[Peace-discuss] Heavy-handed symbolism at US Supreme Court

[C. G. Estabrook]

  November 28, 2005
  Pieces Fall From Supreme Court Facade

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A basketball-sized piece of marble molding
fell from the facade over the entrance to the Supreme Court
Monday, landing on the steps near visitors waiting to enter
the building.

No one was injured when the stone fell. The chunk of Vermont
marble was part of the dentil molding that serves as a frame
for nine sculptural figures completed in 1935. The piece that
fell was over the figure of Authority, near the peak of the
building's pediment, and to the right of the figure of 
Liberty, who has the scales of justice on her lap.

A group of visitors had just entered the building and had
passed under the pediment when the stone fell at 9:30 a.m.
EST. ...

<http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Scotus-Cracking-Facade.html?hp>

Carl