Time for Another Debate on Free Speech

[Squeezer]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18353425/&GT1=9246

Authorities have filed a second disorderly conduct charge against a high school senior arrested for writing an essay officials described as disturbing and inappropriate.

Allen Lee, 18, of Cary was arrested earlier this week after penning the essay at his northern Illinois high school. Lee contends he was just following the creative writing assignment he was given in class at Cary-Grove High School.

According to the complaint, the essay reads, in part, "Blood, sex and booze. Drugs, drugs, drugs are fun. Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, s...t...a...b...puke. So I had this dream last night where I went into a building, pulled out two P90s and started shooting everyone, then had sex with the dead bodies. Well, not really, but it would be funny if I did."

Later in the article, it says that the kid is facing jail time over this incident. Now, obviously it's an extremely insensitive and negligent thing to write an essay about shooting people up, and perhaps the kid could use some counseling, but should he be tried as a criminal for this?

I think not. As I said before, he's retarded for writing something like this and not expecting the reaction it received, but he didn't violate any laws. There were no threats made (or at least the article didn't name any), and the kid contests that it was a stream of consciousness writing assignment, and that's what came to him. Furthermore, I believe the old cliche that free speech is granted to all, even those that abuse it.

Then again, the student also claims that the quotes were taken out of context. I'd like to know more about the essay before he's punished, but as of right now, I don't think he's done anything illegial....Maybe insensitive and wrong, but not illegial.

DISCUSS!

[MirrorriM]

I think its an overreaction because of VTech, plus a way for the writer to get some retarded attention.

[Dack Falu]

Your speech is only as free as your country...

[404 Not Found]

It should no longer be considered "creative writing". It should be called "controlled writing" of which there are guidelines that limit what can be written as far as context and use of language.

Creative Writing is an open book at to what one wishes to interpret what the assignment is and what or how it is to be written.

Another waste of time for the courts and tax dollars. I guess Stephen King should be arrested for his early writings.

[Squeezer]

It should no longer be considered "creative writing". It should be called "controlled writing" of which there are guidelines that limit what can be written as far as context and use of language.

Creative Writing is an open book at to what one wishes to interpret what the assignment is and what or how it is to be written.

Another waste of time for the courts and tax dollars. I guess Stephen King should be arrested for his early writings.

Heh. My first reaction was: Why haven't they arrested Chuck Palahniuk yet?

[Subjugation]

I'd be more interested in hearing if he's actually convicted, not just charged. I mean, you can't yell "FIRE!' in a crowded theater, because it can create a hazard to public safety.

However, is it an offense punishable by law to write an essay that freaks one's teacher out and forces the school and police department to expend public resources? I don't think so.

[Izor]

The same people who say he should be allowed to write what he wants are also the first people to say someone should have done something way earlier when that other guy shot up VTech

EDIT: learn to spell illegal

[Subjugation]

Actually, no they aren't.

[Reclusion]

While I'm all for being able to write freely, I just have to give a big "What the fuck?" to this kid for his timing in all of this. Common sense would tell you not to write something about shooting up the school mere days after one of the largest shooting sprees in American history was perpetrated. We are all free to express ourselves as we see fit, but it's necessary to remember that people are people and context means a hell of a lot. Even if he'd never do anything like that, it's just bad taste with the timing.

On the other hand, the school definitely overreacted. What the hell ever happened to sitting the kid and his parents down to actually discuss the whole thing? While I think the teacher was right to question the content, she could've gone about it in a much more civilized manner. Having him arrested outside the school for writing a paper that he wasn't supposed to censor? Not cool.

[Zerzera]

"Ideas are more powerful than guns.
We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas."
-- Joseph Stalin

[D1st0rt]

Police state, here we come!

People need to chill the fuck out.

[Edify]

It's like pre-emptive strike, WTF Minority Report.

[genocidal]

One of you high-schoolers out there please deliberately write something like this and turn it on. It'll make you popular and give your life a spark. Post news stories as appropriate, please.

PS: If you need a fucked up story, I'll write one and you can turn it in.