Expensive Bronze Statue of Ronald Reagan in Newport Beach Vandalized — The Gipper Is Now Leaning to the Left
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on November 7, 2011
Newport Beach, California: Vandals tried to steal or damage bronze Ronald Reagan statue, now is leaning left (click image to enlarge)
Authorities believe that stealing the bronze statue of Ronald Reagan, valued at $60,000, for scrap metal was the likely motivation of the vandalism over the weekend in Newport Beach, California.
Others are not so sure.
And yes, Reagan is now leaning to the left, or leaning forward, depending on your perspective of the damage. It took a truck pulling the life-sized statue with a heavy chain from its pedestal in order to accomplish that… there’s a metaphor in there somewhere.
From CBS Los Angeles, Ronald Reagan Statue Vandalized In Newport Beach:
NEWPORT BEACH (CBS) — A bronze statue of former President Ronald Reagan was vandalized early Sunday, according to officials.
Police received a call at approximately 5:30 Sunday morning about a possible vandalism in progress at the Bonita Canyon Sports Park.
A witness saw a suspect tie something around the top of the statue and the other end to the front of his vehicle. The witness said the suspect then got into his vehicle and put it in reverse in an attempt to pull the statue down.
The suspect, described as a male in dark clothing, fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police said the vehicle was a tan pickup with an extended cab, circa early 2000s.
It’s not known if the suspect was trying to simply cause damage to the statue or steal it, but officials believe the vandal may be a thief who hoped to take off with the statue and sell it as scrap.
City workers were called to assess the damage to the statue and decide it had to be removed because it was compromised.
There is no word from officials on when the statue can be replaced and put back on its pedestal.
The statue debuted last month during a dedication memorial to celebrate the former president’s 100th birthday. It is reportedly worth $60,000.
From The Blaze, NEW RONALD REAGAN STATUE VANDALIZED IN CALIFORNIA:
A life-size statue of former President Ronald Reagan is tilting at an odd angle in California after someone apparently tried to make off with it.
The bronze statue was just dedicated last month in Newport Beach, Calif. It remains in the park, but is broken off its foundation and is tilting forward after someone attempted to pull it down, the Orange County Register reported.
Newport Beach Police received a call around 5:30 a.m. Sunday of a vandalism in progress, KTLA-TV reported.
A witness said a man wearing dark clothing tried to attach a chain to the base of the statue. The chain was connected to the back of his truck and he seemed to be trying to pull the statue down. He was unsuccessful and was seen fleeing into the surrounding neighborhood.
“Either someone really didn’t like Reagan or they tried to steal it so they can sell it for scrap metal,” said police Sgt. Kirk Jacoby told the Register.
A few of the 200-plus comments written by Blaze readers, weighing in on the vandalism of the Reagan statue. Some are a real hoot:
BARBER2
Hey, that statue is leaning to the LEFT. I bet I know who was behind that…
V-MAN MACE
Must’ve been the ghost of Raygun!
He tripled the national debt by spending on the military industrial complex!
I‘d say that’s pretty bad for a so-called fiscal conservative!
INDY1
That’s funny V-Wimp, last time I checked the US Constitution, it was Congress that determined spending, and the Congress was Dumbocrat for all 8 years Reagan was president. Epic Fail, *******!
NIGHTSTALKER
Even with a pickup truck and chain they barely made him lean left.
Looks like the work of an ACORN trying to pull down a mighty oak!
LOL
SNOWLEOPARD {GALLERY OF CAT FOLKS}
Wonder if it was Obama or one of his czars who tried to have it removed.
FATJACK
Na, it was progressive revisionist street sweepers cleaning the evident of who and what makes America great.
Shame on them.
LODGERAT
Boy we got some sick puppies running loose
TOM K
@BARBER2: That’s the first thing I noticed; leaning left. How about a Star Wars Force Field around our leader’s new statue ? When liberals / progressives / communists get too close it could reprogram their brain, if one is detected, and flush the garbage out which could facilitate logical thinking, Presto – Hannitized ! If no brain is detected they would be vaporized. Anyway, find and arrest those vandals.
JOE CONSERVATIVE
People have no respect for anything anymore. The division in this country has been created by electing the most divisive President in our nations history. Barack Obama only cares about taking care of his union buddies.
CLAYMOREMACM
Imagine the hoopla if it was a statue of a lib?
DRAGO
Wonder how many smart cars it took to get it to tilt that far?…………
AMERICAN1ST
i think it was either a democrat or msnbc, based on how Reagan is now leaning left, or leaning forward…
OLDBIKEFIXER
They’re gonna have to build a iron cage around the statue. There aren’t many Conservatives in California. This is probably just the first time that the Reagan statue will be vandalized.
KICKINBACK
Sad but true. Everything will have to be in a bubble.
DB321
Fix it and I will volunteer to stand watch.
I LUV AMERICA
I’d do it, but I live in Northern California.
Oh, how California fallen in my lifetime. The republicans in California were a large reason why Regan was elected. In fact, he was the first president I voted for back in 1984 (I wasn’t old enough to vote in 1980).
C. SCHWEHR
Agreed. It’ll probably have to be put inside a building and guarded to keep the morons from attacking it….what has this country come to????
LIMABEAN
Though we may be out numbered (in certain districts) there are conservatives in California. It’s about location (depends on the district). I, unfortunately, live in a densely liberal area (Los Angeles). I would like to know who and why this happened. Not too long ago The Blaze ran a story about Obama’s L.A. headquarters getting vandalized (glass windows/door shot out). What’s the explanation for that?
OUT OF MANY ONE
Note it wasn’t taxpayers who paid to have this statue built either. But some people just can’t stand that his legacy lives on a gains more adherents as time passes.
TURTLEMAN
Actually it’s tilting to the left. It took someone with a truck and a chain to get Reagan to tilt to the left!
SPONTANEOUSVOMIT
Viva la neuva Amerika!
CAPITALISMROCKS
Let all of us know if there is a fund or something, I will contribute to the Statues’ repair and I will also chip in for a Infrared camera with IP connection to be setup, we must protect such honorable statues to such incredible hero’s such as Ronald Reagan.
UNIX
A bit off kilter, but still standing strong way to go Ronnie baby! What dolt would do that? Reagan was a uniter, not a divider like the Nero-In-Chief we have now – dividing us along class and race baiting lines in his speeches, while Rome burns. The man is a disgrace and needs to be made a one term President. Vote all Progressives out in 2012~! These green haired anarchists with the bones through noses and the bongo drums in their ears are the minority!
God Bless America
Viva TEA
RIGHTPOLITICALLY
Don’t worry, as California sinks and lists to the side under the extreme burdens of its socialist ways, Ronny will be “righted” once again.
TRUTHANDFREEDOM
As dumb as some criminals can be, I can’t imagine one thinking he can bring it to a scrap yard and sell it without a visit from the police. Even if he said he found it, he wouldn’t be able to sell it. It obviously belongs somewhere.
That leaves the usual suspects.
I’ve known lefties who would not be able to sleep at night if their town honored Reagan with a statue. That’s just more piece of evidence that he was a great President.
He just defeated them again. COMMIES!
ONEGODINKANSAS
That‘s the only evidence you’ll ever see of the Gipper leaning left.
RAJABEAR1
Ironic. Isn’t this the crap they do to dictators and he happens to be the ONE most recent presidents that represents freedom? If that doesn’t tell you how damn confused those progressives are, nothing will.
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