excitedly replied, “I hope the government stays shutdown longer.” Part of the problem with government agencies being forced to stay open during the shutdown (like national parks) is that the people don't fully feel the pain of government dysfunction and are lulled into not acting. And this is the exact reason parks have been forced to stay open; a recent change from years past. The public does love their parks, and they raised a ruckus in 2013. Sometimes it’s helpful to feel pain. It lets us know we are unwell. You can choose to take a pill, but that might only mask the problem.

I know some people will say, “Why should I sacrifice when this is their problem?” “My family and I already had plans. Do you expect us to cancel them?” “But the park is open.” “Those small resort towns would be impacted if we don’t go.” Here's why…. First, it would put less burden on the resource while it’s not being properly funded. Second, we can stand in support of our federal coworkers. Third, if businesses feel the impact then they’ll call their local officials. We should collectively feel this ridiculousness. Maybe if enough of us act we can effect change. Maybe you will. I finally did today.

This is why I will boycott visiting the federal agencies and land during the shutdown. Maybe it’s just a small gesture, but it’s one thing I can do to help. That, and call my representatives and the White House...daily.

[rwstorm]

@cactuscat
Well stated...I agree.

[RowdyandMe]

So it sounds like hiking the Grand Canyon right now is open to hiking with dogs.

[cactuscat]

@RowdyandMe
Assuming (hoping) you're kidding?

[ALMAL]

I thought only "non-essential" agencies were shutting down, like DOD, DOJ, IRS, FEMA, HHS, DHS, ED, EPA, USDA, you know all the "Acronym Agencies"???

[skatchkins]

"With no bathrooms open, Yosemite visitors have created a health hazard by pooping on roads"
https://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/article ... 500390.php

[cactuscat]

@skatchkins
Unbelievable, right?! Same at Joshua Tree - they are closing their campgrounds and some day use areas due to trash, human waste, and other violations. It's a free for all. Once again, given the chance to prove they could be good stewards of the land, the public has proven that they CANNOT!

[cactuscat]

From a Yosemite Ranger:
“Today I worked. We held Yosemite open to 4th-of-July-level traffic with no support staff whatsoever. We did so with 4 rangers in Wawona/Badger, 4 in Yosemite Valley and (may be slightly off....) 4 in Mather. That is 12 people working while we were seeing 240-270 cars per hour coming into South Entrance. Let that sink in. TWELVE people. In a park the size of Rhode Island. Badger sold almost 1,000 lift tickets today (their limit is 1200).
There are piles of human shit everywhere. Gross, but so seriously true. Every roadside turnout has toilet paper and trash. Garbage cans are overflowing until we can get time to pick it up. People are screaming about paying their taxes and having rights, people are fighting over tickets issued for violating closures when they duck under barricades and walk past signs so they can do what they want.
Keeping parks accessible is reasonable if people can fend for themselves and care for the park themselves, but the large majority can't. The large majority needs a map because their GPS quits working when cell service drops, and they don't have one because the Entrance staff wasn't there to give them one. The large majority has no idea what a cat hole is and would never consider picking up their used toilet paper and sticking in their purse. The large majority doesn't know what to do if they break an ankle and can't get 911 on the phone. The large majority cannot use their public lands in a way that allows them to remain unimpaired for their kid's children. That is why they hire the National Park Service. To provide a service to the vast majority who don't know how to be a true steward for their land or don't care to be.
I beg all of you to stay home and not visit your parks until everyone comes back to work. Your experience will be ten thousand times better.”

[big_load]

I heard a report on the radio of yahoos off-roading in Yosemite while there weren't enough resources to stop them.

[sidhayes]

@cactuscat
I wonder why not. Have any reasons?

[cactuscat]

@sidhayes
Why not what?

[Jim_H]

The National Parks should have been locked as soon the shut down began. The lowest common denominator of human being would destroy everything because they think it is fun. The best thing that can happen is TSA employees not showing up for work to force the average person to suffer at airports.

[CannondaleKid]

@Jim_H
Agreed on both counts.
Right now the politicos don't have enough incentive to end the shutdown, something I don't see changing until practically everyone is affected... only then will our 'leaders' feel the pressure to get it done.

[BRichard]

great thread. I personally had no plans of trying to visit Nat parks on a shutdown. Dont want to contribute to the madness....Hope this ends soon.

[skatchkins]

It sure made getting back to the Butcher Jones coves after sundown easier with the gate not locked.
*I somehow managed to not immediately poop in the road

[azbackpackr]

I went to Saguaro East today. It seemed calm and orderly. A lot of cyclists, the usual.

[nonot]

*I somehow managed to not immediately poop in the road

Hmm, that makes you smarter than 98% of the population. That means you get to join Mensa!

[Sredfield]

I heard today that youth crews contracted to do trail work on public lands are not allowed to do so during this fiasco. That means the work doesn't get done, the set up and advance work to get them there was wasted, funding will likely run out and be lost, and the kids will go off and find paying jobs, so the effect is long term.

Not enough pumpkins in the patch to express the disgust for this administration.

[RowdyandMe]

@Sredfield
Build the wall problem solved or just surrender to Mexico.

[markthurman53]

@RowdyandMe
amen