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Police Called Over 11-Year-Old's Science Project

garg0yle writes "Police in San Diego were called to investigate an 11-year-old's science project, consisting of 'a motion detector made out of an empty Gatorade bottle and some electronics,' after the vice-principal came to the conclusion that it was a bomb. Charges aren't being laid against the youth, but it's being recommended that he and his family 'get counseling.' Apparently, the student violated school policies — I'm assuming these are policies against having any kind of independent thought?"

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  1. Taking the same thing into airport likely will mak by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 1, Troll

    Taking the same thing into airport likely will make you see some real hard time vs what this kid got.

  2. Re:What if it was really a bomb? by westlake · · Score: 1, Troll

    NoReaction+Bomb is the worst outcome, yes, but its astonishingly unlikely. Getting hit by lightning in your office likely.

    Maybe. Maybe not.

    A 13-year-old elementary school student had "second thoughts" that stopped him from setting off pipe bombs in his Courtice school. The bomb squad examined explosives found in the boy's home and said they would have caused significant damage. [They] wouldn't say how many explosive devices -- which he apparently learned how to make from the Internet -- were seized. 'Second thoughts' halt school bomb plot [Jan 14]

    This piece is a little dated - but still suggestive:

    Data on bomb incidents (any event in which an actual bomb or bomb look-alike is involved) and bomb threats (any event in which a bomb threat is communicated that may or may not involve an actual bomb or bomb look-alike) are limited. The FBI reports that close to 5 percent of bombing incidents in the United States in 1999 were targeted at schools. It is unknown what portion of these incidents involved threats. For the period January 1990 to February 28, 2002 the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recorded 1,055 incidents of bombs being placed in school premises. Again, we do not know what proportion of these incidents involved threats. For the most part, however, it is probably reasonable to conclude that bomb incidents involving real bombs in schools are relatively rare, though they have been with us for quite some time. Furthermore, relatively few bomb explosions are preceded by a warning or threat to officials. Of the 1,055 bomb incidents in schools reported by ATF, only 14 were accompanied by a warning to school or other authorities.


    The first known school bombing occurred in May 1927 in Bath, Michigan. A local farmer blew up the school, killing 38 pupils, six adults and seriously injuring 40 other students.
    The Problem of Bomb Threats in Schools

  3. Re:Article missing a critical detail. by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 1, Troll

    I actually read TFA, and it states, as the summary quotes, "Apparently, the student violated school policies", but the article doesn't state the policy in question. It is hard to know if this is a case of stupid overreaction or a real violation of the rules. Does anyone know the exact wording of this "policy"?

    "Under no circumstance shall the student, by action or inaction, directly or indirectly, cause school administration, faculty or staff to appear inept, hysterical or foolish, whether this is or is not the intent of the student."

    --
    I am not a crackpot.
  4. Re:I recommend ... by c6gunner · · Score: 1, Troll

    heh. "victory", huh? I don't think that word means what you think it means.

    I'm sure Osama Bin laden is sitting in a cave right now yelling:

      "OMG guys, did j00 see this? A teacher in Amerikkka called da cops on sum kid! Allahu Akbar, victory is ours! Our Jihad is over!"

    Of course, this event will shortly be followed by President Obama handing over the keys to the Whitehouse, and the entire US population converting to Islam. Truly a great day for the Caliphate.