What Sort Of Vindictiveness Is This?

On Saturday, CNS News posted an article explaining how the government shutdown has impacted C&O Canal National Historical Park (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal). The canal was chartered by President James Monroe and opened in 1828.

The park rangers have removed the handles from the 40-some public water pumps and closed restrooms in the park. However, the cyclists who use the park have simply responded by bringing their own water bottles and by using the woods for other personal needs.

The article reports:

“The State of Maryland requires the park to monitor 40 public wells for contaminants every two weeks,” he (Michael Nardolilli, president of the non-profit C&O Canal Historical National Park Trust) told CNSNews.com. “When the park was shut down on October 1st, they furloughed the park employees who do the testing,” and the park was “not in compliance with Maryland water quality standards.”

Nardolilli added that C&O is home to “1,300 historical structures, more than any other unit in the National Park Service,” and “60 rare or endangered species.” He said there are currently “no eyes and ears to protect these resources” because the “handful of Park Police still on duty” are too busy patrolling the entrances to the park’s 15,000 acres in a futile attempt to keep people out.

Taking the handles off the water pumps is just petty. It is another example of the use of the government for partisan political purposes. This can be stopped at the voting booth if Americans educate themselves as to its source and vote accordingly.

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