7 Crazy Things That Happened During the Gov't Shutdown

By D.S. Tractor, BuzzVine Contributor Thursday, October 17, 2013

The government shutdown of 2013 — what will we remember most? Let us hope we do not forget these seven crazy things that happened:

1. KKK Rally Gets Shut Down

The Ku Klux Klan had to cancel a planned rally due to the government shutdown.

2. Harry Reid Said He Doesn't Want to Help Kids With Cancer

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announces a last-minute deal to avert a historic lapse in the government's borrowing ability, in this still image taken from video from the floor of the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington October 16, 2013. | (Photo: REUTERS/U.S. Senate TV/Handout)

A reporter pressed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on why he would not support smaller funding bills passed by the Republican-led House during the government shutdown.

"But if you can help one child who has cancer, why wouldn't you do it?" she asked.

"Listen. Listen. Why would we want to do that?" Reid answered.

3. A Concerned Citizen Mowed the Lawn of the Lincoln Memorial

A private citizen mows the Lincoln Memorial lawn during the government shutdown. | (Photo: @TheBrandonMorse Twitter feed)

Chris Cox arrived from South Carolina with a leaf blower he bought from Home Depot and a thrift store lawn mower to maintain the appearance of the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial and nearby reflecting pool. Most of his work was done by the time police arrived and made him stop.

4. National Park Service Closes Open-Air Parks, Evicts People From Homes

Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 2013. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

The National Park Service was the leading tip of the Obama administration's plan to make sure the shutdown was as much a nuisance as possible. Open-air parks and scenic byways were barricaded. Barricades that were often ignored. NPS could not open the Lincoln Memorial during the shutdown because the staff that oversee it were furloughed, but they could hire security to make sure no one could get in.

Some people who had homes on park land were evicted. They even tried to close off Mount Vernon, before they were reminded that Mount Vernon is private, not part of the National Park Service.

5. Rand Paul Doesn't Realize His Mic is On, Talks Strategy With Mitch McConnell

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks to the media before his party's working lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington October 8, 2013. U.S. Senate Democrats plan to introduce a bill this week to raise the government's borrowing authority by enough to last through 2014 in an effort to avoid a fiscal default that could have a disastrous economic impact. | (Photo: Reuters/Gary Cameron)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) gave some insight into how senators speak with each other when they think no one else is listening. He had just finished an interview with CNN and did not realize his mic was still on. He strolled over to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and talked about their strategy during the shutdown.

"I just did CNN. I just go over and over again: 'We're willing to compromise, we're willing to negotiate,'" he said. "I don't think they've poll tested,'We won't negotiate.' I think it's awful for them to say that over and over again."

6. Senate Chaplain Disses Senators in His Morning Prayers; Saturday Night Live Does a Skit About It

Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson impersonating Senate Chaplain Barry Black. | (Photo: screen grab, Saturday Night Live)

Senate Chaplain Barry Black's prayer took a sharper tone during the shutdown.

"Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable," he prayed.

His prayers caught the attention of Saturday Night Live. SNL cast member Kenan Thompson did the impersonation.

"Let them stop being a bunch of blabbering knuckleheads that go onto the television and spout all kinds of nonsense until you want to smack them across the face with a bag full of quarters — now that's change I can believe in," Thompson as Black joked.

7. Members of Congress Complain About Having to Reuse Dirty Towels in Their Private Gym

Congressmembers still had access to their private gyms, one for the House and one for the Senate, during the government shutdown. Some members sleep in their offices and use the gym's showers.

But, workers responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the gym were furloughed. Some members complained about having to reuse towels. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the Senate gym was becoming "rank."