Yup. Once more, I don't object to the fact that the secret service paid them a visit, because once they are notified, they MUST follow up to determine for themselves if it was a harmless statement or if it was a true threat.
I DO object to this country getting either so gawdamnned paranoid or hatefully malicious that they feel that someone saying something like this should be investigated by the SS.
The first one with anniesj might have been debatable. But for gossake, these kids were singing a 40 year old dylan song in a talent show... it's called expressing an opinion, and reaching into the same sentiments of the past in order to get your point across.
I have no beef with the SS doing what their job requires. I have a real problem with the kinds of people who waste their time with this.
They must follow up. They are not required, however, to go make house calls. I think looking up the bloody lyrics, talking to the principal, and noting that it's just a school talent show ought to have more than sufficed.
While I personally do not think words are not a good indicator of actions, that is the assumption security organizations operate under. I am a bit perplexed as to why you would say 'it was just a ...' though.
The Secret Service takes action against what is perceived to be a POTENTIAL threat, not a PROBABLE one. For example, a little old lady who idolizes whoever they are protecting but has a can of mace in her purse is seen as a threat if she wants to greet her idol with said purse in her possesion. Not because she would use it, but because she could. Even if she did not use it herself, someone not of her dispossition could steal it and use it.
So they should arrest everyone who opposes Dubya's policies and send them off to internment camps, just in case? Along with everyone who owns a weapon, and everyone who's ever sung a protest song? There does have to be a limit.
(no subject)
I DO object to this country getting either so gawdamnned paranoid or hatefully malicious that they feel that someone saying something like this should be investigated by the SS.
The first one with anniesj might have been debatable. But for gossake, these kids were singing a 40 year old dylan song in a talent show... it's called expressing an opinion, and reaching into the same sentiments of the past in order to get your point across.
I have no beef with the SS doing what their job requires. I have a real problem with the kinds of people who waste their time with this.
(no subject)
'just a school talent show'?
The Secret Service takes action against what is perceived to be a POTENTIAL threat, not a PROBABLE one. For example, a little old lady who idolizes whoever they are protecting but has a can of mace in her purse is seen as a threat if she wants to greet her idol with said purse in her possesion. Not because she would use it, but because she could. Even if she did not use it herself, someone not of her dispossition could steal it and use it.
Re: 'just a school talent show'
Limits?
I realize it does sound extreme, but I am stating the facts of how things work, not saying how they SHOULD work.