The truth is that these are the most non-violent kids we have ever had, and they all own Playstations. The government is so desperate to find some youth crime to crack down on that they’re strip-searching kids for 10 bucks while locking up 11 year-old girls for throwing rocks and eating french fries. The most peaceful generation of Americans in recorded history is being shoved through metal detectors, having their civil rights violated on a daily basis, are the victims of unreasonable search and seizure, and are treated with constant suspicion.
I wrote a paper for college about how the media influences our perceptions of video games (about 3 yrs ago) and, y'know, there were VERY few studies that even remotely correlated violent behavior w/ video games....
* A 12-year-old with hyperactivity disorder told students ahead of him in the lunch line to leave some potatoes, or “I’m going to get you.” The principal called the police and the Louisiana boy was arrested for making a terrorist threat. He spent two weeks in jail awaiting a hearing.
* In Arlington, Virginia, two 10-year-old boys put soapy water in their teacher’s drink. The teacher insisted that the young boys be charged with felonies, although their case was later dismissed.
* An 11-year-old girl was arrested after asking her teacher for permission to use a smooth-edged steak knife that she had brought from home to cut a piece of chicken that she was eating for lunch.
* A disabled 14-year-old was charged as an adult with strong-armed robbery and jailed for six weeks. The boy, who had no criminal record, was accused of taking $2 from a classmate. After 60 Minutes II showed an interest in the case, all charges were dropped.
When I was in fifth grade, I was nearly suspended for saying "Haha yeah, let's wear black trench coats wouldn't that be funny" on the bus when we were headed to our middle school orientation. It was a joke based on something our principal had sad beforehand. He had said something like "and don't do something stupid like wear a black trench coat or run off while we're there." This was a couple months after the whole Columbine scare, so we were like "uh yeah, no crap" at the whole black trench coats thing. When I said it, I was pulled aside and had to stay with the teacher the entire time until I got back to school. I was then sent to the vice principal and yelled out for half and hour. He ended saying he was goign to suspend me, but he felt I was genuninely sorry or some shit.
To be honest, I wasn't really. And thinking back on it, what kind of reason is that for suspending a kid? It's ridiculous what media does to people. I mean, come on, suspension for making references to trench coats that are colored black? What?
MKJ wrote:isnt there a lawthat says you cant be prosecuted if youre under the age of 18?
surely a 12 year old kid cant be fucking convicted in a court of law
Here in the Netherlands where the sensible people live, yes. But in the US minors can be put to death. No problem.
