One of the lessons people learn as they mature is that you can’t have it both ways.

“Like why would anyone want to scratch my car and trash my favorite Valencia St. bistro? I’M not a yuppie, I’m cool!”

I don’t support vandalism or silly demonstrations at all. It’s surprising (or not) that these people would choose the Mission as the target of their anti-yuppie rage. 15 years ago the Mission would have been the last neighborhood that wannabe anarchists targeted.

Neighborhoods change.

http://occupysf.org/declaration/

Just as we can’t stop people or dogs from peeing & pooping in the mission or anywhere, how on earth can we expect Occupy to stop a few egoistic, self-centered, attention seeking spoiled brags from vandalizing things base on their own unique political/tactical reasoning?

Secondly, as a sweeping generalization, rich folks don’t get rich by giving their money away, or even sharing their wealth. As such, the chance of this Aston Martin owner sharing his financial success with his community is pretty low. Of course there are exceptions, but few of them. This also makes me respect the owner less.

Thirdly, there is a long history of wealthy people taking advantage of those socially and economically less well off. When this person earns money, it comes from somewhere. They don’t generate this wealth from thin air, they are taking it, usually through complicated routes, from other people. Money circulates. The people this money came from may not have had any choice in making this Aston Martin owner rich (think medical insurance, pork-barrel taxes, private water, food monopolies). There are systems in which people cannot avoid making the rich richer. Should i applaud this?

While these are all assumptions (what more can we make knowing nothing about this person, other than is directly evident from the picture), you too are making assumptions. The most important of which is that this person believed in the american dream, tried hard, was successful, and EARNED their money. There are plenty of rich kids who have never worked a day in their lives. There are plenty of rich folks who have broken laws, and gravely mistreated others for their wealth.

Rather than spend this $200,000 on something only yourself can enjoy, how about spend it on a school in your neighborhood, your favorite park, or a donation to a responsible environmental group.

Yeah, smashing art galleries and vandalizing musicians’ cars really sends a message. . . that you are a complete and total douchebag and we should bring back pillories just for you.

In South Africa, it is legal to install anti-theft/carjacking systems that will burn anyone who approaches the car to a crisp. I wonder if it is time to start legalizing driver’s side flame throwers here?