My take...
Jail time for tipping over a rock is ludicrous. Yeah, it was stupid. Yeah it was an act of vandalism, destruction of public property and resources, occurred in an unthinkable setting. But, still - jail, for tipping over a rock? I don't think that is appropriate, or sends a good message. The message I'd get from it, is that peoples "feelings" are more important in the punishment of crime than simple objective analysis. And only the feelings of specific groups, at that. I'm against that in all it's forms...
I think these guys have already suffered substantially for what they did. Add on top of that the upcoming trial, attorneys fees etc., and I for one think they will have already paid a pretty heavy price before even being sentenced.
With that in mind, what I personally would like to see, is a fine - not a crazy huge one that will burden the families of the men for a decade or more, but just a nice hefty sting. The range proposed sounds about right to me.
And heck yes, community service of some sort. And lots of it. But NOT speaking to kids or anyone else. The last thing I want is this pair of stupid fawks being put in a position to preach to kids. Keep them the hell away from any situation even remotely resembling that. Don't let them talk to anyone. Just tell them to STFU and put them to work on some sort of park maintenance, lots of that work, for lots of hours. But not anywhere near Goblin Valley, either. It wouldn't be feasible anyway, given where they live, but again, when I visit Goblin Valley, the last thing I want to see is this pair of jack asses. Put them to work somewhere where nobody has to see them.
- DAA
