Day 2 of the government shutdown found furloughed federal workers trying to make the best of the situation, while the continued closures sparked frustration and growing alarm.
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At the public Northwest Park Golf Course in DC, pro Martin Zadravec said he wouldn’t be surprised if “a bunch of federal workers are better golfers” when the shutdown ends. He’s been inundated with lesson requests since Tuesday, noting, “It looks like people are making the best of a bad situation.”
Furloughed NIH scientist Bruce Raaka, 62, was teeing off, determined to improve his 10 handicap. “I’m trying to get my game up. I got nothing else to do besides work around the house. I had to do something.”
Said NIH analyst Derrick Monford, 54, “It was either stay home and be angst ridden from watching the news . . . or just come out and try not to worry about it.”
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A furloughed NASA employee who went home Tuesday and baked an elaborate chocolate and Reese’s Peanut Butter cupcake became a Reddit sensation when her hubby posted photos of the confection online, noting, “My wife was furloughed yesterday, so she had some free time. I’m not complaining.”
The post by “beernerd” drew more than 500 responses, including: “I want to be furloughed at your house,” “Wow, does she work for the Dept. of Confections or something?” “Are there Mars bars in it, too?” “Bro, you need to marry your wife ASAP1” and “Astronaut wife that bakes amazing cakes? You win!”
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The IRS, which furloughed more than 90 percent of its workers, has warned them not to even think of doing government work while they’re off.
The agency has computer software that can track when an employee logs into the IRS system, according to former IRS official Marvin Friedlander. The agency, he said, tells staffers “If we find out you worked at home, you’re going to get fired.”
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The budget impasse “seriously damages” the US intelligence community’s ability to protect against threats, and has created a “dreamland” recruiting ground for foreign spy agencies, according to National Intelligence Director James Clapper.
“This is a dreamland for foreign intelligence service to recruit, particularly as our employees, already many of whom [are] subject to furloughs driven by sequestration, are going to have, I believe, even greater financial challenges.”
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Disdain for the funding stalemate was obvious at Pork Barrel BBQ in Alexandria, Va., which gave away hundreds of pulled-pork sandwiches to diners who showed a government ID. The freebie, the eatery said on Twitter, “EXCLUDES CONGRESSMEN.”
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The Bureau of Land Management said it’s keeping a minimum number of employees to care for the 50,000 wild horses it has housed in long- and short-term holding facilities. But the shutdown has stopped the adoption of wild horses and burros.