I hate what our country has become.
Today I got a paper from a student saying the following:
I hate the government.
Buy more guns.
Then he wrote a smiley face.
Ran it by the Division Chair.
I told him my take on it was that he's a dumb kid and he thinks he's funny.
But, it's totally inappropriate and I'm not going to give him credit for completing the assignment.
Underlying the "joke" is an implied threat.
"If I'm not happy, I'm going to turn to violence."
When and how did a young person reach adulthood with the impression that this is an acceptable "joke" for an academic setting?
And, this kind of "joke" implies that any criticism will be met with potential violence.
There's no good way for me to address this without becoming the enemy and a target.
I hate this fucking country.
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with him privately.
And then explain why what he wrote was inappropriate.
young man without getting myself or anyone else hurt.
But thanks for the empathy.
...what we've become...
...sad for you, the student and us as a nation...
...the question is, "Where is all this heading?"
...my Granddaughter, who's always wanted to become teacher, is having second thoughts...
...sad...
Most sad? My grammar Nazi retired. 
Anyway, teaching is a calling. I hate that you feel the need to caution people like that.
And I agree, our nation has lost itself, though I think we've always been teetering on the edge in many ways.
I can't, it's who I am.
Thanks!
Remember the Newtown shooter stole the guns from his parents. 
