# WWII Memorial shutdown controversy **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 4, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354 "2013-10-04T14:25:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/161 "2013-10-08T17:02:46Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > Some .gov websites get you this: National Parks Service > while others get you this: [HealthCare](https://www.healthcare.gov/) > > Some .gov websites are more equal than others. What part of essential is hard for you to understand? If the GOP closes the government for non essential services, why the everloving fuck would they think that _National Parks_ make the cut? It’s a nonsensical jumble of patriotism and ignorance driving that one. Also, Obamacare isn’t hit by the government shutdown because of how its funding is set up. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/162 "2013-10-08T17:09:19Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Seriously you kill the Amber alert website but keep let’s move up and running? I guess it’s OK to rape and murder kids, but not to let them get fat. > At least they will leave a good looking corpse. > [@Rick](#): > > As far as the importance of that website goes let’s think about this for about 2 seconds. > A person sees something that might be a subject of an AA alert. They are not sure enough to call the cops, but something pinged their radar. Where do they get more info? > Maybe you would drive down the nearest highway to look at lighted signs, but speaking for myself I would go online to the website. > So IMHO that website saves lives. Apparently you can’t read. > [@](#): > > The official told CNN that the [website is informational only](http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/07/after-bad-press-and-confusion-justice-department-restores-federal-amber-alert-website/), detailing the department’s role in providing training to states on how to have an Amber Alert system, and that the alerts themselves were not affected. Amber Alerts are issued jurisdictionally, by county or state, the official said, adding that the Amber Alert system, which consists largely of press notifications, highways signs, and tweets, is functional and not affected by the shutdown. And > [@](#): > > To be clear, the [Amber Alert system is not run by Washington](http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2013/oct/07/tweets/tweets-and-bloggers-say-obama-used-shutdown-close-/). States set up their own programs and use guidelines and standards that are shared nationwide. The program is a network of these state-run operations. > > At the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, spokesman Bob Hoever told us that the federal Web page plays no role in actually finding children. > > Hoever said local or state law enforcement officials trigger an Amber Alert when authorities have details like the name of the child, a photo of the child, the kind of car involved, a plate number, or a photo of the suspect. “Those are the things that have led to a rescue in the past,” he said. > > State authorities then notify the media and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The center spreads the word through the Web and over cell phones, sending automatic text messages to everyone with a smart phone in the area where officials think the child might be. > > [snip] > > Hoever said as far as he knows, from the initial investigation to the public reports of a possible sighting, the federal website has never been involved. > > “If people knew how this worked, we wouldn’t be dealing with this confusion,” he said. What was shut down was an informational portal about how states set up Amber Alert systems. They did not shut down anything related to actually running Amber Alerts. > [@](#): > > As far as let’s move goes they shut down every other website to > So is the lets move website on some super special hack proof server? > Furthermore what is preventing someone from hacking the we are shut down pages? Are they also on that same hack proof server? No. The “We are shut down” pages are hackable, but there isn’t anything there to be disturbed. Whereas the actual website pages have lots of information, links to other websites, etc that could be altered or otherwise vandalised. So while one can vandalize a “we’re closed” page, there isn’t much they can do to it, as opposed to what they can do to a working page. That’s why the working page content was moved behind a firewall while administrators are not around to monitor and police the pages. > [@](#): > > \*the Amber alert website was restored have a huge public outcry. That does not answer either questions that need answering > > 1. Why was the Amber alert website considered non-essential and taken down? Because the website was the federal DOJ informational page telling what the Amber Alert System is, how it is coordinated, and how states can set up their own programs. It does not actually perform any function to the actual Amber Alert network. > [@](#): > > 1. Why was the First Lady’s pet project considered essential? > **WTF?** The Let’s Move website is part of an initiative that is run from the Executive Office of the President. It is part of the White House home page. The Executive Office of the President is partially open. The [WhiteHouse.gov](http://WhiteHouse.gov) page is currently active, though it has big headers that the government is shut down and some services may not be available. So it appears the Let’s Move webpage is active in the sense that it has not been replaced by a “closed” sign, but has not been updated since the shutdown. The White House pages are active, so it is likely the IT person is maintaining the pages to protect from hackers and whatnot, whatever risk there is. Why is the Executive Office of the President still open? Because they support the President, who is still working. So this is not a case of picking and choosing at some low level which pages should and should not be open. Rather, it is a case of high level decisions allowing low level situations to seem incongruent. In other words, bureaucracy at work. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/163 "2013-10-09T00:22:51Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > It’s not the buying of insurance. It is the federal subsidies that the big majority of those signing up will be getting. That creates/propagates the culture of dependency on the federal government. You may scoff at that, but that’s the reason. Not the “marxism” strawman. My ‘subsidy’ is a 12% tax break. I can take the credit monthly or at the end of the year. No one is giving me cash or checks. I thought R’s like reduced taxes. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/164 "2013-10-09T00:30:49Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > My ‘subsidy’ is a 12% tax break. I can take the credit monthly or at the end of the year. No one is giving me cash or checks. I thought R’s like reduced taxes. Only for those deemed Worthy. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/165 "2013-10-09T00:59:09Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > My ‘subsidy’ is a 12% tax break. It isn’t a “tax break”. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/166 "2013-10-09T01:31:29Z")
[Furloughs turn DC into skateboarding park.](http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=278040) In short: “Places that are normally off limits to skateboarding are attracting all kinds of riders right now – because a lot of the people who enforce the rules are out on shutdown furlough.” I’d rather skateboarders not start screwing up memorials and monuments. Closing them is just fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/167 "2013-10-09T02:29:39Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > [Furloughs turn DC into skateboarding park.](http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=278040) In short: “Places that are normally off limits to skateboarding are attracting all kinds of riders right now – because a lot of the people who enforce the rules are out on shutdown furlough.” > > I’d rather skateboarders not start screwing up memorials and monuments. Closing them is just fine with me. I agree, but a sick part of me would pay to see this guy slalom his way through a bunch of World War II vets. INCOMING! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/168 "2013-10-09T05:54:10Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > So, nothing in the universe can sway your opinion, no matter how logical or how many facts are thrown your way? > > Why even come here then? You haven’t thrown any facts out. The idea that there people would be more likely to vandalize a monument in front of a group of people is bullshit and you know it’s bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/169 "2013-10-09T06:08:24Z")
Of course there are such people, the only question is how many. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/170 "2013-10-09T06:11:08Z")
Why would it be bullshit ? Whether it’s masturbation or smashing a statue, some people get off on doing “forbidden stuff” in front of a shocked, unprepared audience. Do you live a terminally sheltered life, that this could be a new and intringuing notion for you ? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/171 "2013-10-09T06:11:39Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You haven’t thrown any facts out. The idea that there people would be more likely to vandalize a monument in front of a group of people is bullshit and you know it’s bullshit. You know that people flew planes into stuff, in front of people, right? Your assertion is so staggeringly daft and inept, that I’m just gonna assume you’re not arguing in good faith. You are literally saying no one would ever commit a crime in front of other people. That’s just delusional. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/172 "2013-10-09T06:54:02Z")
Clearly has never seen the Cubs play baseball. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/173 "2013-10-09T18:44:32Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You haven’t thrown any facts out. The idea that there people would be more likely to vandalize a monument in front of a group of people is bullshit and you know it’s bullshit. Who said “more likely?” ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/174 "2013-10-15T04:53:38Z")
I was going to go to Gettysburg this past weekend thinking that I could at least walk the battlefield because, silly me, what would be the point of closing an outdoor property? I knew that the visitor’s center and guided tours and the like would be suspended, but I’m glad I went online first. Walking on the battlefield is now trespassing and I could be arrested for it. The worst part is that the fucking pull-off spots on the road where there is a sign describing a portion of the battle (no trash cans, no rangers on duty, no nothing, just a SIGN) is taped off an access is prohibited. This is the height of government stupidity. Will someone vandalize the sign? No more than any other day of the year when the park is open and Pennsylvania is fully capable of enforcing vandalism laws. Further, rangers patrol the area to throw people out dare these visitors cost the government money during a shutdown by reading the signs. Most posters don’t realize how fucking stupid that is? Pay money to throw sign readers out on the off chance that vandalism might occur…10 feet from a state-owned highway. I’m not saying it’s an Obama conspiracy, just more of the same logical decision making from government employees. The only thing more amazing is that many posters here think that this seems rational. Oh, and the visitor’s center was open because it is run by a private entity. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/175 "2013-10-15T05:09:31Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > You know that people flew planes into stuff, in front of people, right? Your assertion is so staggeringly daft and inept, that I’m just gonna assume you’re not arguing in good faith. > > You are literally saying no one would ever commit a crime in front of other people. That’s just delusional. You just stepped off the cliff on that bit of stupidity. You’re suggesting that because terrorists flew into buildings that the average miscreant is going to spray paint a monument in front of people. That is so seriously devoid of logic I’m just embarrassed for you. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/176 "2013-10-15T09:40:12Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You just stepped off the cliff on that bit of stupidity. You’re suggesting that because terrorists flew into buildings that the average miscreant is going to spray paint a monument in front of people. That is so seriously devoid of logic I’m just embarrassed for you. No, he didn’t. You’re the only one who is (deliberately?) misinterpreting what he, or **Lobohan** , is saying. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/177 "2013-10-15T09:46:48Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You just stepped off the cliff on that bit of stupidity. You’re suggesting that because terrorists flew into buildings that the average miscreant is going to spray paint a monument in front of people. That is so seriously devoid of logic I’m just embarrassed for you. Ask yourself this question: Why does it have to be an \*average \*miscreant? Feel free to feel angry about this issue, but know that it’s because you don’t understand what is happening and are lashing out in confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/178 "2013-10-15T13:30:37Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You just stepped off the cliff on that bit of stupidity. You’re suggesting that because terrorists flew into buildings that the average miscreant is going to spray paint a monument in front of people. That is so seriously devoid of logic I’m just embarrassed for you. It isn’t the average miscreant. Its the people who want the publicity. PETA would be an example of an organization who chooses to vandalize publicly to get coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/179 "2013-10-15T13:50:51Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > I’m not saying it’s an Obama conspiracy, just more of the same logical decision making from government employees. Just to rope things back to reality, the faulty decision by government employees that is at the root of this problem is the goal of extreme Republicans to shut down the government – it’s not the fault of civil servants trying to execute stupid laws written by irresponsible people. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354/180 "2013-10-15T15:17:02Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Just to rope things back to reality, the faulty decision by government employees that is at the root of this problem is the goal of extreme Republicans to shut down the government – it’s not the fault of civil servants trying to execute stupid laws written by irresponsible people. Republicans are not the ones shutting anything down. They’ve repeatedly offered a number of bills that did just the opposite which were turned down by Reid and Obama. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-memorial-shutdown-controversy/670354.md?page=10)