From the Eagle Tribune;
Timberlane community buzzing over scathing, online book Timberlane Class of '10 trashed; officials mum
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
PLAISTOW — An online book, written under the name of the senior class president at Timberlane Regional High School, has the school community buzzing — and administrators mum.
"SEN10RS The Good, the Bad and the Really Really Bad," which was posted as being written by Joshua Peter Tubbs, was available through an online search yesterday. The online book categorizes the 350-plus members of the Class of 2010, and offers often scathing opinions of them.
Timberlane seniors interviewed yesterday expressed outrage and disgust with the book, particularly what the author had to say about classmates with special needs.
"There were some things said about people that can't really defend themselves that hurt us more," senior Cira Esposito said.
Tubbs could not be reached for comment; repeated calls were made to his home phone number, which rang busy all day long.
Students said school administrators called a senior assembly Thursday morning to address the matter. Although they did not name Tubbs specifically, administrators mentioned the book and said the matter was being investigated, according to the students. "They wanted to calm the situation down," senior Cara Hatfield said.
Hatfield said she was in the school's chapter of the National Honor Society with Tubbs. In addition to being elected class president, Tubbs also was chosen as Mr. Timberlane this fall. Students said yesterday he had been stripped of his title and the parking spot that came with it.
Superintendent Richard La Salle would not comment on the situation yesterday. He released a written statement saying the administration would investigate claims of potential student harassment.
La Salle refused to comment on any consequences the student might face.
Principal Don Woodworth also declined to comment.
"We're looking out for the safety of the students at the school and conducting a thorough investigation," Woodworth said.
In the book's introduction, the author describes himself as "a straight-A student" who has "never ever gotten a single detention or similar punishment."
"I am rather cocky in my intelligence, and I am definitely an intellectual elitist so if the stupider children would like to leave, that would be fine by me," the author wrote.
The first 10 or more pages of the book are devoted to Joshua Tubbs' background, goals — including teaching elementary school — and writing samples. He then lists the 28 categories he assigns to his classmates, ranging from "fake girls" and "druggie" to "gangstah" and "special education."
What follows are more than 70 pages of individual assessments, in alphabetical order, of 349 students. When he gets to Joshua Tubbs, he writes, "No explanation needed, I am just the best thing since canned bread."
The author concludes with the hope the project enlightened people. "I hope that these people realize their faults and build on their strengths, or make some if there is an absence," he wrote.
Some students said they were surprised how they were described in the book, saying they had never spoken with Tubbs.
Caleigh Ouellette said she only had a class with Tubbs for a few days before dropping it for another class. Still, Tubbs described her as frequently acting "stupid" in his book.
"Most of the things he said were opinions and were really stupid," Hatfield said.
Students said Tubbs was not in school yesterday and left at midday on Thursday. Administrators would not confirm whether Tubbs was present in school yesterday.
The book was written after a teacher mentioned last month that November was National Novel Writing Month. To qualify as a novel, the teacher said, a book would have to be at least 50,000 words long, according to students.
In the introduction to the book, the author mentioned the easiest way to write 50,000 words would be to write about his senior class.
"That seems like a good way to get a LOT of words with little work done," he wrote.
While the book may have the school community boiling, it has not risen to the level of a criminal matter.
Plaistow Deputy police Chief Kathleen Jones said she was familiar with the incident, but it had not been referred to them and was not a criminal matter.
Other school administrators either did not return phone calls or referred questions to Woodworth and La Salle. Six members of the Timberlane Regional School Board did not return phone calls for comment.
School Board Chairwoman Elizabeth Kosta referred all questions to school administrators.
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61 comments:
Link to the Book?
There seems to be more to this story than what appears on the face of it. If what he wrote is of any near truth then those who were written about should make an attempt to correct their "faults". That is assuming they do acknowledge them as they only can personally. There is no doubt he was wrong in writing these irresponsible thoughts of others he submitted to his teacher. The question I have is how the trash writing got beyond the teachers grasp . I am not finding fault with the teacher except to say why didn't he tell or advise the author of its caustic and out right acidic content of those written about before it became public knowledge. To say there is two sides of the story is one thing and I do question why this apparent bright boy did this. It could be he is too bright and has suffered a mental set back of some kind. [That does happen quite frequently with those of higher IQ than those of lesser IQ] From the rumors I've heard of retaliation measures taken on his family and property is wrong if true. Those who acted out in response to his trash writing are as bad as any lynch mob and just short of the past happenings of the nuts who killed students on wild rampages else where in the country. How soon students forget the Columbine stories heard in the not long ago schools assemblies.
How could you possibly defend this obviously immature and hurtful behavior?! High IQ does not equal common sense!
Reality mirrors art. I always maintain the Abu Ghraib scandal in Iraq was caused by the TV show "Jackass". Now it looks like
the current scandal at Timberlane has its roots in that crass Lindsay Lohan movie, "Mean Girls".
Not very original from someone who's supposed to be the best of the best at Timberlane!
I have a question. Does Timberlane still hold a Class Night where a select member of the senior class gets to roast his/her fellow classmates or has that quaint tradition ended?
Any videographers out there? Sounds like someone from the Timberlane Media Department should capitalize on this book and make a movie out of it and call it "Mean Boy".
To Anon.9:40, If you reread my comments you will see I'm not defending him. The content of my writing only suggests he has or may have had some kind of mental break down. It does refer to the actions of some who were offended with his writings. Also, it was a slap at them that was intended to show them how soon that they forgot what was spoken about at the past school assemblies they attended.
No 12:02, you indeed did seem to defend him, suggesting that "...those who were written about should make an attempt to correct their "faults"...
Then you go on to make the somewhat bone-headed move (all too often made these days) of blaming the teacher: "...why didn't he (the teaher) advise the author of its caustic and out right(sic) acidic comment...before it became public knowledge."
Nowhere in the article does it suggest that the teacher saw the work before it was displayed on the Internet.
Perhaps if more people like yourself would actually expect teens to have some reponsibility for their own behavior instead of blaming schools and teachers for everything (without a bit of evidence) we would have fewer mindless and irresponsible teens walking around thinking everything is everyone elses' fault! He wrote the book, he posted it online, what exactly does that have to do with the teacher???
And regarding a mental setback; this is just a case of immaturity, lack of social skills, and a blinding lack of humility on this kid's part. I don't think he needs must punishment, living with high school class that he insensitively tore up for the rest of the year is going to be plenty punishment enough. I think the rest of the year is going to be a "learning opportunity" and I hope enough kids forgive him and cut him a break, allowing the next year not to be as difficult as it his acts could make it.
I guess Joshua Per Tubbs never read "How to Win Friends and Influence People"
I hope alienating 99.44% of your fellow classamtes was worth it
"Mr. Timberlane."
To 2:19 P M , I think you apparently can't absorb what is written in the following line after the "fault" comment. I'm not blaming the teacher for any thing but I'm saying he may not have done so if he read it or even asked the author what it were about. While I agree with you about his social functions at the school for the remainder of it I notice you forgot to comment on the past assemblies comment. - I've heard there has been a lot of bad commentary to his sibling and towards the family in the student body about what he wrote. This isn't really any to fair to them but is fair to the author who wrote the "trash". [ Old saying -- good for the goose ..good for the gander!] You seem very defensive about this situation. I'd have to guess your one written about or your not mature enough to comprehend what is in written print. As I said before there are two sides to any story. Why not wait to see both sides of it and then decide if you want to be part of a lynch mob mentality or not.
Hey 2:19, You forgot that the student s elected him and promoted his fame prior to this trash writing. Do you mean to say they were wrong or are you saying they weren't all that acquainted with his personality in giving him what they did? There has to be some students who grew up and went to school with him . He isn't a new comer to the school system .
2:19 - Right on!
3:55 - Grammar and proofreading need work!
4:04 - Are you saying that his schoolmates should have anticipated the book and not elected him? Using this logic Columbine, Virginia Tech, Fort Hood should not have happened. Hindsight is always better than foresight. Don't blame the victims and spare the perpetrator!
To 4:30, I'm not saying they should have anticipated what did happened . People ,places and things change quicker than you seem to realize and that is why I suggested he may have had some kind of mental situation happening to him. These things do happen all the time and that's some thing you nor I can deny. I agree with your assessment of hindsight and foresight ,however, I do not agree with your saying that I am blaming the victim and protecting the perpetrator. If you would will you please reread all of what I've written earlier. It should reassure you that I'm not blaming either side in what I've pointed out or said. Overall what I did say is wait to see both sides of the story before making any firm judgment[s] . That also includes any compulsive actions you may want to make or take in the matter. You and I do have our right to opinions but how we take action on them is another matter of self choices. I hope you don't make any bad choices due to your opinion. I prefer to wait and any reasonable person should do the same unless they are of the "lynch mentality".
Remember, you were the one that said, "...those who were written about should make an attempt to correct their "faults"...
I was not, and do not, prejudge anyone...as apparently the author did
Dumbo , I was referring to the trash he wrote about each of the students written about. Again!! I ask that you read the next line or more after the word "faults". If you don't understand what I wrote..... then..... I don't know what else I can say/tell you.
I hope the rest of year is hard on him. I hope it is hard on his parents. This kid apparently has no humility or compassion, and that is the parents responsibility for teaching those traits.
Kids do stupid things. It is what kids do. However, by the time most kids finish high school they should have some sense of right and wrong. He's going to learn it now, the hard way.
I would also go so far to say this incident should show up on any college application or recommendation. If it does not, it will have been swept under the rug and maybe some of those kids with "faults" should make sure whatever college he's accepted to be informed of this kids "faults".
There word "bully" has been used a great many times on this blog. What this kid did is the true definition of bully and the hurt he caused cannot begin to measured.
One response the school should do is to make this kid make a written apology to each and every kid he dissed and be made to deliver it in person. I dare say, losing a title and parking spot does not even touch the surface the penance this kid should pay.
Apologies should be hand written (none of this computer generated form letter stuff) and verified and approved by a school official as to be an adequate apology, and in the kid's handwriting. I would go far as to make sure the pen actually made an indentation so make sure it was not scanned, then printed (never underestimate the computer skills kids have these days). Maybe this will teach him some of the humility he so lacking so much of.
I don't see what authority the school has to make the kid write apologies for something he did on his own time with his own computer and internet connection (presumably).
I don't mean to defend his conduct, but at the end of the day it's a free country and people have the right to be jerks.
It's been suggested in other forums that perhaps some other kid wrote this under this kid's name.
I can't even comprehend your questions. Try English...
I can't even comprehend your questions. Try using English...
If the kid didn't do it, why has he gone into hiding? Why is he not protesting his loss of his prime parking place. I think the blame is where it belongs
Sorry, freedom of speech has its limits, and you know it. This is not the same as yelling fire in a crowded theater, but he, in written form, attacked a good share of the senior student body. The school has the responsibility to maintain discipline amongst the student body. Athletic programs have the right to prohibit participation due to off campus activity, like drinking. Given the number of people it affected, this is no different.
What he did was not against the law, but it was also wrong, very wrong, and I believe the school has every right to demand he apologize to each and everyone he offended. It sure as well will teach him that every action has consequences.
Yes, it is a free country. It is also a country where people are meant to take responsibility for their actions.
Thankfully we live in a country where freedom of speech has few limits, actually. You can't be sanctioned for hurting peoples' feelings or showing disrespect for national ideals or religious doctrines.
People are always trying to impose speech codes on kids in schools. It's just a short hop from infringing kids' civil rights to infringing adults' civil rights.
You cite examples of kids being suspended from sports activities for drinking. That is because drinking is currently illegal for anybody of high school age.
You agree that his expression was not against the law. Therefore the school has no basis for demanding remedies from him.
That is not to say that the school administration and faculty can only ignore what happened. For example, no student has a right to a letter of recommendation from a teacher.
truth hurts
Anon 11:17,
I truly do not get the people here who "demand" apologies for something that is not illegal, but simply wrong (in their opinion). It is hypocritical when you consider that many of these same folks are grumbling about the current federal government's "involvement" in our lives yet, they apparently have no problem having a town gov't or school system force someone to apologize.
Too funny!
Our "Mr. Timberlane" and senior class president is an authentic FRAUD.
What a pathetic "role model"
No, he's probably just a self-absorbed twit that made a big mistake which we all hope he will learn from.
make him chief of atkinson police
You must be related to the kid!
"I truly do not get the people here who "demand" apologies for something that is not illegal"
So, lets say hypothetically, you have a child with learning disabilities and a neighbor kid comes by, stands in the street, and starts calling your kid all sorts of derogatory names.
He's in the street, exercising his freedom of speech. Or say, he goes on-line, and does it there. According to your logic, and Mr. Springer's, that would be OK with you since he is not breaking the law.
When I was growing up such a thing would not be tolerated, whether it was legal or not. What has changed that makes it OK for this kid to get away with this and his only punishment, that I've seen so far, is the loss of a parking spot.
Yep, that will certainly teach him compassion and respect for others.
Amen!
Funny how he's making all these judgements about others all the while of being critical of the ones he considers to be judgemental. What a hypocrit. I heard he lost his acceptance to UNH. Not surprised. What university would want to get themselves involved with a self absorbed jerk like that.
"December 6, 2009 7:02 PM"
All the more reason he should start working on those apologies. I would think if put as much effort into that than he did his "book" he might have chance to salvage his situation.
Take responsibility and work hard to make amends. That's the proper way to fix it.
Of, I forgot. He didn't break the law so that makes it OK.
Anon 4:20,
Perhaps you should reread my post. It is directed to Anon 11:17 who wrote, "What he did was not against the law, but it was also wrong, very wrong, and I believe the school has every right to demand he apologize to each and everyone he offended."
Maybe, under that context, you will understand the point I was trying to make.
"Take responsibility and work hard to make amends. That's the proper way to fix it."
He's done at Timberlane so making amends probably isn't an option for him. He may end up at Sandown I'm hearing. If not, then he'll have to be home schooled while he's enjoying his "canned bread".
I fully understand your point, and I don't agree with it. My comments were targeted to a specific event and given the disturbance it caused I believe the school have every right to have the kid make amends whether what he did was legal or not.
There is legal and then there is doing the right thing.
I see nothing funny at all in this.
Here's the lik to Josh's "book":
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dtp7ktb_8c75fj9m3
Where's the "teachable moment" you learned from this "Mr. Timberlane"?
I read it and for some reason this student thinks he is some form of elitist; he is "better than anyone here" attitude. Unfortunately his language skills are poor especially from someone who is suppose to be the smartest student there.
The freedoms that we have in this God given country are not to be tossed around and tested in a way that this person (or anyone for that matter) has done. With any freedom, and the more that we are given, the more responsibility we have on how we use them. In the case of this student, he may have exercised his freedoms but failed on responsibility. In the end we see an angry young man who perhaps alienated many current friends as well as future ones. We can only hope that someone can step in with some advice (as well as language skills) that could direct and instruct him on what would be an appropriate apology to those fellow students as well as the parents that he offended. Certainly his parents have not been that coach.
December 7, 2009 8:10 AM
I believe your last line played a large roll leading up to this. Teaching compassion and empathy starts at home, and his parents get an F. Learning that actions have consequences starts at home. Again an F.
Well, they made their bed and its going to be a tough place to sleep.
What really disturbs me is those here who suggest that since he did not break any law, he was within his rights to do what he did. I can only assume they then feel he should not be punished. And those saying his punishment is having to live with what he did, BULL.
As December 7, 2009 8:10 AM put it, with rights comes responsibilities. Asking for some form of public reprimand is not an unreasonable demand.
I hope these kids do not take this rubbish to heart.
My only fear is that someone is affected by this mean and ignorant person.
Don't let this guy affect you, he does NOT define who you are, YOU do.
Remember, these are kids. Some of these kids will take it to heart. Even worse, some will use what was said against others.
The culprit here just branded every senior in the class, over 300. A lot kids, even adults, do not let stuff like this roll off their backs. And, I dare say, there will be others who are just as insensitive as "Josh" who will take advantage of the situation.
This is human nature, especially teenage human nature.
That's why it's important for the adults to remind the kids that this is just one person and he doesn't represent anyone normal.
Is this kid different from the grownups who make snide crude slanderous remarks at deliberative session. You go to the microphone the town moderator allows the slander,,,it goes on and on and on.
With the advent of electronic publishing, it is very easy to pen something quickly and post it for the world to see. To have this ability is a gift and certainly should not be abused. Therefore any content published should be truthful and accurate. What we have here is a slanderous tabloid that certainly is not justified.
Would this situation be different if the published information was a one time paper document that was given to the grading teacher rather than world-wide transcript available to anyone?
This form of one sided journalism is no different than the tabloids we see in the supermarket. In many cases there are either retractions, apologies or legal actions taken by those the article falsely represents.
I cannot imagine this young man in a work place publishing slanderous articles about his boss and coworkers. It makes me wonder what was taught to this individual these last four years in High School that would provoke such a stunt.
With the advent of electronic publishing, it is very easy to pen something quickly and post it for the world to see. To have this ability is a gift and certainly should not be abused. Therefore any content published should be truthful and accurate. What we have here is a slanderous tabloid that certainly is not justified.
Would this situation be different if the published information was a one time paper document that was given to the grading teacher rather than world-wide transcript available to anyone?
This form of one sided journalism is no different than the tabloids we see in the supermarket. In many cases there are either retractions, apologies or legal actions taken by those the article falsely represents.
I cannot imagine this young man in a work place publishing slanderous articles about his boss and coworkers. It makes me wonder what was taught to this individual these last four years in High School that would provoke such a stunt.
If the kid is smart he'll learn from this and become a better person because of it. He obviously needs a little less ego and a lot more humility. Being on the crappy end of the rest of the year may help with the humility piece, if not he could grow up to be Jack Sapia ;-)
December 7, 2009 2:09 PM
We need another Jack like Pelosi needs a halloween mask!
I kind of wonder how any Timberlane Kid, of any grade or intelligence, would take the time to write 50 pages of anything. I may not agree with anything he wrote, but I congratulate him for taking the time and effort. I didn't think any of them could write.
I see nothing wrong with some written words.
The old saying the truth hurts.
Well written and comical. Good sense of humor.
Glad see a High School student took the time to write 50000 words. Maybe the other students at TRHS could learn leason from this student.
I loved Josh's line about the guy who made fun of the stupid kids and how funny Josh thot that was.
What a card.
Assuming this is this student's honest assessment of his classmates, I see nothing worse written here that hasn't been written on this blog about Phil Consentino, Jack Sapia, Frank Polito, Mark Acciard, Carol Grant, Fred Childs, William Baldwin, Maggie Osborn, Leon Artus, and Gary Brownfield. Actually, I've seen MUCH worse posted on this blog about these folks!
The only difference is this student did not do it anonymously.
So, take a good look in the mirror and a close look at what you've posted on this blog, before you clamor for his public apology!
Hey Other New Guy, I'm honored you copied my name. "Other" makes it pass the copyright law. Now if we can get the rest of the posters to make up a name instead of this silly "Anonymous" heading. At least if they were "Joe Smoe from Idaho" we would know who to respond to or who to ignore.
As for the posters brave enough to use real names, I give you the most credibility. I respect your opinions.
Other, you and I, and others with fake names, at least we get some.
To the rest, "No soup for you."
As for this student...We all made stupid mistakes when we were younger. Some still follow us like a noose. This kids rope is pretty long and tight. He might be better off moving to Chicago and changing his name to Steve Bartman. Just an idea.
I can't wait for the class action lawsuit for student harrassment, or even better, SEXUAL harrassment.
I would submit a $10,000 settlement for each violation would be "fair" given their pain and suffering, emotional distress et al.
Let's hope the Tubbs' are worth $3.5 million.
Josh..a lesson learned:
actions have consequences.
Pelosi bashing?
Gutsy for someone that probably voted for one of the worst presidents ever, "W", to start talking crap about Pelosi.
Personally I believe anyone that voted twice for Georgie Boy should have their vote suspended for a while but what do I know, I actually read and think for myself (instead of having crackpot radio and TV hosts do it for me...).
"I see nothing worse written here that hasn't been written on this blog about Phil Consentino, Jack Sapia..."
This is senseless.
There's no comparison, why don't you learn to make a proper analogy please?
Did every senior at Timberlane run for public office, lie to the citizens of their town, try to impead open government? No? Then where in hell is the comparison?
Get a sixth grade education and then try again, 'kay?
It would be good for all the adults here to think back to their high school days and what it was like. The cliques, the jocks, the brainiacs, the losers, and those just trying to get through it all.
Unless you can recall what it was like the seriousness of what Josh did loses its impact.
I remember high school. I hated it. I'm sure I would not have rated very high on Josh's list. Have any of you gone to a high school reunion? Remember how quickly things fell back into place.
It is easy for an adult to tell the kids here not to take it seriously. Some won't. My concern is for those who will, and you can be certain, there are some.
They say the human brain does not reach full maturity until about age 28. From my own experience with young co-workers, I truly believe this. This is one reason why kids do stupid things. It is also a reason the military likes to get them young.
Josh did an extremely stupid thing. But worse, it will not just roll off some of these kids. They've been rated by a peer. At that age, it will have an impact.
This is why the school needs to take action to mitigate the situation, NOW.
High School can be a pressure cooker, and the larger the school, the more the pressure. It is why I cherish my first days in college because all that crap was gone. No more hall passes, tardy slips, study hall, etc.
So, do not compare what Josh did to the criticism our locals receive, and do not diminish its impact to those affected. It is serious stuff and needs to addressed. And I, for one who is paying serious money for these kids education, would like to know what is being done.
Anon 3:07,
Nice. So, we have here an article about a student who has written "scathing" opinions about fellow classmates of which, the majority, he probably does not know too well, if at all.
And with all of the moral outrage posted here, Anon 3:07's response to my previous post is to offer a flippant remark about my education level. As he posted anonymously and as I am posting under a pseudonym, there is no way for Anon 3:17 to know me, thus, his comment makes him no better than the student who is the subject of this topic and, at the same time, proves my point.
Yet your response proves his.
Anon 8:29,
I disagree. What is does show is your and 3:07's bias. Please reread my post on 12/28. 3:07 choose to quote only two of the names I listed; Consentino and Sapia, conveniently leaving out many other names I mentioned such as Mark Acciard, Leon Artus, Gary Brownfield, and Carol Grant to name a few. Not surprisingly, you cannot see past your bias to understand the point I am trying to make. Instead you read Phil's name and all comprehension apparently ceases after that.
I read it twice and the punctuation and grammar errors make it hard to understand. You prove the point about your lack of education.
This is not biased on an issue, it's not issue related at all.
This document will be the curse of his existence for the rest of his days. Punishment has already been served.
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