<p>You guys better listen to nudduh becauses she speaks the truth.</p>
<p>HAHA pinecrest....</p>
<p>I know some folks on y'all's debate team...Pam B? David M? Seth Ex? Niiiiice Yahoo.com says this dude was on the debate team. Hilarious. Damn debaters, always trying to save the world. What's the buzz like at your school now? Interesting that a couple hundred kids will be coming down for y'all's tournament in January...Poor kid.</p>
<p>That kid is awesome. </p>
<p>However, yes, he displayed a lack of judgment (on more levels than I have the time to dive into, and many have been covered above). When I turned on CNN last night and saw the story I was like "hey, I've thought about that before" (in a wild, fantasy, empty your bank account, grab your passport, throw together a backpack of stuff and hike it to the airport kind of way). </p>
<p>I don't know we ought to be boiling it down to college essay material (though he initially did it for a journalism class). The gravity of his actions alone speak volumes, volumes beyond those necessary for a decent essay. There is undoubtedly an altruistic angle to the kid. H was doing this for himself and to probably "make a statement" to the world at large (what it is, I am honestly not sure). That said, what he did struck utter terror in the hearts of his parents...and caused the US military to undertake a special mission. </p>
<p>His story is definitely unusual for an American high schooler, and the risks he took seem frightening, but as someone who has traveled extensively (and alone often) and lived in the Middle East and Europe...I think I may concur with AnudduhMom in the sense kids just learn to function, and quickly. You can't afford to be wigged out at every check-point, military policeman, car bombing, BBC World dispatch or embassy warning (though all should be taken seriously). I think all of this ties in because Farris' actions were a manifestation of the fearlessness most kids in the world assume each day (an idea foreign to us Americans) and because he has an independent streak he isn't afraid to operate off of, even if it means going all the way to Baghdad. What he did was dangerous, but I think he demonstrated the world is not nearly as far and wide as it seems, and that everyone, even a kid from Florida, can navigate it successfully.</p>
<p>he doesn't seem so bright, "like, freaked out, etc" came up in most of his interview answers.</p>
<p>Oh man, this is on all the local news channels now (on NBC right now). It's so cool, the reporter is talking right in front of our school!</p>
<p>Get behind the camera and wave and dance, and hold up a sign advertising CC!</p>
<p>I would do that if I lived at my school. :)</p>
<p>Well then, it's a good time to start!</p>
<p>Hes in my micro class with Crawford.
Man, next year he's gonna have some great essays to put on his application ('though the one he sent the AP office was pretty full of B.S.)</p>