Destroying Formations at Goblin Valley

[Tystevens]

At any rate, these kids are staring down a possible 2nd degree felony charge. Ouch. Think it'll actually come to that?

Kids? These looked like full-grown adults to me.

I mean, I am in fear that my scouts are going to do something like this on a trip (we, like most groups, have a couple kids who are not so good at thinking before they act, or worse, trying to do something crazy to get attention), but to think that leaders would be the one's responsible for this action is amazing. That they would film it, boast about it, and post it on line is actually hard to believe!

I hope they are charged, and get to spend their next 10-15 Saturdays doing community service, hopefully cleaning up some actual hazards!

[rockgremlin]

I admit that I kind of hope so. I don't kind of hope so to be mean, or to get revenge, or to ruin their lives, or because I am angry, but only because those with felony charges aren't allowed to be scout leaders.

Absolutely.

Malignant vandalism to this degree deserves a very stiff backhand. And if nothing else, to make an example out of them that illustrates to the world the consequences of such idiotic behavior.

[oldno7]

Agree, Rock. These guys need to be prosecuted AND serve whatever time the law allows, for nothing more than to serve notice, STUPID HURT'S.

[cchoc]

Agree, Rock. These guys need to be prosecuted AND serve whatever time the law allows, for nothing more than to serve notice, STUPID HURT'S.

Absolutely, this behavior is beyond dumb.

[Kuya]

A friend of mine posted this and I think it makes a lot of sense.



"So a lot of people are upset about a couple of fat dudes pushing over a rock in Goblin Valley... like really upset.

It's a rock. Eventually wind and rain would have done the same thing. They "might" face felony charges... for pushing on a rock... let me list a few other things that are felonies:

bestiality
child molestation
cooking meth inside of a school lunchroom
beating an old woman with a lead pipe
kidnapping a nun

let me list some things that are not felonies:

beating your wife
stealing from the store
peeing on someone's leg in public
defecating on a cop car
and...pushing over a different rock.

it's a rock, not a disabled, defenseless child. Let's get over it."

https://www.facebook.com/THEN1GHTMAN...51699940233693

[reverse_dyno]

it's a rock, not a disabled, defenseless child. Let's get over it."

Low probability of getting caught requires a long jail sentence to prevent people from doing it.

One reason for such a harsh penalty is that it is almost impossible to catch the people that actually vandalize our great outdoors. To make up for that penalties need to be extremely draconian. Defecating on a cop car will most likely be noticed by the cop and the cop can then arrest the person. The only reason we know about this particular incident is because the vandals were dumb enough to video and then post what they did. I have gone hiking countless times and seen rocks vandalized in Southern Utah, but have never seen anyone do it.

[rockgremlin]

A friend of mine posted this and I think it makes a lot of sense...blah blah blah...

Nice troll...

[Slot Machine]

A friend of mine posted this and I think it makes a lot of sense.

Please, PLEASE, do not take this friend canyoneering.

[oldno7]

It's a rock. Eventually wind and rain would have done the same thing.

"It's a rock---

So are the Teton's
Angels Landing
Rainbow Bridge
Fiery Furnace
Any arch in Arches NP
The Maze
need I go on?

Lot's of "just rocks" will certainly erode in their due time, it's not your "friends" job to accelerate the process.

[Kuya]

Please, PLEASE, do not take this friend canyoneering.

HAHA, no I think he would be fine coming canyoneering with me. I do agree with him in this. Why is it that people can beat their wives, and do other horrific things and NOT get punished as severely as someone who scratches or rolls a rock?

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't advocate ruining our beautiful landscapes at all, I think appropriate punishments should be given, but I don't think that anyone should be made a felon because they pushed over a ROCK. I DEFINITELY think these guys in this video should get punished. not the least of the punishments should be banishment from the National and State Parks. But really, convinced as a Felon? really?

Lets now add ROCK ROLLLING to this TOP of this list

Felonies include but are not limited to the following:

• Murder
• Rape
• Aggravated assault and/or battery
• Manslaughter
• Vehicular homicide
• Arson
• Burglary
• Tax evasion
• Various forms of fraud
• The manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute of certain types and/or quantities of illegal drugs
• In some states, the simple possession (possession without intent to distribute, e.g., for personal use) of certain types of illegal drugs, usually in more than a certain quantity but regardless of quantity for some drugs in some jurisdictions (such as Virginia for cocaine and heroin)
• Grand larceny or grand theft, i.e., larceny or theft above a certain statutorily established value or quantity of goods
• Vandalism on federal property.
• Treason
• Kidnapping
• Obstruction of justice
• Perjury
• Cheque fraud
• Copyright infringement
• Child pornography (also includes only viewing pictures);
• Mail tampering
• Theft of money over a certain amount
• Violating parole, probation, or recognizance bond
• Threatening an official (police officer, judge)

[deagol]

describing this act as merely "pushing over a rock" is misleading.
Wanton vandalism of public property would be better.

[ststephen]

The "it's a rock" argument has no basis. The "there are other worse felonies" argument has no basis.

Most states have laws against Malicious Destruction of Property as well as Vandalism. The former is often a felony and the latter a misdemeanor. The motivation for making Malicious Destruction of Property a felony is that it is not based on some heat of the moment lack of judgement but a premeditated choice to destroy property of significant value. Of course it's not as severe as rape or murder, but not all felonies are penalized equally either.

It's clear to me that this is a case of MDoP. They thought about it, executed it and celebrated the act of destruction. Is a natural feature greater than $250 value (e.g. the value used in some states)? Think of a man-made park. The bench, water fountain, statue, etc. etc. are all more than $250. The sign on the bathroom or toilet roll dispenser probably less. Yep, this is of the former category: a sizable feature of the park.

Sorry, but it feels worthy of a felony to me.

[rockgremlin]

Pointing out that there are other, more deplorable acts in this world do not justify your misdeeds...


O.J. Simpson: "Your honor, I would like to point out that Hitler was responsible for the mass murder of millions of innocent people, therefore I believe my actions shouldn't warrant a punishment."

[accadacca]

Watch for this video on the next episode of the worlds dumbest criminals.

[accadacca]

Men behind Goblin Valley video receive death threats, hate mail

HIGHLAND

[Byron]

If these guys were smart, they would strike a deal with Emery before they bring charges...volunteering to do something as a penance. I've read that they should have the rock put back where it was, but getting equipment back there may be impossible.

Death threats, eh? I think their BS excuse of "saving someone's life" didn't quite fly. Oh well, regardless of how this all plays out, I would reckon they've learned a lesson...unless they were born with damaged brains, which is a possibility. Ya know, like OJ Simpson..."I don't care what anyone thinks, screw you".

I would imagine the Sheriff in Emery County is getting a lot of emails and phone calls right now.

[deagol]

pathetic excuse at backpedaling. Anyone who watches their video should not buy their excuse.

[Sombeech]

We were very close to taking the scouts to Goblin Valley this weekend, and Little Wild Horse Canyon but we cancelled at the last moment.

I'm a little more responsible than to damage the environment like this, but let's say I wasn't.

I could have chiseled my name into the slot canyon wall, or pushed over rocks just like these clowns. And, anybody who's been there knows that this type of thing has been done in the past (before you get all huffy, I'm not excusing it), it just wasn't recorded and uploaded to YouTube. But to link it to anything that the LDS Church teaches or how they're involved, or to any responsibility of the BSA (and how much of a tax break they get) is ridiculous.

When I hear anybody say regarding this incident that the LDS Church or BSA "needs to change ________" ..... First off, these organizations don't NEED TO change anything! They are already teaching respect for the environment, and the State Park has posted rules against this type of behavior. They just need to release them of their duty and let the justice system do it's job.

So the organizations, nor Goblin Valley State Park, don't "need to" change any of their regulations, qualifications, punishments, screening process.... I have no "priors" on my record, but if I for some reason decided to do what this clown did, neither organization could possibly have any blame because of their lack of emphasis on environmental respect. What a crazy concept to suggest they share blame in this. I'm an individual and I could still act like this blatantly in the face of anything I'd been advised.

With the felony requests, probably a little harsh. It's a state park. I'm not excusing what they did, but it's the same as when somebody says about a child molester "they should hang them upside down by their balls and then mutilate this and that and...." but in reality the laws must be followed. So leaving the emotional Felony charge, and even the death threats out of it, these guys will get what they deserve according to the law. They are already starting to pay a huge price, now internationally, for what they've done.

And... I think this has discouraged a lot of would be vandals because of the huge consequences. So, some good has come of this.

[Reedus]

it seems at times the SL Trib delights in besmirching the reputation of the LDS church.

Kinda like Rockgremlin here on Bogley. Always ready to pounce and take jabs at anything LDS related

[Reedus]

A friend of mine posted this and I think it makes a lot of sense.

You should invite Andrew over here and let him make his case. The kid loves a good debate