Defacing billboards is illegal, not brave act

Our client, the Roseville Automall, leases one of the displays which was the subject of front-page coverage in the Journal March 6, ?Vandalism gives radical slant to local billboards?), and the subject of a letter to the editor, ?Billboard graffiti addresses harmful message? on March 9.In reading this article and letter, I was dismayed for a couple of reasons: First, contrary to the Placer County Sheriff Department?s statement that no vandalism report had been filed on March 5 there were indeed two reports filed by outdoor advertising companies directly impacted by this illegal act. Second, and much more serious, was the comment in the Letter to the Editor congratulating the vandals as the ?brave and benevolent people who are altering the message?? Does this person not know that defacing public and private property is a misdemeanor? Does this person not understand the financial impact vandalism and graffiti have on the local communities, schools and small business? This act in particular will cost local business owners well over $1,000 to repaint the boards, not to mention the hundreds of dollars these advertisers spend only to have their message lost in graffiti. A few months ago four area youths were caught defacing a billboard in Applegate. Several hundred dollars in restitution, a police record, and serious reprimands from their parents later, I don?t think these young adults consider themselves as ?brave and benevolent.?I don?t question the message (the First Amendment guarantees them and our advertisers that right). I only question the vehicle they used to convey it. I hope the people who committed this act of vandalism understand what you did is very costly to local business people, you are breaking the law, and that there are other ways to express your message that do not cause harm and expense to others.Dennis FreidigAuburnAppreciates patriotic troop supporters on Highway 49I would like to thank Paul Alford, Journal article, March 7, for his effort in bringing Americans together on Highway 49 last Saturday. When approaching the line of patriots with my own flag I did a rough count of 30 flag wavers supporting our troops to about 12 of the Peacemakers practicing their right to assemble. A half-hour later another quick count showed close to 100 supporters to 25 protesters with more flags still being added to the ranks. As the traffic moved by it was obvious that there is much support for our troops with the enthusiastic honking and thumbs-up gestures.A curious observation was that no flags were being waved in the protesters? smallish gathering.Our world is getting smaller and there is a bully (Saddam Hussein) on the block that needs to be removed.Bullies do not recognize pacifists and so this leaves it up to someone else that has the courage and willingness to do the right thing.I plan on being out there again next Saturday at 3 p.m. with my flag in hand to peaceably express my support for President Bush and our military.God Bless President Bush. God Bless our military. God Bless America.Tom FunkhouserVietnam veteranAuburnProud to demonstrate in favor of President BushThe Journal?s coverage of Saturday?s ?demonstrations? on Highway 49 didn?t quite tell the whole story. It seems that in recent media coverage, a few vocal protesters have gotten more than their share of attention. We were out Saturday to show that there really is a silent majority.By my count, we outnumbered the anti-Bush protesters by about five or six to one. A large majority of the drivers and passengers of passing vehicles honked, gave us the thumbs up, smiled and waved as they approached the American flags of all sizes that lined both sides of the street.If the anti-Bush crowd is out again next Saturday, I believe that we will be there in even larger numbers.Let?s pray for peace in Iraq, as soon and as painlessly as possible.Don GoardForesthillKilling innocent children doesn?t make me proudThe Pentagon plan to use 6,000 missiles and bombs against Baghdad in the first 48 hours of an attack will be more firepower than was used on Hiroshima. Baghdad is a city of several million people. Ninety percent of the bombs and missiles in the first Gulf war missed their targets. When President Bush says U.S. war plans are designed to minimize civilian casualties, it is obvious he is not being truthful. The United States has been waging a war against the civilians of Iraq for 12 years. First the water treatment, sewage treatment and power stations, for pumping water, were destroyed and then the United States used sanctions to block these facilities from being repaired. Now water-borne diseases take the lives of 4,000 children per day, and the United States blocks shipment of medicines that could save those children. I have family in Iraq. Human family, which is the most important family of all. We should not sit by and let the United States get away with genocide. Children in the United States communicate with Iraqi children through the Web site gng.org For those twisted souls who feel killing Muslims is OK, I would remind you that Iraq has 1.2 million Christians who date their lineage back to the apostle Thomas in 42 A.D.Scott JohnsonAuburn