Retrodude wrote:
An overreaction? Probably. Violation of civil liberties? Maybe. But look at it from the cops' perspective for a second. If they were made aware of the post, decided to ignore it because they thought it was a joke, and then it turned out not to be a joke, you better believe people would be screaming for them to be fired because they could have done something and they didn't. This is the world we live in now. It sucks, absolutely it does, but whether we like it or not, if there's even a microscopic chance that a joke like that might not be a joke, the police have a duty to investigate, just to be sure. If the kid's lawyer is any good, he should be able to get the frankly ludicrous charges thrown out, as they should be. But let's be honest, after so many mass shootings in such a short span of time, jokes like that are not only grossly insensitive, but they are, in effect, the modern equivalent of shouting "fire" in a crowded theater (disgusting pun not intended). I believe in freedom of speech as an absolute, but in cases like this, I think erring on the side of caution is more than justified.
I feel the same way. I'm not a huge fan of cops in general, but the cops basically did their jobs. Like you said it was an over reaction. But why take a chance? And I have to say, in the state that our country is in (high alert for just about anything) the guy should have really thought ahead before saying something, even if it was a joke, and even if he has the first Amendment right to say what he pleases.
It sucks the kid was taken into custody even thought it was clear he wasn't serious. I had an argument with a buddy of mine (the same guy that thinks 'murika is falling because of that vid with the kid and the DUI stop). He was rallying and crying the sky was falling because this kid's first amendment right was being violated and what not.
Yeah, maybe dude. That may be the case. But why would you say something like that? Think about what you're going to say. Don't put yourself in that position. Poor kid made an honest, dumb mistake. No arguing against that. But because he put himself in that position (much like the dumb bastard that refused to roll down his window) he had to endure some terrible things.
