Monument Vandal: Political Statement or Mental Instability?

 

There are some people you just make allowances for, but we're not sure that Seth Jones Robinson is one of them. We're not even sure why this almost 21 year-old man would have suddenly emerged from his apolitical world and thrown blue paint on Florence's Confederate memorial. Was it to represent Union blue or the blue of the Democratic Party? Either way, he was greatly mistaken in thinking this would accomplish anything other than muddying his chances in life and hurting his family.

Not quite three years ago, Seth Jones Robinson was reported missing from his Ridge Avenue home in Florence. At that time, some outlets described it as an emergency situation. Whatever the reality of Robinson's impromptu vacation, he soon returned home. Since that time, Robinson has remained absent from the limelight. That changed on Wednesday afternoon when he defaced the monument and ran from law enforcement.

A Lauderdale County deputy assigned to the courthouse soon caught up with the vandal and tackled him. We're not sure if this reflects well on the physical training of these deputies or if it demonstrates the abysmal physical condition of today's youth. 

Upon his arrest, Robinson was taken to the Lauderdale County Detention Center where he was quickly bonded out. That certainly taught Robinson that his actions have consequences. How long until he tries something even more deviant? 

That being said, we highly suspect the young Florence man needs mental health counseling and, perhaps, medication. Unfortunately, if his name should appear in future arrest reports, we will not at all be surprised.

While we adamantly support the removal of the memorial to a more appropriate location, we in no way support desecration or defacement of the monument. Unfortunately, until the statue and its base are moved, we are apt to see more of this behavior in the future.