Talking about Terrorist is too terrifying
NSW: A political furor is in place after the Department of Education pulled a simulation exercise, whereby students played key figures in the Middle Eastern Crisis. The activity, designed by Macquarie Universities Andrew Vincent, has been accused of unjust bias and is feared to have the potential to cite greater racial distrust.
Documents never seen by Mediated.com.au show that the background notes on key terrorist groups gave position descriptions. Shameful!
"The profile of Hezbollah accurately said that its long-term aims were to rid Palestine of the Jewish population and create an Arab state but no mention was made of its terrorist activities, only philanthropic ones." Said one concerned parent. "Even profiles of leaders are biased, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was given a goal of bringing the internet to Syria."
"This is shocking," chirpped another well to do North Shore parent, "These are terrorist nations and should be known as such. The elected government is not interested in its own people, only destablising other nations in the west." Mediated.com.au was inclined to disagree until reflecting on the recent activities in Australia and the United States.
Asked why the high school simulation stopped this year, Andrew Vincent could only reply, "The allegation was made the we were training terrorists."
The principal of Killara school was quick to add, "Well yes that, and your making Arabs seem sympathetic, there were also number syntax, spelling and gramatical errors, and you smell like cheese."
In light of this controversy the Australian Government has introduced a compromise based on the exceptionally popular 'axis of evil cards' employed during the invasion of Iraq.
"Lets just keep it as simple as these cards here. Hey look, ace of spades, that's Shiek Ahmed Yassin, previous leader of Hamas. Description says, Terrorist: Very bad man. And here's another Jack of Hearts, that's Sadam Hussein, previous leader of Iraq. Description says, Terrorist: Very bad man. One more now, 2 of clubs, that's George Bush, current leader of Iraq. Description says: Freedom Fighter: Brilliant Individual striving for world peace despite his moderate intelligence. Provides the world with love, laughs and puppies. #4 on the list of world's most influential people."
Julie Bishop, the Minister for Education is excited at this simplified version of history.
Documents never seen by Mediated.com.au show that the background notes on key terrorist groups gave position descriptions. Shameful!
"The profile of Hezbollah accurately said that its long-term aims were to rid Palestine of the Jewish population and create an Arab state but no mention was made of its terrorist activities, only philanthropic ones." Said one concerned parent. "Even profiles of leaders are biased, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was given a goal of bringing the internet to Syria."
"This is shocking," chirpped another well to do North Shore parent, "These are terrorist nations and should be known as such. The elected government is not interested in its own people, only destablising other nations in the west." Mediated.com.au was inclined to disagree until reflecting on the recent activities in Australia and the United States.
Asked why the high school simulation stopped this year, Andrew Vincent could only reply, "The allegation was made the we were training terrorists."
The principal of Killara school was quick to add, "Well yes that, and your making Arabs seem sympathetic, there were also number syntax, spelling and gramatical errors, and you smell like cheese."
In light of this controversy the Australian Government has introduced a compromise based on the exceptionally popular 'axis of evil cards' employed during the invasion of Iraq.
"Lets just keep it as simple as these cards here. Hey look, ace of spades, that's Shiek Ahmed Yassin, previous leader of Hamas. Description says, Terrorist: Very bad man. And here's another Jack of Hearts, that's Sadam Hussein, previous leader of Iraq. Description says, Terrorist: Very bad man. One more now, 2 of clubs, that's George Bush, current leader of Iraq. Description says: Freedom Fighter: Brilliant Individual striving for world peace despite his moderate intelligence. Provides the world with love, laughs and puppies. #4 on the list of world's most influential people."
Julie Bishop, the Minister for Education is excited at this simplified version of history.
Lost Fanatic
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Mediated
The course was run at a private school in Northern Sydney, it was pulled after complaints from parents, the article was written.
Mum's Word
Nice post Stuart.
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I guess by looking at the middle east in one dimensional terms makes it easier to hate them and wish em all dead.
A permanent state of denial from the people who believe that forcing our beliefs on the arab world is the solution.
Maybe they should make a deck of cards with the Oil Barons and Haliberton honchos making billions out of the propoganda machine.
Mediated
The bit I found most amusing, if amusing is the right word, is that the Jewish children in the classroom felt intimidated and hand to band together.
Fair enough, stop the activity for their comfort and to prevent their vilification. But to then continue the Arab vilification and say that's the largest flaw with the program....
That burger is $8.10, but it says $3.20, thats for everyone else sir.
i can imagine it was a somewhat simplistic program, but did it encourage people to learn more outside of it?
and training terrorists? pffft, yeah...nothing says extremist madrassa like pretending to be yasser arafat during 2nd period.
Really Long Link of banned Middle-Eastern program refute 'anti-Israel' bias