Prometheus 6

Besides, isn't Iran on Asia? Russia? North Korea? Viet Nam?

China?

Although students were warned that they couldn't threaten anyone in their writings, Lee said he assumed those parameters were removed when the teacher told the class to take 30 minutes and write whatever came to mind -- without worrying about censorship.

"She told us to exaggerate our feelings," Lee said, standing outside his home in northwest suburban Cary. "So I did."

Exaggeration or not, the school principal contacted Cary police, who arrested Lee, an A-student and athlete, while he walked to school on Tuesday. He was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor that carries up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

Essay just a story, teen says
Cary-Grove senior fights for right to go back to school; Marines revoke his enlistment
By Carolyn Starks, Tribune staff reporter; Tribune staff reporter Liam Ford contributed to this report
April 28, 2007

Like many misunderstood writers, a Cary-Grove High School senior arrested for turning in a provocative class essay offered an "author's note" Friday by way of explanation.

In it, Allen Lee said his reference to "shooting everyone" and "having sex with the dead bodies" was not a personal statement but words a character in a story might say, which explained why the sentence was in quotations.

His references to drugs, he said, were a comment on drug problems at the school.

"On an additional note, I have completed the Military Entry Processing Station examinations, and yes a psychiatric evaluation is included in the process," wrote Lee, 18, who plans to join the Marines. "If I'm qualified to defend the country, I believe I am qualified to attend school."

However, the Marines informed the student Friday that they have discharged him from the enlistment program because of the incident, but that he could reapply if the charges were dropped. Lee said he couldn't comment, but his lawyer said his client was crushed.

"He was looking forward to serving his country," Dane Loizzo said. "I told him this is just a bump in the road."