Limitation of Statues

A statue to be erected in Littleton that depicts a rifle-cradling Navy SEAL who was killed in Iraq has some people upset. Seems it's too close to schools and playgrounds:

The site for Danny Dietz's memorial occupies a corner near the Littleton middle school where he first dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL.

According to the Post, Dietz, a Heritage High School graduate, died "fighting off dozens of al-Qaeda guerrillas. He posthumously received the Navy Cross for heroism." The News picks it up:

Linda Cuesta, whose child was at Columbine High School during the murders on April 20, 1999, told the City Council last month that it would be a mistake to put the statue where hundreds of children would pass it every day.

"After our experience with Columbine and the clear message of nonviolence that we teach within the Littleton schools - honestly, what are we thinking?" she said.

Honestly, some of us are thinking that it's soldiers like Dietz who ensure that the Littleton schools can indulge in fatuous but guilt-reducing exercises like teaching "clear messages of nonviolence." The Post concludes by quoting a Denverite to illustrate the proper attitude to take:

Ann Levy of Denver, who calls herself a "peacenik," would like to see Dietz's sacrifice honored in a different way.

"They should be putting up a peace dove instead," she said. "The question is do we stand for peace or do we stand for war?"

Um, just a guess, but: it depends on the situation? In the News, Dietz's widow responds well:

Dietz's widow, Patsy, said Thursday that comparing the guns at Columbine with the weapon in her husband's hands is like comparing a criminal's knife with a surgeon's scalpel.

"One is used to take lives," she said. "And the other is used to save them."

Update: Michelle Malkin has much more.