Last Thursday, a Christian Petersen statue was defaced in MacKay Hall. To say that the Iowa State community is upset by this is an understatement. Christian Petersen was Iowa State’s first artist in residence, and his work has contributed to the character of our university for decades. Iowa Staters cannot think of what makes this school unique without coming across one of his many statues sprinkled throughout their memories. From the Union to the library, we have all seen ourselves reflected in the faces of Petersen’s sculptures and taken comfort in its familiarity, which is why this desecration is so personal. People who deface art are sad, pathetic tools. Sure, one might be sorely tempted to despise them, but one should not. Instead we should recognize them for the demented freaks they are and do whatever we can to find them and make sure they get the help they need. Someone out there must know who beheaded that statue and not only is it your civic duty to turn them in, it is probably in your own best interest as well. This is an inherently hostile act and anyone capable of cutting the head off of a statue is one step away from committing acts of violence closer to home. So help yourself as well as the entire Iowa State community by turning them in. If you are the person who cut the head off the statue, give it back. Leave the head where someone responsible can find it and give it to DPS. Leave it at the Daily office if nothing else so the damage can be minimized. It is not too late to minimize the harm you have done. Editorial Board: Carrie Tett, Greg Jerrett, Katie Goldsmith, Amie Van Overmeer and Andrea Hauser