NationStates Jolt Archive

Some moron in Colorado said he sympathized with the Virginia Tech nutcase and said he understood how someone could shoot a bunch of people. That comment got him arrested. He didn't say "I want to shoot a bunch of people", or "People should go out on shooting sprees", he just said he understood and sympathized with the crazy fuck who shot up his school. Seems to me that would be protected under the first amendment.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3053682

Surely you're a good few years too late with your question?

Well, it is right after a massacre, they are looking for "copycats". So anyone saying anything suspicious, even if its this silly, they need to arrest and investigate. I guess..

anyways, i don't get this:
Karson, of Denver, was arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of interfering with staff, faculty or students of an education institution.

What was he doing that interfered with the staff or students?

sounds like a good egging of policemen/riot is in order :)

sounds like a good egging of policemen/riot is in order :)


I really wanna be part of a riot just once. Just as long as they don't use that death ray thing against me.

Well, to be fair, he said that he's pissed off about lightbulbs and unpainted walls, and it's enough to make him want to shoot someone.

Granted, that's still protected free speech, but he's a creepy person nonetheless.

Case dismissed, but classmates are hereby allowed to glare at him from a distance and run away when he gets too close.

Well, to be fair, he said that he's pissed off about lightbulbs and unpainted walls, and it's enough to make him want to shoot someone.

Granted, that's still protected free speech, but he's a creepy person nonetheless.

Case dismissed, but classmates are hereby allowed to glare at him from a distance and run away when he gets too close.

His classmates are dicks.

No one cares about property rights either.

At Oregon's Lewis & Clark College, another student was detained by campus police Wednesday shortly before a vigil for the Virginia Tech victims when he was spotted wearing an ammunition belt. Portland police later determined that it was "a fashion accessory" made of spent ammunition, and said the man did not have a weapon. The belt was confiscated.

WTF happened to free speech?A rabid rabbit ate it.
His classmates are dicks.*sighs* Things have sure improved since I was a kid. Back then they were all pussies.

A rabid rabbit ate it.
*sighs* Things have sure improved since I was a kid. Back then they were all pussies.

Man, don't let Bottle read you saying that dicks are better than pussies.

These are cases where campus cops and administrators are overreacting, but is anyone surprised? The cases will likely be dropped quietly, maybe a person or two will get an apology, and that will be the end of it.

But I can't say I feel all that sorry for the people who are being hassled right now. Use a little common sense, for crying out lous. The worst school shooting in history occurred last week and you're wearing an ammo belt as a fashion accessory? Of course you're going to catch shit for that. What do you expect--compliments?

I really wanna be part of a riot

*calls Gitmo*

No one cares about property rights either.

I hate it when the government uses tragedies as an excuse to further curtail personal freedoms, aka inalienable rights, constitutionally protected etc. etc. We can only hope this sort of thing goes away soon.

Some moron in Colorado said he sympathized with the Virginia Tech nutcase and said he understood how someone could shoot a bunch of people. That comment got him arrested. He didn't say "I want to shoot a bunch of people", or "People should go out on shooting sprees", he just said he understood and sympathized with the crazy fuck who shot up his school. Seems to me that would be protected under the first amendment.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3053682

Gee... with people angry that a student with a history of anti-social behavior, who was evaluated multiple times and found to be a danger to (at least) himself, who was reported multiple times for stalking, and who left evidence of violence mindset (one teacher reported his writings of disturbing nature which lead to him being evaluated) and was left alone to kill 32 people.

is it any wonder that someone who starts to show the same type of behavior patterns gets reported in and arrested?
Several witnesses told investigators Karson, who turns 22 on Thursday, said he was "angry about all kinds of things from the fluorescent light bulbs to the unpainted walls, and it made him angry enough to kill people," according to a police report. Witnesses "said they were afraid of him and afraid to come to class with him," Wiesley said.

so what would you preferre? he be left alone and maybe have another school shooting?

if Karson was 'joking' then he just learned an important lession for stand-up comedy... timing is very, VERY important.

But I can't say I feel all that sorry for the people who are being hassled right now. Use a little common sense, for crying out lous. The worst school shooting in history occurred last week and you're wearing an ammo belt as a fashion accessory? Of course you're going to catch shit for that. What do you expect--compliments?
QFT :cool:

I really wanna be part of a riotWhite riot, I wanna riot...

If nothing else, you can count on at least a couple of the Eastern European punk festivals to disintegrate into riots this summer. I don't know how advisable it is to actively seek such things out though. Mate of mine lost a couple of teeth two years ago when he was beat repeatedly over the head with a shotgun by some angry riot coppers. And he is legendarily thickheaded.No one cares about property rights either.Is has to be said that if the guy was put in a holding cell, it's normal practice that those kinds of belongings get cut to pieces and thrown in the trash. Allegedly it's done to prevent people from hurting themselves with it. I've lost ammobelts, bike chains, normal chains, laces and all sorts of other shit that way.Man, don't let Bottle read you saying that dicks are better than pussies.Just imagine I said something clever about semen. I would, but there's that nasty little PG rating thing.

.. Crap. Do all guys get this pathetic when they only get to play with female bits, or is it just me?

is it any wonder that someone who starts to show the same type of behavior patterns gets reported in and arrested?



Thought Police next, uh? Preventive Measures and Minority Reports?

Wow, what an odd unexpected freak incident...

Seriously this is bullshit. That dude was f'd up but getting arrested for seeing that he might have a point...

RIP free speech across the Atlantic.

.. Crap. Do all guys get this pathetic when they only get to play with female bits, or is it just me?

:confused:

The worst school shooting in history occurred last week and you're wearing an ammo belt as a fashion accessory? Of course you're going to catch shit for that. What do you expect--compliments?

probably not expecting anything, as you've been wearing it for years

But I can't say I feel all that sorry for the people who are being hassled right now. Use a little common sense, for crying out lous. The worst school shooting in history occurred last week and you're wearing an ammo belt as a fashion accessory? Of course you're going to catch shit for that. What do you expect--compliments?

You sound like a sensationalist news headline.

I am so sick of hearing that phrase everytime some fucking asshole shoots people at a school. We all know by now that within the next while, there will be someone else who comes along and does the same thing, but maybe worse and that phrase will be resurrected.

It has lost all meaning.

keep a close eye on the guy nad look for a problematic history? sure

arrest? I don't think so. *slaps forehead*

Thought Police next, uh? Preventive Measures and Minority Reports?

as long as people blame everyone else but the shooter... yeah, that might be the next step.

Man, don't let Bottle read you saying that dicks are better than pussies.

/agree! Besides, I have a dick. Never enough pussy, tho :(

maybe a person or two will get an apologyI like the sound of that planet. Tell me more nice adventures Nazz :) But I can't say I feel all that sorry for the people who are being hassled right now. Use a little common sense, for crying out lous. The worst school shooting in history occurred last week and you're wearing an ammo belt as a fashion accessory? Of course you're going to catch shit for that. What do you expect--compliments?Use a little common sense yourself. How likely is it the individual thought "Wow, school shooting eh? I'll go find myself a spent ammobelt and use it as a normal belt."

It's not. It's just another example of some hapless postcard punk getting shat on 'cos an opportunity for shitting on him presented itself. Or are you seriously suggesting that some kid whose worn that & similar shit for months or years, suddenly poses a credible threat to his peers because he's not completely altering his expected behaviour?

.. It's dumb mate. It's not often I say that about your posts, but seriously. You can see it yourself, can't you? :p

Some moron in Colorado said he sympathized with the Virginia Tech nutcase and said he understood how someone could shoot a bunch of people. That comment got him arrested. He didn't say "I want to shoot a bunch of people", or "People should go out on shooting sprees", he just said he understood and sympathized with the crazy fuck who shot up his school. Seems to me that would be protected under the first amendment.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3053682
I know this guy. He's not some crazed idiot who wants to kill people...he just sympathizes with a lot of people because he thinks through why someone might do something like this. Quite frankly I thought this was completely ridiculous.

/agree! Besides, I have a dick. Never enough pussy, tho :(I'm having the opposite problem. Never enough dick.

The worst school shooting in history

Incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

Incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

That was a bombing, not a shooting.

The worst school shooting in history...Incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

please point out to me in the Bath School incident, how many people died from being shot?

Incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

Technically he did say school shooting, not mass murder, so he's right. THe Bath incident was accomplished with bombs.

That was a bombing, not a shooting.

please point out to me in the Bath School incident, how many people died from being shot?

Technically he did say school shooting, not mass murder, so he's right. THe Bath incident was accomplished with bombs.

Okay, okay...it was listed in Wikipedia's list of school shootings. Still, I doubt it's the worst massacre with a firearm.

Okay, okay...it was listed in Wikipedia's list of school shootings. Still, I doubt it's the worst massacre with a firearm.
You should correct Wiki then... ;)

worst massacre with a firearm? probably not. but it's still the worst school shooting in US history.

Some moron in Colorado said he sympathized with the Virginia Tech nutcase and said he understood how someone could shoot a bunch of people. That comment got him arrested. He didn't say "I want to shoot a bunch of people", or "People should go out on shooting sprees", he just said he understood and sympathized with the crazy fuck who shot up his school. Seems to me that would be protected under the first amendment.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3053682

I think this falls under the "FIRE!" in a crowded building category.

He knew damn well that his comments, so soon after the event, were likely to cause turmoil. If he didn't, well, some people are just born dumb.

No one cares about property rights either.

What the hell are you walking around with an ammunition belt for? The police had every right to confiscate the property and arrest the man under "reasonable suspicion."

I think this falls under the "FIRE!" in a crowded building category.

He knew damn well that his comments, so soon after the event, were likely to cause turmoil. If he didn't, well, some people are just born dumb.

So you agree with someone being arrested for saying something dumb?

What the hell are you walking around with an ammunition belt for? The police had every right to confiscate the property and arrest the man under "reasonable suspicion."


He bought it as a fashion accessory to look wannabe punk. Do you want the state to impose a dress code on it's citizens?

Is has to be said that if the guy was put in a holding cell, it's normal practice that those kinds of belongings get cut to pieces and thrown in the trash. Allegedly it's done to prevent people from hurting themselves with it. I've lost ammobelts, bike chains, normal chains, laces and all sorts of other shit that way.Just imagine I said something clever about semen. I would, but there's that nasty little PG rating thing.


I've no problem with them being removed for the duration of confinement. (Though I don't think bad fashion sense justifies confinement in the first place).

They should be returned upon release however. The government shouldn't have the right to just take people's stuff, even if the value in dollars is small, just because they don't like them having it. It's the thin end of the wedge.

What the hell are you walking around with an ammunition belt for? The police had every right to confiscate the property and arrest the man under "reasonable suspicion."

dude, they sell them at hot topic. it's been standard punk apparel for decades.

So you agree with someone being arrested for saying something dumb?

Haha, nice try.

People need to be sensitive to their environment. A little tact never hurt anyone.

dude, they sell them at hot topic. it's been standard punk apparel for decades.

Answer me this, then: How hard is it to consider the circumstances and lay off the "fashion" for at least a week?

He bought it as a fashion accessory to look wannabe punk. Do you want the state to impose a dress code on it's citizens?

If it eliminates poor fashion taste and curtails action without thought, certainly.

Answer me this, then: How hard is it to consider the circumstances and lay off the "fashion" for at least a week?

what circumstances? what has changed?

Haha, nice try.

People need to be sensitive to their environment. A little tact never hurt anyone.

Nice try at what? I thought it was an honest question. Do you think that people should be arrested for saying something dumb/untactful or not.

Answer me this, then: How hard is it to consider the circumstances and lay off the "fashion" for at least a week?

Depends on teh person. Since we don't all share one homogenous mind, there are about as many answers to your question as there are people.

If it eliminates poor fashion taste and curtails action without thought, certainly.

Then I fear you as a leader of anything important but hope that you don't get arrested for having said something dumb.

what circumstances? what has changed?

Please tell me you are not that naive.

I am condemning his lack of tact, but not necessarily the over-zealous actions of the police. Though some lessons need to be learned, one or the other.

Nice try at what? I thought it was an honest question. Do you think that people should be arrested for saying something dumb/untactful or not.

Irrelevant.

I'm pretty sure you know damn well that you are employing a weak tactic to pigeonhole my opinion with that question, deliberately designed to force an unintentional response in the form of specific "yes" or "no." Let's see, if I answer yes, you can then go off on a tangent where I am supposed to defend myself against accusations of undermining free speech, by extrapolating the argument to include all "dumb" statements. People say stupid things all the time, should we arrest all of them? No. And if you'll read my post, that question is irrelevant--what I think on whether or not peoples should be arrested for saying something dumb has no bearing on the argument, but you seek to establish a strawman in a pathetic attempt to win the argument. Nice try :).

Oh yes, now you'll try to feign innocence and claim that I am evading the question, blah blah blah. Well, I just answered it for you--we're just fighting this on my terms, and I'm not about to let you choose the battlefield.

Depends on teh person. Since we don't all share one homogenous mind, there are about as many answers to your question as there are people.

Surely. It was a rhetorical question--the meaning of which obviously escapes you.


Then I fear you as a leader of anything important but hope that you don't get arrested for having said something dumb.

Now why would I be arrested?

Answer me this, then: How hard is it to consider the circumstances and lay off the "fashion" for at least a week?Then he's have been arrested for acting out of character and being really suspicious and shit. It's a catch-22.I've no problem with them being removed for the duration of confinement. (Though I don't think bad fashion sense justifies confinement in the first place).Most countries I've been arrested in (I've never been to the US) who strip people of such things as SOP, are also required by law to have you checked out by a medical doctor before you're locked up. The rationale is the same in both cases.

I've only ever once been checked by a doctor in that situation, and just to drive the point home with a sledgehammer, I didn't have any of my clothing ruined or stolen that time.

This is why I said 'allegedly' earlier. Because if there's no actual concern about the continued health of the individual, then why fuck up & throw out half his wardrobe? It makes no sense. Unless it's for the joy of being assholes.They should be returned upon release however. The government shouldn't have the right to just take people's stuff, even if the value in dollars is small, just because they don't like them having it. It's the thin end of the wedge.Typically the junk has to be returned to us, unless it's damaged or considered evidence. If it's damaged, it's just tough luck. If it's evidence, we normally get a receipt and a few months/years later, the confiscated item(s).

To get around this, coppers typically cuff us in the holding cell so we can't comply when we're ordered to remove the stuff, after which they merrily maul our clothing with anything from scissors to bolt cutters.

... And we get to walk away with half our clothing missing and no means to get a bit of justice.

I'm really not shitting you about this. I've been arrested multiple times in the UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, Italy and Denmark, and once or twice in most of the countries in Europe. The police in all of those countries engage in this ridiculous shit on a regular basis. Not 100% of the time, but damn close to.

These are cases where campus cops and administrators are overreacting, but is anyone surprised? The cases will likely be dropped quietly, maybe a person or two will get an apology, and that will be the end of it.

But I can't say I feel all that sorry for the people who are being hassled right now. Use a little common sense, for crying out lous. The worst school shooting in history occurred last week and you're wearing an ammo belt as a fashion accessory? Of course you're going to catch shit for that. What do you expect--compliments?

But there is a difference between what you describe, and "free speech". Was the individual a little misguided in making his comments? Probably.

Were they likely to elicit a hostile response from society? Yes.

However, social sensibilities are not, in this context, the same as law. The individual should be legally assured the right to say whatsoever he feels, and hence deal with the ramifications from society.

Then he's have been arrested for acting out of character and being really suspicious and shit. It's a catch-22.

Nah, I don't think so. They can always wear chains or something other than an item that is associated with the use of firearms.

Please tell me you are not that naive.

no naivety at all - bullets are being used to kill hundreds or thousands every day, and have been for over a century. if it was ever ok to wear a punk rock bullet belt, it still is.

Nah, I don't think so. They can always wear chains or something other than an item that is associated with the use of firearms.What about a tshirt with a pic of a gun on it? Or an NRA logo? Or some pathetic glorification of SWAT teams?

Arh, forget I said anything. I'm not skillfull enough to sink this low, and I'm told I'm pretty unattractive when I just go *blblblblblblblblb* and roll my eyes wildly.

no naivety at all - bullets are being used to kill hundreds or thousands every day, and have been for over a century. if it was ever ok to wear a punk rock bullet belt, it still is.

Yes, and how many of those have affected the entire US for this long? Seriously, it's called a wardrobe. Just lay off the stupidity for awhile and let this simmer down, then go back to the fad. There's a fine line between something being a fashion and it being disrespectful--situational awareness. People have not survived as a species by being ignorant of their surroundings.

Irrelevant.

I'm pretty sure you know damn well that you are employing a weak tactic to pigeonhole my opinion with that question, deliberately designed to force an unintentional response in the form of specific "yes" or "no." Let's see, if I answer yes, you can then go off on a tangent where I am supposed to defend myself against accusations of undermining free speech, by extrapolating the argument to include all "dumb" statements. People say stupid things all the time, should we arrest all of them? No. And if you'll read my post, that question is irrelevant--what I think on whether or not peoples should be arrested for saying something dumb has no bearing on the argument, but you seek to establish a strawman in a pathetic attempt to win the argument. Nice try :).

Oh yes, now you'll try to feign innocence and claim that I am evading the question, blah blah blah. Well, I just answered it for you--we're just fighting this on my terms, and I'm not about to let you choose the battlefield.

Nice try at trying to guess what I am thinking. Although, your guesses are made of rotting fail. Also, yes you answered the question and showed that you aren't as stupid as you previously seemed and I am happy to admit that. :)

Surely. It was a rhetorical question--the meaning of which obviously escapes you.

Then answer me this: How hard is it to not be a complete ass on a message board and not avoid acting like a child when questioned? Surely in a time of tradgedy like this you should realize that tensions will be high in those who are looking to be offended so you should not say what you feel but rather say what will comfort us and keep your opinions to yourself.

Now why would I be arrested?

For having said something dumb. I thought you could read minds!

Or an NRA logo? Or some pathetic glorification of SWAT teams?

well that's always acceptable - those people are good americans. punks on the other hand, well they deserve what they get.

Then he's have been arrested for acting out of character and being really suspicious and shit. It's a catch-22.Most countries I've been arrested in (I've never been to the US) who strip people of such things as SOP, are also required by law to have you checked out by a medical doctor before you're locked up. The rationale is the same in both cases.

I've only ever once been checked by a doctor in that situation, and just to drive the point home with a sledgehammer, I didn't have any of my clothing ruined or stolen that time.

This is why I said 'allegedly' earlier. Because if there's no actual concern about the continued health of the individual, then why fuck up & throw out half his wardrobe? It makes no sense. Unless it's for the joy of being assholes.Typically the junk has to be returned to us, unless it's damaged or considered evidence. If it's damaged, it's just tough luck. If it's evidence, we normally get a receipt and a few months/years later, the confiscated item(s).

To get around this, coppers typically cuff us in the holding cell so we can't comply when we're ordered to remove the stuff, after which they merrily maul our clothing with anything from scissors to bolt cutters.

... And we get to walk away with half our clothing missing and no means to get a bit of justice.

I'm really not shitting you about this. I've been arrested multiple times in the UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, Italy and Denmark, and once or twice in most of the countries in Europe. The police in all of those countries engage in this ridiculous shit on a regular basis. Not 100% of the time, but damn close to.

Oh, I believe you that it happens these days. (I guess my one arrest was back in more civilized times when coppers were less assholey).

I'm just saying that it shouldn't happen.

What about a tshirt with a pic of a gun on it? Or an NRA logo? Or some pathetic glorification of SWAT teams?

Same reasoning. Thanks for supporting my argument.

Arh, forget I said anything. I'm not skillfull enough to sink this low, and I'm told I'm pretty unattractive when I just go *blblblblblblblblb* and roll my eyes wildly.

Don't get frustrated. I can't look at you, though in my mind's eye I have a pretty humorous picture...:)

"not skillfull enough to sink this low"--perhaps you could explain this. I'm pretty sure that's a contradictory statement, but I haven't really thought it through, so if you can elaborate...

There's a fine line between something being a fashion and it being disrespectful

um, we're still talking about punk, right?

Yes, and how many of those have affected the entire US for this long? Seriously, it's called a wardrobe. Just lay off the stupidity for awhile and let this simmer down, then go back to the fad. There's a fine line between something being a fashion and it being disrespectful--situational awareness. People have not survived as a species by being ignorant of their surroundings.

So, in essence, if a mass murderer strangled dozens of people with a pair of jeans, you would advise people to stop wearing them?

So, in essence, if a mass murderer strangled dozens of people with a pair of jeans, you would advise people to stop wearing them?

Are people carrying jeans around in a threatening way? I would love to see people stop in the middle of the street, remove their jeans, and try to strangle people. Okay, I wouldn't really love to see that, but the mental image has a note of absurdity.

With an ammo belt, you can use the ammunition and put it into a firearm with relative ease.

I'll wait til you come up with a better comparison.

um, we're still talking about punk, right?

Don't think the argument's changed, so yes.

Yes, and how many of those have affected the entire US for this long? Seriously, it's called a wardrobe. Just lay off the stupidity for awhile and let this simmer down, then go back to the fad. There's a fine line between something being a fashion and it being disrespectful--situational awareness. People have not survived as a species by being ignorant of their surroundings.You seem to think the people you talk about share your culture. We don't. Just like you don't share ours, which might explain why you, despite your apprent insistance on inoffensiveness, keep offending the hell out of us with your authoritarianism.

Apart from that, is a school shooting with a couple of handfuls of dead and injured really more important than the war you're waging against a forign country, which has killed several thousand of your own citizens and several hundreds of thousands of foreigners?

Yups. Our cults are very different.

So, in essence, if a mass murderer strangled dozens of people with a pair of jeans, you would advise people to stop wearing them?

that would make an excellent serial killer - the levi strangler

well that's always acceptable - those people are good americans. punks on the other hand, well they deserve what they get.

Tell me--how is an NRA logo a potential threat? Or glorifying the SWAT team?

You seem to think the people you talk about share your culture. We don't. Just like you don't share ours, which might explain why you, despite your apprent insistance on inoffensiveness, keep offending the hell out of us with your authoritarianism.

Apart from that, is a school shooting with a couple of handfuls of dead and injured really more important than the war you're waging against a forign country, which has killed several thousand of your own citizens and several hundreds of thousands of foreigners?

Yups. Our cults are very different.

Let's take a look at the situation.

33 people died. 33 families are in mourning for a direct loss. An entire school campus has virtually shut down. The entire nation--whether you admit it or not--has witnessed the aftermath of these events and is courteous enough to show at least a semblance of respect for those who either have died or are currently suffering. Your defense of your culture--even for the short period of time that would be required to just lay off one type of accessory--is pathetic. Grow up.

Tell me--how is an NRA logo a potential threat? Or glorifying the SWAT team?

You tell us first how a belt with spent ammo is a threat. I'll wait.

In the U.S. after an event where people are killed, the constitution/bill of rights are meaningless.

Apart from that, is a school shooting with a couple of handfuls of dead and injured really more important than the war you're waging against a forign country, which has killed several thousand of your own citizens and several hundreds of thousands of foreigners?


I never claimed it was. And I don't think it is. Except, at least here, these are family members, friends, loved ones. It is easier to relate when it hits close to home. What happens thousands of miles away, in a different country, is often tragic--but it's thousands of miles away. Distance and lack of emotional ties create a layer of detachment. It's the way it is with humanity.

You tell us first how a belt with spent ammo is a threat. I'll wait.

An ammo belt in and of itself is not a threat--except when used to hold ammunition for a firearm. The fact that it had spent ammo goes a little way toward vindicating the situation.

Tell me--how is an NRA logo a potential threat? Or glorifying the SWAT team?Didn't you just say they were?

For the record, I've never met anyone suicidal enough to run around dressed in live ammo unless they had a very damn good reason for it. The guy in question here didn't either. So unless you consider a regular belt to be threatening, there's no basis for saying using a spent ammobelt for the same purpose is 'extra' threatening, or threatening at all.

The irony of FS' comment about punks apparently flew right by you as well. Many, possibly most punkers, especially young 'uns, aim to provoke.

There was some other total absurdity, but apparently my mind can only hold so much insanity at any one time.

I never claimed it was. And I don't think it is. Except, at least here, these are family members, friends, loved ones. It is easier to relate when it hits close to home. What happens thousands of miles away, in a different country, is often tragic--but it's thousands of miles away. Distance and lack of emotional ties create a layer of detachment. It's the way it is with humanity.

Not when it's our friends and family members dying or in harms way thousands of miles away which is exactly the case here.

Didn't you just say they were?

For the record, I've never met anyone suicidal enough to run around dressed in live ammo unless they had a very damn good reason for it. The guy in question here didn't either. So unless you consider a regular belt to be threatening, there's no basis for saying using a spent ammobelt for the same purpose is 'extra' threatening, or threatening at all.

The irony of FS' comment about punks apparently flew right by you as well. Many, possibly most punkers, especially young 'uns, aim to provoke.

There was some other total absurdity, but apparently my mind can only hold so much insanity at any one time.

Except the shooter at VT, though you're right, you haven't probably met him. At the very least, the guy with the ammo belt could have removed the cartridges.

Haha, I guess that irony did escape me in my passion. ha. I'm still having a good laugh :D. (I seriously am, if you don't believe me. I find that really funny--I know it just totally undermined my argument a little, but it's pretty dog-gone funny)

Let me know when you get a hold of that absurdity.

An ammo belt in and of itself is not a threat--except when used to hold ammunition for a firearm. The fact that it had spent ammo goes a little way toward vindicating the situation.

Let's get to the root of what you started off saying: It should be illegal during a time of tradgedy to express an opinion that is contrary to people who are mourning or to wear something that makes people think of the thing they are mourning.

Isn't that like saying when terrorists pulled off 9/11, noone should have been allowed to wear a turban or a pilots uniform.

At the very least, the guy with the ammo belt could have removed the cartridges.

I believe they are sold with the spent ammo glued in. Still, the point is freedom of expression, whether it be thru words or clothing. Could you please list instances when you think it's okay for our rights to be suspended because I could use a good laugh too.

Not when it's our friends and family members dying or in harms way thousands of miles away which is exactly the case here.

For most, the war has dragged on people are tired of it. I'm one of them. The fact that this incident was at home really brought people to their senses...especially the realization that it could easily have been anywhere else.

Are people carrying jeans around in a threatening way? I would love to see people stop in the middle of the street, remove their jeans, and try to strangle people. Okay, I wouldn't really love to see that, but the mental image has a note of absurdity.

With an ammo belt, you can use the ammunition and put it into a firearm with relative ease.

I'll wait til you come up with a better comparison.

These belts are made of spent ammo, If any real ammo is used at all. Most these days are fake spent ammo, often plastic. Putting them in a firearm is likely to be useless.;)

that would make an excellent serial killer - the levi strangler

I had a pair of those once. Had to zip them with pliars.:D

These belts are made of spent ammo, If any real ammo is used at all. Most these days are fake spent ammo, often plastic. Putting them in a firearm is likely to be useless.;)



Ah, what the hell. This is getting too convoluted to explain. I concede the point.

*throws in towel*

These belts are made of spent ammo, If any real ammo is used at all. Most these days are fake spent ammo, often plastic. Putting them in a firearm is likely to be useless.;) People actually buy them?

... What an insane waste of money.

Well don't you know? In order for our super lovely government to protect our freedoms they need to take them all away!

In seriousness though that really does piss me off that they arrested that kid for saying that, god forbid someone say something contradictory to the general sentiment of the country. If government officials continue to get away with crap like this its not going to be long before things are looking a lot like Oceania...

ps. I'm really tempted to post my VT pictures from /b/...

pps. Wanna hear a joke?

Free speech!

I really wanna be part of a riot just once.

I want to be part of a riot but only if they riot using interpretive dance.

People actually buy them?

... What an insane waste of money.

Which can be said for a great deal of what is bought in the name of "fashion"

ps. I'm really tempted to post my VT pictures from /b/...

That would be pretty epic.

Which can be said for a great deal of what is bought in the name of "fashion"Very true.

... I'll just pretend I'm not a brand whore.

Please tell me you are not that naive.

I am condemning his lack of tact, but not necessarily the over-zealous actions of the police. Though some lessons need to be learned, one or the other.

you are the naive one. school shootings have been going on since automatic weapons came out. circumstances haven't changed since the 1930s.

anyway, it is a belief of mine that if you support thought policing, you should...well... be arrested by some.

wearing spent ammunition belts is obviously bad fashion, in some cases tactless, but it is not the jurisdiction of the police, in Canada, where I live, or the United States, or anywhere, as a matter of fact, to arrest people for these things. this is just another example of the American Government and Public running around persecuting people for really stupid and inane reasons.

By not following the herd, he is IMHO using provocation to put things in proportion and at the same time test out the constitutional freedoms.Crime-think! Crime-think I say! You belong in prison you dirty punk!

33 people died. 33 families are in mourning for a direct loss. An entire school campus has virtually shut down. The entire nation--whether you admit it or not--has witnessed the aftermath of these events and is courteous enough to show at least a semblance of respect for those who either have died or are currently suffering. Your defense of your culture--even for the short period of time that would be required to just lay off one type of accessory--is pathetic. Grow up.
I do not know if you understand it but I think there need to people who continue regardless, because, hey, how many people die each day in traffic, how many in war?

By not following the herd, he is IMHO using provocation to put things in proportion and at the same time test out the constitutional freedoms.

Bourgeois Elite, your arguments have little basis in actual fact, and the ones that do are off topic. we all agree that spent ammunition belts are stupid and obviously a case of bad fashion, but you seem to think that police should arrest people for that. people get shot every day, and over 90% of the shooters are either Americans, or shoot with guns sold to them by the Americans. if someone were to take off his ammunition belt every time that happened, he would never ever get to wear it.

another 33 deaths is nothing, the American media just advertises them more because of racism. where was the American Media in the Chatila and Sabra massacres -shootings done by Israeli militia provided with their guns by the Americans - ? looking up their asses for all the people of Beirut knew.

http://overcriminalized.com/studies/case_kids2.cfm

probably not expecting anything, as you've been wearing it for years
And when a cop pulls you to the side and starts asking you about it, maybe instead of freaking out about it, you say "dude, my bad. I didn't even think about it."


You sound like a sensationalist news headline.

I am so sick of hearing that phrase everytime some fucking asshole shoots people at a school. We all know by now that within the next while, there will be someone else who comes along and does the same thing, but maybe worse and that phrase will be resurrected.

It has lost all meaning.

It's a factual description of the event. What should I call it?

Some moron in Colorado said he sympathized with the Virginia Tech nutcase and said he understood how someone could shoot a bunch of people. That comment got him arrested. He didn't say "I want to shoot a bunch of people", or "People should go out on shooting sprees", he just said he understood and sympathized with the crazy fuck who shot up his school. Seems to me that would be protected under the first amendment.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3053682

The weirdest bit was that he accessorized with an empty ammunition belt.

Somebody was arrested in Denmark for wearing a spent ammunition belt.

The argument was that, although the bullets in their current state couldn't be used from a gun, they were already fashioned such that all you needed to do was fill them with gunpowder and you'd have a viable bullet.

And gunpowder isn't as hard to make as a properly fashioned bullet.

But meh.

Some nutcase kills 32 people, another nutcase basiclly OK's it. What kind of message does this send to the public? If you have problems in your life, have no love in your life, have no friends you can go and kill 32 people and your going to get understanding and sympathy.

The idiot deserves to be shot so he knows what it felt like for the 32 people whose senseless murder he so easily understands.