Here’s a story that probably won’t make the national news: Colorado’s "zero tolerance" law on guns traps an honors student in its extremes. From Saturday’s Washington Times, Valerie Richardson reports:
A Colorado high school student expelled for having fake drill-team rifles in her car was cleared Friday to return to school.
The school board limited the expulsion of Marie Morrow, 17, to time served for bringing the duct-taped "rifles" made of wood and plastic to Cherokee Trail High School in the back of her car. She was expelled immediately on Feb. 5, pending a school board decision.
Colorado's "zero tolerance" law mandates that students who bring weapons - even facsimiles - to school, must be expelled for a period ranging from one day to one year. Marie's case has led some state lawmakers to consider legislation that would add flexibility to the law.
Marie, an honors student and member of the Douglas County Young Marines, said Friday she was looking forward to returning to class.
"I'm just ready to go back, just glad to get back to school," she told KUSA-TV, the local NBC-TV affiliate.
Marie, a member of the Young Marines drill team, brought the three fake rifles to school because she had planned to practice after class for an April competition at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
We could hope that since the local NBC station has the story that NBC in New York might notice. But they, like the other networks, completely freaked out for gun control measures ten years ago in the wake of the massacre at Columbine High.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
Zero Tolerance is Intolerance
February 14, 2009 - 08:08 ET by allanfThat's the problem with "Zero Tolerance" rules. They don't let people think.
And the administrations of
February 14, 2009 - 13:55 ET by Andrew H.And the administrations of these farces prove how dumb one has to be to be an administrator.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Andrew... Bulls-Eye!
February 14, 2009 - 13:57 ET by bigtimerAndrew...
Bulls-Eye!
Oh. My. God.
February 14, 2009 - 14:42 ET by motherbeltI cannot believe these idiots do not know what "color guard" or "band front" is...
Are they aware that they also drill with (also fake) swords?
You really can't make this stuff up!
It's impossible to even parody these morons any more!
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Are Baseball Bats Next
February 15, 2009 - 08:16 ET by allanfor do they already qualify under the Colorado "zero tolerance" law? Do the cafeterias no longer have utensils for the children?
We had a similar case here in TX
February 14, 2009 - 08:13 ET by legacyrepublicanThere was an honor student who had a kitchen knife in his truck bed that was used the day before at a church picnic or something that he drove to school.
It really wasn't a weapon, but they had to boot him out too because he was going to slice up the whole school or something.
It is isn't as though these guys in the legislatures around the country aren't aware that the more they crack down with feel good laws, the more damage they do to the innocent.
Zero tolerance means zero brains. Kinda explains the education our youth are getting.
Zero Tolerance = Zero Common Sense
February 14, 2009 - 08:16 ET by dasherZero Tolerance = Zero Common Sense = Zero Brains
I may have to have P.J. O'Rourke update my sig, to "Liberalism is Just Communism sold by the case." We are going way to fast than be just by the drink now.
_
"Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P.J.O'Rourke
Question
February 14, 2009 - 09:21 ET by sdanHow did they know that these were in the TRUNK of her car? I know that some schools can perform random locker searches but do they do random car searches?
Article says "the back' -
February 14, 2009 - 09:34 ET by JohnMArticle says "in the back of her car" - might have been the back seat.
Ok
February 14, 2009 - 09:50 ET by sdanI misread it. Thanks.
once again lefties prove
February 14, 2009 - 09:29 ET by candanceTheir version of "progress and tolerance" always ends up with zero tolerance.
But acts of kindness and generosity must be free and voluntary; no man has a right to compel another to follow his conscience. This is a concern which lies between a man and his God.
-Richard Fuhrman, pro slave advocate, 1823
Again, this proves the stupidity of.......
February 14, 2009 - 13:26 ET by BEGRUNT"Zero Tolerance" Laws. I was in law enforcement for 20 years....zero tolerance doesnt work, and only ensnares the innocent into a catch 22. As a police officer, this gave me no lattitude in applying the "spirit" of the law, as oppossed to the "letter" of the law. As the old saying goes...."the road to hell is paved with good intentions".
"Blago got in touch with his inner dirt bag"
Dennis Miller
Facsimilies - tells you their agenda
February 14, 2009 - 09:36 ET by JohnMIt's not as if a facsimile could hurt anyone - but it reveals that their problem is not with weapons, but the very IDEA of a weapon.
"Zero Tolerance" is not about safety, it's about thought control.
I want to know -- do
February 14, 2009 - 10:05 ET by ThisnThatI want to know -- do Republicans come up with these zero tolerance laws, or are these Democrat measures?
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
The rifle company was one
February 14, 2009 - 11:05 ET by pbanks7The rifle company was one of the coolest sections of our top-rated Portage Central High School Band. What's become of these idiots?
MSM - shaping all the perceptions you need to believe, then confirming it with a poll.
Columbine
February 14, 2009 - 12:15 ET by Sergeant ROCKI seem to recall several practice rifles being recovered after that incident. Not!
I also, seem to recall that upon closer examination there were several laws broken before they even fired a shot. Where's the 'zero tolerance' with respect to that? Also, why bother having a 'Young Marines' program there in the first place when you have such an assinine policy??
Liberals are just idiots.. good grief!
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
Hey Sarge, it may ...
February 14, 2009 - 18:05 ET by SentryDanHey Sarge, it may have more to do with the fact that the young lady belonged to the Young Marines, than anything else. Remember, Colorado is one of the more liberal in the Mid-West/West. Remember that our in the Bay area, you know Pelosi's district, the liberals can't stand the U.S. Military and don't like schools having Military programs, like the JROTC.
It's ashame that these fools continue to ignore the fact that it is the U.S. Military that ensure that they can enjoy the freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It has been bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Also, remember folks to Support the Troops. And to Support the Troops, you must support their mission. Those who say they suppost the troops but don't support their mission are lying about supporting the troops.
democRATS and the Constitution
February 15, 2009 - 09:02 ET by Sergeant ROCKThe fact is that democRATS are not content to share the freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. They would rather destroy those rights so that they are the ones that determine who they apply to. The Second Amendment has been their target for decades and now they've added the First Amendment. The goal is to disarm the dissenters of both arms and speech.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
Should've worn a
February 14, 2009 - 13:35 ET by RR GOPShould've worn a burqa...then they wouldn't have bothered her...even if the guns were real.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Alice in Wonderland
February 14, 2009 - 14:04 ET by CobraMan"She was expelled immediately on Feb. 5, pending a school board decision"
Sentence first -- verdict afterwords. Alice, we hardly knew ya.
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
I think the U.S. Marine Corps
February 14, 2009 - 14:24 ET by HillbillyKingSilent Drill Team (take the time to watch,&watch some of the similar videos, they give the whole routine, it's quite frankly awe-inspiring) should invite lil' ol' Marie to be their guest of honor next time they're in Colorado to perform.
If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you.
Don Marquis 1878-1937
That is a great idea.
February 14, 2009 - 14:37 ET by Andrew H.That is a great idea. Eighth and I will do her proud.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Firearms and School
February 14, 2009 - 15:48 ET by stratmanFirearms were outlawed in the dorms at the University of Wyoming shortly before I matriculated as a freshman in 1977. There was no incidence in particular, more a just-in-case liability issue for the school. Some older classmen (and probably a few classwomen - this was Wyoming afterall!) still had a firearm in their closet. And it was still legal/OK to have your firearm in your vehicle on school property. (Don't recall stories of people getting their rifles stolen from their pickup in the parking lot either.)
I did, however, find out the origin of "scoping out chicks" one nice fall day. A grassy quadrant inside the ring of school buildings, Prexy's Pasture, was a place for people to congregate when not in class. An access road surrounded Prexy's. Upon seeing a pretty girl walking across the area, an enterprising student reached into his pickup truck, grabbed a scoped rifle off the back window and proceeded to watch/track her across Prexy's while uttering a few admiring comments. Several people saw this as well but no one complained, not out of fear but because no one thought the guy was going to shoot anyone.
Of course this was stupid and reckless - NEVER point a firearm at someone unless you intend to shoot them. But the point is that back then people still trusted others not to shoot someone on a school campus.
Irrational Fear of Guns
February 14, 2009 - 16:03 ET by Sergeant ROCKAfter decades of liberalism, that's what you get.
I remember as a kid going to the hardware store and seeing pick-up trucks with gun racks holding rifles and shotguns with the windows rolled down parked out front.
Everyone I knew had a gun and yet, it didn't cross anyone's mind to shoot-up a school. Weird, huh?
But liberals scoff at such notions of a 'Leave it to Beaver' world. Instead they embrace the dysfunctional society they helped create.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
Precisely. It used to be
February 14, 2009 - 16:53 ET by stratmanPrecisely.
It used to be firearms were tools and people were killers.
Now, people are tools and firearms are the killers.
Tools of the trade
February 14, 2009 - 18:56 ET by Sergeant ROCKExactly.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
The liberals will not be content until they have
February 14, 2009 - 17:41 ET by Cape Conservativeremoved every bit of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY from the great unwashed masses...it seems all the children I know are afraid - whether of kidnappers or the loss of polar bears or running out of water...be afraid is the mantra of the left. Why no one can even figure out how to come in out of the rain anymore without directions.
Our country is on its way out...at least the east and left coasts. Our children/grandchildren are being brainwashed by the liberals on television and in our public schools into believing they exist in a fearful environment. I guess they don't allow elementary school children to read about "The Little Engine That Could" - it might give them courage to try and try again instead of being told what to do constantly. I want to believe there is still hope in Middle America - it disturbs me to think otherwise.
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
CC.... You are so
February 14, 2009 - 17:57 ET by bigtimerCC....
You are so right.
We were talking about this last night, not the first time, but your points are dead on.
The msm, the educational system etc, have destroyed this country...incrementally....and they aren't going to stop anytime soon.
All anyone has to do is just listen to your local weather-guessers, look at all the ridiculous alerts they have regarding just breathing in your area if you go outside, plus "It Feels Like" is really getting past maddening to me anymore. (I know this is just trivial, but it is all a small bit of daily indoctrination) on and on it goes.
Sad times to grow up in
February 14, 2009 - 21:37 ET by MPayneSo true. I wave at my neighborhood's kids as I am driving out of the neighborhood, and they do not know what to think. Who is that scary white guy? Thank God I do not drive a white panel van! :)
I wave at adults, too, and usually dont get anything in return. My wife keeps saying I should stop, but growing up in my neighborhood, everybody knew everybody. It's funny but my two year old son waves now, too. I am going to bring it back into fashion!
I went to take my son to a local park and the only other parent there, a young mother with two children, was terrified when I said hello. So the fear also grips adults this day and age.
" Courage - a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it. " - William T. Sherman
~Dude
February 14, 2009 - 22:02 ET by choselife3xWhat do you LOOK like?! :-O
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
CC yes. For liberals,
February 14, 2009 - 22:35 ET by celatorCC yes. For liberals, all non-liberals are useless eaters. The step from there to the euthanasia of the elderly, the challenged, the non-contributors, the "different" is very small.
"For many years now we have
preached “the gospel,” in opposition to the philosophy of so-called
liberalism which was, in truth, a call to collectivism." Ronald Reagan--1976
Stupid stupid liberalism is
February 14, 2009 - 22:05 ET by GregEStupid stupid liberalism is the cause of nonsense like this. Someone writes a policy, and common sense and using your own mind (regardless how small the amount of thinking it would actually require) for something such as this is unacceptable. Follow the policy, do NOT think for yourself. This crap's ridiculous beyond the pale.
Fake?
February 14, 2009 - 23:09 ET by jaywlFake? Not so fast you gunners out there. It would have been a simple matter to convert these so-called fake guns to shoot rubber bands and only a little more difficult to shoot rubbers. Either could cause maiming eye injury. Remember the kid in "A Christmas Story" who wanted a BB gun and his wise Mother?
dasher summoned the entire
February 15, 2009 - 22:07 ET by pitter43dasher summoned the entire thing up. Zero tolerance=zero thought. It's easier for democrat/liberals to ban everything than is is for them to think and do what's right from there.