This video of former Christian radio preacher Michael Leisner’s protest of General Mills seems right out of Saturday Night Live. Leisner is upset with what he says is the support of General Mills for same-sex marriage so he decides to torch a box of Honey Nut Cheerios on their lawn . . . and proceeds to torch their lawn in Golden Valley, Minnesota. He did succeed in reaffirming the company’s new slogan: “You’re on your toes with Cheerios”
I love how Leisner calls for his associates to help them as then bolt for the car.
Leisner is infamous for his attacks on gay leaders and such comments as stating that President Barack Obama has “bent forward to accommodate the sodomites of New York.” He has railed against the “depraved, debasing debauchery of gay activists.” Of course, they tend not to torch the lawns of their neighbors. He will now have to clarify when people point him out as “flaming.”
It is interesting that Leisner has not been charged with arson for this recorded criminal act.
Because he did not destroy a “building,” first or second arson may not apply. However, third degree arson seems about right:
609.563 ARSON IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
Subdivision 1.Crime. Whoever unlawfully by means of fire or explosives, intentionally destroys or damages any real or personal property may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of $10,000, or both, if:
(a) the property intended by the accused to be damaged or destroyed had a value of more than $300 but less than $1,000; or
(b) property of the value of $300 or more was unintentionally damaged or destroyed but such damage or destruction could reasonably have been foreseen; or
(c) the property specified in clauses (a) and (b) in the aggregate had a value of $300 or more.
There is also the wildfire provision:
609.5641 WILDFIRE ARSON.
Subdivision 1.Setting wildfires. A person is guilty of a felony who intentionally sets a fire to burn out of control on land of another containing timber, underbrush, grass, or other vegetative combustible material.
Subd. 2.Possession of flammables to set wildfires. A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who possesses a flammable, explosive, or incendiary device, substance, or material with intent to use the device, substance, or material to violate subdivision 1.
It would seem that Leisner created the very record for a charge under either provision. There is no exception for protests in burning a company’s lawn. The only defense is that he was attempting to burn the cheerios in a plate and thus lacked the intent for the act. It was an act of negligence. (I am not sure why he needed to try to ignite the cheerios in the air, by the way.)
“A pink shirt?”
Good catch, Nal.
on GM lawn. why not the sidewalk or parking lot? and he’s running for the car while the fire is still burning….. he really should be charged with something but maybe it’s enough just being shown to everyone what an idiot he is. obviously not an experienced activist.
And he isn’t even sitting cheerfully by the Cheerio-fireside.
Hell fire …
This radio preacher is so un-Christ like in his actions.
What a waste of food. Shame on him.
Not really sure how he thinks he showed them by burning a box of cereal that he probably already paid for anyways.
mostly iInedible
Most incredible.
One day, Mr. Unapproachable went out for a walk, having completed his daily tasks with steely determination and completely unaware that Mr. Unassailable was also out for a stroll. When they bumped into each other they were so pleased at making the others acquaintance that they presumed to walk together for a bit. Mr. Unapproachable complimented Mr. Unassailable on his hat, despite it’s being out -of-current fashion it was a very dandy and perfectly adequate hat. Mr. Unassailable in turn, complimented Mr. Unapproachable on his very fashionable and expensive coat (though there was some question about it’s ability to actually keep one warm….). After a time they came upon Mr. Unbelievable who carried a raggedy umbrella (but whom they all knew was well able to afford better…) and commenced to walk together for a tad. At the edge of the town pond they all together encountered Ms. Practical, whose Hat was extra-ordinary, whose coat was just lovely (and cozy too!) and whose umbrella was amazingly perfect AND functional….and who wore the MOST unabeleivable, unassailable, and unapproachable shoes that they had ever seen.
She was eating a bowl of Cheerios and lighting fyre-flies with her magnifying glass, Mr. Unapproachable, Mr. Unassailable and Mr. Unbelievable were frozen in their steps and there-by conspired to do her an ill that would allow them to continue on their walk without having to admit that they felt (well, just a tad perhaps) less Unapproachable, Un assailable and Unbeleivable than before their importunate meeting. They tossed her down, stole her shoes, kicked her around, burned (yes that’s right, BURNED her Cheerios….) and left her in a most UN fortunate situation.
Unbeknownst (though they feared it…) to them, she had been accompanied (from afar and unnoticed) by a young Unusual frog who was quite knowledgeable of the UNtenable group….(as this was not the first time that each had performed in such an unsavory manner and frog was not always so unflappable…), and so this time he was not unprepared.
The Ending was messy and quite unrelatable….the fact is that Cheerios and that sort are always replaceable, uncouth it may be to say but that the truth undebateable, always will and always does, get out , MOST UN-stoppable!
Nal,
I suppose the addage….that he who protests the most is generally guilty of that in which he protest the most…..
Oh Dear!!!! The youthful teenage engrams still surviving in my brain just got fired up. I am now capable of repressing them and not rushing out to try this in my backyard. I am quite sure though it would have been very tempting and irresistable to my exuberant teen spirit of years ago.
Am I the only one that smelled a future law suit flaming up against General Mills??
Is this the new malotov cocktail of the 21st century.?
The honey nut cocktail sounds so benign.
I can see two years from now…. New improved honey nut cheerios now with flame resistant sugary coating. …. “fire up your morning!”
CAUTION: smoking while eating cheerios has proven to be injurious to your health and home. …..
……….Okay, I better stop now!! :o)
Nal, I bought a pair of good binoculars a while back. There was a warning, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO SUN.
What will Rev. Leisner do should General Motors issue a statement supporting gay marriage?
I would probably charge the following due to the intent element:
609.576 NEGLIGENT FIRES; DANGEROUS SMOKING.
Subdivision 1.Negligent fire resulting in injury or property damage.Whoever is grossly negligent in causing a fire to burn or get out of control thereby causing damage or injury to another, and as a result of this:
(snip)
(3) property of another is injured, thereby, is guilty of a crime and may be sentenced as follows:
(i) to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both, if the value of the property damage is under $300;
Yes, Michael certainly made himself the fool on this one. Next time he should probably stick to milk and toast, a safer alternative in any good breakfast.
Another boycott up in flames.
The human race has ” developed ” since the 10 Commandments, with
drowning us with Laws and Regulations, with institutes to teach those
laws and people to execute those laws etc, etc. Wonder why there
is un-employment.
Was there a product warning on the box of Honey Nut Cheerios advising against getting Honey Nut Cheerios near a blowtorch? Those Honey Nut Cheerios are extremely flammable.
Why would he post a video on YouTube that makes him look like a fool?
A pink shirt?
Let’s burn a couple of Preachers…………
“We wouldn’t want that gay, healthy, whole grain cereal infecting our food pantries! Yes, @ our church we feed the souls before we feed the stomach. Now, here’s a coupon for Chick Fil A.”