Musings of a Punk Rock Father

First, there was the murder of a teen's parents that was related, at least in the news, to MySpace, now there are threats made against a teacher on a blog. Although myspace seemed to have very little if anything to do with the first story (it wasn't the catalyst for the crime nor was it used in any way to commit the crime), the second is a little worrisome.

I guess the question is this: Is blogging a threat against a teacher any different than writing it on a note that is intricately folded into the shape of a medieval torture device and handed to a classmate to read and toss away? I know we all got upset with a teacher or fellow student, and vented in some way, whether telling someone face to face or writing it on a note.

The internet, however, gives students another forum to air their grievances, one that is not only slightly more permanent, but also, in most cases, very much public. Is punishing the students involved a blow to free speech, or protecting the safety of students?

If it were a crude drawing saying, "I hate u, Mrs Smith," I might be inclined to believe that school officials and law enforcement are over-reacting. But with what we've seen in Columbine and other similar situations, sometimes the worst thing to do would be to ignore internet postings.