Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 39, Issue 10


Volume 39, Issue 10. Today is .

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Volume 39, Issue 10
February 12, 2002

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Students Observing and Scrutinizing

What do you think about this?
BY Mesa Legend

Influence from outside sources is a big issue in society today. We hear all the time about the media's influences on teenagers who commit crimes. We also hear about movies that inspire members of the younger generations to attempt dangerous and deadly stunts. In the past, some of the most deadly influences were cults such as Charles Manson's "Family" and the Branch Davidians who followed David Koresh to death. But how much compassion can we, as a society, show on someone who has been influenced and controlled into committing a heinous act or been involved in the murder of literally thousands of people?


"I think they should charge him like any other 20-year-old, and not be emotional." Rosy Clay, 19, Ecology	"At 16 you're very impressionable and under certain people's influence, it can make you do things you wouldn't normally do.." Tiffany Rios, 19, Communications	"If he was at an age of vulnerability, he may not have understood what he was getting into." Taeus Storff, 21, Exercise Science


"Of course (his age) should be taken into consideration, people are allowed to do stupid things." Joanna Leeds, 18, Biololgy	"When you are 16 you don't really have a good view on the world, but he should be responsible for his actions." Laura Worsnip, 18, Undecided	"If someone tried to influence me into a terrorist attack, (my answer) would be a big fat 'No!'" Maya Castaneda, 20, Psychology