Should glitter bombers get jail time?
A Colorado college student could wind up behind bars for throwing glitter on Mitt Romney. Excessive punishment or a necessary deterrent?

Colorado's Tuesday state caucuses were tough on Mitt Romney. Not only did he lose, he was glitter bombed. Colorado authorities this week filed misdemeanor criminal charges against Peter Smith, a 20-year-old college student, for throwing glitter on Romney to protest the Republican presidential candidate's general platform. Though glitter bombers have similarly enhanced Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul — more typically to protest the candidates' position on gay marriage — Smith is the first person criminally charged for the increasingly popular stunt that could, say some medical professionals, lead to scratched corneas or even loss of sight. If convicted, Smith could face up a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison. Fair punishment?
It's about time one of these fools went to jail: Enough is enough, says the Duluth, Minn., News Tribune in an editorial. "Arresting a glitter bomber may seem unnecessary and over-the-top, but a criminal record and fine (or other punishment) can send a message to would-be copycats" before someone decides glitter isn't "flashy enough," and tries throwing something more serious, "like acid or worse." Besides, there are more effective ways to take a stand than "making yourself into a public spectacle."
"Why no arrests after glitter-bombings?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At most these harmless protesters deserve a warning: "This is absurd and outrageous," says gossip blogger Perez Hilton. Smith absolutely does not deserve to go to jail for such a "totally nonviolent act of protest" — especially one that was "barely even successful!" The young man was merely expressing his political views in a way that was "pretty much harmless." At most, they should let him off with a stern warning.
"WTF! 20-Year-Old Student who glitter bombed Mitt Romney may get jail time!"
Eventually, someone was bound to end up behind bars: The authorities looked the other way the first time a GOP presidential candidate was glitter-bombed, says Erik Hayden at TIME. And the second. And the third. But at this point "nearly every single GOP presidential candidate has faced the ire of the glitter bomb[er]," and it's getting increasingly difficult to condone these assaults. The more the glitter piles up, the more likely it is that the authorities will use prosecution, and jail time, as a deterrent.
"'Glitter-bombing' a politician could get you six months in jail"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published