This just in from the Department of Hysterical Nitwittery...

Teen Suspended Over Civil War Weapon

(AP) -- PINE BUSH, N.Y. - A teen-age Civil War buff has been suspended from school and faces serious charges after his replica musket was found in his car trunk at school in the Orange County community of Pine Bush.

Joshua Phelps had been at a re-enactment with his Civil War costume, including a musket last week. He threw the uniform and equipment into his truck and forgot about it. Yesterday a security guard at the Pine Bush High School saw it and called police.

Good grief. We've got drugs in schools. Gangs in schools. And worst of all, the NEA in schools. And this is what sets off the alarms? Some history geek with a replica musket?

Of course, the question I have which would put this over the top would be, is the musket a firing replica or, as Phelps's mother puts it...

"... why give the students fake guns and then arrest them."

Hmm...