Except, according to all news reports, this poetry was written in his planner. Paper planner, not computer, not PDA, not anyone's property but his own. Poetry and creative writing in general are long accepted means of exposing, exploring and releasing negative feelings. Writing as therapy, whether self administered or part of a program, had been long accepted - until now - when it puts a 16 year old in jeopardy. Was he asking for help? Probably. Is this prosecutable? Only in a world that should make us all wonder for our future!
Beth Lareau Poet Little Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andy Driscoll" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "St. Paul Discuss" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Fulton, Rob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 6:39 PM Subject: Re: [StPaul] Arrest for Violent Poetry and Humboldt > Having re-read my own message, it is clear that I could have confused > readers as to my sense of the need for something other than law enforcement. > > Rob and Chuck Repke express far better than I the views I hold on this issue > while I must admit to missing some of the details of the "case." > > No child - no person - should face criminal charges for writing anything. > The fact that this young man must have been screaming for help in some > fashion should be obvious to everyone, especially school authorities, and > appropriate medical and mental health resources brought to bear. > > Where are school board members when they see this idiotic and inappropriate > response from school officials? Why do they not step in and say, "All right. > We must have a better policy than this in place. Let's enforce it or pass a > better one - now!" > > As for computer privacy, Rob is correct, bringing even more into relief the > shouting for help this must represent. I assume, then, he was on a school > computer writing this stuff. Frankly, I'm encouraged that this was not a > mere matter of privacy. > > Now, shall we kick law enforcement and school officials in the shins to get > their attention on this all too human issue? > > Andy Driscoll > Crocus Hill/Ward 2 > ------ > > > > From: "Fulton, Rob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Subject: RE: [StPaul] Arrest for Violent Poetry and Humboldt > > > > This touches on two issues. The first one is any communication about suicide > > has to be taken seriously. This young man needs to be seen for a mental > > health evaluation. When that issue became known to someone in authority, they > > have to make a referral and let a professional decide the extent of the danger > > to himself. > > > > Second, is the issue of privacy on computers. They aren't private if they > > don't belong to you. And even if they belong to you, they may not be private. > > I'm having trouble seeing this as a privacy issue since school computers > > aren't private. Troubled young people often want to be found and leaving > > notes, telling friends, and now, leaving messages on the computer are ways to > > do this. > > > > Rob Fulton > > Highland Park > > > > -----Original Message----- [Driscoll] > > Subject: Re: [StPaul] Arrest for Violent Poetry and Humboldt > > > > Erik is touching on my views here. I believe this is a serious matter - > > threats can't be taken lightly, but I worry that every word written in > > private can be used to prosecute some law rather than catalyze this young > > man's mental health support system. > > > > In harsher terms, merely writing a threat does not make it one - and, in > > fact, threats are not assaults. This is Orwellian intrusion into privacy, > > even as I'm glad his troubled state has been discovered. > > > > But why the hell is he being charged?? > > > > We continue to wander into dangerously anti-Constitutional territory in our > > quest for "security" which no arrest of a frustrated and disturbed young boy > > caught writing mean things will ensure. > > > > Why does our system first prosecute rather than first examine? It's the > > inhumane condition of our current culture and we will never survive this if > > we continue down this path. > > > > Andy Driscoll > > Crocus Hill/Ward 2 > > _____________________________________________ > To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > _____________________________________________ > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
