Man arrested for climbing Mount Rushmore

(AP) PIERRE, S.D. - Authorities have arrested a man for climbing Mount Rushmore National Memorial in western South Dakota.

Mount Rushmore spokeswoman Maureen McGee-Ballinger says the climber was arrested about 2:15 p.m. Monday on federal charges that include trespassing and climbing the memorial. She did not identify the man, who has yet to appear in court.

McGee-Ballinger says the man was spotted on the loose rock directly below the carvings of four presidents, and park rangers escorted him safely down the mountain.

She says visitors and the sculpture were never in any danger. She says similar incidents happen several times a year when people for unknown reasons decide to try to climb the mountain.

Mount Rushmore upgraded its security after members of Greenpeace climbed the mountain in 2009.

[GoUnion86]

He was going up there to carve Obama's face next to Lincoln's.

[realist2010]

Seal clap for the right wing extremist!

[Bojax39]

by realist2010: "Seal clap for the right wing extremist!"

Nonsense. You wouldn't know a real extremist if one "seal clapped" you in the head. You just like to finger point and name call anybody who doesn't lean your way. :-)

[Fluttervalve]

Some day in the future a foreigner and some buddies will have fun blowing these faces to bits after we have been overtaken by some other country because we became too weak economically and militarily. Enjoy it while it's still ours.

[audemus]

If that's what you truly believe, what are you doing to avert your "doom-and-gloom" scenario ?

[chyenna-2009]

Audemus; I agree with flutterville. I've sent out emails expressing as a citizen my concerns and disappointment about where our divided country is going but I am but one person. I think alot of Americans have their heads in the sand. Just sayin.