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Ohio teen jailed over lyrics

Contributed by adamvms. Posted by adam on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 12:19 AM (EST)

There's an interesting situation developing in Jefferson Ohio that our friends at VMS Records wanted you to know about. Kevin Beebe, a 19 year old student, was arrested and ended up in an Ashtabula County jail on charges of inducing panic and aggravated menacing. Beebe reportedly self-recorded and released a three song CD, which he distributed around his school. The lyrical content of these recordings have landed him in trouble, as detailed in this article.

VMS label head Adam Gecking, who has roots in the area, put together a 'letter to the editor' response to the paper. You can find it below.

"SUBJECT - Kevin Beebe, his unalienable rights, and the music industry in general.

My name is Adam Gecking I grew up in Ashtabula (not very long ago), and now I work in the music industry. From my experience it is common practice for people to distribute self made cds ESPECIALLY to kids of a certain age group (I would think highschool students would fit the demographic perfectly). It is also safe to assume that Kevin is doing this at a very amateur level or by now he would have left the great county in which I grew up. If we take the two above statements as givens and we have any basic knowledge/understanding of this particular style of music then we can safely assess that Mr. Beebe was just following the example of his contemporaries and NOT making actual threats BUT SIMPLY painting a not so pretty picture to which others could possibly relate. If, for example, Eminem was arrested for each time he said something on his records then the rap mogul would not be where he is today. While Kevin is no Eminem I think you can gather for yourself that he meant no harm or serious threat by his actions. If this case came up against anyone who had a real lawyer, not one appointed by the courts, it would be quickly dismissed and the lawyer would hold the state responsible for false imprisonment as well as violation of his first amendment rights. The fact that Kevin is a local boy who obviously can not afford such representation is going to be detrimental to his cause. Maybe if he was singing something that was more appealing to such a small town's musical aesthetic or if he was no longer in the small town then this whole thing would never have happened, BUT unfortunately for him he is just playing the cards that he was dealt and right now it appears to be a losing hand.

-Adam Gecking
direct any replies to adam@vmsrecords.com

I know this doesn't concern your favorite band or even most of your chosen style/genre of music, BUT what they are doing is just wrong and people need to know about it.

thanks

Adam VMS

Rants! (156 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Thankfully my lyrics have only made me millions of dollars, and not put me in jail. -Thom Yorke

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maverick (scott) (March 10, 2004)

Did I miss how the Thom Yorke persona was created when I was gone for 10 days? What happened? -Scott

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CrankWillDestroy (March 10, 2004)

Yea, I'm lost too, but didn't care enough to ask...

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Shindo (adam) (March 10, 2004)

Someone trying to be funny and failing over and over and over again. -adam

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maverick (scott) (March 10, 2004)

Okay, so it's not like we posted news that somehow involved Radiohead? Just checking. -Scott

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sloppyblake (March 10, 2004)

i must be easily amused then.

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YourMother (March 10, 2004)

Me too. I think he's kinda funny.

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GREG6711 (March 10, 2004)

it's kinda funny, but it's really sad since he has no life except his imaginative personna.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Well I think his sense of humor is smashing! -David Bowie

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

radiohead is on my top 5 most overrated bands of all time: 1. nirvana 2. rage against the machine 3. radiohead 4. the white stripes 5. led zeppelin i am not saying that these bands sucked or that they weren't important, just that they are incredibly, incredibly, incredibly overrated

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

The other day I got into this big philosophical thought process thing: Is it possible for a band to be overrated? Because I can't stand ACDC. But a lot of musicians I know and respect love them. So is it just that I have different taste? Can overrated exist? When I say this, I mean among those who truly love art and music. But then I realized New Found Glory is way bigger than the Dismemberment Plan ever was and I realized overrated does exist. And there is no justice in music. However, I also decided ACDC isn't overrated, just not for me. There's a line between true music and crap. True music can't be overrated...blahblahblah...how do we draw that line...yada yada yada...go forth and philosophize...

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lieutenant (March 10, 2004)

I am not a fan of New Found Glory, but then are they really overrated? Their true fans, who are out there, when they listen to New Found Glory, they feel right and they feel good. It is like when you listen to your favourite band, you feel like all is well with your universe. This band brings joy to its following, and in return the people will call NFG their favourite band.

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hitlerbadzakgood (March 10, 2004)

led zeppelin are music gods. they are not overrated.

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GREG6711 (March 10, 2004)

Your perspective is your perspective. Hell a lot of people don't even consider rage against the machine that big. My own opinion is that great art rises to those who look for it. If you want to know why bands like White Stripes or RAdiohead are huge right now. Look at their past material. Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, it is in our mind where we process the beauty through our eyes. I know few if any will agree with me, but that does explain why bands like New Found Glory, who come up with crap on the fly are not going to get considered for top 10s of the years, while a band who spent a significant amount of time perfecting their sound, example (though I don't care for them), the Get Up Kids, they have a much better shot. Top 10 lists usually have similarities, because great art speaks.

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ElVaquero (March 10, 2004)

i agree with all of those, and I actually listen to and greatly enjoy the white stripes.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I agree with all of them but Rage, they only require one incredibly.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

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dont_think_twice (March 10, 2004)

what does a newspaper have to do with anything

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

ever notice that stupid "activists" just use their new favourite words and call everything that isn't uber liberal "facist" or equate things they don't like to NAZI germany when in actuality there are hardly ANY simliarities between their current griping and Germany in the late 30s? grow the fuck up and do some research. then take a bath and cut your hair.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

"then take a bath and cut your hair." Signed...with a vengence

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

You used uber you shitstore, therefore you're not entitled to an opinion anymore. I can't fucking stand that word. That's the word that stupid little mall punk girls use the ones who are pro choice because it's cool to be and they listen to the Starting Line because they are way cute.. Fuck yourself.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

someone's raging with angst. yoikes.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Yeah... causes and arguments aren't helped with shitty examples. This kids lyrics suck. Unfortunately, that affects whether or not people will what is right, which is clearly rally behind him, Adam Gecking, and the like.

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iamfuckyou (March 10, 2004)

the title of this article should read 'bad high-school poetry lands whitetrash eminem wannabe in county'. those lyrics RULE...sorry, those 'dope rhymes are ill'

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AdamVMS (March 10, 2004)

what happened was that I went home to visit my folks and came across this article on the front page of the local paper. After reading and rereading it I still don't really like the kid's lyrics, but that doesn't mean that he should be in jail for it. Maybe a littering fine for leaving things around but what they got him for is absolutely ridiculous AND the fact that he is still in jail just pisses me off.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

pisses you off? good. I love setting you off it gets me off like my lawyers, when the fucking judge lets me off. yayyyyyyyyyyyy rap

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

thanks for sending this in. You wrote a very good letter to the editor. -travis

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I am glad you chose to act, and while I firmly believe in the right to free speech, especially in schools, I have one problem with this whole thing. I do not care who you are or what your intents are, you CANNOT mention Columbine in a threatening way and expect to mosey along with the rest of your day. As a teacher myself, I know what this can do. At my school there was an incident and the student body was thrown into a panic immediately. You never know when someone is serious or just fooling around, so each case must be handled with caution. I do not believe that he needs to be put in jail, but I do believe that a suspension is in order. As for those who say that teachers and school officials are just out to censor everyone and take away the first amendment of students for our own egocentric ideals, you could not be more mistaken. I am an English teacher, and I wou

show rest of commentI am glad you chose to act, and while I firmly believe in the right to free speech, especially in schools, I have one problem with this whole thing. I do not care who you are or what your intents are, you CANNOT mention Columbine in a threatening way and expect to mosey along with the rest of your day. As a teacher myself, I know what this can do. At my school there was an incident and the student body was thrown into a panic immediately. You never know when someone is serious or just fooling around, so each case must be handled with caution. I do not believe that he needs to be put in jail, but I do believe that a suspension is in order. As for those who say that teachers and school officials are just out to censor everyone and take away the first amendment of students for our own egocentric ideals, you could not be more mistaken. I am an English teacher, and I would love for my students to express themselves in ways that are not necessarily considered kosher for the classroom. The problem is your fellow classmates. When sensitive people discuss sensitive ideas, they tend to get upset and mention these conversations or ideas to their parents/guardians. And let me tell you, if a student is a tad bit sensitive, their parents are 10 times worse. Therefore, teachers do not want to hold back students. We have to in order to save our asses from the neverending phone calls from outraged parents wondering why their child was exposed to such quote/unquote vulgar ideas. Bottom line, don't blame the teachers, we struggle everyday to inspire, challenge, and motivate students while trying to keep a firm grip on the boundaries so that we have a job on Monday morning. The kid should be suspended, I think he could have advertised in a different way, such as tell people he had a rap CD and those who wanted a rap CD could get one from him. Those seeking out the CD would have an idea of what they were getting. Therefore, a lot of his problems could have been eliminated.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Yikes! Freedom of speech UNLESS you say "bomb" in an airport, UNLESS you say "Columbine" in a school, UNLESS you say "with us" and not "against us," UNLESS you vote Republican. Amerika is going to hell!

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Looczar (March 10, 2004)

Back in your cage, Monkey!!!

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declinepunk (March 10, 2004)

exactly.....free speech isn't free speech with exceptions.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

When you yell "BOMB!" on an airplane, you induce panic and scare the shit out of people. That's not excercising your freedom of speech. Thats being an ass hole. SCOOOOOTER

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declinepunk (March 12, 2004)

this isn't yelling "bomb" on an airplane. this kid was trying to express himself. as shitty as his lyrics may be, he has the right to self-expression. i've heard lyrics far more violent than that from high school students and nobody gets in trouble for them. he shouldn't have distributed the cd's in the manner that he did...but i don't think he deserves 7 years in prison for it.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

When you are in a public school, you have no First Amendment rights.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

i concur. they teach us to exercise our rights, yet they deprive us some of the most crucial and basic ones. We cannot swear, we cannot give opinions that are out side the "norm," we cannot live the way we deserve to. this is the main facets of this country that truly disturbs me. its at home and throughout the media. now people are trying to ban cigarette smoking in movies. that's just stupid.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Well I agree with everything up to the banning of cigarette smoking in movies is stupid. When you begin to infinge on other people's rights, like the right to not have to inhale nasty shit from someone sitting/standing next to you, then it should be banned.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

in movies. as in, when they are filming it. on the screen. you can't inhale that, not even with 3d glasses.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

lol, but thanks for clearing that up, i was thinking the same thing. and yes, that is insanely fucking stupid.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

1969 the supreme court ruled that freedom of speech can not end at the school house gate.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

i can't get the article to show.

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notfeelingcreative (March 10, 2004)

I think this guy truly needs help. He doesn't need to be put in prison he needs fucking counseling! Not to mention, what did he write in his songs that I can't go pick up in the hip hop section of the virgin megastore?

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I can understand why all this has happened to him. It was bad planning on his part. In his CD, he talks about his principle doing sexual acts and threatens him or something? ALso, he left this on cars in the parking lot AT THE SCHOOL. Thats really no different from leaveing a note on the hallway floor stating "I am gonna kill you, Mr. Principal." Its alos commonly accepted that in Public Schools, your rights are suspended. This is done to allow for a good learning evnironment. I mean, no school would allow a kid to run around and say, "Kill the nigger!" or "I'm gonna put a cap in your ass, motherfucker!" It disrupts the learning. That's exactly what he did. Both sides have good arguments, but even with a real attorney, he would still get in trouble. By law, he made threats. I don't belive 7.5 years is reasonable, but i don't think any lawye could get him out of it,

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

sadly, that is too true.

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plutocracy (March 10, 2004)

"Its alos commonly accepted that in Public Schools, your rights are suspended. This is done to allow for a good learning evnironment." That is the most insane opinion I've heard all week. No freedom of speech is good learning environment?

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

thats not his opinion. its the opinion of the supreme court.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

That's not my opinion. I asked an administrator at my school (i am a senior in high school), and he explained to me my we don't exactly have a freedom of speech in school. Like I stated before, allowing so would disrupt the learning process. Not learning like "These are your rights. excercise them." Learning as in "The length of the hypotenuse squared is equal to the sum of the squares of the other sides." -SCOOOOOTER (I am going to sign from now on)

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

this is true, but it really makes you wonder why the fuck they're teaching such bullshit about pythagorean theorem and whatnot instead of teaching you to exercise your rights and freedoms.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Well, I wouldn't expect to learn about my rights in geometry class, would you? However, when you get to you government and American History classes, they do focus on that. We did in my government class. My teacher spend a great deal of time talking about the Bill Of Rights.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I'll get used to adding my sig in time. SCOOOOOTER.

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plutocracy (March 11, 2004)

"Today we're going to learn about freedom of speech. Shut up!"

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

"In his CD, he talks about his principle doing sexual acts and threatens him or something?" He said the pricipal could suck his dick, whoopty-doo. I know kids that have told a pricipal that straight to his face & not gotten anything but detention.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I can't blame the cops for arresting him after reading those lyrics. THROW THE BOOK AT HIM, DANO!!!!

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notfeelingcreative (March 10, 2004)

You're an idiot, arresting someone because of stupid shit like this is ridiculous!

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

This clown is a complete tool, I say give em the chair.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

hahahah

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

This is why I'm glad I don't live in the USA.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

cheers to that! (and jeers to american politics!)

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

Well... that and the fact that you don't shower.

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Pirate (March 10, 2004)

The difference between Kevin Beebe and Eminem is a major record label. You gotta love how freedom of speech only applies to those in the right position.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Bend over.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

How are his lyrics any worse than any other music out there. Hell, Leftover Crack is was more brutal than that. Schools are fucking pussies.

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FrEaKy217468 (March 10, 2004)

This guy's lyrics sound like all the rappers on the Radio...weak.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I cannot believe any of you are siding with the cops on this one. And you call yourself punks. I might understand getting in trouble with the school, ok, whatever. But jail time for making music, no matter the content, is just fucked up beyond.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

CopZ ruLZ, PUnX DroOlz

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I'm not punk.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

who said people who read this crap are punks, we might like good music, but that don't mean were punks

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

He stated he was trying to promote his music by distributing them on cars in the parking lot, but anonymously and without any contact info on the CDs. Yeah, this guys a promoting genius. I just wish one of the car owners turned the disc into a label and made a bundle off of it. But we all know that wouldn't happen, did you read those awe-inspiring lyrics?

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Someone (March 14, 2004)

Beebe did have his e-mail on all his CD s he passed out and the word DEMO.

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plutocracy (March 10, 2004)

"When the students played the songs, some became alarmed and told their parents, who called police." Welcome to American justice at its least sensible. A 19 year old kid is facing up to SEVEN AND A HALF years in prison for doing a fucking CD-R project. This shouldn't be a matter of how graphic his lyrics are, this should be a matter of freedom of speech or not. How much do you get for rape in America? A couple of years? Anything at all? But 7,5 years for a dirty CD-R. Now that's justice. What is it with Americans and calling the police/suing people? Instead of at least trying to use social sanctions, the long arm of the law is fisted into every body cavity of this kid. Has anyone even tried TALKING to him? This treatment may actually be a part of the reason why he's suicidal/depressed/angry or whatever. Using cops and judges to condition him will only make things worse.

show rest of comment"When the students played the songs, some became alarmed and told their parents, who called police." Welcome to American justice at its least sensible. A 19 year old kid is facing up to SEVEN AND A HALF years in prison for doing a fucking CD-R project. This shouldn't be a matter of how graphic his lyrics are, this should be a matter of freedom of speech or not. How much do you get for rape in America? A couple of years? Anything at all? But 7,5 years for a dirty CD-R. Now that's justice. What is it with Americans and calling the police/suing people? Instead of at least trying to use social sanctions, the long arm of the law is fisted into every body cavity of this kid. Has anyone even tried TALKING to him? This treatment may actually be a part of the reason why he's suicidal/depressed/angry or whatever. Using cops and judges to condition him will only make things worse. I think Adam Gecking's letter was appropriate, but his attempt to justify, explain and make excuses on behalf of the kid was a big mistake. You don't HAVE to justify, explain or make excuses for people using their right to say anything they want to say. There's no need. But when Gecking does so anyway, he is creating a need, and therefore, in the big picture, contributes to a narrower definiton of freedom of speech. The only part of the lyrics that MAY come in conflict with the law, is the part about killing the principal (threats). But this is not exactly the sickest of death threats I've heard. I mean, it's not excactly shoved in anyone's face. You have to pick up a copy of this stuff, put it in the player, actually turn the sound way up and adjust the bass and treble in a weird way to even hear the words. It's not like he sent the principal a letter. (And please don't complain more about how much his lyrics suck. We all know gangsta rap is the worst, especially when it's done by amateurs. What's important here, is freedom of speech, nothing else.)

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plutocracy (March 10, 2004)

Sorry about the generalisation, but in the big picture, this way of dealing with problems is typical of American culture.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

You get 20-life for rape you jackass.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Not if the victims enjoy it, douche! -Michael Jackson (do you want some Jesus juice with that?)

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inanechild (March 10, 2004)

Okay, realistically, something's going to happen to this kid because of the dumb "zero tolerance" policies schools have about threats after Columbine. However, that punishment should be school-only, like a suspension for several days. There's no reason for the law to become involved, let alone giving him 7.5 years in prison.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

but it is a public school, thus owned by authorities, and thus it is directly related to the involvement of the law. it sucks, yes, but unfortunately the school and city public services are linked.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Freedom of speech is limited. You can't say whatever you want when ever you want. In elementary you aren't allowed to cuss, that is a perfect example. Freedom of speech is limited to Obscenity laws. some one had a great point, leaving them on cars at school is basically leaving a note on the floor in the hallways saying im gonna kill you. Now im not saying 7 1/2 years is justified and I dont think he should be arrested, but you have to relise the kids a dumb ass for doing this. There is a time and place for everything and this wasn't the best place to start. You Can't make a death threat and say ohh well Im allowed to say that cause the first amendment.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Can you remind this Canadian what the first amendment of the American Constitution is?

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Unfortunately, there have been Supreme Court rulings that oddly enough have held up limiting the freedom of speech. The FCC chairman is the only person in the world with any sense right now since he actually admits that the new legislation for obscenity on airwaves is uncostitutional and he feels uncomfortable enforcing it. Now, let's see what he says about airwave monopolies.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

fuck this shit -carl winslow

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

wow and you're a cop... -Janelle it must be wrong.

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

gimme back my gun and ill go gung ho and get the kid out of there, i will then later shoot him for writing to worst fucking lyrics ever

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

If this article gets picked up national, I bet Slim Shady comes to my dogg's rescue... -sickboi

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

This is complete & utter bullshit in so many different aspects. The biggest one being that someone could face ANY jail time (let alone 7.5 years) for making music. That's like taking one of these kids who directs horror movies & throwing them in jail for it. It's 100 percent entertainment. After one of my bands broke up & before I got in the one I'm in now I took some time away from the band thing & released a rap cd. Seeing as how I love horror there was plenty of killing on that cd, the difference between him & me (besides my lyrics being more thought out) was I named names of people. That doesn't mean I actually had ill will towards them or even wanted to do anything to them, it was just entertainment. Basically the kid had thoughts & wanted to paint an entertainment picture. That's what EVERY decent artist does. I can't believe I live in a country (let alone that I

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

haha, ohio.

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darkstarm (March 10, 2004)

One time while driving through Ohio this mean ass looking dude came up to me with this mean ass look on his face. Got right up in my (I was like... 12) face and was just like. "What year is your truck!?" I was all... "Uh... 200...1..." "Thanks, want some jerky?" True story.

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Rhythm (March 10, 2004)

you just blew my mind.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

You're 15? You suck.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

wow, this really really sucks for this kid.. sometimes the law is just plain and pure bullshit. -thriceequalsgod

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Kid slipped up majorly on this one. As stated earlier, there ARE obscenity laws and you CAN'T say certain things, nevertheless on school property. If you received an anonymously distributed CD containing nothing but depressing, homicidal, suicidal music on your car windshield, wouldn't you have a cause for alarm? Yes. The kid, unknowingly, made threats against the students unintentionally. Now, fine and dandy, but you still can't do that-nevertheless on school property. That's what's different compared to Eminem. Eminem wasn't going to schools, leaving demos of his songs on people's cars anonymously. The kid has issues. Give him probation, community service, and a psychologist. He obviously needs the last.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Yeah, you can have a cause for alarm. The kid didn't go in guns blazing. The music was his way of releasing the anger through fantasy instead of through bullets. He obviously has some problems with depression, but at least he's creatively (Yes, I know I'm stretching that word's meaning there) dealing with this, it's not as much as a threat, but a way of getting attention so he can cry for help. Anonymous or not, people would've been super pissed off, we live in a world where the weak are made the scapegoats. It's their fault jocks pick on them, and it's their faults when they finally snap and take action. Some meathead jock strap boy punches a kid like this in the face for standing up to him, the jock is the victim. Revenge of the Nerds is a great movie.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

anyone actually have the lyrics typed up or something?

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Question: what kind of fascist society do we live in that will treat a kid who make bombs in his garage the same as a kid making songs in his garage???

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

We treat them the same because they are both morons.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

its not facist. learn the definition and use it properly. then take a bath.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Good point, but that's not fascist even though your point still gets across. The society we live in is a society that is living in fear because we have a President that tells us we are not safe anywhere. The world is changing, and it's scary how much Bush's administration has changed the rights of Americans... and if he has 4 more years, he's taking us straight on a path for Oceania.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I think the kid broke the law and should be punished. You cant slander people and think its ok. you are all looking at this only from the point of view of the kid, if the kid makes a public accusation that a teacher had sex with an entire police departmeant that is textbook slander. I think its important for people to learn that they will be held accountable for their actions. I dont think typical teen angst against a teacher played out in the way of slanderous remarks whether to a hip hop beat or not should be acceptable. I am against censorship but I dont think you should be able to try to wrongly ruin someones professional career. This teacher may have actually been trying to make some kind of difference in her community and deserve to not have her name ruined by the words of some "angry" kid.

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AdamVMS (March 10, 2004)

is slander the same thing as 'inducing panic and aggravated menacing' ? if you want to have a lawsuit against the kid go ahead and do so, but you can't be thrown in jail for slander No one has ever been convicted and sentenced to 7 and a half years in prison for slandering someone else have they?

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KirbyPuckett (March 10, 2004)

No one has ever been convicted and sentenced to 7 and a half years in prison for slandering someone else have they? If that were the case around here Punknews.org would get two hits a day. - Kirby

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

In an ideal world, people would just stand up and take their slander like real men. Brass knuckle fist fights.

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

He didn't say a teacher had sex with the police force you moron. He said they could suck his dick. That was the "sexual act" that was talked about. And last I heard telling someone to suck your dick wasn't slander.

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

"There's also reference to an unnamed teacher and the Jefferson Police Department performing a sexual act" I can see how you would think this means he wants them all to "suck his dick" but I took it as he is saying she fucked the police dept. I dont think either of us could really say for sure seeing as how we havent read all of his "lyrics".

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CaptainCrunch (March 10, 2004)

Honestly, does anyone really think this kid is going to get any jail time? I would guess they are just trying to scare the kid. The school has an obligation to address this matter, especially since his lyrics featured school employees. That is not the main problem. What he did is wrong, and he should be punished. I substitute teach and see how easily it is for kids to be distracted. What he did does undermine the educational process. Believe it or not, a lot of kids are in school to learn and they shouldn't have to walk out of school after spending all day in class and get some vulgar CD left on their car. The whole idea that he is making music is great, I think the biggest problem here lies with the fact that he was wrong in the way that he distributed his material. Trust me, Eminem would get in some trouble if he peddled his music personally in a hig

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I had no idea there was a law against putting CDs on car window shields! It's a good thing that in the early 80s punk rock was so below the radar that bands could say whatever they wanted without fear of lawsuit. Bands like TSOL could still be in jail! IMHO the guy did nothing wrong.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

He will get punished, but that's the law.. If only the law settled everything with brass knuckle fist fights!

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Someone (March 12, 2004)

""Honestly, does anyone really think this kid is going to get any jail time?"" people have gotten more punishment for doing less: http://www.wm3.org

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Stop trying to argue about the law when it's painfully obvious you know nothing about it.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

check. mate.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Hi. I am not about rap or white kids trying to rap, but this is serious bullshit. I read he could face up to 7 years in prison. I am in a band and we pass out hundreds of free cd's and put some on car windshields and anywhere else we can think of. It scares the hell out of me that this can even happen in a country that is supposed to stand for freedom of speech. He did nothing illegal. Violent lyrics are a way of venting anger without actually committing the acts described. Is there anything anyone can do to help? My email address deadfinger@thefitt. Com

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

If you are upset by this please consider joining the Libertarian Party and voting for our candidates. We support freedom of speech and believe that all too often justice in public school systems is arbitrary and capricious.

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AmericanIdle (March 10, 2004)

Libertarian party is a joke, but not a very funny one.

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Haggard (March 10, 2004)

Libertarians are a bunch of stealth Republicans. -Justin

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

mmmm....that's not really acuracte. Last time I checked, they have alot of beefs with Republicans as well as Democrats. Do you think a Libertarian would be all about Conservative drug laws and enforcement? Of course not.

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Haggard (March 10, 2004)

My post was a joke. But they are more conservative than liberal. -Justin

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Libertarians think that a pure "free-market" is a good idea. Christ, that's fucking ridiculous. That stealth Republican thing was funny as hell, by the way.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I'm originally from the same county in Ohio as this as well. I live in LA now and work for a label now as well. Doesn't surprise me at all. The entire community there is like wheat farmers and hicks that are about 50 years behind the rest of the world. It's one of those towns that if two guys were holding hands, it would be talk of the town. It's amazing how far back in time many small towns still are. It's absolutely ridicious.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

is the kid in jail now ? and somoane gimme some god damm lyrics !

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TJmoney (March 10, 2004)

I'm white but that's alright... I drink all day and kill at night... yeah bitch I said kill you know I got tha skill fuck dawg you scared you betta be prepared my teacher fucked the po-po but I gots to go-go and your moms a ho, yo represent OHIO

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

i rape lil girls in the dark them smooth pussies gimme the spark tight tight see that look on whitey's face when i cum inside her she's gonna put on some weight

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TJmoney (March 12, 2004)

follow along as I anticipate can a homey get a congratulate cum all over the broad dat a boy shes puttin on some weight oi-oi spend all the money and call the five-O streets see me runnin oh-no your girl is puttin on the weight from cummin dont ya feel great but you better call the (weight) watchers... or maybe jenny craig cuz my dick so big thats why they call me 3-leg

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

His career is going to blossom now that he's got 'street cred' by being arrested. But the real question we should be asking ourselves is...where can I get my hands on this 'scandalous' demo?

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plutocracy (March 11, 2004)

You'll have to bribe a cop.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I agree someone should have brought this to someone since I know this would alert me, but it sure is bullshit for the jail time he gets since there was probably no fair evaluation of this by authorities.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

This all boils down to the Conservative Fat Cats on Capitol Hill. How dare someone distribute anti-Christian music (or whatever you want to call it), so they answer by taking away that persons right to free speech... What a bunch of bullshit..

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

This dude is all out emo: "I have so much pain inside," he states in the song. "When I look at my life you know I want to die." "All this pain kind of hurts," he rants. "God will you help " but this whole case is stupid. A threat would be someone actually performing threats directly towards those people. This dude is just producing his own music. Can anyone be any more dumber? "Law enforcement and school officials took the lyrics as threats and enacted the school district's safety plan Feb. 27, which called for all the school's doors to be locked and a police presence in the building." What a waste of tax payer's money, and as if they don't usually lock their doors when school is out.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

Not when it comes to Zero Tolerance laws states enact to protect students. I think its safe to say that these laws and reactions are because of school shootings like at Columbine. even mentions it in a "song" of his. Even if it was just an attempt to get his "music" out there, he should have thought first before leaving copies on people cars. SCOOOOOTER.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

yeah what this guy did was dumb. putting CDs about suicide and columbine on cars anonymously is gonna freak people out. but at the same time i could see myself or a few of my friends in the same situation for writing lyrics joking about wanting the school to burn down, which could be seen as a threat under the zero-tolerance laws. plenty of suburban high school kids have probably felt the same way, but most of them would never actually do anything violent.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

i cant stop laughing this so great hahahhahaa

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I cant believe people on here think this kid should get in trouble. Suspend him and make him go to counseling (even that is a little much). You all saying eminem isnt going to schools and promoting.. no shit he does it ON NATIONAL F***KIN TELEVISION. If this kid gets 7.5 years (which he most likely wont) eminem gets the lethal injection the next day.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I think all rappers should be thrown in jail.

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

I think all morons should be thrown in jail, but then again there'd only be like 3 people left at "punk"news.org if that happened!

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

This is complete bullshit. But I must say that this kid is scaming people with his lyrics. If he really did want to commit suicide he wouldn't be trying to promote his music. Oh wait thats what most rap is... a scam

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_Sexy_Pants_ (March 10, 2004)

He certainly doesn't deserve jail time, but he does deserve harsh english grades. His beats better be phat

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SickBRAAAAH (March 10, 2004)

while this kid is a mad cheeseball, the article says he could get 7 years in the slammer...??? his lyrics arent anything that couldn't be played on the radio, jesus. fuck shit ass balls, give the kid a break, shit fuck ass. Brah!

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I fucking hate rap, when i first saw this is sort of made me laugh, this kid is the ultimate douchebag, he is also ugly and writes shitty shitty lyrics but... you can't protect your own rights with out protecting the rights of others... personally, i think this is pure shit, maybe this kid should get a fine for littering but that's it. if i got some mysterious CD on my car and heard that it sucked i would take it out, not call the fucking cops.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

its not whether or not it sucked. People heard these lyrics and got scared. This is nothing like eminem. This is a kid leaving anonymous CDs on cars. No one knew what the hell it was. Its not like eminem coming to your school and leaving a CD on your car. This kid made threats. There are zero-tolerace laws and proceudres in almost every state and school district (or at least mine) Yes, its like yelling bomb on an airplane.

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

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RondoMondo (March 11, 2004)

Oh no, he told the Principal to suck his dick. Oh no, some AP/Honor band dorks got scared and crapped themselves and told the cops! Man, shut up.

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Jimmy_the_Saint (March 10, 2004)

I hear this is the next hip hop act to be signed to Epitaph. Change the icon!

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Someone (March 10, 2004)

I was going to take the kid's side...but then I saw his picture. Jail will be good for this kid. If he's acquitted, he'll drop out of school within the next year and end up in some slum, recording tapes on a portable Koss radio and selling them to 40 year old whores. Guilty for trying to be Eminem.

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

"Guilty for trying to be Eminem" Where in the article did it say anything about him sucking dick or getting ass fucked like a little bitch? Nowhere, so he obviously isn't trying to be Eminem

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Someone (April 25, 2005)

I don't know if anyone will read this since it is a year later but I wanted you all to know that he wasn't in school at the time. And to the person who thought that he's end up in some slum well...I got news for you. Kevin has been attending church since his Aunt bailed him out. He is no longer trying to be an Eminem. He is rappin' for Jesus now and is very proud of it. For those of you who thought that his old lyrics sucked, well yes they did. But you all should hear his new music. He is very good at what he does and the community of Jefferson is really proud that he has changed for the better. We love you Kevin!

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

Anyone remember the website that one of the Columbine kids operated? Now everyone looks back and wonders how its content was never taken seriously.

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ilikebandssuchasopivy (March 11, 2004)

I disagree with you there, but instead of offering a rebuttal, is there anywhere you could see that website? I'd be interested.

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

"Now everyone looks back and wonders how its content was never taken seriously" Totally untrue statement. I don't give a fuck that it wasn't taken seriously

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

Kevin's lyrics are no different from any other artist in this same genre. i hope he isn't convicted for having a free mind and writing what he felt at the time. 7.5 yrs. in jail for touching paper to pen and hitting the record button?

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Someone (March 11, 2004)

I guarantee if this was some punk band, everyone here would be up in arms. you guys are fucking idiots. regardless of what music you listen to, this is an injustice. and if you think otherwise than go fuck yourselves. -bryan styles

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Someone (March 12, 2004)

Well said Brian, there are a shitload of hypocrites that post on punknews....

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Someone (November 24, 2004)

hiiiiiii

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DexterDanger (March 11, 2004)

Is it just me or is this story absolutely hilarious? (in a bad way, like when you laugh at fat people)

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notaclevername (March 12, 2004)

this kid needs counseling, and punishment on the schools terms (like in-school or out-of-school suspension--and alerting the local police, maybe [or the on-campus police, if they have one]): seven and a half years of prison (or ANY prison time at all) is just too much for this (even though the guy should have known he was going to get in trouble for this)

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Someone (March 14, 2004)

Kevin Beebe meant no harm.He just needs to change his lyrics.I think he could be a rapper .This is all crazy.

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Someone (March 14, 2004)

Beebe, Was just trying to promote his music, His lyrics is harsh, But its no different than any other Rap CD that is out there, I've heard the CD. Jefferson PD, has blown this whole thing out of proportion.This town is Sick Joke,The only thing this kid has done,Was being on school property. And Eminme did pass out CDs in school from the trunk of his car.

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Someone (March 25, 2004)

Ok Let me Get things Straight right now!!! This is Kevin Beebe Himself! And if you dont belive it i will provide my Phone # so yall can call my punk ass! First off i would like to say that this is a fucking Kick ass SiTE!! Secondly I am really happy to see all you crazy ass motherfuckers that agree that i should not be thrown in jail! Let me fill yall in on the real news not the shit you get in the newspaper!! The newspapers got my lyrics all wrong... They went nothing like that!! Anyways... Here i go.. The lyrics in my music are somewhat... "SHOCKING" I admit that... But what the fuck? They tryin ta lock me for 7 and a half? Man that is just some bull shit! I got out on bail... The bail was 100,000 then lowered to 60,000 i was able to pay the 10% thing so i only had to pay 6,000 But fuck it i get that fucking money back anyways!! The courts can suck my fat

show rest of commentOk Let me Get things Straight right now!!! This is Kevin Beebe Himself! And if you dont belive it i will provide my Phone # so yall can call my punk ass! First off i would like to say that this is a fucking Kick ass SiTE!! Secondly I am really happy to see all you crazy ass motherfuckers that agree that i should not be thrown in jail! Let me fill yall in on the real news not the shit you get in the newspaper!! The newspapers got my lyrics all wrong... They went nothing like that!! Anyways... Here i go.. The lyrics in my music are somewhat... "SHOCKING" I admit that... But what the fuck? They tryin ta lock me for 7 and a half? Man that is just some bull shit! I got out on bail... The bail was 100,000 then lowered to 60,000 i was able to pay the 10% thing so i only had to pay 6,000 But fuck it i get that fucking money back anyways!! The courts can suck my fat hairy cock! These lyrics were not threats!! This is just me expressing myself and if yall dont like it fuck off!! So what if i want to comit suicide>? Does anyone really care if some crazy Ohio Boy blast himself anyways? They just wanna lock me as a political prisioner!! Yes i made a mistake by placing the cd's at the HIGH SCHOOL" But i really think i have my first admendment rights here! Anyone agree?? We should be able to say whatever we want to in music correct? So fuck it... I am off da edge.. O and to all the people who took the lyrics out of the paper and said that they suck.... yall crack me up!! Those were not even anywhere near the real lyrics!! Shit they cleaned them up so much... they were much worse then that!! LOL! I still got all the tracks and am working on my new CD!! The new shit is gonna blow more minds then the old demo! Let me just say its gonna shake things up a little! heheheheh i can only sit here and laugh at what i am about ta drop on the world!! O yeah... Still looking for a record deal!! Anyone that is intrested better hit me up! The new shit will not ever be released untill after all my court hearings....That might not be for a while!! But when it drops... Hold da fuck on!! Let me just say... dont belive everything you read in the papers! ITs mostly bullshit!! I am not sure if i should release the songs that got me into all this shit to yall... Not sure if that could get me into more shit or not... Fuck It!! Yall want the shit>? Or what? I aint fuckin around here! I just gotta figure out a way to post a mp3...or some shit.. or i can try and send yall a copy if you send me your addy! Untill the next Imprisionment This is yours truley... Kevin Beebe AkA=$moke info Kevin Beebe 172 Garfield Lane Jefferson Ohio 44047 440-813-1217

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Someone (June 19, 2005)

Wow as i read this comment i still cant belive that it is something that i posted. This is Kevin Beebe and i just ran across this that i posted along time ago. All i can really say about that post is this.... I THANK GOD THAT I AM NO LONGER THE SAME I surrendered everything to CHRIST after i had posted that crap. I cant imagine the things that were going through my mind at that time I WAS SICK! Through Jesus Christ God has made some amazing changes in my life!! I am forever greatfull to God and choose to live the rest of my life for him! The outcome of the trial was NOT GUILTY on all 4 counts! I had prayed that GOD would defend me and trust me when i say that he did! It was amazing! I know how wrong the post above was.... and thats why i had to come here and make it right. Today i have nothing but love for all humans and i just cant belive the hate t

show rest of commentWow as i read this comment i still cant belive that it is something that i posted. This is Kevin Beebe and i just ran across this that i posted along time ago. All i can really say about that post is this.... I THANK GOD THAT I AM NO LONGER THE SAME I surrendered everything to CHRIST after i had posted that crap. I cant imagine the things that were going through my mind at that time I WAS SICK! Through Jesus Christ God has made some amazing changes in my life!! I am forever greatfull to God and choose to live the rest of my life for him! The outcome of the trial was NOT GUILTY on all 4 counts! I had prayed that GOD would defend me and trust me when i say that he did! It was amazing! I know how wrong the post above was.... and thats why i had to come here and make it right. Today i have nothing but love for all humans and i just cant belive the hate that i was filled with in the past! I pray that my life be an example to the changes that GOD can make if you only let him. I wish to applogize to everyone for the crap that i posted last time. I am so glad that i am a new creature in CHRIST!! Today i am in a Christian Rap group The Group Name is LIFE SAVING DECISION We are currently working on our official Demo The Demo will be available in September!! We will be releasing the first ever album in about a year! The web site will be completed very soon. For more informatioin on the Christian Rap Group LIFE SAVING DECISION please visit www.lifesavingdecision.com I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read this post, May the love of Christ be with you Sincerly a changed man Kevin Beebe

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Someone (June 19, 2005)

This is Kevin Beebe, First off i have to apologize to everyone on this site for the post that i put here a while ago. My life was filled with hate and rage i was a miserable human being. I am happy to report to you that with the Grace of God and the forgivness of JESUS CHRIST i have been saved from my old way of life! I still cant belive that i posted the things that i did here on this site. The things that i said were very wrong so i had to come back here and make sure that i made them right this time. God has made wonderfull changes in my life now that i have surrendered to him. I always wanted to do things my way,,, Well that did not work very well, Its not all about me anymore. I also would like to report to you that before i went on trial for the lyrics i asked God to defend me and let me tell you this.. HE DID!! It was amazing NOT GUILTY ON ALL

show rest of commentThis is Kevin Beebe, First off i have to apologize to everyone on this site for the post that i put here a while ago. My life was filled with hate and rage i was a miserable human being. I am happy to report to you that with the Grace of God and the forgivness of JESUS CHRIST i have been saved from my old way of life! I still cant belive that i posted the things that i did here on this site. The things that i said were very wrong so i had to come back here and make sure that i made them right this time. God has made wonderfull changes in my life now that i have surrendered to him. I always wanted to do things my way,,, Well that did not work very well, Its not all about me anymore. I also would like to report to you that before i went on trial for the lyrics i asked God to defend me and let me tell you this.. HE DID!! It was amazing NOT GUILTY ON ALL 4 CHARGES!! GLORY TO CHRIST!!! I am now in a Christian rap group called LIFE SAVING DECISION We have our first ever album coming out in about a year, and the demo will be out in SEPTEMBER 2005!! The web site will be up soon> www.lifesavingdecision.com I just want to say before i go that people can change with the help of god! And i want to encourage people on some things... When people criticize you, call you names, Prosecute you, Hate you, Etc.... Focus yourself on GOD and LOVE THOSE PEOPLE ANYWAYS!!!! The reward on earth and in heaven is GREAT!! My life is living proof!! If someone slaps your right cheek turn and give them your left, Be honest and admit your faults that you were wrong and then try to make it right The reward is great! Remember that everything you have is a trust and a blessing and these things should be treated that way. Do not abuse blessings. Love eachother, Love your Enemies, Consider others better then yourself! Truth needs no defense, What other people think about you is really none of your buisness! If you dont like someone make a list of all the things that you dont like about them then erase there name from the top and put yours in its place. Wisdom of the World is not the same as TRUE WISDOM instead of dwelling on the past and dreaming for the future dont forget to live in the present dont let life pass you by! Instead of wishing to be older only to wish you were young again be happy with your age and who you are for all of us die. These are only a few things that god has shown me, I hope they can help someone. LOVE GOD WITH EVERYTHING YOU ARE WITH YOUR ENTIRE MIND BODY AND SOUL!! FOR HE HAS EXPRESSED THAT LOVE TO YOU THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WHO DIED FOR YOUR SINS! IS IT TO MUCH FOR GOD TO ASK YOU TO LOVE HIM BACK? SINCERLY A CHANGED MAN KEVIN BEEBE