Reply #5: The 'lol' (man, I hate that stupid acronym) and happy face kinda neautralize it, perhaps.

[ForrestGump]

Unless, of course, we're dealing with The Joker or similar.

I tend to agree with you that something is worth trying and understand the reluctance. Really, though, there're a few too many people in this country who seem to think they can do or say anything with impunity, a feeling that's undoubtedly tied to an epidemic exponential increase in apparent sense of entitlement hereabouts. IF the relevant authorities took it seriously -- a big 'if' -- I'd think it'd warrant reporting as some variant on assault, with a hate-crime twist. And, yes, if it went to its natural conclusion I would be concerned about the possibility of some lawyer or other cog in the system arguing that the 'lol' and smiley rendered the threat harmless parody or irony.

I have no idea who you'd report it to, though (probably not a bad idea for all of us to have some clue on this point, actually). Maybe the person's ISP, for a start, if you want to steer clear of legalities.