Hopefully it won't come to that but if the Government does shut down the National Park Service has announced it will not be able to honor the Cherry Blossom Parade permit and it will be cancelled.

Not to mention all the other "non-essential" government functions such as the Smithsonian museums, art galleries, Archives, Washington Monument elevator, Zoo, Capitol tours, Library of Congress, White House tours, etc.

Here's hoping it doesn't happen.

And not paying those in the armed forces getting shot at in Afghanistan.

Gail, THAT is definitely INCORRECT information. (Yes, I saw that piece, also)...besides, Active Duty folks only get paid once or twice a month (15th and 30th) and believe me, Defense has PLENTY of money they could switch over..and it wouldn't just be the troops over THERE who wouldn't get paid but rather ALL troops ANYWHERE.

Local news here is running video of all sorts of enlisted army wives wondering what they will do without paycheck of husband overseas - hoping that even government would not be so stupid as to stop paying armed forces.

Guaranteed that the areas most likely to be shut down will be the most visible, not necessarily the least important. Will be flying this weekend - wondering if Air Traffic Controllers will be on the job, paid, and awake.

Active duty military are considered essential personnel under federal shutdown laws and so would continue to be paid. Please read this for reliable information about who and what will be affected:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...OqC_story.html
In my town, the local news is useless.

In the West, they announced that Yosemite, John Muir, Alcatraz may be closed if the gov't shuts down.

If this means, senators won't get paid, two thumbs up

Closing the National Parks does NOT mean Congress wouldn't be paid. Shutdown applies to the executive branch, not to Congress.