Governor's Mansion Restoration Thread
 

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten.../0609fire.html

Photo from the Austin American-Statesman:

State fire officials were viewing hours of security video Sunday night as part of a massive investigation into who set a predawn fire at the Texas Governor's Mansion that sent huge plumes of smoke through downtown and left the 152-year-old building with a partially collapsed roof, blackened windows and fire-charred white columns.
http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/09/33/60/image_7160339.jpg
Laura Skelding AMERICAN-STATESMAN

More photos here:
http://www.statesman.com/ap/mediahub...jsp?tId=110482

This is only after 3 weeks ago when a huge hail storm swept through downtown and Central Austin and busted out a few windows in the Capitol's dome and 15 trees on the Capitol grounds were damaged, 8 were destroyed. Wtf?

I'm at a loss for words.

I know. I can't believe it. I missed the news today and didn't hear a word about it. Then in the other Austin thread someone mentioned it. I thought it was a joke. But that ghostly picture of it burned out on Austin American-Statesman's website made my heart sink.


http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...0609scene.html

I don't care what your political leanings are, a criminal act of arson does nothing other than cause destruction to a public and historic structure while costing taxpayers' money and releasing smoke into the environment, let alone putting people's lives in danger.

Yeah, this is a complete outrage. They have taken one of our most prized pieces of Texas history. If it were me, the arsonist(s) would be in prison for life, and would first have to work on the building of a new Governor's mansion, be sued for every penny they have earned to this point, and then work their life away to try and repay the state (which is impossible, but they'll die trying).

Hell, I wouldn't be opposed to subjecting them to punishments that would have occurred 152 years ago... tar and feathering, hanging from the yard-arm, slavery, you name it.

I am certainly as stunned and outraged as everyone else about this horrible, deliberate an inexcusable act. The aronist(s) should indeed be severely punished. I am just glad that many of the priceless pieces of furniture/furnishings were not in the building and that nobody was hurt. I sure hope they can fully restore this beautiful and priceless piece of Texas architecture and I agree that no expense should be spared in doing so.

:(

Sad.... I was so sad when we went to look at it yesterday. The smell was haunting.

It is just horrible that somebody would do that. :hell:

It really is a huge loss. I heard on the news that the Texas Governor's Mansion is the oldest governor's mansion west of the Mississippi, and the 4th oldest governor's mansion in the country. Huge loss.

String 'em up and use 'em as a pinata. While I don't advocate arson, if you are going to commit arson, at least torch something that's ugly and not architecturally or historically significant.

so what are the possible charges for this SOB?

just wondering,is vandalizing or destroying a historic object/building/place can get you into more trouble?

I'm actually hoping they do restore it. The renovation project was apparently less than half finished.

More from Statesman.com with a list of all the articles, photos and video with interviews and updates.

Texas Governor's Mansion Fire
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...r/mansion.html

This arson comes just days after that damn *-hole Gov Rick Perry went on the news regarding El Dorado and the polygamist sect: "You know, I'm not concerned about the law.....no, I'm not concerned about the fine points of the law, or what it says. I do as I see fit, and that means, doing what needs to be done, regardless of the law."

Ok, Ricky boy. Now you've done it. Someone got fed up of you and your bullying ways. Now, WE are paying the price. Either this was El Dorado related and someone struck back, or this could have been a Drug Cartel. Either way, this was a BOLD statement by someone who has had enough.

You know, 9/11 happened the same way. Piss enough people off, and someone will eventually punch you back. I hate him. I hate him, I hate him, I hate him.........and NO, I didn't do it. I would never burn a piece of Austin because I hate the Governor. I can distinguish between the man, and a piece of history that has nothing to do with his stupidity and arrogance.

Who ever did do it better hope they don't get caught. I have a feeling they'll be strung up by their toenails.

Perry tours site of burned mansion
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten.../0611fire.html

Some more photos. The damage is really is bad. Jeez.

Interior damage to governor's mansion
http://www.statesman.com/news/mediah...jsp?tId=110689

Exterior damage to governor's mansion
http://www.statesman.com/news/mediah...jsp?tId=110482