Reid issues regret for words describing atheist group in Loudoun

Reid statement on use of word 'terrorist' to describe atheist group in Loudoun County.
My initial statement to NBC News 4 on the night of Nov. 29 regarding my use of the word "terrorist" in the Washington Times to describe an atheist group in Loudoun County and their tactics was brief and clipped. Here are my subsequent two statements to the Leesburg and Loudoun Community:

I posted on my Facebook page and have sent a few emails to folks writing me that my use of the word "terrorist" was a poor choice of words and the Washington Times did not tell it in full context, not did channel 4 report all that I told them. I also emailed Councilman Dave Butler, a Democrat, who criticized my use of the word at last night's Leesburg Council meeting with the same apology.

My comments in the Washington Times were directed specifically at the atheist groups that have been relentlessly pursuing their goal to remove all religious holiday symbols from the courthouse lawn, not ALL atheists or non-believers. I also told the paper that Rick Wingrove's proposed "attended display" is fine under our County rules and I was not going to do anything to upset what he wishes to do.

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The following I read on the dais at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Dec. 4

“I offer again for the third time, which it is the Jewish tradition to apologize three times to those who you’ve hurt. It was a poor choice of words, all the words, including the word fanatic, and we all make mistakes, and public officials make mistakes.

What has certainly gone unreported, which I said to the media, is that I support and have no problems with the atheist reading tent on the courthouse lawn, and that’s what I told the media – but that did not come through.”http://www.leesburgtoday.com/news/debate-continues-over-courthouse-displays/article_254a2988-3fc5-11e2-944d-0019bb2963f4.html