It’s late enough in the day that we should be able to have a little fun with something. What should have been some routine maintenance for a revered national landmark is probably going to wind up being fare for late night comics and snarky pundits. The story, on its surface, isn’t all that unusual. The Statue of Liberty, getting on in years and not originally built with 21st century safety requirements in mind, is getting an internal makeover.
Lady Liberty will celebrate her 125th birthday next year by taking some time off.
Officials at the National Park Service announced Monday that the Statue of Liberty will be closed to the public for up to a year beginning next fall for security upgrades — including a new staircase. The 22-story structure currently has a single staircase spiraling up to the crown. The Associated Press reports that construction on a second staircase is set to begin in October 2011.
“The $26 million dollar project will add fire-proof staircases, elevators and exits,” David Luchsinger, superintendent of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, told Reuters.
Nothing really controversial going on there, eh? I’ve toured Lady Liberty and, particularly for those with trouble getting around, she could use a few upgrades. But the dates in question caught my eye. If they’re going to close it in October for roughly “a year” that means that the nation’s symbol of liberty and freedom will shut down until just before the next presidential election.
Let’s save Conan and company some effort and fill in headline blanks. We can get the most obvious one out of the way first:
Liberty in America closed until end of Obama’s term.
I’m sure you can all do better…
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