Thought USFS-FIRE was exempt from shutdown layoffs? WRONG! [View all]

[DemoTex]

I came down from the mountain today, cold and tired (and sick as a dog) from yet another 5-day shift in the wilderness, to be told that I will most likely be furloughed on Tuesday, if the government is shut down. The Department of Agriculture/USFS has the list drawn up, and most USFS-FIRE 1039-TEMPS are on that list. I am a USFS-FIRE 1039 TEMP.

I'll give the US GOV a couple of days, gratis, in the lookout tower whilst I pack my gear. If I spot a fire, I will report it. I will do what any sane, responsible adult (but not a member of Congress) would do in a bad situation. I'll do my job, clean my workplace, and move out .. all for free.

I will not cheer the un-timely dismissal of some young, brave, seasoned wildland firefighters, also 1039-TEMPS. These are front liners. Some are elite Hotshot crew and smoke-jump crew members. Actually, all are very elite. But certain GOPers cheer this gross dismissal, and do so with whiskey in their guts. These are not front liners, they are REMFS (a term from Vietnam, meaning Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers). May they rot in hell.

And I'll clean the lookout tower it like it has never been cleaned before, on my own time. Why? Because even after the fucking teabagger Congress fires my ass, I'll be the one opening up the wilderness lookout for the 2014 fire season. And that is a promise.