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Source: The Times-News, Twin Falls, IdahoOct.迷你倉 11--More than 20,000 federal employees live in Idaho and many of them haven't been to work or received a paycheck for the better part of two weeks.They're the victims of the federal shutdown -- a political train wreck that's smoldered in Washington since Oct. 1 -- and we had hoped to tell their stories. We hoped to put a local face or two on a tale now impacting the entire nation.But thanks to government's favorite form of control -- the gag order-- our attempts failed. High-ranking bureaucrats stifled those hardest hit by forces outside of their control and, in so doing, blocked the public from a real view of the shutdown's fallout.Our reporters just wanted to chat, grab a quote or an anecdote from the countless furloughed land managers, office clerks and forest rangers who call the Magic Valley home. These are people with families. These are people who frequent our local shops and eat at our local restaurants. We might not have an estimated cost of the federal shutdown on the Magic Valley's economy, but there's no doubt damage is being done.We were repeatedly told that gag orders had been issued. Chatting with us could result in substantial retribution. We can't blame people for wanting to keep their jobs.The shutdown's cost to the national economy surpassed $2 billion this week, according to Massachusetts-based financial analysis firm IHS Inc.This gag order is another example in a disturbing trend that's sweeping through government. More and more governments, from local to federal, are blocking media access to rank-and-file workers儲存and directing all inquires to spokespeople. It's a destructive and costly road that's resulting in less nuance in the public discourse and swelling personnel budgets.Highly paid public relations specialists aren't experts in wildlife management or cancer research. The scientists and technicians who work within the particular bureau the spin doctor represents have the knowledge. Spokespeople have one task: spin the message to best reflect on their boss -- in this case, primarily the White House.But, now furloughed, federal employees don't have a spokesperson to tell of the fear or frustration caused by not knowing when they will return to work.The media has one way to end-run gag orders, one that's only used in unique circumstances. In some special cases, we offer sources anonymity. We promise to keep a source's identity a closely guarded secret. This method, while not ideal, must be employed every so often for the good of public discourse.The shutdown is one of those times.Government workers are too often the goats of political rhetoric. They're too often demonized for doing the people's work just because they're paid with tax dollars. They're too often silent fodder for charged political debate.And now, unable to tell their side, federal employees are again being victimized.Theirs is the story of the shutdown. It's a tale with ripple effects felt in every community in the nation.We hope to do our part and tell it.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho) Visit The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho) at magicvalley.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage