Anthrax. We know you're tired of hearing about it; we are, too-but we couldn't let another issue go by without saying something concerning the anthrax hoax at Cookeville High on Oct. 24.
Frankly, we the Charger Staff abhor it. That real anthrax was planted in various places in the country is horrifying in itself; that someone would mock and copycat it is even more horrifying.
Not only this, but we feel that the act of dropping fake anthrax is disrespectful to the people who have suffered and died as a result of anthrax contamination.
And, since anthrax scares have stemmed from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, it also disrespects the lives lost at the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Because of the anthrax hoaxes, American are hurting each other; our security has been numbed again and again after so many false alarms.
We fear Americans, or even Cookevillians, will become victims of the "boy who cried wolf" syndrome if too many hoaxes continue: if real anthrax were ever found, how seriously would we take it?
We do not know the motives of the person who dropped the white powder in the cafeteria of CHS. Perhaps to see how far the prank would go; or, perhaps to be responsible for the closing of school for two days. There's no way of knowing.
What we do know, however, is that cooperating is ridiculous--outrageous. The person who dropped the "powder" is doing the terrorists' work for them; Americans don't need fear, especially fear caused by a hoax, because we are so on edge after Sept. 11.
We feel that the person who planted the anthrax acted immaturely and ignorantly. He obviously did not consider the consequences--not the immediate one, which closed school; but the long-term ones.
First for two Saturdays, CHS students have had to go to school, something which wasn't popular among our student body. Secondly, the county had to pay for the HazMat team to come and investigate the mysterious powder.
Finally, the student caused more grief and frustration to an already difficult year, with school starting late, the budget issue and the terrorist attacks soon after school began.
We as Americans need to unite together instead of scaring each other. We feel that if the person is ever found, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Hopefully we have all learned a lesson from this event and nothing like this will ever happen again.
Article prepared for web by Shawna Nash.
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