A Crawford County High School sophomore said he hoped to spread Christmas cheer at school by dressing as Santa Claus. But with parents and school administrators on guard after the shootings at Newtown, John George III of Roberta was suspended when his "preview" on Facebook was interpreted as a threat.
George posted on his Facebook post at around 7 p.m. Tuesday: "Students of cchs ur in for a big surprise tomorrow <let the games begin>."…
George said the post referred to plans for him and two friends to go to school dressed as Santa and his elves. Police say George’s mother confirmed that her son bought a Santa costume. George said he had revealed his plans to a teacher at school.
See what I mean about how hard it it to just celebrate Christmas this year? Like I said in my Boston Herald column today, you’re going to have to fight to make Christmas happen. Fight against bad luck…and really stupid government bureaucrats. Because after the police had figured out this was an an innocent coincidence…
At the request of school principal Mike Campbell, police followed up Wednesday morning by escorting George off his school bus and taking him directly to the principal’s office.
Campbell issued a news release Wednesday calling the Facebook post "disturbing," and said George was suspended [for up to 10 DAYS!] while the school investigates.
Investigated WHAT? The school and the police knew what was going on. The police checked it out. But they kicked out the Santa Kid anyway?
George’s father, John Jr. says the comparisons to Connecticut were an unfair assault on his son’s character. "We don’t own any guns. We don’t have any of that stuff going on here and we don’t believe in it. We’re a good family. He’s a mouthy kid like all of them, but he comes back in tune with everything and doesn’t cause any problems."
John George III said "taking something innocent like this and turning it into, like, World War II, it’s ridiculous."
Yes it is, John. But it’s just one of those years. Christmas really is under fire this year. It’s up to us to fight the tide, and fight back.
Santa’s counting on you.
Radio talk show host, columnist for the Boston Herald, stand-up comic and former GOP political consultant.