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Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 8:16 PM
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Letter to the Editor: Graffiti: When Opinions Turn into Vandalism

Letter to the Editor: Graffiti: When Opinions Turn into Vandalism
Graffiti at former Cock-n-Bull restaurant near CCHS in Fallon. Photo by Caesar A.

Someone vandalized the Cock-n-Bull in Fallon many weeks ago. They graffitied the message “NO AID TO ISRAEL” on the board which covered one of the windows. I know this because I saw it myself. I snapped a photo of it while on one of my lunch breaks. It is gone now. Someone painted over it. The board shows a large black scuff in its place.

I would rather that the words were never painted there, to begin with. Graffiti is nothing new, far from an unknown problem in our community. Even behind my home, there is an alley whose wall is littered with such degenerate symbols. Someone sees a spray-painted tag, scratches it out, and replaces it with one of their own. 

I’m not writing this because the graffiti bothered me, at least not more than usual. I’m writing this because of the words which were written. More specifically, the fact that they were written.

It seems that everybody tends to let their political opinions get the best of them. They let it get to them to the point that they forget what it is like to be decent and kind people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. That is an undeniable fact. But that opinion should stay just that, an opinion. That opinion shouldn’t become malice, and it is certainly no justification for the destruction of private property or for forcing people into a state of terror in their day-to-day lives. There are a multitude of ways people can express their opinions. Graffiti is one of the ways not to. If only the people who knew no better were able to learn. 

It doesn’t matter where you stand on the issue. Scrawling words on buildings and other similarly-minded actions won’t change anything. All this makes life harder for everybody around you, who has nothing to do with that issue. 

This has not nearly become as big a problem in Fallon as it is in other cities, at least not yet. I am writing this in the hope that it never will.

 


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Comment author: Patti Cole Comment text: Marie will be forever treasured in memories. The memories remain of a soft-spoken, seemingly unassuming but determined individual who absolutely knew what path she wanted to take in life, and followed it. Her instinctive reactions, which highlighted her steadfast level of love and caring for her family, friends and all living things found in nature, hold lessons for us all. An unexpected splash of her self-deprecating humor, coupled with uncanny timing, will always bring a smile. For me, Marie lives on in the sighting of a Black-crowned night heron in the tules, the bloom of a beautiful spring flower and, most poetically, in the struggle of wildlife photographers handling their very large camera lenses. Comment publication date: 8/15/26, 9:31 AM Comment source: Obituary-Marie Dong Ko Comment author: John Chaney Comment text: I just figured out that Betty was my 1st cousin. Her dad Ted was my dad's brother. I never knew Ted or Betty, but I wish I did. I am 73 and live in IL. I am building my family tree and see where Betty has fit in. Blessings to you Curt and family. Comment publication date: 8/14/26, 11:04 AM Comment source: Obituary - Betty Lou (Chaney) Anderson Comment author: Karen Webb Comment text: I am so sorry to hear this. I loved coming to the carwash to see John! He always made my day. Prayers for all of his family during this difficult time. Comment publication date: 8/11/26, 8:56 PM Comment source: In Memory of John Evans Comment author: Laura Ivey Comment text: I am so very sorry for your loss of John. He always made my day when I went to the car wash. I will miss his joyous personality and that smile. Comment publication date: 8/10/26, 9:52 AM Comment source: In Memory of John Evans
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