Time for the backlash

In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, educators across America and the world and considering what to do with students who submit violent imagery or act as "loners". The natural reactions in these situations may be overreaction as it seems in this story: Student arrested for essay's imaginary violence - CNN.com. Now, I do not know the student's state of mind, but it seems that there is no indication of a propensity for violence other than one creative writing assignment so jail time seems a little harsh. The backlash was absolutely not unexpected...we can anticipate the repercussions to continue for years as they did after Columbine. The question is whether the general attitude that it is better to overreact and punish many people who would never commit a violent act than let one more slip through the cracks. The problem is that in a free society someone will always slip through the cracks and we risk alienating people who could otherwise be helped and limiting creativity and independence. I do not know where the balance is, but as a society we need to put some thought into it rather than just trying to create a false sense of security by handing down heavy handed punishments.