I'm sure some of you saw this news item or read about it on Reddit or wherever. Two young men from Basingstoke (allegedly) stole a Paddington Bear sculpture from the main shopping street in Newbury, and then attempted to sell it for £50 on ebay. The sculpture was hacked away with a power tool of some sort, completely wrecking it, rather than cutting away the bolts holding it to the wooden bench, or cutting the struts of the bench.

I grew up in Newbury and the only thing that surprises me is that it wasn't vandalised or stolen within 24 hours of installation by some bright young local.

Edit: it's the attempted sale with (apparently) their own names on show that defies understanding. Mine anyway.

Mistook it for a Banksy?

I know people with temper or other emotional issues may act impulsively without considering the consequences, but this looks like something planned without considering the consequences.

You mean like Project 2025?

Sort of. A great deal of neo-libertarian actions are best understood in psychological rather than political terms. The school bully doesn't really have much of a plan beyond getting stuff and enjoying bullying, even if a third party might come up with clever theories about aims, objectives and beliefs. Same with the govt of the USA.

These cats were pretty good at stirring up populist revolt. Let's see how good they are at stamping one out.