Was that really necessary or a way for Obama to shift the blame to Republicans? Now it turns out an organization of USFS campground operators – calling themselves the National Forest Recreation Association – filed suit in federal court claiming the campgrounds did not rely on federal funds and should not have been closed. Campground operators lost considerable money during the 16-day shutdown, even though all Forest Service employees received back pay.

The number of people who had to change plans because of the campground closings probably runs into the thousands. Needless to say, these are the same middle-class people whom the president professes to champion. I’m surprised he didn’t say something like, “If you like your campground reservation, you can keep it. Period.”

Dennis Pierce

Durango