My feelings are a bit mixed on the issue.
On the one hand; the guy (19 years old, and fully accountable adult) made a
VERY distasteful and hurtful comment, especially in light of recent events over the years. Even as a joke (and apparently, the "lol, j/k" bit isn't solid), it's sick and twisted. Sure; we have all said things such as "I'm gonna kill that guy" or "I would kill for this thing". But how many of us have said "I'm gonna kill a bunch of little children and eat their hearts", even as a joke?
People can cry all they want about free speech; but there are limits. When you cause someone else harm (emotionally, career-wise, etc.), you've crossed the line. Free speech doesn't give you the right to do harm to others (think about the Westborough Baptist idiots). Would you say what you say on the internet, to someone's face? You can say what you want in life; but there are ramifications for it. There always will be. Whether you agree with that or not is irrelevant, when someone finds out where you live and shows up at your doorstep.
This is why I feel that people who hide behind keyboards, while badmouthing others, are cowards. They would NEVER say anything derogatory to people's faces, for fear of having their teeth pushed through their skull; or in worse case scenarios, a gun shoved in their face.
We don't know the full story (I know; the news is always right, and up to date (sarcasm)) yet. You guys also seem to have little knowledge as to the process here regarding jailing, versus imprisonment. People spend varying amount of time sitting in a jail cell awaiting trial. It's impossible to give someone a trial right off the streets. This is how it works; some even sit in jail for a year or more while awaiting trial (there are only a certain number of judges in a courthouse, and others are in line to be seen).
My personal opinion (having been a Corrections Officer at a Medium to High security State Prison for going on 6 years), is that prison will do nothing for this guy (if it's true he has no previous record). I see what this place does to people, and they don't come out a better person (for the most part, there are exceptions). It's all about survival there. Many of the people here (judging by your postings over the years) wouldn't make it past the first week, without locking up for protection. Gangs are all around me inside; many come from Detroit or Flint (which happen to be number 1 and 2 for murder in the entire U.S.). This guy would probably end up getting sliced up his first week there (they usually cut you with a razor from your ear to your chin, deep enough to go through your entire cheek...that way you can't hide it later with clothing, you'll be marked forever). Anything that has to do with harming children is the lowest form, in an inmate's eyes.
In my opinion; the police did the right thing, in lieu of what's been happening in our Country. A few decades ago would have been different. However; I think once his trial happens, time already served, a bit of community service and a court-appointed therapist should be it. I don't think prison time will be in his future.
Whatever the outcome may be; this is definitely a precedent-setting case.
Quote: "i mean - the closest to terrorist attack in sweden the last few years, has been a failed suicide bomb attempt"
Didn't you guys just a few years ago, have a man walk up and gun down numerous people on an island? Youths at a retreat, I believe.
Also; for those interested, there's a thread over at PC discussing this issue:
http://www.polycount.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=41&order=desc&page=2
-Keith
