While accompanying a group of veterans to the World War II memorial in DC, knowing that it was closed due to the government shutdown, Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) chastised a park ranger for doing a job that she was forced to do because of him and his party. In front of a large crowd, many of whom were yelling at him for his part in the shutdown, demanded that the female park ranger apologize to him and the vets for refusing them access to the memorial. The park ranger stood her ground; she responds with a simple "I am not ashamed."
Watch the video captured by NBC Washington and read the original report by Gawker here:
This is the most recent example of hypocrisy coming out of Washington this week. Since the shutdown, a number of republicans have gone on record stating that those that have been furloughed - such as a number of park rangers, employees of the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Fish and Wildlife Service - and the closure of all national parks are simply "non-essential" employees and "non-essential" agencies and departments of our government. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) stated that the term shutdown is inaccurate and opted to instead label the current debacle a, "temporary partial suspension of non-essential government functions." Ironic, to say the least, considering these "non-essential functions" maintain and run 13 national parks in his home state and provide a number of jobs for Texans. They certain seem anything but "non-essential."
Yet it is these same government entities that Republican members of congress rely on in times of crisis. The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have had to furlough a large portion of employees as Tropical Storm Karen hones in on the Gulf Coast. FEMA is already beginning to recall some of its furloughed employees to prepare for the storm which may cause intense flooding and damage in areas of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. But let's not forget, these are all "non-essential government functions," right Senator Cruz?
The events taking place on are disturbing, to say the least. Those responsible for the shutdown are simply turning their back on people that have voted for them, that are government employees, and that rely on the government for everyday services. Congressman Neugebauer's remarks to the park ranger at the WWII memorial epitomizes the lunacy taking place right now. It is sad, but as President Obama has said time and time again, this shutdown did not have to happen. Our national parks did not have to close. A park ranger did not have to be publicly ridiculed by one of this nation's leaders for doing her job, a job that he and his colleagues forced her to do. Our national security, which is currently threatened by tropical storms, drought and flooding, has no line of defense. We are vulnerable in many aspects. Some of those that voted for this shutdown are now attempting to play the blame game by pointing their finger at someone else, just as Congressman Neugebauer did. The dysfunction of the U.S. political system has gotten to the the point where it has become embarrassing on an international level. The U.S. has become a nation that closes the gates of war memorials on veterans of those wars, prohibits American's from enjoying and exploring nature, and most importantly, sends the employees that help maintain our nation, while our "leaders" cannot, home. Welcome to the United States, the Land of Hypocrisy.