Posted on 04/18/2007 3:11:15 PM PDT by Starter
CU student arrested for comments
By The Associated Press The Denver Post Article Last Updated:04/18/2007 03:24:46 PM MDT
Boulder - A University of Colorado student has been arrested after making "threatening" comments in class that seemed sympathetic toward the gunman who killed 32 students at Virginia Tech, authorities said.
Max Karson was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of interfering with staff, faculty or students of an education institution.
His age and hometown were not available, and a university spokesman did not immediately return a call today to The Associated Press.
University police Cmdr. Brad Wiesley said that during a class discussion of the Virginia Tech massacre, Karson "made comments about understanding how someone could kill 32 people."
Several witnesses told investigators that Karson 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.
Wiesley said others in the class interpreted Karson's statements as threats.
"More than one student said they were afraid," Wiesley said. "They said they were afraid of him and afraid to come to class with him."
Michael Karson, Max Karson's father, told the Boulder Daily Camera that his son's comments may have been misinterpreted.
The elder Karson questioned whether his son's free-speech rights had been violated.
"I would have hoped that state officials would know their First Amendment better than they seem to," he said.
Mr. Karson is also the publisher of an independent newsletter "The Yeti" which is critical of the CU campus. He's also been suspended before during high school for doing similar stunts.
BTW: I've heard his dad defending him in an interview. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Until I hear more and know exactly what this guy has been saying I am going to say his free speech rights have been violated and that the thought police are trying to make it seem like they are doing something after the terrible VA attack. Innocent until proven guilty and Congress shall make no law....
D’oh! I even googled for his name, with no luck. Nevermind....
Agreed. At this point, it could be some lib RAT wanting his 15 minutes of whaaaa time. Most likely his parents gave him a hug when he misbehaved instead of a good spanking.
He has pissed off the extreme feminists though. Can’t fault him there. LOL!
When was the last time you said you were going to kill someone over unpainted walls and fluorescent lights? this sounds seriously abnormal to me. It would be one thing if he said it jokingly, but this was not the case. If you’re going to act crazy and violent, then it should be no surprise when others treat you as if you are crazy and violent.
Oh, you gave up too soon. There’s more than a few interesting things about this little twerp on the net. The link is a MUST READ on where he’s coming from, ugh. He’s also being championed by the ACLU so CU has dropped the charges (my, my that was fast).
http://www.westword.com/2006-11-23/news/to-the-max/
Actually that IS THE ARGUMENT.
If you read what he said, it will be clear that he did NOT say he was going to kill anyone. You are putting words in his mouth and the distinction is critical.
A threat is saying you are going to do something. He never made a threat.
Also... If you read the kid's history - he makes a game out of jerking people's chains. He's just having fun with a bunch of wusses.
“made comments about understanding how someone could kill 32 people.”
Well, clearly, this nut case's problem appears to be genetic.
I would watch them both, and invite that "student" to continue his education, perhaps in an insane asylum.
His website: http://www.yetipaper.com/
He’s your basic rabble rouser. The PC rabble at CU are roused, thank you very much!
Society today is a target rich environment
This is a slippery slope to climb on, arresting people for what they say. It can be used against anyone once you start.
They should assign a professor to heavily ‘counsel’ this young man.
My choice for this job is Ward Churchill.
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