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UT Student Arrested For Terrorism

Posted on April 30th, 2008 3:50pm by Wick Allison
Filed under Crime

In this case, it wasn’t 9/11-type terrorism, but Charles Whitman-type terrorism. This kid is really sick and needs help or UT just averted a major disaster — or both.

9 Comments to “UT Student Arrested For Terrorism”

Sean @ April 30th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Wick,
What about this kid’s first amendment rights? Or are we just supposed to be outraged because he TALKED about a Virginia Tech-style killing.

Or does the first amendment only protect statutory rapists?
Left of Center @ April 30th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

I’m with Sean on this one. Where’s the outrage at the violation of this guy’s First Amendment rights? I guess it just proves my point from before - that individual rights have limits, and justifiably so.
Ashley @ April 30th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Sean & Left of Center: If this kid was found to actually have plans to carry out a Virginia Tech-style massacre, would you be hollering about first amendment rights then? The key in preventing another Virginia Tech situation is identifying these people before they can actually carry out their plans.

The kid who was behind the Virgina Tech massacre had a documented history of disturbing behavior, but somehow he slipped through the cracks, and look at what happened.

The kid at UT openly made threatening comments. I commend the students who spoke up. Even if the authorities find that this kid doesn’t have any solid plans, at least it will open the door to him getting the type of psychiatric help he needs. In this day and age, you can’t just joke about carrying out terrorist plots. And I’m sure the students that turned this guy in would have known the difference between a dark joke and something more serious.

(On a side note, a few years ago, a girlfriend of mine made a dry comment in the airport security line about having a gun in her carry on. She was pulled into a room and questioned for several minutes, and almost wasn’t allowed to board her flight. It doesn’t matter who you are, you just can’t take these things lightly in our post 9/11, post-Columbine, post-Virgina Tech world!)
Left of Center @ April 30th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

My bad for miscommunicating, Ashley. I’m with Sean as far as the inconsistency of outrage about violation of rights. You speak exactly to what I was saying in the posts about the YFZ Ranch case - rights have limits. You point out exactly why that is. Bravo.
MushMouth @ April 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Ashley dear, please read Mr. Allison’s posts about the raid on the Mormon compound. See his logic on that situation? Now read this post once again. I know it’s real hard to keep two thoughts in your head at the same time but try. Now think real,real hard. See what Sean and Left of Center are doing? Ahhh!
Ashley @ April 30th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Sorry, I should have read the comments more carefully. Thanks LOC and MushMouth, I get it now! I’m totally with you guys on your points about Wick’s inconsistency with the application of first amendment rights.
mark cahill @ May 1st, 2008 at 7:51 am

There was no immediate threat here. He needed to be detained and questioned by “medical” professionals to determine if he actually WAS a risk. He probably needs some help. Turning this story into “averting a Virginia Tech-style killing” is silly.
Wes Mantooth @ May 1st, 2008 at 10:04 am

Not to make a slippery slope argument, but you know, that slope, it’s slippery…
ChaozMom @ June 6th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

I would like there to be more investigation prior to condemnation. I met this young man a few years ago and in all of our meetings he never struck me as “terrorist” like. It is a shame that the press is having a field day about something that could have happened but did not happen. I am still waiting for a response about the money laundered/child groper that I reported several years ago. Justin can come to my house anytime and I hope adecent attorney steps up to represent him.