Play the government shutdown game!

[azbackpackr]

OK, let's play a game. See who wins. Let's guess on (1) whether or not the government will shut down on Friday night, and (2) if it does, how long will the shutdown last?

You have to guess on question (1) before 9 p.m. on Friday, April 8th. If you don't see this post until after the shutdown occurs, you can still guess on question (2).

My guesses: (1)It will shut down, (2) and it will open up again on Thursday April 14.

Your turn!

[PLC92084]

@azbackpackr

A game has to have a prize... What does the winner get? A river trip, perhaps? (wish, wish...) ;)

[azbackpackr]

The satisfaction of winning? Do I get a prize when I win at Scrabble? ;)

What river trip? ;)

[PLC92084]

Must be the new meds Alston alleges I'm on... could've sworn there was a river trip somewhere... Reality can be sooooooo cruel!

[Alston_Neal]

Chortle..
Hey I'm still at work, I'll keep the economy flowin.
I think it's all a scare tactic and they'll all reach an agreement right after they give themselves a pay raise.

[John9L]

I'll play...yes they will shut down and I'm guessing about 2 weeks...April 20th (Wednesday). I really hope it does not go that long but I have little to no faith in Washington these days.

[azbackpackr]

Hey Vista Dude: Yes, well, that river trip is just about full. Sorry to all who were/are interested, but I was looking for boatmen and kayakers who had run the river before, and found quite a few. Plus, I actually am allowing a boatman friend of mine to do most of the planning. Which meant he invited his friends, and they invited their friends. I actually have invited only one personal friend so far, and she is inviting yet another boatman.

I would suggest to all who are interested in a private river trip that you do your own. You don't need to know much. Just sign up for future lotteries on the Grand Canyon private river trip lottery page. It is on the Park's website. And then sign up to be a member of GCPBA: Grand Canyon Private Boaters' Association, and their yahoo group as well.

To enter a lottery costs $25 per year for all the lotteries they run in a year. If you win, you had better be ready to pony up $400 immediately, also, or you lose your permit. The next main lottery will be held in Feb. 2012 for the 2013 launches. However, you can enter your name now to be notified of any upcoming launch dates that weren't filled. The problem now is that if you got a 2011 trip for July, it is doubtful you could be ready by then. So, you are better off waiting until Feb. and going for the 2013 launches.

I have put a considerable amount of time and effort into this, and also am spending money like there is no tomorrow taking river running classes. I would suggest that if any one of you has a similar passion, you can do likewise. I caught the "bug" a long time ago, read dozens of books, made an effort to meet people, etc. It all came about because one time 9 years ago I stood on the beach at the bottom of the Tanner Trail, and cried my eyes out because river runners went by and waved at me, and I was on the beach and not with them on the boats. I had no money for a commercial trip, but this private trip planning and learning is so much more fulfilling than any commercial trip could ever be...

Thanks again to everyone who has shown an interest. It's been a long road and I'm not "there" yet. Hope you can fulfill all your dreams, too!

Now, let's PLAY THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN GAME!!!!

[azbackpackr]

I'll play...yes they will shut down and I'm guessing about 2 weeks...April 20th (Wednesday). I really hope it does not go that long but I have little to no faith in Washington these days.

Right on, okay, April 20th! Who's next?

[Alston_Neal]

Monday April 11
They're just jerkin our chain.

[azbackpackr]

Monday April 11
They're just jerkin our chain.

Hope so, but the people at GC are sure taking it seriously.

[PrestonSands]

"I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail,
Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail..."

I've got nothing to add to this thread, but...Elizabeth, I love your signature. That's some classic Bob!

[fotogirl53]

I just got this update from AZ Daily Sun: The Grand Canyon sets shutdown contingency plan. http://bit.ly/eqt0lt

[Sredfield]

THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT

Interior Department has released a fact sheet detailing what employees can expect in the event of a shutdown (pdf). Press Secretary Kendra Barkoff has sent the following statement regarding preparations:

We still believe that there is the opportunity for Congress to avoid a government shutdown, but are working to prepare for all possible scenarios.

Visitors and potential visitors to national parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands should be advised that, in the event of a government shutdown, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management will close and secure park, refuge and visitor facilities on public lands.

Visitor activities that require a permit, including public events, will not be allowed or will be cancelled or postponed. Visitor centers will be closed and access to park areas denied, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Independence Hall, Alcatraz, and the Washington Monument. Visitors using overnight concession accommodations and campgrounds will be notified and given 48 hours to make alternate arrangements. The National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and some Bureau of Land Management roads will be closed except when they are necessary as thruways.

Limited personnel needed to protect life and property on public lands, such as law enforcement, emergency services and firefighting personnel, will be exempted from furlough. Some administrative offices for the bureaus will be minimally staffed and many will be closed. Ordinary business of these bureaus will be extremely curtailed.

The land management agencies will be providing additional information to the public as they finalize their contingency plans."

[Sredfield]

DOI fact sheet

[azbackpackr]

From what I hear, it costs more to keep Grand Canyon closed than it does to keep it open. The rangers that stay on are making mega overtime, while at the same time the Park is not collecting any entrance fees, and has to refund permit fees for canceled river trips, etc.

[Jeffshadows]

Since this directly affects my veteran's benefits I EARNED under direct enemy fire and my wife's job, I choose not to play.

[PaleoRob]

Tonight it will shut down and never reboot. Welcome to anarchy!

[azbackpackr]

"I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail,
Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail..."

I've got nothing to add to this thread, but...Elizabeth, I love your signature. That's some classic Bob!

Thanks! I thought people might get tired of seeing my old one. I was tired of it, anyway.

[PLC92084]

I'm going to go on the premise our government is trying to be as dramatic as this season's Survivor series (if only we could get the Dem's and Rep's to have similar challenges, might make CSPAN more interesting...). I say they'll close down, string things out til the 18th, then go into recess for 2 weeks.

[azbackpackr]

Oh. Sigh... It wouldn't surprise me too much.

I don't get why this serviceman's wife on the news (CNN) is so strapped for money. My son's an enlisted man, and when he first started out, right away he was making more than I was, and during the last 12 years, he has gotten married and they had a kid, and all along he has been socking savings away, ever since he enlisted. They live in California, have 4 cars, a bass boat and a travel trailer, among other things. Sometimes they rent off base, sometimes they live on base. Always have plenty. I have to wonder if some of these servicemen who say they are having money problems maybe don't know how to budget.

It is pretty crummy that they aren't going to pay our guys who are being sent overseas to fight all these stupid wars. They want to save money, they need to get out of Afghanistan.