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REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS
So what's shut down for you?
Saturday, October 5, 2013 8:15 PM
NIKI2
Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...
Saturday, October 5, 2013 8:35 PM
BYTEMITE
Quote: No, they don't.
Quote:There were no " volunteers " . No idea what you're even talking about.
Quote: Already happened to the Lincoln Memorial, not too long ago. The "workers " were on the job then, too. So much for that.
Saturday, October 5, 2013 10:24 PM
GEEZER
Keep the Shiny side up
Quote:Originally posted by BYTEMITE: Open air monuments charge admission fees and are therefore a business, and open air businesses are still subject to the same risks and limitations as all other businesses. Unless instead of closing the monument, you would have preferred it to remain open and get graffiti within 24 hours because no one is on the payroll to patrol it. I hear the punks on the national mall like green.
Quote:Lastly, the determination of which employees are "nonessential" is done by the Office of Management and Budget, which is run by Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who is on Obama's cabinet, but I really doubt that Obama looked twice at whatever she recommended before signing it. List of designated nonessential employees from every county and regional diversion of government offices in every state, sounds like thrilling reading material. You can't paint Obama as being inept but then also have him be some kind of manipulative mastermind giggling over park closures for political spin. I agree Obama's inept, I disagree that he closed the parks for political points. Since when has he ever been that savvy?
Saturday, October 5, 2013 10:50 PM
CHRISISALL
Quote:Originally posted by Geezer: but strangely still has enough staff to give parking tickets to folks who park in them.
Saturday, October 5, 2013 10:57 PM
AURAPTOR
America loves a winner!
Saturday, October 5, 2013 11:06 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Barricades were meant to be circumvented.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 8:38 AM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 9:17 AM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 9:38 AM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 10:52 AM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 12:46 PM
Quote: It's all just political theater, from both sides.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:11 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/10/05/list-obama-closures-for-shutdown
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:18 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/10/05/list-obama-closures-for-shutdown LOL, an ultra right wing hate fest site? Really? Probably 10% of what's listed is even partially true.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:27 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Name one. Go for it, model boy.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:41 PM
Quote: Probably 10% of what's listed is even partially true.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:46 PM
Quote: The House of Representatives was nearly unanimous in a Saturday vote that mandated military installations around the country continue to provide religious services during the government shutdown. The measure, which needed a two-thirds majority of support in the House, passed by a vote of 400-1. The measure was not a spending measure and only expressed that Congress did not want the Department of Defense to suspend religious programs during the shutdown. Despite the fact that certain service members were working during the shutdown, the Defense Department decided to furlough civilian and contract workers because the department lacked an appropriations bill. This move included some religious leaders. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/05/house-passes-measure-aimed-at-bringing-military-chaplains-back-to-work/
Quote: The President and the Senate have been clear that they won’t accept this kind of game-playing, and if these bills were to come to the president’s desk he would veto them, White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage said in a statement, responding to the plans under consideration by House Republicans. "These piecemeal efforts are not serious, and they are no way to run a government," she said. "If House Republicans are legitimately concerned about the impacts of a shutdown -- which extend across government from our small businesses to women, children and seniors -- they should do their job and pass a clean CR to reopen the government." http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/10/white-house-obama-would-veto-piecemeal-funding-bills-174032.html
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:48 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:52 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: What do YOU think from what was posted from Breitbart is NOT true.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:59 PM
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: In other words, they're trying to fund things one at a time, FOR VISIBILITY, and Obama AND THE SENATE are not willing to play that game.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:01 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: What do YOU think from what was posted from Breitbart is NOT true. Obama does not sit around deciding who to say "Drop dead" to, it's not his job to negotiate hundreds of deals to keep individual areas open, it's his job to try and get Republicans to stop playing schoolyard bully with people's LIVES. While individual parts of details are correct, the author's many conclusions are inaccurate at best. You can't throw a gas grenade into a building and then whine that no one's helping you bring some gas masks in for the women & children- that's beyond stupid. The Repubs started this for this very reason and no other. And they're counting, absolutely COUNTING on the stupidity of the American people in this end game.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:05 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: In other words, they're trying to fund things one at a time, FOR VISIBILITY, and Obama AND THE SENATE are not willing to play that game. Precisely. You can articulate the situation so much better than I, Niki.
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: The closings are as reported.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:08 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: [Wrong. They're trying to fund things individually for the good of the nation, for the PEOPLE.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:12 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: The closings are as reported. 25 closing that are true, 25 reasons that are false. I'll give you a 50%. Happy?
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:16 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: [Wrong. They're trying to fund things individually for the good of the nation, for the PEOPLE. Once again 'cause you seemed to have missed it, you can't throw a gas grenade into a building and then whine that no one's helping you bring some gas masks in for the women & children- that's beyond stupid.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:26 PM
SHINYGOODGUY
Quote:Originally posted by BYTEMITE: Quote:It's a free standing, open air monument. It's not a " business". We're not talking about a museum, or even a park, which has a turnstile or doors to lock up at night. It's open, 24/7. Open air monuments charge admission fees and are therefore a business, and open air businesses are still subject to the same risks and limitations as all other businesses. Unless instead of closing the monument, you would have preferred it to remain open and get graffiti within 24 hours because no one is on the payroll to patrol it. I hear the punks on the national mall like green. You have to make sure other people don't wreck the joint. If you can't pay anyone to make sure of that, you close the business to protect the stuff. They're just lucky they got volunteers who stepped up to protect the monument so it could stay open. Frankly, I don't care one way or another. All these marble pats on the back in the capital at the expense of tax payers kinda stick in my craw. But I figured maybe YOU did seeing as you're raising a fuss about it. Previous shutdowns for example like 1995 were technically only partial shutdowns, as some of the departments had received funding prior to very similar disagreements about funding of medicare and education between Republican congress wanting to slow spending and a Democratic president with social welfare programs. There was almost NO funding approved this year before October 1st, therefore the shutdown was more extensive. Lastly, the determination of which employees are "nonessential" is done by the Office of Management and Budget, which is run by Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who is on Obama's cabinet, but I really doubt that Obama looked twice at whatever she recommended before signing it. List of designated nonessential employees from every county and regional diversion of government offices in every state, sounds like thrilling reading material. You can't paint Obama as being inept but then also have him be some kind of manipulative mastermind giggling over park closures for political spin. I agree Obama's inept, I disagree that he closed the parks for political points. Since when has he ever been that savvy?
Quote:It's a free standing, open air monument. It's not a " business". We're not talking about a museum, or even a park, which has a turnstile or doors to lock up at night. It's open, 24/7.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:29 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: De-staffing open air monuments ? Fine go ahead. Putting up barricades ? That's entirely an overt decision made to inflict pain and put on a visible display, for the public. THAT comes from Barry's direction.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:31 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Better to offer some help than to let them die.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:40 PM
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: Byte has an excellent grasp of the situation, I'm impressed! And she's right, on virtually every point. Rap can deny it, but yes, the government would be legally liable, and the Park Rangers ARE there voluntarily, doing their jobs without pay, and the fact that there's graffiti when people are on duty has nothing to do with how much MORE there would be if nobody were around. Throwing a hissy fit and saying things aren't true doesn't make it so; what Byte elucidated is exactly how it is. America and our economy HAS been hurt by the sequestration, and by this current mess, and a LOT of individual people are suffering--especially if they don't get back pay after this is all over (which thought horrifies me). We don't hear about it because bad news is bad for the market and the media/government don't want us paying a lot of attention, but it's there, it's been there and it's bad: "GOLDMAN SACHS: The Economic Damage From The Sequester Is Becoming More Clear, And It Could Get Worse", http://www.businessinsider.com/sequester-finally-hurting-2013-9#ixzz2gtZyBO3j "Sequestration Will Prevent Creation Of Up To 1.6 Million Jobs In Next Year, CBO Concludes", http://www.chicagodefender.com/index.php/business/21605-seuestration-1-6-million-jobs-next-year-cbo "Yes, the Sequester Is Affecting the Job Market", http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/yes-the-sequester-is-affecting-the-job-market/?_r=0 "New FBI Director James B. Comey stunned by impact of sequestration on agents in the field", http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-27/world/42459536_1_comey-budget-cuts-fbi-agents-association Just because it's not "in your face" every day doesn't mean it's not happening; it is and this is making it worse. Which, unfortunately, is just jim dandy with the right, because they don't WANT the country to recover (at least until they're in power), it makes Obama/Dems look good; anyone who hasn't figured that out hasn't been paying attention. Remember how very, very long it took me to finally accept that the Republicans were quite happy to do thing which would make the country WORSE in hopes it would put them in power. Even I had to finally acknowledge the truth. But as long as there's Obama to blame, our righties will do as they're told and blame him.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:44 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:45 PM
Quote:Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY: Regarding the open-air monuments: Is it the President's responsibility to open or "close" said monuments? Isn't that the province of Congress? or am I mistaken?
Quote: By the way, did the House now also takeover, as part of the Shutdown, Fingerpointing? I just want to know, for future reference. SGG
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:47 PM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Better to offer some help than to let them die. The point sir is that the grenade should not have been thrown in the first place.;)
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2:58 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Again, false analogy from the start, so there's
Sunday, October 6, 2013 3:04 PM
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: Absolutely, if Rap's only excuse for posting is to continue lying and denying the truth, time for him to quit (long past, actually...).
Quote: And oh, how I wish he would, because I'll keep putting forth the FACTS about this as long as he keeps spewing lies. Here are the plain, simple facts: Congress has one key duty in the Constitution -- pass spending bills that fund the government. If it doesn't, most functions of government -- from funding agencies to paying out small business loans and processing passport requests -- grind to a halt. The government does not have the legal authority to spend money. Under a federal law known as the Anti-Deficiency Act, it can be a felony to spend taxpayer money without an appropriation from Congress (which is why they keep trying to pass little tiny bills to fund one thing at a time). All that has been explained again and again, WITH facts, figures, sites and sources. Obama does not shut down the government: The LAW does. Period.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 3:38 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 3:41 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Congress HAS passed bills to fund the govt. The Senate and Obama refuse to sign them into law.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 4:18 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 4:30 PM
SIGNYM
I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.
Quote:Congress HAS passed bills to fund the govt. The Senate...
Sunday, October 6, 2013 4:38 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 4:46 PM
PIRATENEWS
John Lee, conspiracy therapist at Hollywood award-winner History Channel-mocked SNL-spoofed PirateNew.org wooHOO!!!!!!
Sunday, October 6, 2013 4:49 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 5:32 PM
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2:
Quote:ZOG. Zionist Occupied Government. -Marrion-Webster Dictionary
Sunday, October 6, 2013 5:57 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 6:54 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 7:08 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2013 7:22 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: The GOP just want to cut spending and save the country from O-care.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 8:04 PM
Quote:The GOP just want to...
Sunday, October 6, 2013 8:40 PM
Quote: Losing a hard-fought battle confers no dishonor, but losing a badly chosen battle is embarrassing. And then there’s ridiculous. Into the last category goes the decision to close the nation’s monuments to make sure that the government shutdown strikes the hearts of all The American People, whose constant invocation by pandering politicians fills one with self-loathing. (Who wants to be an “American People,” given the quality of our spokesfolksen?) Then again, ridiculous is perhaps too generous a word. Closing the monuments, especially the World War II Memorial, can be reduced, fittingly, to a single syllable: Dumb. It is fitting because the seated patron of the Mall, Abraham Lincoln, was famously monosyllabic. In trivia you can use, more than 70 percent of the words in the Gettysburg Address are of one syllable. In more recent history, when a group of World War II veterans recently faced barriers blocking entry to the memorial — an open space requiring not so much as an attendant — these elderly warriors took a page from their Normandy playbook and stormed the barricades. Can there be an image more inspiring than members of this venerable club, whose living roll declines each day by about 640, pushing their way through flimsy, useless, pointless barriers to roam among pillars erected to their heroism? What was Washington thinking? Dumb, dumb, dumb. President Obama, whose grandfather was a World War II veteran, might have known better. We may have to close down the government, he could have said, but don’t touch the monuments. Instead, the Office of Management and Budget ordered the barricades. That’ll show ’em. Among the many reasons this was so clumsy, one stands out starkly: It isn’t as though the WWII guys can always come back another day. All are in their late 80s and early 90s, and time is of the essence. Moreover, most plan these trips well in advance and at considerable expense. Thanks to the monument liberators, Washington officials were forced to rethink their decision and removed the barriers. The American People are now free to roam their public spaces that remember sacrifices beyond most imaginations. Optically, symbolically and every other way, this seems too little too late. Shutting out veterans from their memorial touchstone was more than a bad call, a lapse of judgment, a mere moment of tone-deafness. In reality, it may have been the tidy effort of a box-checking bureaucrat, but it reeked of the small work of a petty bully. Ditto the closing of the D-Day cemetery in Normandy, France, where more than 9,000 Americans are buried. And this is the president who recently declared that The American People are not political pawns to be used to score political points? Barack Obama must have been an inkling in the prescient mind of H.L. Mencken when the curmudgeon from whom all op-eds flow once described democracy as “the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” While one may sympathize with Obama’s contempt for his congressional adversaries, he may have cut off his own nose with an unforced error of magnified proportions. Spite is unbecoming a president, as Richard Nixon proved in another era of national disruption. But beyond personality, it is baffling to imagine anyone thinking that the way to winning hearts and minds is by disrespecting the nation’s most beloved demographic. I’ve often lamented the prospect of a world without my parents’ generation, not because they were perfect but because these mothers and fathers take with them a national treasure — their personal experiences and memories of the Great Depression and World War II and the lessons of sacrifice, thrift, courage and duty that defined them. In their place, we have a bickering, twittering, snarling, snarky, toxic public square that has contaminated even our highest offices. How surreal it must seem to our oldest and wisest citizens to witness the breaking bad of America. Nearly any but the die-hardest tea party member regrets the shuttering of the U.S. government. It was unnecessary, counterproductive and punishes all the wrong people — including federal employees, who do yeoman’s work for which they receive little credit. Tying the defunding of Obamacare to the shutdown was folly, which sensible House Republicans knew even as they ignored their better judgment. Even so, the White House and Democrats seem determined to prove their own toughness by punishing the least deserving. As we approach the next battle, over the debt ceiling, would that all of Washington remember the rule of the savvy negotiator: Always leave your opponent an exit.
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