Teacher arrested for pro-Columbine blog post

Static · #1 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:55 PM

MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- Bloggers and free speech advocates are calling on prosecutors not to file charges against a teacher arrested for allegedly posting an anonymous comment online praising the Columbine shooters.

In 1999, two Columbine High School students killed 12 fellow students, a teacher, and themselves.

Some were disturbed by the post that police say James Buss left on a conservative blog, but other observers said it was a sarcastic attempt to discredit critics of education spending.

The suburban Milwaukee high school chemistry teacher was arrested last week for the November 16 comment left on Boots and Sabers - The blogging will continue until morale improves..., a blog on Wisconsin politics. The comment, left under the name "Observer," came during a discussion over teacher salaries, after some writers complained teachers were underworked and overpaid.

Buss, a former president of the teacher's union, allegedly wrote that teacher salaries made him sick because they are lazy and work only five hours a day. He praised the teen gunmen who killed 12 students and a teacher before committing suicide in the April 1999 attack at Columbine High School.

"They knew how to deal with the overpaid teacher union thugs. One shot at a time!" he wrote, adding they should be remembered as heroes.

The comment disturbed at least one teacher, who called police in West Bend, 40 miles north of Milwaukee and home of the blog's administrator. Police traveled to arrest Buss at his home in Cudahy, south of Milwaukee, last week after the blogger gave them the anonymous poster's IP address.

After his arrest, Buss spent an hour in the Washington County jail before he was released on $350 bail. He did not return phone messages and e-mails seeking comment, and it was unclear whether he had a lawyer.

Washington County District Attorney Todd Martens is considering whether to charge Buss with disorderly conduct and unlawful use of computerized communication systems.

"If you look at all the factors in this case, it's pretty clear it would be a mistake to charge," said Larry Dupuis, legal director of The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin. "At worst, it was somebody expressing admiration for somebody who did something reprehensible. But the more reasonable explanation is this is somebody who is trying to mock the conservative view of teacher salaries."

Police Capt. Toby Netko defended the arrest. He said the teacher who complained was disturbed by the reference to "one shot at a time" and other educators agreed it was a threat.

"What happens when you say 'bomb' in an airport? That's free speech, isn't it?" he said. "And people are taken into custody for that all the time."

Donald Downs, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor and expert in free speech, said that "all sorts of unsavory, controversial speech" are protected by the First Amendment.

"It has to be intended to incite violence" to be illegal, Downs said. "If it's tongue-in-cheek, there's virtually no way they can claim that."

Downs added, however, that the school district might have legal grounds to discipline Buss. The teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave while his school district considers what action to take.

Sara Larsen, superintendent of the Oak Creek school district where Buss has worked since 1994, said she was "dismayed, disappointed and discouraged" by the posting. She had worked closely with Buss when he was president of the teacher's union for three years ending in 2006.

"It's not something that I would have expected any teacher to do. As much as teachers understand the whole situation in Columbine, to reference that is certainly inappropriate," she said.

More bitches trying to impeed on our right to free speech. While I may disagree with what the guy said directly, he should without any doubt be allowed to say it without cops banging on his door, that is fucking bullshit! When is someone going to step up and fight these fucking nazi scum bags!

**Ristaron** · 12-04-2007, 09:15 PM

Man... just try to arrest me for shit that I post... I dare you.

tombinghamthegreat · 12-04-2007, 09:20 PM

regardless of his opinion, it is his right to say that. In the US, according to a 1969 supreme court ruling, an individual can advicate the overthrow of the US, unless he posses a "clear and present threat" ex- an individual make specific threats, plans, against individuals posessing an arsonal of illegal weapons,. Same is applied here, you can make the joke, "99 lawyer at the bottem of the sea is a good start". We should keep an eye on this, but i doubt charges will be pressed, the teacher is most likely will get fired though.

dancesintherain · 12-04-2007, 09:31 PM

Even though he has the right to post that, it was not in his best interest to do so. He should of figured that something like this would happen. Even tough it is not a direct threat, it could lead to one. It is best to stop it before it goes too far.

eDgE oF iNsAnItY · 12-04-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ristaron

Man... just try to arrest me for shit that I post... I dare you.

*makes a phone call to the RCMP*

Estefanina · 12-04-2007, 10:33 PM

What is the RCMP? I don't even know...

anyway, this situation is ridiculous.

Quote:

Washington County District Attorney Todd Martens is considering whether to charge Buss with disorderly conduct and unlawful use of computerized communication systems.

And hey, what is "unlawful use of computerized communication systems" anyway?

But if you look at the response on the blog where the guy posted the "comment in question," the cops (or whoever called them) took the comment out of context. The teacher's rights were certainly violated.

Chronic Assaulter · 12-04-2007, 10:43 PM

Wow.... I eat kittens, come and get me PETA

**Ristaron** · 12-04-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancesintherain

Even though he has the right to post that, it was not in his best interest to do so. He should of figured that something like this would happen. Even tough it is not a direct threat, it could lead to one. It is best to stop it before it goes too far.

Why would he consider that something like this would happen? Did you read the article? He posted under "anonymous". It took the system administrator to take his IP to the feds.

**Opunaya** · 12-05-2007, 05:27 AM

...I remember a time where it seemed you could say all the shit you want, and no one gave a damn... *sigh* What is America coming to? Besides, when's the last time a teacher has had the balls to do something violent? The worst thing they've done lately is sleep with their students...like that hasn't been going on for decades.

**B!0H@Z@Rd** · 12-05-2007, 06:05 AM

This is just fucking stupid..