Nihilo sanctum estne (Is nothing sacred)? The philosophical Latin question takes on new meaning as vandals continue to destroy and deface statues, from Christopher Columbus and George Washington, to Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Meanwhile, churches are being torched under suspicious circumstances and city leaders are all too eager to stay mum on the subject, lest they face the wrath of the mob as well.

Here’s the hard truth: the destruction is appalling. Blatant disregard for the law is an easy way to grab headlines and spark charged dialogue about history and race relations, but it’s hard to see any lasting benefit of such dangerous and incendiary acts.