Yes, it’s full of goodly awesomeness. When you plop it back where it was it still looks awesome. Just as the 10,000 other rocks and (if you’re familiar with the area) all the other phenomenal views. I don’t remember if I drove through Goblin Valley but I did see Bryce and Zion Canyon and the pictures from Goblin Valley are similar. It is spectacular scenery.
So while I’m not downplaying the stupidity of his actions I am downplaying the significance of his actions in comparison to the massive amount of damage done by the park service in the name of public service. And yes, I like what the park service did and continues to do. It’s all about perspective. Fine the git and make him pay for damages.
Guys. It’s a rock on some dirt. Nobody should have to go to jail over some gravel on the ground. I mean, who really cares about a pebble sitting on a bit of dust somewhere? I trip over ten just like it every time I walk down my driveway. Pfft.
The range of punishment proscribed though is fairly broad - an “up to” that $5000 and 6 months. Just fining $500 would also be within guidelines. The arguments applying the lower end rest on the claimed lack of worthiness of the objects and the claimed misguided but good-hearted intent of the perps. The arguments for the higher end include the worthiness of the objects, an understanding that it is destroyed and not easily reparable, and a scoffing at the claimed well meant intents.
I would personally like to see the stone restored to it’s original perch and include the labor of Boy Scouts as part of the project. It would help redeem their image independent of the guys they threw out of the organization. I don’t see the value of jail because that cost’s tax payers. I’d rather see a fine. Something reasonably painful in relation to the guy’s financial status. $500 may be too much or too little.
No, but I want the punishment to be proportionate to the crime. He destroyed a natural treasure that was tens of millions of years old. This was something that was older than the human race. And he destroyed it one afternoon for a chuckle. This should not be treated like he dented somebody’s fender.
I want him to be punished enough so he spends the rest of his life regretting what he did. Because a million years from now, somebody is going to be walking through that canyon and they’re going to see what he did.
Is your driveway a National Park? If so then you should be called out as not to bright as well. If not you should be called out for making such comments.
Two parts of this foolishness really stick in my craw and should be considered as aggravating circumstances (not necessarily in the legal sense):
The monumental arrogance and self delusion that led the fratboy redneck doofuses to think they would get off scot-free with such a stunningly lame excuse for their behavoir. It is offensive to suggest that a judge would fall for that self-serving, transparent fig leaf.
Leaving aside any consideration of what a lousy job they did modeling the purported boy scout values of honesty and good stewardship; the shitheads in question set a terrible safety example for the young men they are supposed to be leading. Anyone who has spent any time outdoors knows that you Don’t Fucking Roll Fucking Rocks. Especially not just for shits and giggles.
Sounds to me like a good pejorative term for someone who does something stupid and/or inconsiderate in public, “That guy parked his hummer across 3 disable parking spots, what a goblin-toppler,” or “Those goblin-topplers at Westboro are at it again.”
Agree with all but the part I bolded. Full grown adults who think that God told them to push over a giant rock are not so unquestionably an asset. Throw in someone who had just claimed debilitating back surgery–yet put this on film? And no excuse about being drunk or otherwise impaired in judgement? I’m just not sure he’s not going to do something even stupider in the future.
Which reminds me, I also think they should get community service, lest they get help paying their fine from their church or members. We need to make sure they are the ones who feel it. But jail time (other than a token to make a point) is bad for the reason you mention.