Government Gone Bad

I am very angry.  Seething.  I just watched an account on the nightly news that almost renders me speechless. Today a group of brave veterans arrived via Honor Flight to experience the monument erected as a tribute to their service and sacrifice.  They were met with barricades, police tape and park guides turned guards. We all know that we are in the midst of a government shutdown.  Well, somewhat of a shutdown as paychecks are still arriving for those who are refusing to do their jobs.  Those least deserving.  Let me tell you that the National Mall, where most of the monuments are located is, generally, open and accessible 24/7.  You can walk up to the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the MLK Memorial morning, noon and night and when you do, you may or may not see a park employee on site.  Most of these employees are volunteers full of information.  They don't get paid.  Barricades and an extensive show of park police guards are extraneous, expensive measures that have been implemented post haste to punish taxpaying visitors.  To hit us where it hurts.  To show us.  Teach us.  Limiting this access is our leaders behaving as bullies once again. This is an Imperialistic move that should outrage us one and all no matter political affiliation or party.

I'm glad the veterans had the courage to move through the barriers and experience the WWII Memorial erected in their honor.  They had the fortitude to stand up to a government they once stood up for.