"Sir, you are recreating..."
Never mind that you are on public land that you and other taxpayers own—land that has been paid for by sacrifice and a lifetime of paying taxes. Never mind that you have been looking forward to enjoying, what will probably be your last opportunity to see, the great outdoors of the country you love, with a group of your friends. Just shut up and go back to your room!
Pat Vaillancourt went on a trip last week that was intended to showcase some of America’s greatest treasures.
Instead, the Salisbury resident said she and others on her tour bus witnessed an ugly spectacle that made her embarrassed, angry and heartbroken for her country...
Vaillancourt took part in a nine-day tour of western parks and sites along with about four dozen senior citizen tourists. One of the highlights of the tour was to be Yellowstone, where they arrived just as the shutdown went into effect.
Rangers systematically sent visitors out of the park, though some groups that had hotel reservations — such as Vaillancourt’s — were allowed to stay for two days. Those two days started out on a sour note, she said.
The bus stopped along a road when a large herd of bison passed nearby, and seniors filed out to take photos. Almost immediately, an armed ranger came by and ordered them to get back in, saying they couldn’t “recreate.” The tour guide, who had paid a $300 fee the day before to bring the group into the park, argued that the seniors weren’t “recreating,” just taking photos.
“She responded and said, ‘Sir, you are recreating,’ and her tone became very aggressive,” Vaillancourt said.
The job of 'Park Ranger' used to be an honorable and respected position; not any more.
If the government cannot help a few seniors enjoy a park, how can they possibly help millions of them with a health care system?
The point has been made, and the answer is very clear.
-fl