Please read the following educational piece about free speech. Then answer the following questions: 1. Were the student and the rapper fully cognizant of what they were doing when they made the threats? Explain. 2. Are people more comfortable with inflamatory language in the movies than in real life? Explain.
On September 14, 2001 at approximately 2:52 P.M. a fourteen year-old male student of the Yolo Youth Academy was arrested for making terrorist threats to kill someone at the school. The West Sacramento youth was attending class at the Academy, which is located at 175 Walnut Street when he became disruptive and verbally abusive towards staff and other students.
The student was taken into an office where he continued with his disruptive and abusive behavior. The student then told the staff member, I am going to kill one of you! The police were called as the staff member wanted to pursue charges against the juvenile.
During the investigation the suspect admitted to police, he felt like killing someone.
The suspect was booked into the Yolo County Juvenile Hall on a single felony charge of making/uttering terrorist threats. No weapons were involved and no one was injured during the incident.
Press Release from the Woodland Police Department
Rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard, already wanted on a number of outstanding warrants, was arrested again Wednesday night outside of the House of Blues club in West Hollywood. ODB was ejected from the club for drunkenness, and while outside the rapper threatened to return to the club and kill the security staff. He was arrested for uttering terrorist threats, taken to West Hollywood station and eventually released on ,000 bail.
From DAMN Music News, Sept., 1998
Al Pacino in "Scent of A Woman": Out of order, I'll show you out of order! You don't know what out of order is Mr.Trask! I'd show you but I'm too old, I'm too tired, and I'm too fuckin' blind. If I were the man I was five years ago I'd take a flame-thrower to this place.
Original: Common Terrorist Threats