Teenagers have been arrested in Riverside, California, for allegedly spray-painting anti-religious statements on, and then setting afire, a church building. A Los Angeles TV station spoke of the offense in terms of "anti-religious statements," and inquiring into whether the youngsters should be charged with a "hate crime." I heard no mention of the more serious offense: trespassing upon and damaging private property. It is a sad commentary when the motives for one's wrongs to others are more important than the wrongs themselves. In a society that has so little regard for the private ownership of property, it is not surprising that teenagers might grow up feeling disinclined to respect the boundaries of others.
