THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
More from the Home School Legal Defense Fund:
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From the HSLDA E-lert Service…======================================================================
September 22, 2004
Michigan–Homeschoolers Portrayed as “Terrorists”
Dear HSLDA members and friends:
On Monday, September 20, the Muskegon Chronicle reported on a Department of Homeland Security sponsored terrorism drill involving the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and the Muskegon County Emergency Services. A mock attack would occur on a public
school bus.The simulated attack would come from a fictitious radical group called “Wackos Against Schools and Education” who believe everyone should be homeschooled.
We immediately called the Muskegon Chronicle and explained how this is offensive to millions of people who have chosen to exercise their right to homeschool.
Homeschoolers have never committed violent acts against public schools or any terrorist acts. Comparing us to the most dangerous people in the world is a terrible insult and a travesty.
The newspaper promised to print our response in a follow-up story.
In addition, calls poured into the Muskegon Intermediate School District and the Muskegon County Emergency Services, who issued apologies which are printed below.
Sincerely,
Chris Klicka
Senior Counsel
Home School Legal Defense AssociationApology from County:
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Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD)September 21, 2004
The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) shared the disappointment of others when we learned the September 21, 2004, emergency preparedness drill referenced home-schoolers as the fictitious group responsible for a mock disaster. We apologize.
According to Dan Stout, Chief Deputy, Emergency Services of Muskegon County, this scenario was constructed in his office. A sample scenario was required in order to receive the necessary funding
to stage the event. The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and our local schools did not construct the scenario, but participated with other county agencies, hospitals, and emergency responders
in conducting the drill.This exercise was meant to sharpen the skills and response time of our emergency services personnel, but was unfortunately clouded by the choice of this fictional group. We believe this exercise had everything to do with testing emergency response time and the protection of our children. It had nothing to do with the home school population.
As educators, we believe that the first and most important teacher is the parent, whether in home schools, public schools, or non-public schools. We all work together to ensure a safe and secure
environment for our children to live and grow.We sincerely regret offending home school educators. We believe that all parents are educators and do important work at home with their children.
Sincerely,
Michael H. Bozym,
Superintendent, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District
(MAISD)**********
In the world today Homeland security is a very important issue. The training of our nation to respond to the many threats we face is of utmost importance. As part of a full scale homeland security exercise on September 21, 2004 in Muskegon, I wrote about a fictional group and fictional scenario for the exercise. This fictional group and scenario made reference to fictional people who are against schools.
This fictional group and scenario was not meant to offend any home school students. It has nothing to do with any home school population. Home school students and former students are a very important part of our nation. This scenario will not be used again.
Daniel Stout
Muskegon County Emergency Services
Daniel Stout: (231) 724-6341
stoutda@co.muskegon.mi.us*****
Please forward all additional questions and comments to the Public
Information Coordinator at the Muskegon Area Intermediate School
District at ktank@remc4.k12.mi.us or (231) 767-7263.Kristin Tank
Public Information Coordinator
MAISD
630 Harvey Street
Muskegon, MI 49442-2398
Phone: 231-767-7263
Fax: 231-773-3498
E-mail: ktank@remc4.k12.mi.us
Visit our Web Site: http://www.muskegonisd.org
——————————OTHER RESOURCES:
Sep. 22: WorldNetDaily (Michigan)
Anti-Homeschooling Bigots Strike Again
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=1820Sep. 22: Muskegon Chronicle (Michigan)
Homeschoolers Incensed by Drill Scenario
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=1821
I bet you they gave out strawberry flavoured condoms with every successful drill.
[sarcasm off]
(sarcasm on!)
I dunno, we were a pretty roudy bunch us homeschoolers. Lookout, we might engage in reasoned debate or have a grasp of the English language before 30!
the horror, the horror
See, THIS is WHY we HOMESCHOOL, because otherwise our kids might be exposed to THIS.
I’m glad the school system apologized so quickly and all.
There is, though, something faintly ridiculous about the protestations that the drill had “nothing to do with the home school population.” Obviously there is a reason why they invented a group called Wackos Against Schools and Education, and not, say, Wacko Population Control Advocates Out to Ice Superfluous Rugrats. Ha!
Perhaps the fake terrorist group should have been called “Wackos Against Tenure” – that would frighten ANY educator.