It is lying crap, indeed. Anything that needs to happen - web farm synch, continuous integration, log file roll ups, db backups, should all be done automatically. A website does not need an individual sitting at a desk watching the web server. If it goes down, it goes down. Why would that be worse than putting up a new landing page blaming the shutdown? It’s all PR.
Someone has to physically change the landing page, costing more tax dollars than just leaving it alone.
Exactly right! Just like sending NPS workers out to install blockades and guard the memorial sites, monuments and parks they wanted to close because of the "government shutdown".
I have access to 5 different websites and they do not need someone there to monitor 24/7...it's all automatic.