re: Still mad about the Iron Bowl, au decides to go after Harvey for payments

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Come on, in what world is the inherent fair market value of that oak tree $800,000. There is no way to determine a value for restitution without taking into account external factors around it which makes it impossible to keep a clear line between "restitution to cover losses" and "punitive punishment". The dollar amount was punitive, anyone who is looking at it rationally understands that even if they claim otherwise.

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I think it was only punitive in the sense that they considered the actual costs of replacing a landmark. I'm sure they tallied up all they could, but I'm also pretty confident that trying to save poisoned oak trees and then replacing them with mature trees isn't an inexpensive endeavor.