You really have to hand it to Barack Obama. Who but this nasty, petty tyrant could turn as benign an agency as the National Park Service into an object of public loathing and scorn?
Historically, park rangers’ job description has included such end-user-friendly pursuits as policing the grounds around parks and memorials to make them safe and enjoyable and looking out for the well-being of visitors. Not any more.
Now, as one renegade member told the media on Day 4 of the shutdown, their job is “to make life as difficult for people as” they can.
Sadly, many have risen (stooped?) to the challenge, forcing senior citizens from their homes and even attempting — at the president’s orders — to shut down the ocean.
And now this: Catholic Online reports that park rangers have removed handles from water spigots along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, in Washington, which includes a bike path and trail used by joggers. “Instead of saving money, the NPS is expending additional resources to go out of its way to close such locations and to make people miserable.”
The article closes with this grim observation:
There’s really no scenario where this ends well for the NPS. First, several of their workers have lost their wages, workers are working without pay, and when the dust settles, heads will roll in subsequent investigations. The NPS is making itself unpopular with the American public, which is stewing for vengeance as the weather turns cold and bitter.
For the record, the NPS had already taken a turn for the bizarre prior to the shutdown. As was reported in this space on Sept. 20, the park service had for some reason produced videos praising Islam’s contributions to women’s rights.
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