April 06, 2006

This Won't Look Good on a Resume

Certainly due process and time will get to the heart of the situation, but if these boys were truly going to carry out this plot, it's good that it was uncovered.

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - Four teenagers accused of plotting to kill about 25 people in a lunch-period massacre at a high school were charged Thursday under a terrorism law created after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The boys, ages 14 to 16, were arrested Wednesday after police heard about the alleged plot from administrators at the school, where three of the teens are students. Their names were not released because of their ages.

Authorities said the teens planned to attack students, teachers and others at Winslow Township High.

The four boys appeared in family court, and a judge ordered them held for psychiatric evaluations.

Understandably, the parents of at least one of these teens is in disbelief.

The father of one of the boys said the charges were a mistake: "I think it's just kids hanging out together and having a little wild time, that's all."

I can appreciate how he must feel from the parent perspective. How hard would it be to come to the realization that one of your children would be part of such a plot? However, from the outside looking in, I can't help but be reminded of how out of touch some of the parents were in cases that kids actually *did* kill their classmates (Columbine immediately comes to mind). It also reminds me of how important it is for me to remain in touch with my own kids as they get older.