Two letters about the Trump shutdown - echo opinions from Arizona

I went directly to the newspaper where the immigration debate is seen by residents on both sides of the US border with Mexico.  

Two letter opinions published in the Arizona Daily Star, in Tucson immediately leaped off of the Tucson.com opinion page. In fact, there were even more letters, but I picked these two posted below. 

One from a citizen named Regula Case and the second is an opinion published by James E. Cook, the executive director for the Western National Parks Association, who described how the Trump Shutdown impacted on Arizona's National Parks. 

In my opinion, when I look at this rendering of what stupid Trump wants his useless $5.7 Billion dollar border wall to look like, I picture the horrific image of the first innocent immigrant who will undoubtedly be impaled by the spikes while desperately trying to enter the US.

The January 24 editorial from the Chicago Tribune (wrongly) decried the "petty" fight over the wall. But the reason for it has been simple: Trump wants his $5.7 billion solely so that he can crow to his base in 2020, "PROMISES KEPT." Never mind that $5.7 billion would pay but a small fraction of any "big, beautiful" wall. (In tantrum form!) He'll demand more (with what or who as hostage next time?). The Democrats are right to see that his insistence serves only his personal political ambitions, nothing more. Petty indeed. From Regula Case, Midtown Arizona

Impact of the shutdown opinion published in the Arizona Tucson Star.

While the government shutdown may have been abstract to many, it had real and devastating consequences for national parks and the people who care for them. Our beloved local and regional parks, such as Saguaro National Park and Tumacácori National Historical Park, are highly vulnerable without the full staff of professional rangers to protect them.

National parks protect our nation’s culture, wildlife, history and natural beauty, and we need to protect them in return. During this government shutdown, it is estimated the national parks are losing roughly $400,000 per day in vital income used to support programs and badly needed improvements to infrastructure.

We know the parks are sustaining damage that could take years to reverse. In some cases, the damage may be irreparable.

For many people, the shutdown disrupted a great American experience that only national parks can provide. 

We turn to national parks to experience spectacular wilderness. Families plan once-in-a-lifetime trips to learn about our history, schools use the parks to extend and enhance the classroom, and kids have “aha!” moments that last a lifetime.

It is not only the parks that suffered. Dedicated public servants, who care deeply about the resources of these beautiful public lands, work tirelessly to protect the parks and the people who visit them. Not only have they been unable to do their jobs, they don’t know when they will next be paid or the extent of damage they will find once they get back to work.

Gateway communities suffer when people cancel their trips to national parks, impacting hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other service providers.

Nonprofit National Park Service partner organizations such as the Western National Parks Association suffer, too. Headquartered in Tucson, WNPA supports 71 national parks across the West. WNPA employs 50 people in Southern Arizona alone and more than 150 people across the 12 states where it operates.

Many WNPA employees are locked out of their work sites and will be subject to furloughs due to the economic impact it is having on our organization.

Close to $600,000 in gross revenue was lost and the amount grew, which directly impacted the amount of aid given to partner-parks this year. This negatively affects our ability to fulfill our mission and support educational programs and research in parks.

National parks will need our support more than ever once the shutdown ends, and every one of us can help mitigate the damage done to them. Visit the parks, volunteer your time, and become a member of and donate to organizations like WNPA.

National parks tell America’s story. It is our responsibility to ensure these remarkable and treasured lands are preserved for everyone, for all time.

As of Saturday January 26, 2019, the US government is again open for business but it should never have been closed, in the first place, and it must never happen again.  #stoptheTrumpshutdown