Common Sense, Freedom of Speech and the W-S Journal

Yesterday there was an article on the JournalNow website about a kid that had gone into a un-occupied house and was severely injured when he picked up a box that was actually a booby trap. While the kid is going to recover, it's unfortunate that it happened. The person or persons who set this and other booby traps in the house up are being sought as we speak.

If some are not aware, when there is an article in the journal, they allow readers who have signed up a chance to voice their opinion on the story. I have replied to probably a handful of stories in the past and have never had one deleted until yesterday.

I was addressing a couple of readers who had posted before I had. One asked the quesiton "can you set a booby trap in your house?" while others were defending the person who made and set them.

It was noted in the article that the ATF as well as Local Authorities determined that the traps were built and set to severely injure or kill someone. There was no harm of the occupants being in danger as they did not live there apparently and there was only property. I replied basically that the loss of property does not justify the use of deadly force and therefore, the person or persons should be charged accordingly. It is MY opinion that they be charged with attempted murder, based on how the ATF said the device was built and what it was intended to do. JUST MY OPINION.

After I posted the comment, I went on about my business. Later I came back to see if anyone had replied based on my comment and seen that it had been deleted by Journal Staff. I checked my email and no email.

It would have been nice had the journal staff let the person who posted know why it was deleted so that I would know for sure. Apprently the Freedom of Speech does not have a play here even though it's an open forum.

I do believe that I will contact the journal today and find out just why my post was deleted OR, I may just try it again.