USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) My issue is with the media reporting that in time of increased threat the Department of Homeland Security will shut down. DHS will not shutdown. Administrative folks (only) will be on furlough and if the past proves to be true in the future they will be paid for the time off (the truth is that NEVER have they not been paid retroactively). I would love paid vacation that didn't count towards my vacation time. Edit: What ever happened to Who, What, When , Where and How being reported by the media. Not taking sides as both 'sides' of the reporting fail to report the facts of what could be affected. Edited February 28, 2015 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angusruler Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 heard ALL of the sides on fox news. l believe only 13 percent of dhs workers will actually be affected. a fact that other news agencies fail to report....no surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Your disclaimer not to the contrary, DHS shutdown is 100% political. And for that reason, I'm out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheltie dave Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 The only problem with "paid vacation" is some people need their biweekly paycheck biweekly. And the very people living check to check are the ones that won't get their checks. The majority of "essential" workers are getting paid at a higher scale, in many cases, and mostly are a bit better insulated from having a hiccup in their pay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 DHS shutdown is 100% political Agreed, but the reporting of the impact to DHS is what I am talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taz Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 heard ALL of the sides on fox news. l believe only 13 percent of dhs workers will actually be affected. a fact that other news agencies fail to report....no surprise. When I was working for the Government we worked. What are you going to do? Turn patients out into the street. Now Administration I'm not sure about. The Hospital ran and it came off as less of a big deal at work then elsewhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 The only problem with "paid vacation" is some people need their biweekly paycheck biweekly. And the very people living check to check are the ones that won't get their checks. The majority of "essential" workers are getting paid at a higher scale, in many cases, and mostly are a bit better insulated from having a hiccup in their pay. No problem with your view. The rest of my comments regarding this will remain un-typed. If we happen to meet up in person I will share my view on waste in this department. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) DHS shutdown is 100% politicalAgreed, but the reporting of the impact to DHS is what I am talking about. I know what you mean, and I know your motives are pure. But the media reporting is ALSO 100% political, on both sides. I watch and trust Fox News. See what I mean? Edited February 28, 2015 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) DHS will not shutdown. Administrative folks (only) will be on furlough and if the past proves to be true in the future they will be paid for the time off (the truth is that NEVER have they not been paid retroactively). I would love paid vacation that didn't count towards my vacation time. All very true, although some less critical agencies than DHS will have to stop most of their operations and close their doors. Most in DHHS for example would not be on duty, but would get paid, retroactively if necessary, when appropriations resume. As I recall, however, processing of grant and contract reviews and awards grind to a halt, upsetting constituents' schedules, so shutdowns are not trouble free. Edited February 28, 2015 by LarryC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) although some less critical agencies than DHS will have to stop I don't follow this as it is DHS funding not other agencies. Now a days DHS envelopes a lot; for instance now the Coast Guard is under DHS. They will still be doing what they do. However, the work to our water treatment plant which will save millions and has been taking forever to implement will be delayed Edited February 28, 2015 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricktate Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 If you watch fox news and believe them your a fool. Unless you watch it for comedy then go right ahead. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 All I want is for all of the "NEWS" sources to report the factual news not opinion. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etc6849 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) I get a bit emotional about the paid shutdown thing. It really sucks when you have to come into work, and your colleagues who have "non-essential" jobs get paid more than you to sit on their butts at home (due to locality in places like DC, Atlanta, Dallas, etc). Really really sucks being on that side of things. Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for extra money to due my job, but some sort of award or recognition would be nice. Edited February 28, 2015 by etc6849 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) "non-essential" jobs Jesting here but: if their jobs are 'non-essential' why do they exist? I get it, I have several 'access' cards to establish essential-nest. One if it's a storm, one if it's a threat, one if it's a ice cream cone melting. Edited February 28, 2015 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etc6849 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Because you need folks to "manage," do administrative tasks, train others, etc... just like with any company. Essential just means your job is necessary for life, safety, etc... Only those out in the field usually meet this criteria, but some of the top dogs meet it too since you need someone in charge if all hell breaks loose. "non-essential" jobs Jesting here but: if their jobs are 'non-essential' why do they exist? I get it, I have several 'access' cards to establish essential-nest. One if it's a storm, one if it's a threat, one if it's a ice cream cone melting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I don't follow this as it is DHS funding not other agencies. Now a days DHS envelopes a lot; for instance now the Coast Guard is under DHS. They will still be doing what they do. However, the work to our water treatment plant which will save millions and has been taking forever to implement will be delayed OOPS -- you're right of course; DHS only. I was confusing this with other shutdowns that are government-wide. Apologies.... You cite a good example of what I was thinking (sic) of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 And the last time this went into effect every person that paid their $25 to have access to the base for the golf course, gym, etc were still allowed access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaman Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) The supposed shutdown is nothing more than a political ploy.....been there, seen that. Too bad mainstream news channel don't show both sides in the stories that affect so many people. Unfortunate... I do have to add however, that if I was working and someone offered me some weeks off with pay, albeit delayed that would have sounded pretty good. Edited February 28, 2015 by teaman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 Too bad mainstream news channel don't show both sides in the stories that affect so many people. Unfortunate. and there teaman is my point. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheltie dave Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Oh, I know all about the waste. This department was created as a boondoggle to shuttle friends and political appointees in to share the swill at the trough. Another federal agency was created, which meant tens of thousands of friends, cronies, and RetiredInPlacers could continue on in government service and be rewarded with countless benefits, huge pensions, and great pay for holding planning meetings all day. I went to a DHS walkthrough with a local NEST response team assisting, as an observer. It was quite funny watching the Radiation safety expert from DHS and the PhD scientist from the NEST team try to set up and run a field ISOCS radiation gamma counter. Each was trying to bluff the other into having a go at it, when neither knew fully how to get it anywhere past being powered up and talking to the computer. After an hour watching them **** up everything they could, two of us tagalong observers walked over, cleared all the false starts. led the computer down the right sequence, field source checked the detector, verified the QA checks were accomplished and logged, and initiated a first background sample count in about twelve minutes. Fortunately, neither of us had the clearance nor advanced degree to be qualified to do the job....except we both do it for a living, unlike the guys who couldn't do it but are paid to do such. Go figure, eh? These are the units the NEST team will drive or fly out to as the expert first responders, in the event of a dirty bomb, nuclear event, or terrorist threats. In the hands of someone who can crack the whip on it, we could find nuclear bombs in a sealand. These guys couldn't find Seakist in a tuna can. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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