Here’s an update to the whitewashing of jihad at Burlington Township High School. The district has released a statement about its mock terrorism drill, arguing that it really didn’t mean Christian terrorists when it used “right wing fundamentalists” to portray the hostage-takers:

Burlington Township
851 Old York Road
P.O. Box 340
Burlington Township, NJ 08016

April 4, 2007…On Thursday, March 22, 2007, an emergency management exercise was conducted at Burlington Township High School to test the emergency lockdown and evacuation procedures of the school and also to evaluate the response and mitigation procedures of the police, fire, and emergency medical services. The exercise lasted for approximately two and a half hours and tested many areas of emergency response.

The scenario chosen was intended to be generic in nature and never to offend any group, affiliation or religious belief. The term “Christian” was not included in the scenario. It was believed that all groups pray and prayer in school is a universal issue. Similarly it is further believed that all groups experience right-wing fundamentalists in their organizations. The bottom line was the protection of human life should a significant event unfold. That goal was met.

The Township regrets any insensitivities that might have been inferred by this action.

The fact that other public school districts have conducted similar mock terrorism drills, devised by emergency management officials singling out right-wing Christian fundamentalists, suggests that the district’s statement is disingeuous at best.

It’s not “insensitivity” that’s the problem. It’s willful ignorance. If the school district is truly committed to preparing its students for a terrorist attack, base it on reality, not P.C.

Follow-up stories here and here.

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Reader Andrew G. writes: “The fact that the mock terrorists were described as “members of a right-wing fundamentalist group called the ‘New Crusaders’ who don’t believe in separation of church and state” also belies the argument that the situation was supposed to be generic. ‘Crusader’ is a historic reference … not to Muslim or Jewish or Hindu or Buddhist fighters … but specifically to Christian fighters.”

Reader Bob writes: “So even if not against Christians, it is still fair game to be against the ‘right wing.’ Are there any public school terrorism drills that refer to ‘left wing’ terrorists?”

Good question.

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This was not a drill…

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