Sad

[HerbS]

Liz,a little bit[vandalism] or a lot of damage[vandalism],it's the idea of damage[ that counts.

[L Verge]

It's the acceptance of little acts of violence without repercussions that have lead us on the path that we are on, Liz. If vandals had thrown paint on Lincoln himself at his first inaugural, would that have meant nothing to you? Would you have written it off as a little incident? When does one stick their head up out of the sand and say that enough is enough?

And frankly, I think it's time that people who work in the judicial field did get a "little hysterical" and lament over the route that our country is taking. In case you have not noticed, there are a lot of angry (but GOOD) people out there who are tired of what has been going on over the past fifty years or so.

[ELCore]

All I can say is that America has the highest incarceration rate in the entire world, but that hasn't had an appreciable effect on crime, whether it be hooligansim or serious offenses. Until we start to address the root causes, whatever they may be, nothing will change.

Whether incarceration has anything to do with it is debatable, but the crime rate has fallen dramatically over the past two decades, as noted in Where have all the burglars gone?, at The Economist, July 20th:

The number of violent crimes has fallen by 32% since 1990 across America as a whole; in the biggest cities, it has fallen by 64%. In New York, the area around Times Square on 42nd Street, where pornographers once mingled with muggers, is now a family oriented tourist trap.

I suggest that the rise of 24/7/365 news influences our opinions about crimes (and many other things) more than actual crimes (and other realities) do.

[J. Beckert]

I'm really curious as to what the "motivation" was for this disgrace. I've heard they're looking for a person of interest seen in surveillance tapes. It may be just a little paint, but that memorial belongs to the country. I hope whomever did this is arrested, prosecuted and made to make reparations.

I wonder what some folks would say if the same thing was done to the MLK, Jr. memorial. It would be a racist hate crime, I'm sure.

[L Verge]

While I'm not a fan of many news agencies either, I don't have to listen to the news to get my ideas about crime. I have been a victim of crime three times in the past two years. Two got off with no sentences; one is sitting in jail on another crime before they can try him for what he did to me; and the fourth was never caught.

Now, would you like me to give you the details about how children of two separate families that I am friends with have been murdered in the past ten years? And, no, neither one of them were involved in gangs -- one was in his 20s and worked in a bank, and had his girlfriend murdered right along side him; the other was 14-years-old and a good student and loving child. None of the creeps got heavy sentences.

Even one crime is one too many in my mind...

[brtmchl]

I completely agree. When someone comments about America having the highest incarceration rate I often wonder about the context. The majority of incarcerated are drug users or abusers. America is also a huge nation, so it would make sense that it would have a high crime rate. We also have an open door policy , where people come and go as they please without immigration laws being enforced. There have been countries that have used this as an advantage to get undesireables out of their own countries such as Cube in the 80's and Haiti in the 90's. I am not trying to get political here. Crime is crime and if you have laws they should be enforced. I myself am a victim. About 2 Halloweens ago my home was burglarized. The person who robbed us stole my wifes engagement ring, the money from all of our kids piggy banks, my wife's jewelry box, some collectable gold coins and other personal items. The kid lived in the neighborhood, admitted to the crime, admitted to doing the same to 7 others, but has yet been punished. Continuance after continuance. It's been 2 years now. At first I felt sympothy, I didn't want a 17 year old's life ruined but there has been no remorse and no apologies. We neber retreived an item, he is still going to court and since being arrested has burglarized 4 other homes in the neighborhood.

[GARY POPOLO]

In regards to the vandalism to the Lincoln memorial. I have read all the posts and have to say that I am proud of all our members. Why? Because although we all may have our own thoughts as to what is wrong with our society today we listen to each other. We may not always agree with one another but we LISTEN and RESPECT each others views. That is what America is all about. I myself feel that there is a lot about this country that's needs to be addressed but in saying that I still believe we are the greatest country in the world. Myself I am a god fearing man. It makes me very sad to see the way things have changed in our great country over the last 30 years or so. I myself believe that these groups that come from nowhere and say that they are only protecting those who cannot protect themselves do more harm then good. Example- taking pray out of our schools, no mention of (in god we trust). Please don't think I want to come across as a religious nut but I believe this country's morality has gone astray and believe it will only get worse if we as a people don't get back to basics and not feel that WE are owed support from others. Thank you all for your great views and respecting each other. That's what makes this forum a pleasure. Best Gary

[My Name Is Kate]

...religion and politics must mix if we want the type of society that most of us claim to want. True Religion holds man to a higher degree of personal standards and conduct than he will impose on himself. Mankind needs something higher than itself to be acountable to. (and the answer is not govenment)

I agree. It's just that I get edgy anytime I hear a politician (even Lincoln) speak of God and of being guided by God in making political decisions. I would hope that all politicians (and everybody else) would look for divine guidance, especially when making major decisions that affect others, but it always leaves me wondering if they believe in the same God that I do. Not that I think I have a monopoly on belief in the "right" or one and only "true" God...but the word "God" is so ambiguous. It shouldn't be, but it is, when used by different people. And it also leaves me wondering if they know the difference between God and their own ego. That is what is really scary.

[L Verge]

It would appear that the "minor incident" of green paint and vandalism in D.C. is growing a tad larger. This news report says that the National Cathedral and the statue of the Smithsonian's first secretary have also been defaced with green paint. See below:

Green paint was found early Friday morning on the Lincoln Memorial, and symbols were found painted in green later Friday on another statue on the Mall. The Lincoln Memorial was closed temporarily but reopened later Friday.

Officials at the cathedral discovered the paint inside two chapels Monday afternoon. It was still wet, which led them to believe the vandalism had just occurred. Officials called police immediately and closed the cathedral to visitors while authorities searched the grounds.

The paint was splashed onto an organ and on the floor inside the cathedral's historic Bethlehem Chapel on the basement level, officials said. It was also found inside Children's Chapel in the nave of the cathedral.

Also Monday, U.S. Park Police said green paint was found on the statue of Joseph Henry outside the headquarters of the Smithsonian Institution on the Mall. Henry was the Smithsonian's first secretary.

Meanwhile, crews continued working Monday to remove the paint from the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service said progressively stronger substances would be used until all the paint is gone, which could take several days. The memorial was scheduled to be power washed Tuesday.

Sgt. Paul Brooks, a U.S. Park Police spokesman, said it was too early to tell whether the same person was responsible for the vandalism at the two Mall landmarks. He noted that while the paint appeared to be splattered indiscriminately on the memorial, the statue appeared to have been deliberately painted. The symbols on the statue were not immediately decipherable.

D.C. police said paint from the cathedral would likely be sent to the FBI for testing.

The "artist" who did the damage at the cathedral has been arrested because someone saw her doing it. However, police say there is a language barrier that is making their interrogation quite difficult.

For those of you who may have visited the National Cathedral in D.C., you know that it is absolutely spectacular and rivals many of the ancient cathedrals of Europe.

[LincolnMan]

Wow. I guess we will be likely to find out what led her to do such a thing.

[J. Beckert]

Wow. A "a language barrier that is making their interrogation quite difficult". She can't even speak English and feels the need to violate national memorial sites? Try pulling that in Singapore. She'd be publicly caned. Over here, the ACLU and MoveOn will defend her and find "reasons" why we've asked for this kind of treatment from foreigners because of how they've been treated here. Like the Boston bombers. All kinds of "assistance", but they still hate America. Maybe if we didn't have so many "Americans" that hate America, this type of behavior wouldn't be tolerated.

[LincolnMan]

She may even make the cover of Rolling Stone.

[brtmchl]

She may even make the cover of Rolling Stone.

Sad but true.

And the police will probably be chastised for asking for identification.

[LincolnMan]

Ditto!

[My Name Is Kate]

Jiamei Tian is the suspect's name. Sounds Chinese. (Oops, was that a racist comment? Or am I guilty of profiling? Surely I must be guilty of something.)

I just found out that green is the traditional color of Islam. And the weird symbols that she painted may be Arabic. The plot thickens.