And so. America awakens. Anti-American socialist zealots have now managed to get the attention of the American people through, of all things, by damaging the iconic reflecting pool that stretches out in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Fox News headlines with, “‘Deranged’ vandals fuel Mall sabotage trend, from blood writing to Reflecting Pool damage,” with the subtitle, “Razor-blade-like slashes damaged over 300 feet of the pool’s liner the same day it reopened after Trump-ordered repainting.” The story reports: FIRST ON FOX: Vandals have targeted the National Mall with multiple separate “8647” markings, a blood-written message on the Washington Monument and damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, prompting federal officials to warn of a growing trend. “Unfortunately, this summer has seen a significant increase in vandalism to the National Mall — for example, several 8647 markings, a person writing words in their own blood on the Washington Monument and the cutting of fuel lines around the Great American State Fair,” Interior Department communication director Katie Martin told Fox News Digital. The pattern emerged after President Donald Trump ordered a restoration and repainting of the reflecting pool, which was met with protestors leaving multiple “razor-blade cuts” and removing fencing to then toss in water. Got that? There is the president of the United States taking a moment from his, shall we say, “busy” job,  to make sure the nation’s capital is beautified. Pristine. And for those who have been to Washington over the decades and seen the reflecting pool close up, not to mention know its history, it is a job more than worthy of being done. (RELATED: Five Quick Things: Drones From Dreamers?) Periodically, there is a remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The speech is quite legendary, serious American history delivered on live television in 1963. I was (ahem!) a history-loving kid at the time, and watched it on Mom and Dad’s black and white TV. In fact, Dr. King’s speech was one of the first of the newly aborning television age events to be carried by live TV. So my young self sat in front of the TV on that hot August day and watched, never forgetting the “I Have a Dream” words that captured the televised attention of the nation. And, yes, the crowds Dr. King was speaking to were easily seen crowded around the Reflecting Pool, beautiful even on black and white TV as the Pool sparkled in the sunlight. The point here is decidedly simple. History is an ongoing event — whether the history sites it marks are good, bad, or indifferent. Or, sometimes, horrendous. They are to be remembered — not trashed. A few years back, I had the opportunity to attend a conservative event in Dallas, Texas. I had some time to myself, and used it to visit one of the most horrendous, historical crime sites of my youth — the infamous Texas School Book Depository that overlooked a Dallas freeway that, on Nov. 22, 1963, had one Lee Harvey Oswald perched in a sixth floor widow with a rifle, ready to assassinate President John F. Kennedy as JFK’s open air limo passed below him. What struck the most was the diligence Dallas and federal government officials had applied to ensuring the site of the assassination was preserved to its historical exactness. Making an obvious point not to damage it. Which brings us back to the Reflecting Pool stretching out in front of the Lincoln Memorial, where, on a happier occasion, Dr. King stood looking out at the pool and crowd of thousands gathered around it to hear what became instantly recognized as a decidedly historic speech. The Pool was not disturbed that day. Everyone was concentrated on the event at hand — hearing Dr. King’s words in the middle of the tumultuous drive for civil rights for all Americans. Which brings to mind an obvious point. The Reflecting Pool that stretches out in front of Abe Lincoln’s famous memorial should be admired — not treated like a garbage dump — by protestors. No matter the cause of the protestors. Which appears to be, in this case, socialism. In the nation’s capital, it should not need to be said, there needs to be a basic, fundamental respect for American history. An appreciation for what happened at various locations, as well as a real effort to preserve them for future generations. Safe to say, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is one of those historic sites. And anyone who goes there with the intent of damaging or destroying one of those sites — no matter their political views — should pay the price. Leave the Reflecting Pool alone. READ MORE from Jeffrey Lord: Jennifer Siebel Newsom vs. Conservative Women Memo to the Atlantic League, York Revolution Baseball Team Owners Trump — and America’s — Birthday Party Image licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International.