SOME papers would find writing an article about 1.1 grams of hash below their journalistic standards, but the Pleasanton Weekly doesn't have any! Nice Harborside advertisements by the way, if only Mr. Koos had a legal prescription, you would be stuck trying to find something else to write about.

Please see our story at:

Web Link

If you're after publicity, then ANY publicity is GOOD publicity. Mission accomplished!

The kid was charged with a FELONY for possessing 1.1 grams of marijuana ??? That's, what, less than 1/20 of an ounce? Doesn't sound right. I suspect that the PW will be offering a correction to the story shortly.

BTW, a new law in Washington State makes it legal to be in possession of up to 1 ounce (=28 grams) of marijuana for personal use.

This is quite funny. It seems that this kid might have anbussueceith rules, boundaries and authority in general. This arrest should be of no surprise to anyone.

I'm pretty sure we aren't in washington so im pretty sure their laws are not relevant. I also think he was not smoking or in possession for medicinal reasons or he wouldn't have been arrested.

I see many more visits to Santa Rita in this kid's future.

@ sam. He was arrested for possession of 1.1 grams of Hash i.e. concentrated cannabis, which is a felony. If Kenton didnt make such a big deal of the photo, he went to the media first, this story would have gone nowhere. Whats the saying "careful what you wish for". i find it a public service that the media covers stories like this. The irony of it makes me LOL.

Nancy, thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of the distinction between "hash" and marijuana and thought that they were the same thing. You're right. He's now got the attention that he was looking for.

Once you show yourself as different, people like Nancy root for you to fail. This won't go down as a felony, it will be reduced down to something less terrible, and you can all go back to having nothing to talk/write about.

@mitch. First of all, whether he pleads it down or not, he was arrested for a felony. I know he hasnt been covicted yet...yada yada yada. Secondly, I am not rooting for him to fail, I just find it ironic since he sought the media attention first. Its like watching "the worlds stupidest criminal" show.

I'm in agreement with those that think this is ironic. He took his photo drama to the press and I think I read his family encouraged him to seek the assistance and attention of the ACLU. I've lived very close to the family for some time, and while they seem like nice people, I've never sensed a high level of hands on parenting going on. But who am I to judge or criticize.

Does he go to village or to AVHS? I heard he does independent study which I only thought they did at village where my nice did it, but the yearbook issue said it was for amador's yearbook, not village's.

Yes, I also live near by, and I haven't seen any evidence of good parenting, that's for sure. Once in a while I've accidently glanced into their window and I've never seen anything resembling good parenting. I have a neighbor over a couple of plots who says he doesn't like them, and when I asked him why, he just shrugged his shoulders and looked really kind of creeped out. Then I offered him a juicy tidbit of gossip about some of our other neighbors, and he liked that, but when we returned to the really, really important issue of 'good' parenting by you-know-who's parents, a wave of dread passed across his face. But, hey, who am I to judge?

And the bored housewives of Pleasanton gossip on....

Why don't you all just be glad its not your child and mind your own business.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all and good night!

I'm from Ruby Hill, not Southeast Pleasanton. My finger slipped on the keyboard!

Be careful what you wish for... the irony is absolutely hilarious. Mom must be so proud.

Very vivid imagery, William Tell. Pray William, do you use that kind of imagery with the kids you are home schooling? I bet the kids are very proud of their teacher! Please carry on with your outstanding work!

Well, I guess sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover!

You know what they say, nothing better then waking up to sex in the morning, unless your in prison. The path this kid is on he will find out what that means.

More vivid imagery coming from William, now posting as Larry. Good job, William! No matter what name you use, we are all proud of you. Do you talk about prison activities much when you homeschool the kids? How detailed do you get? Just wondering!

So much judging on here and yet when the TEACHER from Foothill was arrested everyone was all "Ooooo poor her. I hope she gets the help she needs."

I find it really ridiculous that PW posted this. Not only does this kid have a felony for a ridiculously small amount of possession, for the rest of his life he will be archived on the internet as a freak because of this article.
Just because someone doesn't choose to follow the path that our eutopian society tries to force on him doesn't mean we need to publicly harass him for his decisions.
Also, Larry that nasty comment you made is disgustingly out of line.
This kid is just graduated and only 18 years old; what a terrible thing for you to say about his future.

I'm not a housewife but I join with those making judgment. This kid has to have a life changing moment or he will grace the walls of Santa Rita on frequent occasions. He wanted the limelight. He got it.

Mitch, you are right. It probably will be knocked down to a whole lot less because his mother is very good friends with an officer that was able to get his sister’s arrest taken off her record after some community service.
I am not a Pleasanton housewife, but I have known that family for years. I actually went to school with one of Kenton’s older siblings. When I first met him he was this adorable blonde haired boy. He went out of his way to help his family and friends anyway he could and he never asked for anything in return.
Now, after reading this article, I am left with nothing but sadness for him. I hope that one day he will look back on this and say that it was a changing point in his life. Please let this be a changing point in your life Kenton!

He was charged with a felony and not a misdemeanor which says it was far more than just a kid with a joint. He was happy to engage in bashing those that disagreed with his yearbook test so he put himself out there and he created the attention he is getting, both good and bad. I hope this serves as a wake up call for him and his family. I would think that if this is his first run in with the law that they'll make a deal with him to avoid the felony conviction. I hope if this is the case that he will not squander any of the breaks he will likely be given. NO one would have ever known about this arrest had he not made such an issue and s mockery of his senior photo in the yearbook.

I am so tired of the Weekly producing negative articles that will stay with our troubled youth for years to come. Many teenagers make mistakes and grow up to be great adults. Many kids will experiment with drugs and alcohol only to grow up and realize that there is a better way. Yet, by posted these detrimental articles the Weekly makes it difficult for our children to move on and become successful. We didn't have the internet and virtual postings to haunt us from our past. How many of you would like your college days publicly posted in the newspaper or online. It's time the Weekly did more for our youth than publicize awful childhood or teenage mistakes.
We have friends who have had stories posted that were in error about their college age children by the Weekly and we are tired of seeing this happen over and over again. Pleasanton Weekly wake up, if this were your son or daughter would you write the same article? I think not! What price would you be willing to give for publicity if it were at the expense of your child......Come on Weekly!!!

Seems the poor kid made some poor decisions. We should all show compassion for a person who starts out the gate with a felony on his record, but what we see here is a great demonstration of the heartless, "Yeah--he failed!" mentality of the bulk of Pleasanton citizens.

This adult is getting the attention he wanted. Had he not made a stink about the yearbook photo and put himself in front of the media then this never would have been reported.

You really think I should feel sorry for him? He created this himself and he alone made a decision to break the law. I don't feel sorry for him one bit. I just hope he learns from this and we don't read future stories about him having more brushes with the law.

Speaking of young mischief, what did Randy Hahn do to get arrested for robbery a few weeks ago? Was it at the new outlets?

He obviously wanted attention with that disgusting picture and now he has even more attention with the drug bust. Mission accomplished. I hope one day he looks back at that stupid picture and realizes what a mistake it was. The senior class should be protesting the use of that picture in the yearbook. Amador is a great school and now once again it has bad press because of some idiot kid who has nothing better to do but cause trouble. So what exactly is he studying in his "independent study" program? What a waste of tax dollars.

Sweet jesus, its only hash! Worse things out there! Live and learn. oh to be young and dumb.
Why do people care what he looks like in his year book? I would let him so that way he can look back and remember how stupid it looked. Just imagine his wife, friends or kids years later come across that picture!! HA!!

Just sayin'

I care about the photo in the yearbook because I bought one for my daughter who also attends AVHS and I don't think it's fair that he turned this edition of the yearbook into his own hunger for attention. They aren't cheap and he isn't even enrolled in regular classes there.

Why doesn't he pull a BML and lie to the media, say the cops planted the drugs and then sue the city for 3 million dollars.

Hey, wait just a cotton-pickin' moment here.

Has this kid been convicted of a crime? What about innocent until proven guilty?

Was posing for the yearbook a crime? Why hasn't he been arrested for that?

I guess it's a lot easier for the good citizens of Pleasanton to just hate during the stressful xmas season?

p.s. Thanks Marv.

Leland.... I guess based on your comment about the "good citizens" of Pleasanton, you must be in the "bad citizen" category. Glad I'm not in your category.

Oh no, now we have people that feel personally victimized by having to look at a picture they don't like!

IMAGINE THE HORROR!!!!!

Forget freedom of expression, mom's all over town want to make sure everyone looks prim and proper in the yearbook they bought for their child. As someone else said, he is the one that has to look back at it and regret it (I doubt he will), everyone else can just laugh at how stupid he looks.

A sense of humor.

Or you can just whine, complain, and feel like a victim for having him ruin the supposed sanctity of the yearbook. Imagine when your kids have to enter the real world, and they don't have mommy and daddy to buy their yearbook, or tell them what is acceptable to wear.

From the California Health & Safety Code Section 11357:

"11357. (a) Except as authorized by law, every person who
possesses any concentrated cannabis shall be punished by imprisonment
in the county jail for a period of not more than one year or by a
fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by both such
fine and imprisonment, or shall be punished by imprisonment in the
state prison."

{Please note, "every person," and "concentrated cannabis." Hashish is not treated the same as Marijuana by the law because it is concentrated.}

"(b) Except as authorized by law, every person who possesses not
more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, OTHER THAN CONCENTRATED CANNABIS,
is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than one
hundred dollars ($100).

"(c) Except as authorized by law, every person who possesses more
than 28.5 grams of marijuana, OTHER THAN CONCENTRATED CANNABIS, shall
be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not
more than six months or by a fine of not more than five hundred
dollars ($500), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

"(d) Except as authorized by law, every person 18 years of age or
over who possesses not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, OTHER THAN CONCENTRATED CANNABIS, upon the grounds of, or within, any school
providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12
during hours the school is open for classes or school-related
programs is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine
of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment in
the county jail for a period of not more than 10 days, or both.

"(e) Except as authorized by law, every person under the age of 18
who possesses not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, OTHER THAN CONCENTRATED CANNABIS, upon the grounds of, or within, any school
providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12
during hours the school is open for classes or school-related
programs is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the
following dispositions:

(1) A fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), upon
a finding that a first offense has been committed.

(2) A fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or
commitment to a juvenile hall, ranch, camp, forestry camp, or secure
juvenile home for a period of not more than 10 days, or both, upon a
finding that a second or subsequent offense has been committed."

From Web Link

"Possession of hashish or concentrated cannabis is an optional misdemeanor or felony ("wobbler") under Health & Safety Code 11357a."

I wouldn't expect a retraction from PW.

Going back to the prior issue of the young man's yearbook photo, this arrest should come as no surprise to anyone. Rebellion is rebellion. Social rebellion indicates and exposes an attitude that accepted conventions do not apply to one's self. If accepted conventions do not apply then neither do laws.

Like it or not, this young man broke the law and as such should be subject to the penalties thereof. If he, or anyone else, does not like the law as it exists, there are mechanisms by which the laws may be changed. Maybe this will be a wake up call for him that laws and conventions do apply to him.

All those who are defending this young man's "freedom of expression" need to take another look at the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. There is nary a word about "freedom of expression." Freedom of SPEECH, yes. Freedom of the PRESS, yes. Right of PEACEABLE ASSEMBLY, yes. Free EXERCISE OF RELIGION, yes. PETITION OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES, yes. But nowhere does the Constitution guarantee this recent development of "freedom of expression."

When people choose to present an image of a freak, or some tribal bush man from some undeveloped third world country, they should be prepared for those who are in the mainstream of society (read that, "who conform to accepted convention.") to view them and treat them exactly as they have presented themselves. If they want to reject society's sensibilities, they should not be surprised nor offended when society rejects them. And when people choose to flout the laws society has accepted and established to regulate the character of that society, they should be fully prepared to accept the consequences of their actions, and to do so without whining about how unfair it is that they are being punished for something so "minor."

Minor in your opinion, not the opinion of the society in which you live.

He's guilty of selling hashish to kindergarteners! I say hang him from the town yard arm so he's an example to all. Let him hang there for seven days. Under his stinking carcass we should inscribe:

Here hangs a criminal the community found to be guilty without any need for a stinking trial, because we don't need any stinking trial! He looked funny, and that's all we needed.

He was caught smoking pot while he was attending AVHS. He is now an "independent student". so, he studies and smokes at home.

Does anyone else see the hypocrisy by the friends of Kenton's posting on here? They are trying to shut down and engaging in name calling of those choosing to speak freely as the constitution allows and using the same right to free speech they said Kenton had with his tribal yearbook photo. Am I to gather that they only believe in free speech in certain situations that they agree with but seek to deny the same rights to others that don't happen to agree with their point of view?

Anyone else fearful of what the future holds of this is the overall mindset of our youth?

SMH.

Yes, Leland, I'm sure the evil policeman didn't like the way he looked and so planted 1.1 grams of hashish on him. :rolls eyes:

Constitutionally speaking, he does deserve a trial and a fair one. However, until some exhonerating evidence is presented to contradict the EXISTING DAMNING evidence, any reasonable person would accept the obvious implications of the facts which have been presented, while KEEPING AN OPEN MIND to new facts should they, at some point, be presented. I'm not a journalist, so using the word, "allegedly," is not second nature to me. Sorry.

And just to be clear, he doesn't look "funny" at all. He looks like a rebellious teenager desperate for attention. Well, now he has some. Hopefully, he will get enough of the right kind of attention from this to motivate him to straighten his life out. If not, I suppose the taxpayers of California will get to provide his living for him. I know which I would prefer.

I don't think Kenton's friends realize that they are guaranteeing that this case will be reported on even more and throughout the court process by their posts. Of course Pleasanton weekly and other media outlets will be more likely to cover a story that is bringing more page hits and more readers. The more hits, the more they bring in in ad revenue and of course they consider their bottom line when deciding what stories to cover just like any other for profit outlet would. So bravo Kenton and all your friends. This would die down and interest would fade if you all would stop attacking everyone that believes in accountability.

Oh so now we are headed towards playing some fort of race or discrimination card? Oh please. This kid is no victim. He brought it all on himself when he begged for attention. Be careful what you wish for.....,

@Dee

Of course! This is a common tactic of those in the wrong, or whose positions cannot stand the scrutiny of open, civil, and intelligent debate. As one politician said a few years ago, "If you can't refute the allegations, attack the alligator."

There will always be those who believe they are the only ones with the right to be heard. It is the duty of those of us who love the U.S. Constitution, to defend their right to be heard (even if they are wrong), but to continue speaking freely without intimidation, adding to the debate, making people THINK if nothing else.

Ahhhhh, reading comprehension is YOUR FRIEND.

Never once did I cite the constitution in regards to freedom of expression, I just said that freedom of expression is of great value, much more value, than say, some unhappy/judgmental person's "right" to control what another person wears.

Let's get back to the subject here. Pleasanton Weekly has no journalistic standards, and we are all here chatting about some kid getting busted for 1 gram of hash.

Not only that, but the gossip queens have started to run their mouths and leave anonymous comments because it makes them feel better about their empty little lives.

I'll leave you all with this last one, which my dad taught me as soon as I was old enough to understand it.

"Small minds talk about people; mediocre minds talk about events; great minds talk about ideas"

Guess it is clear what this website caters to? Or is it? Anyone see that giant advertisement for Medical Marijuana on the right side of the page?

Mitch...you are obviously a woman hater. Get a life...

Yes, Mitch, reading comprehension is YOUR friend. And so is a little common sense.

If you'll go back and look at the time stamps on our posts, you'll see that they were both posted at the same time. Ergo, (that's Latin, and it means, "consequently.") I was not referring to anything you said in your post which I could not have read because you and I were both typing at the same time. Nor did I mention you by name. Nor did I mention your post 9which I could not have read because we were typing at the same time). Nor did I say that anyone here had cited the constitution in support of their defense of "freedom of expression." However, that is where the debate has centered for years: on the interpretation of the First Amendment as guaranteeing "freedom of expression." My point was, and is, that the constitution guarantees no such thing.

Reading comprehension (and maybe a little broader vision and memory) would also help you to understand that we never left the subject. The socially rebellious behavior demonstrated in the young man's picture is inseverably connected to his arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance.

Reading comprehension would also help you to understand that EVERYTHING I wrote was about ideas and concepts: accountability, responsibility, social interaction, rights, freedoms, etc. The young man is not the issue at all and there were no personal attacks on him in what I wrote; he is merely the poster-child-of-the-day for the need to revisit and reassert those concepts upon which our society was established and upon which it must continue if it is to remain an orderly society at all.

I'm glad I live in such a loving and caring community. Good lord. Sounds to me like the kid more than likely doesn't have a good family structure and needs help before he goes down a path of no return......the adult criminal justice system.

@mitch:

You do realize you are on this site too and are posting and even reading the ads. Pot, please meet kettle. By your own definition from your probably very wise father, you in fact possess the small mind. You are either Kenton yourself posting under an alias because your lawyer told you to put a sock in it or posting on his behalf as another misguided and defiant kid. Keep on posting so Pleasanton weekly wi see the interest in this case and will continue to cover it.

You found an awful lot like another alias who has the need to talk down to or speak in a deragatory manner about "queens" and "housewives", obviously with both describing female roles. What's your issue with women, Mitch? Did your mom not hug you enough as a kid or maybe she was tough on you and held you accountable for actions like Kenton's?

By the way, the only one mocking people that look different is Kenton himself. There are cultures and religions that believe that certain facial piercings and jewelry as well as the use of decorative colors as meaningful symbols for their beliefs. Often these people are of Indian or African decent. It's poor firm to mock any sort of appearance including by using what others consider religious and cultural symbols in such a disrespectful manner.

@Jason

There is no mercy in law, my friend. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

Melanie- I still don't see how this picture would have affected your daughter. Is she gonna keep the page with his face on it open all the time?
You are goning to look at it once make fun of the kid and move on to the next page. Then 5 years later you might open the year book again and get another laugh.

If it wasn't for the senior picture thing, this kid getting caught with hash wouldn't of even made a stink in peoples eyes.

I think the Constitution is inseverably connected to the lad's possible exhonoration. As such I express exculpatory confidence in the Constitution scholars who infer their knowledge here on these pages.

That's the point Emily. His need for attention is why this arrest is being covered. Mission accomplished for Kenton.

@Penelope's comment "If it wasn't for the senior picture thing, this kid getting caught with hash wouldn't of even made a stink in peoples eyes."

That is what makes it so bloody ironic, he brought it upon himself, and so quickly too. He hungered for the attention, gluttoned himself on it, intentionally (picture) and unintentionally (arrest)and probably now wishes he could purge...

@Surprised....Not! Love your posts!

Ran across the following in another forum...this girls a psychic. (note date & time) See, IRONIC.


Joycelgr

12:39 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012

Use what you want but I will tell you, it will come back and haunt you in years to come.

Reply From

Kenton Koos

11:14 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012

Can't wait to see that day!

@nancy:

Oh the irony. I bet he and his friends wish the psychic post and Kenton's reply would just go away. Bet he's rethinking the whole yearbook photo thing. He said when he insisted the photo be published that he was "testing the limits" which from this most recent arrest seems to be a common theme for him. I wonder if he will show up in court with his yearbook look? Probably not since IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE for the setting just like its not appropriate for the yearbook. If he's so he'll bent on expressing himself I think he should do do all the time and in court and not just when it suits him.

@emilypacheco

Sorry but when I see people engaging in needless and petty small town gossip, the image of a bored housewife comes to mind.

As far as "gossip queens" goes, I'd refer to a man that engaged in petty small town gossip by the same name. Keep telling yourself a picture you don't like is cause to feel victimized. The faux outrage thing is a little tired, live and let live.

@KPP. Exactly. If he walked around like that day in and day out before the yearbook picture flap, nbd. But by wanting to "test the limits", especially when he does not even attend the school and then for HIM to drag the media into it. Under "Irony" in the dictionary, there will now be Kenton's picture.

Kenton, A public defender will be assigned to you, plea the charge to a misdemeanor, and you will be offered a drug diversion program at Axis in Livermore. Once you complete the weekly classes and are drug-free during that time, the charge will be dropped off your record. If you truly have a problem with pot in that it's difficult for you not to smoke it, it would be good for you to go to your doctor and ask for a program through your health plan. You need to take this seriously because a criminal background check is now done for any job, and even a misdemeanor will hurt your chances of being hired. Don't listen to the "holier than thou" on this site, making comments while a bottle of wine or 6-pack of beer is in their fridge. Best of luck to you and stay away from drugs or alcohol while you work on getting your record cleared.

I want to say it again here - one bad choice after another, Kenton. No self respected girl with a right mind should want to hook up with him. wonder if he has any plans after high school (oh, independent study). His parents are proud of him for what ever he is doing (or not doing). It explains a lot.

When are we going to stop bothering people for doing things that don't bother anyone?

Madness.

Mike

Some people posting (I'm looking at you "Mitch") really just need to cease posting. The posts of those (Mitch) that are in support of Kenton are doing far more harm than good. Mitch is some teenager himself who thinks he knows everything and thinks it acceptable to use gender specific labels. The posts are very hypocritical in that he's engaging in the activities he is using deragatory terms to describe. Hey Mitch, why are you on here gossiping yourself? Why the name calling you are trying to call others out on? Let me guess......you think, like Kenton, that rules and name calling and free speech is only permissible when what is being expressed is to your liking.... and that your thoughts are of greater value than the thoughts or "gossip" you are accusing of. You have so much to learn. I hope at some point you too are taken down a few pegs so you can survive in the real world instead of thinking the real world revolves around you and your friends.

It really sucks that my tax dollars might be used to defend this kid.

I just really want to know if Kenton is going to wear his yearbook photo attire/getup when he goes to court? Surely he feels he has a right to express himself there too, right?

Does anyone know if he will be expelled or moved to village if he is convicted on felony charges? If yes, he may have solved the yearbook photo himself if he's expelled as a student.

All right! All right! I've changed my mind. No matter what anyone says in a positive vein, no matter that Kenton has not had his day in court, I now accept the community viewpoint.

Kenton, you're a little creep. When you 'tested the limits' you were messing with the community, which may be conformist through and through, and hypocritical to the core in its espoused embrace of individualism, but nevertheless we're all better than you. Because once you put on that highly offensive fake facial tattoo, you should have known that we'd inform on you and set you up with that 1 gram cube of hashish that we planted on you.

How ironic! You drew attention to yourself - not like most of us do when we pay ridiculous prices for high-heeled pumps and polo sweaters - and the hand of the law fell down upon you in one fell swoop.

Calling in the bubbling ACLU was a huge mistake. Now you have gotten many of your friends busted, because we made sure those drones were going to crowd the sky once the ACLU whiners bubbled to the surface. They are the dirtiest, rottenest bubblers that have ever percolated themselves, and they deserve no exhoneration. None! We all hope you rot in jail, Kenton. You are the nonconformist who we cannot stand, and we hereby deem you severable from We the People of this United Community.

p.s. Oh, the irony is so delicious! What a field day for those among us who have a nose for dirt!!!

@provennative

Your right about the fact I need to quit posting, but you listed my name multiple times so a response is in order.

To summarize:

1. This issue regarding this current article is trivial and unimportant.

1 gram of hash some 18 year old kids gets busted with is hardly newsworthy, even for a rag like the Pleasanton Weekly, even with his "local notoriety."

Once they do this, the nits have their opportunity to gossip anonymously, and Pleasanton Weekly gets their previous website hits, at the expense of others. The target is easy to pick on in this case, but it doesn't change their m.o.

2. The kid may very well look like an idiot in the yearbook. Who cares? Does it change your life? To the people taking pride in his current predicament, are your lives really that hollow?

Don't confuse any of that with defending him, and please revisit the word gossip if you think that had anything to do with it.

My bone is primarily with the Pleasanton Weekly for covering a non-story, and then giving the gossipers (gender specific enough for you?) the chance to do their thing anonymously. That is, unless the story involves someone who works for their paper, at which point, all the comments will be turned off.

P.S. Don't think that in any of my 30+ years of "Real world" experiences I've heard anyone mutter the phrase "gender specific labels" in a serious fashion, but you must live in a different "real world" than I do. On that note, back to it...

It's been said, but I'll say it again. This is a family issue. The Koos family has been denigrated enough for a non-issue (really? going after siblings and parents?). If you want to discuss the issue of what constitutes free speech or free expression or if you want to discuss teenage drug use, or even different parenting styles, etc., this is the perfect forum. However, please note that this is a family issue and that the family is in substantial pain and are trying to get on with it. When all is said and done, we're still talking about a young man here and his family (who is tied to the community and shouldn't be subject to trial in the media). Please show some compassion and this comment is addressed to both sides of the argument. Thank-you. Can we bury this now?

Rabbit, isn't it time for you to hop off and then scurry back down into your hole? Or are you joking? My nose hasn't itched this much since the days of Monica Lewinsky! Don't you GET it? This kid wanted to be a nonconformist, and now it's the community's job to crucify him and anyone who dares stand near him. We won't be satisfied till we can all hear apologetic whimpers echoing from his house up on the hill. Fake tattoo and nose ring, indeed!!!!!!!

So what exactly makes this "news"? Kids are busted with various forms of cannabis all the time, that's not news to anybody. If you want a real story look into how many taxpayer dollars are wasted going after non-violent drug offenders such as this. But I guess he dared to have a different/odd looking yearbook photo, so the p-town scarlet letter will forever be stapled to his chest (because apparently, theres lots of people in this town with nothing better to do than pick on the "weird" kid).

There is nothing wrong with expressing your individualism, but try being an INDIVIDUAL! Be original, be unique! Young Mr. Koos is not fresh, new, original or unique. His "Individualism" is trite and recycled.

A gag photo taken for Mr. Koos' Facebook page should not be taken seriously, but to use it for his Senior picture that will appear in the Amador yearbook is disrespectful to the serious students of the respected school. Calling in the ACLU to go battle the PUSD is a greater insult to classmates. The biggest insult is the PUSD caving and agreeing to let Koos use that picture, but that is another issue.

Young Mr. Koos' parents should have been PARENTS when he was younger and taught him to be a TRUE individual while respecting others. That is what makes young Mr. Koos public face-plant so interesting, not a silly looking haircut, stick-on tattoo and a ring through the nose. Grow up, bro. Show us the individual you really are.

Rabbitt- The point I was trying to make is it’s a pattern with this family. You cannot try to change how society works without having your personal life scrutinized. This family took the yearbook photo to the media, which in turn gave him 2 minutes of fame. Unfortunately during those 2 minutes he was arrested. I doubt any one of us would have cared that he was arrested if he wasn’t online, the day of mind you, egging on the situation. He had already been notified that the school would allow the photo and yet he was still arguing with those that did not agree with it. Wrong or not, everyone is entitled to their own opinion/beliefs/personal expression; which coincidentally is exactly what started this whole drama.
His family will rally around him just like they did with the yearbook photo. His mother AND sister have both come to his defense on different sites, so they cannot turn around and ask to be kept out of it.
Like I said before, I hope that he learns from this horrible situation and is able to move past this quickly. If so, I have no doubt that he will do great things in life.

That's right, we have to listen to sagacious members of our community who know the TRUE definition of being an individual. And we TRULY know what the kid's family is about because, heck, after all, people have posted using their name. Further, when this narcissistic little twerp called in the ACLU, he insulted everyone, because the ACLU is about defending individuals' rights, and we don't want outsiders thinking we're conformists here in Pleasanton. Now, as others have so eloquently stated: the kid sucks, his parents suck, the school sucks, the ACLU sucks, but hey let's wish them all success, after they get what they get what's coming to them.

You missed my point, Leland. Read it again a little slower and you might understand it was a disrespectful act towards OTHER more serious students. If young Mr. Koos wants to be original then BE original, not a trite retread of every punk rocker we've all seen before.

It really shouldn't matter to you what he does with his life. If he wants to smoke hash, he will. You can't judge him because you don't know who he is, nor have you walked a day in his shoes. Smoking some weed/hash and going to Santa Rita are two very different things. You don't need to comment about the decisions he has made because obviously everyone makes stupid choices as a teen. I personally know the family and they are caring, good people who would never pass judgement on a stranger because of appearances or decisions. Your taxes are being wasted on catching tedious crimes like these. Just because he doesn't fit in your cookie-cutter idea of what a kid should be like doesn't make him any less of a person. So please stop being prejudice.

Oh, I see. Forgive me, as I didn't understand you were able to declare with certainty what counts as an original act. No kids at my own kids' high school did what Koos did, but because you say so, Koos is just a replicant of every punk rocker. Very insightful, Peter.

Also, a lesson to be learned from your startlingly keen analysis. It is this: When one acts on humor and there are people around more 'serious' than you are, then you are in the wrong, because one should never try to be funny when serious people are around.

Final analysis? I think we're both agreed the kid is a little creep, and whether some cop planted a gram of hashish on him or not, he got what he deserved for being disrespectful -- not a crime, but a sin in Peter Malloy's judgment. Oh, yeah, and never ever call in the ACLU when one's superiors are bullying you because it is disrespectful to others around you, especially the Seniors.

I understand now, Peter. You've offered us all words of wisdom to live by. I can think of no reason why people would call you a complete idiot with fascist tendencies. Truly. Thank you so much, and carry on with your good work.

You must not know that family as well as you say you do “Peer” because I have personally seen the Koos family judge and harass members of this town for years. The only member I have not personally seen do so is Gary. It is for this reason that I recently have stepped away from their family.

While I admire you standing up for the Koos family, it is a little ironic that you are so harsh on those that do not agree with you. Your responses are snappy and opinion based. Your constant response to people’s opinions is what is keeping this article alive. While you are more than welcome to respond over and over, remember this whole thing would have been swept under the rug had this family, and supporters, not made their presence so public recently.

Hash? Pakit!

Look at me, look at me, look at me! I'm different, I'm...e d g y, I'm...a v a n t g a r d e, I'm...d i f f e r e n t, I'm...busted for being an edgy, mouthy, ACLU cry-baby, punk smoking hash. Oops.

Don't look at me, don' look at me, don't look at me! Help ACLU, I WAS FRAMED!!!

Don't worry folks, this kid has about 3 minutes of his 15 left then we can move on to the next cause ce`le`bre.

I just want to say that I am very impressed with Mr. Geeneyuss. I almost think he got help in composing it. 'Cause ce'le'bre'. Very classy. Is that Portuguese? Latvian? Or Ignoramusrunamok?

But the real question is what could have compelled this poor villiage idiot, like so many others, to spew his hatred the way he does. Hypothesis: So many people are profoundly unhappy.

OMG, this is sssooo funny...Wow big surprise. Question is...are either of the silly stories about this kid even news. You go Kenton son, just get my order right at the drive through. LOL!

If this Kenton person wants to continue to break the law and do so in public parks then it is all of our business. If he keeps on smoking or getting high and breaks the law in doing so, it's not just his business. If he continues to smoke pot "because he wants to" as his friend has stated, then I guess he can look forward to frequent visits to Santa Rita. Let's not forget that this was not just a little pot and that it was charged as a felony.

From the support I can see from other students (which might just be one kid posting under several names or Kenton himself), it seems that he will not learn his lesson from this and that there's a belief that it's "no big deal". I wonder if his family feels the same way. If they don't think so, I imagine they would instruct whomever this is posting in support, to stop. Hopefully the court will be a little tough on him so he and his friends (and maybe his family if they don't see the issue already) will see that being charged with a felony, any felony, is a big deal. This might be the only way to keep him from repeating the same mistake.

Is anyone else able to spot the same spelling mistakes and poor grammar in many of the posts that are supposedly by several different people? It's as if you can tell from reading some comments the approximate age and maturity level we are dealing with. Some of the errors obviously don't come from anyone in a job that pays more than minimum wage. I also have spotted the common terms being used by several diffent (not) posters. NEWS FLASH FOR THE PERSON WRITING ALL OF THESE POSTS......you are bringing more attention to a matter you are also saying is private.

I also see the irony in this. He wanted the attention.

Sorry I missed the mock vigilante lynching of this kid last night you guys. But I gotta say this. Too bad it isn't a felony for being stupid. Then we could send this kid up the river for life!

Didn't he know it's a felony for possessing (allegedly) a gram of hash? Has anyone stepped back and asked themselves how much a gram of hash is? It's enough to almost fit into a thimble. Does it give a more intense high than the high one gets from marijuana? Not really. It's condensed pot, which makes smuggling it a lot easier than the bulky marijuana leaf. But it's a felony as deemed by our wise criminal justice system.

Has anyone on these posts used this opportunity to discuss the rational basis of our drug laws? No? Well, if you get stopped speeding and measure 1.5 on the alcohol meter, you get fined. But possession (alleged) of a gram of pot in a public park? Well, that's a felony, and you're facing possible sentencing in a maximum security prison - yep, maximum security because felony drug possession is classified as a violent crime. Because as everyone knows, smoking pot in a public park is so much more dangerous than drunk driving.

I think it's amusing that all my fellow fascists on this thread - Birchers, Tea Partiers, so-called Libertarians, KKKers, all of the same ilk - probably have never smoked pot/hashish. Maybe if they had tried smoking it a bit earlier in their lives they wouldn't now be the fascists they are. But then I wouldn't have vigilante allies on this thread!

Ah, Pleasanton, what an exemplary bunch of little fascists we have in this town. I'm so proud of you! Merry Christmas to all you fine people.

@leland:

If you don't like the current law, there's a process you can use to try to change it.

All you "people" posting about bad parenting, etc. make me sick. What makes you holier than thou to judge? Pleasanton folks (a lot of them) think they are so much better than others and so rightous that they can make these comments and judge. What is wrong with you guys? Gosh, I'm embarrassed to be a part of this community. Get a life and get your nose out of other people's business.

How about u guys get a life! newsflash this isnt anything new majority of pleasanton kids smoke weed its not even a big deal and the fact that this is considered news here shows how fake the pleasanton community is.

LOL!. Who really cares anyway? Why did PW publish such a turd of a story? Is this really news? Every village has its idiot...Pleasanton has Kenton. Let the kid smoke his weed in the parks and be his parents problem, so what if he ends up in Santa Rita, we pay enough taxes to support him there. Worry about your own kids, I know mine won't let a loser like Kenton slow them up. They will run over him like a speed bump. Kenon is a non issue, a non person. And all of you who think different, well I don't buy your ritious indignation.

The point is, Kenton took a risk, made a splash with his senior photo, isn't even a full time student, rocked the apple cart, then publicly made a HUGE mistake and all those that want to see people pay their dues, are dog piling on the ignorant kid.. .. a good life lesson about humanity.. survival of the fittest and the lion just got Kenton..his spot light will be over very soon and he's going to live with a lot of stress and guilt when people start speaking their mind towards his actions.

Really sad to see people say a kid exercising his civil rights deserves to be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanor on a wobble charge. Also, you know his parents don't parent well because you live a plot over and peeked in their home? You are pathetic! It's too bad that people like you exist. Also too bad that you can't live in a wealthy area that is sophisticated and not a group of stay at home moms who waste time harassing each other and the children who have been burdened by disgusting parents like you! Come visit us over in Atherton where we not only have houses that are nicer than yours, people that are nicer, but a sense of integrity. I suppose you hardly know the definition of that though....

I know this kid. He works at a local coffee place, and seriously this kids seems like the sweetest kindest kid I have seen. He is polite, friendly and believe me ( I have known potheads..my own nieces included). Kenton seems like a shy young man that has not been given alot of attention. He is working, and I assume going to school ( HS or college..not sure) but definitely not a problem child. What an innocent way to get attention( by the way). I'd tell him to not sport that look since he is adorable the way he looks.

So, any news where this case went? Dismissed, charged??? One of my pet peeves with the media is we never get follow up to stories that caught our attention.