Shutdown

[vernon]

17 hours ago, BrowningCollector.com said:

Fox News is reporting Federal Parks will remain open this time.  If true, the ramps shouldn't be affected like the last shutdown in 2013.  I hate to use common sense and government in the same sentence, but maybe we escaped complete stupidity this time. Let us know if they're open.

Not to get all political on this deal but the last shutdown was only as severe as it was because Obama wanted to prove a point and make the Republicans look as bad as he could so they boarded up and locked down everything that they could and then said, "It's their fault".

According to Mick Mulvaney, that will not be the case this time and they are attempting to minimize the effects of the shutdown on us "normal" people and are funding all services that they possibly can.

Of course, and in fairness, that is mostly because this time, the Republicans want to do everything they can to prove a point and make the Democrats look as bad as they can.

For those who might not remember, this is the eighteenth government shutdown since 1972 so it ain't like this is something all that unusual.

As someone who was pretty involved on numerous occasions in facility and installation readiness and preparing for many of these "events", I can tell you that the man hours and expense that go into the mere anticipation of a shutdown is mind boggling.  

And it costs just as much to prepare for the shutdown that doesn't happen as for the one that actually does and it has been taking place worldwide each and every time they've kicked this can down the road for the last five months.  

Waste, fraud and abuse has many faces and definitions in our good 'ol federal government I'm sorry to say.  But regardless, please don't hate on the little people such as the local COE folks.  

They're just doing what they're told and have zero say in the matter.

[Champ188]

6 minutes ago, vernon said:

Not to get all political on this deal but the last shutdown was only as severe as it was because Obama wanted to prove a point and make the Republicans look as bad as he could so they boarded up and locked down everything that they could and then said, "It's their fault".

According to Mick Mulvaney, that will not be the case this time and they are attempting to minimize the effects of the shutdown on us "normal" people and are funding all services that they possibly can.

Of course, and in fairness, that is mostly because this time, the Republicans want to do everything they can to prove a point and make the Democrats look as bad as they can.

For those who might not remember, this is the eighteenth government shutdown since 1972 so it ain't like this is something all that unusual.

As someone who was pretty involved on numerous occasions in facility and installation readiness and preparing for many of these "events", I can tell you that the man hours and expense that go into the mere anticipation of a shutdown is mind boggling.  

And it costs just as much to prepare for the shutdown that doesn't happen as for the one that actually does and it has been taking place worldwide each and every time they've kicked this can down the road for the last five months.  

Waste, fraud and abuse has many faces and definitions in our good 'ol federal government I'm sorry to say.  But regardless, please don't hate on the little people such as the local COE folks.  

They're just doing what they're told and have zero say in the matter.

Good information from one who saw it from the inside most of his life. Thanks, Vernon. 

[Jerry Rapp]

Vernon, were ever considered non-essential.  I worked for the Corps for 32 years and was never told if was essential or non essential.  But it seems to me. if you had a bunch of people on the payroll that were non-essential, it would be prudent to cut payroll?  Makes sense doesn't it?  But they are from the government and are here to help.  I could care less this morning.  55 degrees at 0730, Tee time is at 1000 hours.

[bobby b.]

41 minutes ago, vernon said:

Not to get all political on this deal but the last shutdown was only as severe as it was because Obama wanted to prove a point and make the Republicans look as bad as he could so they boarded up and locked down everything that they could and then said, "It's their fault".

I'm watching Fox News, Mulvaney says the shutdown will not be visible to the public like it was in 2013.  In 2013 Obama wanted the shutdown to hurt the public, i.e. blocking the ramps.

[vernon]

30 minutes ago, Jerry Rapp said:

Vernon, were ever considered non-essential.  I worked for the Corps for 32 years and was never told if was essential or non essential.  But it seems to me. if you had a bunch of people on the payroll that were non-essential, it would be prudent to cut payroll?  Makes sense doesn't it?  But they are from the government and are here to help.  I could care less this morning.  55 degrees at 0730, Tee time is at 1000 hours.

I agree.  I always kind of took it personally when I was deemed "non-essetinal."  Like, so what am I doing here anyways then?

Over the years, I occupied jobs in both classifications and eventually came to terms with the emotional trauma of being a "non".  

My earlier years as a non-essential employee were my favorite cause when the shutdowns came, as soon as I was done signing my paperwork I was off to either Stockton or Table Rock!  And I was always prepared too - if a shutdown was even remotely possible, I had a bag packed and the boat ready to roll and I would fish until they either approved a budget or passed yet another continuing resolution.

It was kind of funny a couple of times cause there'd be all these bleeding heart types that were in tears about being "let go."  Whereas I had the boat hooked up and sitting outside the office in the parking lot.  I mean, after all, no matter how Washington chooses to paint it, it's always just a paper drill and everybody gets back pay for not working so who cares?

Then I got old and was more involved and that flat took all the fun out of shutdowns! 

It's too bad when common folk have to suffer even a little bit cause of this silliness but, as you know, in most shutdowns the impact is minimal and they never last very long primarily because Congress would rather take an alley whupin' then have to work on a weekend.

This one just amazes me in that the entire argument is over a bunch of non-Americans that shouldn't be here in the first place but what do I know?

Good for you on the tee time!  I have an 1130 but everybody's kind of waffling on playing now because it's too "muddy".  

Good Lord, what do they expect in the middle of January?  Sunny and 80?  

Hit 'em good!

[vernon]

18 minutes ago, bobby b. said:

I'm watching Fox News, Mulvaney says the shutdown will not be visible to the public like it was in 2013.  In 2013 Obama wanted the shutdown to hurt the public, i.e. blocking the ramps.

Bingo.

I love listening to Mulvaney - he gets right to the point.

[Browning Guy]

On ‎1‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 8:34 AM, vernon said:

My earlier years as a non-essential employee were my favorite cause when the shutdowns came, as soon as I was done signing my paperwork I was off to either Stockton or Table Rock!  And I was always prepared too - if a shutdown was even remotely possible, I had a bag packed and the boat ready to roll and I would fish until they either approved a budget or passed yet another continuing resolution.

 

Unfortunately, in my Federal job, we're deemed "essential". Always wanted to pack my bag and even volunteered to go in 2013 but to no avail.  Meanwhile, non-essential eventually rec'd a paid vacation.  You darn "non-essentials"!  Glad I found this place, but more than happy to be leaving in December.  Morals, ethics, honesty, principle not required.... apply within.....wish I would have kept a notebook on the stuff I've seen.