Spring Break
Writing could serve as a warning sign
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Opinion
A high school student in McHenry County, Ill., was recently arrested on charges of disorderly conduct for homework he handed in for his English class.
According to the Chicago Tribune, 18-year-old Allen Lee is a straight-A student with plans to join the Marines after high school. The assignment was to write an essay about anything he wanted; Lee turned the essay into a profane and threatening paper.
Was Lee's arrest justifiable? In the First Amendment, we are granted freedom of speech. This Amendment permits us to say and believe what we want to.
However, the Second amendment also grants the right to own and carry a firearm. It is understood, though, that a firearm owner cannot endanger the lives of others without suffering negative repercussions.
The Bill of Rights does give people certain indisputable rights. When the well-being of other citizens is compromised or threatened, proactive measures must be taken in order to ensure the safety of those citizens.
Forefathers long ago fought for our freedom and "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The happiness of one should not impede the happiness of others, if it can be helped.
There have been many instances of students who seemed rational but ended up acting in irrational ways. Take, for example, the Columbine shootings, or more recently, the Virginia Tech incident. In many cases, students responsible for school shootings have a history of depicting violent scenarios in their writing. How did these students progress as far as they did? Everyone saw them as rational people.
Some claim the disturbing images presented by Lee are merely works of "creative writing," which they very well may be; however, disregarding the angry ranting would be dangerous. If a person purchases the wrong combination of household items and over-the-counter drugs, he or she may be questioned on suspicions of methamphetamine; Lee's scenario is similar.
Why would he write such a violent essay if there was no underlying reason? In the case of Virginia Tech, the gunman was found to have some emotional issues that caused his violence. After he wrote something that radical following an event as disturbing as Virginia Tech, it would have been in poor taste not to arrest Lee.
It is sad that someone so young was arrested and is losing his chance as a Marine, but without hindering the rights of others, no other avenue could have been taken.
According to the Chicago Tribune, 18-year-old Allen Lee is a straight-A student with plans to join the Marines after high school. The assignment was to write an essay about anything he wanted; Lee turned the essay into a profane and threatening paper.
Was Lee's arrest justifiable? In the First Amendment, we are granted freedom of speech. This Amendment permits us to say and believe what we want to.
However, the Second amendment also grants the right to own and carry a firearm. It is understood, though, that a firearm owner cannot endanger the lives of others without suffering negative repercussions.
The Bill of Rights does give people certain indisputable rights. When the well-being of other citizens is compromised or threatened, proactive measures must be taken in order to ensure the safety of those citizens.
Forefathers long ago fought for our freedom and "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The happiness of one should not impede the happiness of others, if it can be helped.
There have been many instances of students who seemed rational but ended up acting in irrational ways. Take, for example, the Columbine shootings, or more recently, the Virginia Tech incident. In many cases, students responsible for school shootings have a history of depicting violent scenarios in their writing. How did these students progress as far as they did? Everyone saw them as rational people.
Some claim the disturbing images presented by Lee are merely works of "creative writing," which they very well may be; however, disregarding the angry ranting would be dangerous. If a person purchases the wrong combination of household items and over-the-counter drugs, he or she may be questioned on suspicions of methamphetamine; Lee's scenario is similar.
Why would he write such a violent essay if there was no underlying reason? In the case of Virginia Tech, the gunman was found to have some emotional issues that caused his violence. After he wrote something that radical following an event as disturbing as Virginia Tech, it would have been in poor taste not to arrest Lee.
It is sad that someone so young was arrested and is losing his chance as a Marine, but without hindering the rights of others, no other avenue could have been taken.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Christine
posted 5/06/07 @ 8:31 AM EST
No other avenue could have been taken? Are you serious? What about having a counselor sit down with the kid to determine if he was ok? What about calling his parents?
"it would have been in poor taste not to arrest Lee. (Continued…)
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