It's heartbreaking to learn that bronze sculptures in the Forest Hills Cemetery have been stolen from their eternal homes, possibly to be sold off for scrap metal. The beauty and serenity of the 19th century garden cemetery, enhanced by these contemporary sculptures, cannot be valued in price per ton. Now missing: "Garden's Edge," a large bronze hare that seemed to guard Hibiscus Lake, and "Seated Ceres," a contemplative version of the Roman harvest goddess, clad in nothing but a straw garden hat. Obviously the thieves have no qualms about desecrating a cemetery for profit, so other public art must also be at risk. Even manhole covers have been stolen to satisfy the hot metals market. The Legislature ought to pass emergency legislation requiring dealers to demand identification from anyone trying to sell scrap metal. Junk dealers may not be the most scrupulous about recording the provenance of their materials, but it would give police another tool.
Mukasey: Department of impunity
Attorney General Michael Mukasey has refused to prosecute the US Justice Department aides who used political litmus tests to ruin professional careers and promote unqualified ideologues in what is supposed to be the people's law firm. In a breathtaking bit of logic, Mukasey told the American Bar Association this week that "not every wrong, or even every violation of the law, is a crime." The hair-splitting in this analysis is that because the meddling officials broke the civil service law, not criminal law, there was no need to bring criminal charges. Absurdly, Mukasey suggested that the "negative publicity" the officials suffered was punishment enough.
Tourism: Boston's unwelcome mat
Local militiamen made life as uncomfortable as possible for the British Men at Arms garrisoned on Boston Common during the Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 to March 17, 1776). The public can get a sense of the turbulence by visiting the British Encampment on the Common this weekend, where several re-enactor regiments will be setting up camp and conducting demonstrations, including musket drills. A reinvigorated Freedom Trail Foundation is hosting the event. The Colonial militia, with aid from the city's nasty weather, routed the Brits. But now Boston is eager to welcome visitors. What's still needed is a first-rate visitors' center in the city equal to that task.
