Stupid! What else can be said about the irresponsible action of an idiot, or idiots, who wantonly destroyed the fountain at the Botanic Park this week?
Vandalism is an ongoing problem in St. Albert, similar to drugs and bullying. While we hesitate to write this, or even to run a story about the brainless destruction because that’s what these rats are looking for — publicity — we have to say it is time for the city, the police, the courts and the parents to take a stand against this irresponsible behaviour.
There’s a good chance, being St. Albert, that this senseless vandalism was done by some spoiled rich kids with too much time and money on their hands. Having been given everything by Mommy and Daddy, they have a sense of entitlement, that they can do whatever they want with no concern for consequences because Mommy and Daddy will step up and take care of things for them.
Stop it! It’s time the kids — whether they’re from rich families or poor — learned to take responsibility for their actions. As the saying goes, for every action there is a reaction.
As author Alfred A. Montapert wrote: “Every person has free choice. Free to obey or disobey the natural laws. Your choice determines the consequences. Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.”
Or, to use the words of poet and author Robert Louis Stevenson: “Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences.”
Hopefully these vandals will have their banquet sooner rather than later.
And when these rats are caught, let them be shown the same mercy and respect they have shown the fountain and, in all likelihood, many other items and people in St. Albert.
Part of the problem, of course, is the non-justice system. Chances are when the idiots are caught and get to court, their lawyer will sing a song about how remorseful and sorry his or her clients are, how they’ve changed their ways and promise not to do it again. And the judge will pat the rats on the head, say, “please don’t do that again” and sentence them to a few hours of public service.
Or the court will order the culprit to send the Gazette a letter to the editor apologizing for destroying property, but the person doesn’t have to sign the letter. What’s the point if the person isn’t exposed?
Especially when the parents feel that child has “suffered enough embarrassment” by having to write the letter. Really? That’s a punishment for causing damage to other people’s property?
So if parents and the courts won’t be part of the solution, what can be done? Well, how about following the example of Oakland, Calif.? The city is suing a man for $7,000 after he was arrested, as part of the Occupy Oakland demonstration last fall, for smashing the windows of the police department building. Security cameras caught him on tape.
The city says there will be more lawsuits. Vancouver should do the same with the Stanley Cup rioters. If the culprits who broke the fountain are ever caught, either the City of St. Albert or the botanic park officials should follow suit and sue them for the total cost of replacing it.
Make the vandals pay for their stupidity. Maybe that will make them think next time.
