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The erosion of freedom is not a pretty thing to behold
In Florida, a a neighborhood is evacuated because a couple of teens built some pipebombs, and they're now facing felony raps.
Ah, memories of my own days, when getting caught at that would at worst involve a lecture from police and/or advice on how to do it safely.
[Hat tip to Bill Bailey]
3 Comments
Knowledge is one thing; building bombs, apparantly in residential neighborhoods, is another. Stupid, and criminal. The morons should be prosecuted, though I don't know if felony records for life is necessarily the way to go.
One man's bomb is another man's firecracker. (Oops, sorry. Where I now live, those too are officially evil and criminal.) I too was introduced to the mysteries and wonders of science as a youth. As our knowledge an skills developed, we built larger and more spectacular devices, all in "residential neighborhoods" since that where we lived. We then took them to remote, safe locations and enjoyed the fruits of our labors. It's a wonder that any American youth choose career paths in chemistry these days, when they're not allowed to do anything but the simplest and most boring "experiments" in classes. Assuming that students will develop laboratory techniques and skills by watching a teacher perform is equivalent to assuming students will become skilled musicians by listening to iPods or professional athletes by watching Monday Night Football.
Yes, I remember fondly the days in the 60's and early 70's when my teachers and scout leaders actively encouraged our early explorations in the pyrotechnic sciences, with very expert and sound guidance, of course. Model rocketry, chemistry sets that were actually fun, an infinite number of mail order resources and the always interesting classified ads in the back of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. The funny thing is, most of us with half a lick of sense made it through relatively unscathed, with all of our digits and eyeballs intact, a few minor burns and singed eyebrows notwithstanding. It's too bad that we've gotten to the point that we're at as a society. I'm pretty surprised that the movie, October Skies, hasn't been banned, lest it corrupt the minds of our impressionable youngin's. Like marksmanship, I fully intend to pass along some of my hard earned knowledge in "certain" subjects to my daughters, when they're mature enough to appreciate the art and the responsibilities. Knowledge is power after all and it's always good to have a few tricks in one's toolbox should the need arise.