http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/vandals/ en-us Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:57:59 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2066763/posts PHOENIX — When it comes to marking up historic signs, good grammar is a bad defense. Two self-styled vigilantes against typos who defaced a more than 60-year-old, hand-painted sign at Grand Canyon National Park were sentenced to probation and banned from national parks for a year. Jeff Deck and Benjamin Herson pleaded guilty Aug. 11 for the damage done March 28 at the park's Desert View Watchtower. The sign was made by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, the architect who designed the rustic 1930s watchtower and other Grand Canyon-area landmarks. Deck and Herson, both 28, toured the United States this spring,... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2066763/posts#comment Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:57:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062211/posts TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia remained in a state of uncertainty Thursday as Russian troops retreated from and then returned to the city of Gori and spent much of the day destroying or carrying away captured Georgian military equipment. Elsewhere in the country, Russian tanks and trucks rolled along country roads toward unknown destinations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Georgia could "forget about" ever regaining the two secessionist regions that are at the heart of the conflict. At the Kremlin, President Dmitry Medvedev warmly received the political leaders of the zones, which Georgia and the United States insist remain... Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062211/posts#comment Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:15:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058763/posts Vandals entered the six-bedroom lodge and sprayed the interior with fire extinguishers, slathering the floors and walls with dust. They poured cooking oils, soaps and lemon juice in the living room, halls and kitchen and even on a dining table large enough to seat 20 for dinner, using it as a slip-and-slide. They threw eggs on the walls and television set. They scribbled obscenities. They stole two hair dryers and two pillows and left the water running. They might have spent five years behind bars had they been adults convicted on burglary and vandalism charges. As preteens, they might have... Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058763/posts#comment Fri, 8 Aug 2008 21:28:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2038147/posts ORLANDO, Fla. -- Vandals spray-painted "Obama Smokes Crack" and other hate messages on 60 city vehicles parked across the street from City Hall in downtown Orlando. Investigators said the vandals painted the messages -- which appear to be politically motivated -- after dark Saturday night. Local 6 showed several vehicles covered in different colors with the "Obama" messages. A passing motorist initially spotted the damage and called police. "I'm driving by and every car I see has been hit with spray paint," witness Mike Lowe said. "There is so much damage to them. There are messages written on them and... local6 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2038147/posts#comment Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:29:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025175/posts MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Call it poetic justice: More than two dozen young people who broke into Robert Frost's former home for a beer party and trashed the place are being required to take classes in his poetry as part of their punishment. Using "The Road Not Taken" and another poem as jumping-off points, Frost biographer Jay Parini hopes to show the vandals the error of their ways — and the redemptive power of poetry. "I guess I was thinking that if these teens had a better understanding of who Robert Frost was and his contribution to our society, that they... Yahoo | AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025175/posts#comment Tue, 3 Jun 2008 06:14:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1989068/posts "Vandals dumped red paint on a downtown veterans memorial Wednesday morning in what police suspect was a symbolic act of protest on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. " Anchoarge Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1989068/posts#comment Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:38:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949868/posts NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- New Haven's Vietnam War Memorial has been hit by vandals for the second time in two weeks. Both times, the memorial on Long Wharf was defaced by a spray painted message touting a violet street gang known as MS-13. Police said the gang, with roots in El Salvador, is not known to be active in New Haven. City officials said they are considering putting up cameras near the memorial to help protect it from future vandalism. No arrests have been made. The city plans to clean the monument on Monday. NBC30 NEws http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949868/posts#comment Mon, 7 Jan 2008 22:52:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1933472/posts Calculating the Risks in Pakistan A small group of U.S. military experts and intelligence officials convened in Washington for a classified war game last year, exploring strategies for securing Pakistan's nuclear arsenal if the country's political institutions and military safeguards began to fall apart. The secret exercise — conducted without official sponsorship from any government agency, apparently due to the sensitivity of its subject — was one of several such games the U.S. government has conducted in recent years examining various options and scenarios for Pakistan's nuclear weapons: How many troops might be required for a military intervention in... Previous Thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1933472/posts#comment Sun, 2 Dec 2007 04:47:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932801/posts 72-year-old fights off man who trashed Christmas decorations BY RICHARD WEIR and DAVE GOLDINER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS Thursday, November 29th 2007, 4:00 AM A grinch-like robber was nabbed after he attacked a 72-year-old Westbury man as he strung Christmas lights in his front yard, cops said Wednesday. Santos Zelaya, 21, followed Reinaldo Herrera inside his house on Fifth Ave., put a BB gun to his head and trashed his living room tree and biblical figurines, police say. "Jesus, Mary and the wise men all fell to the ground," said Detective Lt. Raymond Cote. "He smashed up the Nativity scene."... NY Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932801/posts#comment Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:24:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1933808/posts A Hoffman Estates man said Sunday that he is recovering from the minor injuries suffered when he was dragged by a car carrying youths who stomped on and broke pieces of the Christmas display that has illuminated his yard for 17 years. "There was about seven or eight boys just absolutely destroying our Christmas decorations," he said. "Just stomping, ripping and breaking them to pieces." OBrill, 46, of the 4000 block of Winston Drive, said he stood in front of one of the two vehicles that the vandals jumped into. "I got in front of the first car, thinking it... Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1933808/posts#comment Mon, 3 Dec 2007 03:37:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908602/posts Vandals have broken into the Musée d'Orsay and punched a hole in Claude Monet's "Le Pont d'Argenteuil", in the latest in a series of attacks on artwork in France. A surveillance camera caught a group of four to five apparently drunk people entering the Paris museum early yesterday morning. An alarm sounded and the group fled, but not before putting a four-inch tear in the painting, Christine Albanel, the French culture minister, said. No arrests have been made so far. After attempting to force open other doors, the intruders managed to get in through a back door, "even though it... Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908602/posts#comment Tue, 9 Oct 2007 12:48:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1903627/posts About a dozen lawmakers gathered Thursday to introduce a resolution condemning the recent vandalism of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. “This is really an affront to the men and women who served in the Vietnam War,” Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) said. “I’m pretty damn mad about it.” An oily substance was found splashed on the memorial Sept. 7, according to the U.S. Park Police. The substance, according to the National Park Service, has stained 14 of the memorial’s 140 black granite panels. Carter said more than 100 members are supporting a resolution condemning the vandalism so far, and he hopes every... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1903627/posts#comment Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:58:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1863605/posts WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Two teenagers were accused of gang-raping a woman and forcing her 12-year-old son to join in the attack, then beating him and pouring cleaning solution into his eyes. Authorities allege Avion Lawson, 14, and Nathan Walker, 16, were among a group of about 10 masked suspects who forced their way into the womanÂ’s apartment in a crime-ridden housing project the night of June 18. The two were being held without bail Friday on suspicion of armed sexual battery by multiple perpetrators, sexual performance by a child, armed home invasion and aggravated battery. Both were arrested... MSNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1863605/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:54:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1803587/posts MILWAUKEE - A group of Iraq War protesters vandalized the windows at the Army recruitment center on Oakland Avenue near the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee campus on Monday night. Milwaukee police had six people in custody and were questioning several more potential suspects. Witnesses say they saw anywhere from 20 to 40 people dressed in black flee from the scene. A Web site posting on Monday said that the act was a protest against the U.S. involvement in Iraq, in connection with Tuesday's fourth anniversary of the war. Torches made from chair legs, fireworks, and black flags were strewn in... WTMJ TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1803587/posts#comment Tue, 20 Mar 2007 06:45:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1784879/posts The commies at International ANSWER are scrambling to cover their rears after Vietnam veterans and Freepers announced they were going to defend the Wall from desecration at the ANSWER rally in Washington, D.C. on March 17. ANSWER made the mistake of poking a sleeping giant with a hot poker by announcing they were going to hold their so-called antiwar rally on sacred ground:The March 17 demonstration will assemble at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Constitution Gardens) at 12 noon in Washington, D.C.and march to the Pentagon.The response by veterans, military families and patriotic Americans has been ferocious. The Park Service has... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1784879/posts#comment Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:47:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1776725/posts "During an anti-war demonstration, protesters were allowed to spray paint graffiti on part of the west front steps of the United States Capitol building. FRC Radio correspondent Bethanie Swendsen reports from the Capital grounds." Family Research Council http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1776725/posts#comment Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:32:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775237/posts Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of thewest front steps of the United States Capitol building after police wereordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources toldThe Hill. According to the sources, police officers were livid when theywere told to fall back by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse andDeputy Chief Daniel Nichols. "They were the commanders on the scene," one source said,who requested anonymity. "It was disgusting." After police ceded the stairs, located on the lower west frontof the Capitol, the building was locked down, the source added. A second source who... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775237/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:09:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1774411/posts LONG BEACH, Calif. A statue of Jesus at a Long Beach Catholic church was beheaded the day after Christmas, possibly by skateboarders who had been shooed off the grounds by a priest, it was reported Friday. Skateboarders have been at odds with members of St. Cyprian Catholic Church, at Clark Avenue and Arbor Road, since September over their use of the church's bench, hand rails, stairs and other property for their sport, the Press-Telegram reported. While it is unknown if skateboarders are responsible for the attacks on the statue of Jesus and elsewhere on church grounds, church officials told the... (CBS) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1774411/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:56:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1761079/posts VANDALS set fire to about 400 cars overnight and police said they arrested more than 250 people, as violence marred France's New Year celebrations. However, a police spokesman said there were fewer problems than in 2005, when youths attacked trains in the Paris region and southeast of the country. 25,000 police were on duty throughout the country during the night, including 4500 in Paris, where the authorities banned fireworks and firecrackers. Mercury http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1761079/posts#comment Tue, 2 Jan 2007 00:58:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758842/posts Yesterday, Christmas day, our son's car was stolen around 5:30 p.m. as it was parked in front of our house. Christmas morning his girl friend's car was got stolen while parked in front of her house in Palm Springs, and also yesterday a friend's new Volvo in DHS had its tail lights bashed out with some rocks and his neighbor's van window was bashed out with the same rock. I hope your Christmas day was a little better than mine and that of all those affected by the Christmas day vandalism spree. But it is not all happening on Christmas.... FODHS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758842/posts#comment Wed, 27 Dec 2006 07:43:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1757069/posts WASHINGTON, December 21, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic League is reporting vandalism to nativity scenes across the United States. Figures from nativity scenes were stolen or vandalized in Tucson, AZ ; Millbrae, CA; Mission Viejo, CA; Moorpark, CA; San Francisco, CA; Naugatuck, CT; Waterbury, CT (Jesus was taken, but one of the arms was left behind); Fort Walton Beach, FL; Des Moines, IA; Sioux City, IA; Ammon, ID; Chicago, IL (32 figures of baby Jesus were nabbed-they were later dumped on the lawn of a Catholic church); Jackson County, IL (two incidents); Tinley Park, IL; Floyd County, IN; Fort Wayne,... LifeSiteNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1757069/posts#comment Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:43:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1736834/posts Vandals behead N.Y. George Washington statue POSTED: November 10, 2006 NEW YORK (AP) -- Vandals beheaded a statue of George Washington at one of the world's largest cathedrals and left a dollar bill on what was left of the neck, police said Friday. The damage was discovered Sunday at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, near Columbia University, Officer Kathleen Price said. The statue, near the front of the church, is part of a church collection of historical figures spanning 20 centuries. A statue of William Shakespeare represents 17th century, Washington the 18th century, and Abraham Lincoln the 19th... CNN.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1736834/posts#comment Sat, 11 Nov 2006 14:28:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1726379/posts Repeated vandalism of mosque stirs fear BY BETH AARON AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Members of a Lubbock mosque fear for their safety as vandals have continuously defaced their place of worship. Within the last month, the Islamic Center of the South Plains at 3419 La Salle Ave. has been vandalized at least three times. Between 11 p.m. Monday and 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, someone wrote the misspelled word "Redemtion" in black spray paint and scribbled lines on the sidewalks. "I don't know what is the message they're trying to give," said Faiz Rahman, a member of the mosque and the adviser to Texas Tech's... Lubbock Avalanche-Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1726379/posts#comment Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:23:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1716127/posts What happened to the 50 tons of gold, silver and sacred treasures looted from Herod's Temple following the Roman legionnaires' sack of Jerusalem on Tisha b'Av in the year 70 CE? The Arch of Titus in Rome, erected shortly after the death of Titus who reigned as emperor from 79 to 81, clearly depicts Roman soldiers bearing on their shoulders the golden candelabrum, silver trumpets and bejewelled Table of the Divine Presence which the Roman emperor Vespasian and his son Titus carted back to Rome as trophies of war. Between 75 CE and the early 5th century, the treasure... Arutz Sheva Israel Broadcasting Networ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1716127/posts#comment Mon, 9 Oct 2006 07:29:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1703658/posts Vandals pour paint on Elamite bas-reliefs in southern Iran Tehran Times Culture Desk TEHRAN -- Unidentified men have poured paint on the bas-reliefs of the Elamite Tarisha Temple in the Izeh region of Khuzestan Province, the Persian service of CHN reported on Sunday. In response, the Izeh Cultural Heritage Lovers Society has asked Iranian cultural officials to mobilize security guard teams for the Tarisha Temple, which is also known as Eshkaft-e Salman, and for the nearby Kul-Farah site. The security detail for Izeh’s ancient sites has no means to defend themselves or the ancient sites, society chairman Faramarz Khoshab told... Tehran Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1703658/posts#comment Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:58:43 GMT