I live near Williamsville and in fact, did reside in Williamsville for some years, both my sons attended the Williamsville School system for a few years. Williamsville is consistantly rated as one of the best systems in Western New York
http://www.speakupwny.com/article_1117.shtml. There is more to this than published: the trip was arranged back in April but the permission slips were only sent a DAY before the trip , perhaps to "minimize" the flak? And I did hear much of the WBEN show about this matter.
However, Mr. Hagmanns view is somewhat suspect as he does not reside in the area and he is a frequent guest on the "Tom Bauerle Show" on WBEN. Mr. Bauerle LOVES to do the "Islamofacist" theme on his show and Mr Hagmann is all too glad to help. Mr. Hagmann and Mr. Bauerle made little reference to the Hindu Cultural Center visit.
Some of the parents protested that the field trip was oriented not towards the "cultural" aspects of the religions, but rather as a "demonstration" of the religion. And, yes, all bases should be covered.....the Williamsville area is home to many of the multi-cultural professors at University at Buffalo an therefor there is a large percentage of non-Judao/Christian children in the school system. That they are are not taught about that "culture" is wrong and unfair.
This is not the huge national security issue Mr. Hagmann makes it out to be , it is a poor decision/execution by a middle school.
Rick