General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat is it that makes people want to carve monuments
in the middle of splendid scenery? I've been looking at pictures of Stone Mountain, and it's more than just tacky. It's an affront to the natural beauty of the area. For the past couple days, I have been thinking how a Howitzer would make short work of the monument. Now I'm not so sure. It would obliterate the monument, but it would leave a nasty scar. Then again, there already exists a nasty scar.
I felt the same way when I went to Mt Rushmore. The monument is an egregious assault on the scenic beauty of the area. If that's what it takes for families to journey out into the wilderness, then I feel sorry for them. If the monument is the only thing they stop and see, then I have to shake my head. Come on, there is the entire Needles District to explore!
We ought to be able to feel pride in having such nice, scenic areas in our country. We should not feel the need to add to them through acts of vandalism.
Ugly, ugly, ugly! And there is no way to ever undo the carnage.
Squinch
(50,773 posts)it's pretty shameful.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)We would go climbing, enjoying the scenery with all the cool formations. Then we would stop off at the Mt Rushmore tourist area a people watch. Did you know they have Christian rock bands playing there on a daily basis? It's over the top 'Murica.
MousePlayingDaffodil
(748 posts)Mount Rushmore is atrocious.
Personally, I find all of "monumental Washington" at best silly and, at worse, rather offensive. Man's monuments to so-called "great men" are, to my mind, idolatrous nonsense.
I mean, to erect a grossly oversized Egyptian obelisk -- symbolic of men who were once worshipped as gods -- as a "monument" to George Washington -- who made the renunciation of power the defining characteristic of his greatness -- is beyond ironic.
Lincoln as a Roman god? Jefferson in a Greek temple? Ludicrous.
Take 'em all down.
LeftInTX
(24,554 posts)I was 10 years old and it was hot.
Our parents were dragging us here and there.
It was big and there was too much marble everywhere.
ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)There are some impressive buildings for sure, but I found it difficult to appreciate them fully because 1) they were surrounded by other similar buildings 2) they were so close together that you can never find a suitable vantage point from which to view them. The Washington monument is the only structure I can think of that is removed enough that it does make a statement. However, there is the question of their choice of material. You want to ask the people who erected these buildings and monuments, "Did you ever consider using something besides white marble, you know maybe make one or two buildings stand out from the rest?"
The_Casual_Observer
(27,742 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)Yep, I'd agree with that assessment.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)I'm not sure of the point of it. Sure, in 10,000 years or even less it will be gone due to the elements. On the other hand, the devastation of land by clear cut and mountain top miming is an even more clear and present danger to our natural landscape with the additional dangers of pollution.