Opinion : Twisted Knickers: National Parks

I have to admit that politics at every level is exhausting and I'm exhausted from all of it. I never thought I'd say that because I love politics. I think I'm just tired from the constant eye rolling that I seem to do.

Often I ponder whether it's more exhasting if my side wins or if they lose. I think it's consistent both ways. If your guy or gal wins, the "other side" whichever side it is, is pouncing on every little or big thing that happens under their rule or reign. If your guy loses, you spend your time saying, "Really?"

Probably what I love about politics is the debate. I love a good mental ping pong game. I love tossing around ideas. I love to hear where people are coming from and trying to understand why they think the way they do. It's just fun!

The latest horror to be handed down from that awful, terrible, no good Trump administrationi is that the free days in the National Parks have changed for this year. Quite frankly, I couldn't care less. The sun and I have an agreement if we don't see each other, I won't get 3rd degree burns. 

However, the Department of the Interior, led by Doug Burgum, changed the days.

The backstory:

The National Park Service has historically offered free entry days, with most coinciding with national holidays or marking historical land or outdoor significance. It is common for presidents to amend the list of free admission days.

This year the dates were changed. Remember it is America's 250th Birthday this year and the days that are free are reflected by that theme. We could all say, "What a cool idea!" Instead, there's moaning about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth being dumped this year, so of course the left is insinuating that Trump is a racist.  Even worse, June 14th was added, which is Flag Day...and it also happens to be President Trump's birthday so the knicker-twisting has begun. 

I told you a few articles ago, that everything that happens to celebrate our 250th birthday would have knickers twisting. I wasn't wrong. The "military parade" aka the Army's celebration of their birthday, was tagged as some Nazi/Communist event equal to China's goose stepping parade, and now the latest farce of outrage.   

Free admission days in 2026 are up by three more days this year. Last year there were only six free days, but this year a whopping 9 days. The days are all patriotic days in nature and reflect our nation. They include:

February 16: Presidents' Day - Washington Birthday

May 25: Memorial Day

June 14: Flag Day

July 3,4,5: Independence Day Weekend

August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service

September 17: Constitution Day

October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday, found of ther National Park System

November 11: Veterans Day

Now the second reason knickers are twisting is that free admission only applies to those who are US residents, I mean if that doesn't say that Trump is a racist, nothing does. Whatever you do, don't mention that other countries do the same thing. Non-residents have to pay $100 per person along with the standard fee. An annual pass for non-residents is $250, for residents it is $80. 

So anyway, if you need a reason to be upset today, here it is.