Susan Gable, who, between us, spends a lot of time seeking out the weird of the world, tells us about yet another case where fear overrides common sense. Again, we will note that lots of people write about things they never plan to do. And sometimes it’s healthy to express uncomfortable thoughts — much better than letting them fester until they seem like good ideas.
We will avoid noting that kids also, sometimes, deliberately do things to shock and provoke adults.
Arresting kids for merely writing about violent actions is, how shall we say it, a bit of an overreaction. What ever happened to asking questions and determining the threat level? What kind of message is being sent to these kids and what lesson are they carrying away (it is our experience that children see through this type of thing)?
It also makes us wonder which will be the first novel to provoke this intense reaction.
- Boaz teen’s high school essay about “Killer Day” viewed as threat (minor registration required)
1 response so far ↓
Susan Gable // Oct 20, 2005 at 4:00 pm
I don’t have to search for weird — (g) it finds me naturally. LOL.
You do have to wonder where this leads next. Will psychologists be required to squeal on any patient who expresses a desire to kill someone in the heat of a session? Will they have to rate the potential of it to be just a comment compared to an actual threat?
The thought police are alive and well and monitoring you. What was that movie with Cruise where they arrested people BEFORE they committed crimes based on the word of a psychic? Not looking as far-fetched as it might have once. (shaking head)