Unnecessary shutdowns

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

The federal government is shutting down a lot of things that are either don't need to be shut down (because they cost no money to operate) or actually cost more to shut down than they do to keep operating. These include both national parks and government agency websites.

http://www.ijreview.com/2013/10/84362-13-national-parks-impacted-government-shutdown/
http://reason.com/blog/2013/10/02/government-will-shut-down-websites-even

We're at the point where the government is just being petty and working on zooming well past that point.

For those who think it's justified because the Republicans won't budge on Obamacare, that just doesn't fit the facts.



As a libertarian, I'm fine with permanently cutting 800,000 federal workers and I think it's nice that they've identified the agencies we can do without, but I'd rather it happen with at least the standard 2-week warning for people. Pretty much all politicians in office right now are acting like children, but that's what happens when the electorate is also.

Comments

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

National Gallery: You need security guards all over the place
Viet Nam memorial: No.

[malasadas.livejournal.com]

Yah, not so much. The park service personnel at the Vietnam memorial serve various functions, among the most important is the safe and respectful collection of items left by visitors in honor of the dead.

If you want to pretend vandalism is not an issue nor is the need for people to assist others who might get hurt on public land, you can be my guest. But I'm not going to pretend it isn't mostly laughable.

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

You are aware that monuments were vandalized recently, though not during the shutdown?
You're also aware that the district of columbia has it's own police force, as well as 911 service?

[malasadas.livejournal.com]

You are aware, or possibly not, that that is irrelevant to all of the functions the park service people do perform at the memorials? Or the increased likelihood of such problems in their complete absence?

Or that the Capitol Police who ARE still working are doing so without pay and tasking them to Parks Services sites will strain their already strained capacity?

Or that the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. has no jurisdiction on actual federal property?

This kind of armchair quarterbacking of departments you have never administered in order to keep from admitting that your points are not exceptionally pointed is silly. Please enjoy whatever it is you would like to do with the last word.

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

You missed the part about federal workers getting paid?

And so in the rare event that someone needs the police on federal grounds, the Capitol police can respond, as always. And if it's injury, dc has 911, hospitals, and ambulances, as always.

People can get hurt anywhere, the Viet Nam Memorial isn't particularly dangerous. So what is the great need to have people around to assist others if they get hurt? I can get hurt walking down the street, there aren't any federal employees waiting to assist me if I do. Though there is 911.

[cheezyfish.livejournal.com]

It isn't even an argument, as there are numerous park rangers guarding the barricades anyways. Perhaps they could stand by the memorial and let people pay their respects instead if that is the concern, but it most clearly is not.

[cheezyfish.livejournal.com]

Or that the Capitol Police who ARE still working are doing so without pay and tasking them to Parks Services sites will strain their already strained capacity?

The park police are still working, as they were called to remove people from the Vietnam memorial, as they moved the barricades and walked by the two park ranger "guards" who were manning them.