THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 12, 1995 TAG: 9505110004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A20 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
With affirmative action fast becoming a major issue for the '96 campaign, it would be beneficial if the media would report some of the abuses committed in the name of ``fairness.''
For example, military-selection boards are instructed to promote service personnel by ethnic, racial and gender quotas.
White males with higher rankings on order-of-merit lists are routinely passed over so that the prescribed ``goals'' can be met.
Then there is the FBI. For years the bureau has employed different standards when evaluating white, Hispanic and black candidates for special-agent positions.
To be considered, whites must compile a combined text/interview score of at least 80, while blacks and Hispanics need only 65 and 70 points, respectively.
For nearly a generation, these racially divisive programs have pitted one group against the other. And yet liberals have the gall to accuse conservatives of ``using wedge issues to divide the country'' when Republican leaders consider ending affirmative action. Is it any wonder that millions of whites have abandoned the Democratic Party?
BOB CASTELLI
Virginia Beach, May 5, 1995 by CNB