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Senator withdraws affirmative action measure

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BY MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Feb 25, 2008 - 06:23:18 pm CST

A state lawmaker has withdrawn a resolution that would have put a constitutional ban on affirmative action before Nebraska voters in November.

Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial said Monday he was forced to abandon the measure (LR233CA) in part because fellow lawmakers had threatened not to support his other bills if he did not do so.

Because those other bills — including his priority bill, which would allow natural resources districts in the Republican River basin to borrow money from the state to pay irrigators — are critical to his district, Christensen said he was left with no choice but to withdraw the affirmative-action measure.

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He wouldn’t name the senators who threatened not to support his bills, but said they numbered “more than a handful,” and that they had surprised and disappointed him by “selling out” politically.

“Every bill needs to stand on its own, with no horse-trading,” he said. “This disappoints me. It’s wrong.”

Christensen’s decision came only two days before the measure’s public hearing, which was expected to draw numerous advocates on both sides from as far away as California and Washington, D.C.

Christensen expressed regret they will not be able to testify for or against his resolution. He said his legislative colleagues apparently are afraid to discuss affirmative action.

“There’s no idea that shouldn’t be able to have a public hearing,” he said.

Christensen’s measure stood almost no chance of making it out of the Judiciary Committee, a fact he said also contributed to his decision to withdraw it.

The news was cheered by affirmative action supporters, who say a ban would hurt state institutions’ efforts to diversify their workforces.

“I think that (discussion on affirmative action) is better left to our classrooms and public forums, not the Legislature and certainly not within our Constitution,” said Jose Soto, a local diversity advocate.

Still, opponents of affirmative action have ample opportunity to get the issue on November ballots.

Allies of the California group Super Tuesday for Equal Rights are working to gather about 115,000 petition signatures by July 4 to put an affirmative action ban before voters.

The group’s efforts won’t be hindered by the withdrawal of Christensen’s measure, said Doug Tietz, executive director of the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, an ally of Super Tuesday for Equal Rights.

“We’re 100 percent full steam ahead,” Tietz said. “We’re going to get the signatures, we’re going to get this on the ballot, we’re going to get this passed.”

Super Tuesday for Equal Rights is led by California businessman Ward Connerly. He already has helped lead movements to end affirmative action in California, Michigan and Washington, and is targeting five more states, Nebraska included, this year.

Connerly had been scheduled to testify in support of Christensen’s resolution Wednesday.

He’ll still make the trip, and will speak about his initiative at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Tuesday evening, Tietz said.

University officials already have stated their opposition to an affirmative action ban, and a new student group, Students United for Nebraska, has formed to oppose a ban as well.

NU leaders believe a ban could put programs and organizations geared toward women and minorities in danger. Further, they say, it could send a message to faculty and student recruits that Nebraska doesn’t care about diversity.

Representatives of the Washington, D.C.-based American Association for Affirmative Action also had been scheduled to testify at Wednesday’s hearing.

They’ll still come to town, too, to voice their opposition to the Connerly initiative, Soto said.

He suspects they’ll find eager listeners.

“There are a number of folks that are seriously concerned about the move to eliminate affirmative action as a tool to diversify our workforce and to ensure representation and inclusion,” he said. “We will continue to take every opportunity to educate the public on the value of affirmative action.”

Connerly and his supporters will continue speaking publicly, too.

Tietz blasted legislators who had threatened to drop their support for Christensen.

“This is ugly and underhanded,” he said. “This is as dirty as I’ve ever seen. What’s dirty about it is this: They don’t even want to have a hearing on this.

“Talk about silencing the people.”

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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bone daddio wrote on February 25, 2008 2:28 pm:
" swing and a miss. strike one for a really bad resolution! "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on February 25, 2008 2:55 pm:
" Of course the Judiciary Committee's minds were already made up. That wasn't the point. The point was this was a chance for us to publicly present testimony and factual evidence on the use of affirmative action in the State of Nebraska. Some of us had already spent several hours preparing that testimony; the rug has now been yanked from under us.

Thanks a bunch, Senator Christensen.


"

 Oh Thank God! wrote on February 25, 2008 3:10 pm:
" This made my day a lot better! I hope now that Obama is the nominee for President because when Nebraskans go and vote in November, they'll see that a black man is one of their choices to vote for and then they'll see that this absolutely ridiculous measure is on the ballot and it will get the voters thinking about what is right and what is wrong! Until then, I encourage everyone to NOT sign this petition! "

 Carl wrote on February 25, 2008 3:19 pm:
" Try again next year please, we need to get rid of this outdated and unfair policy in this country. "

 ns wrote on February 25, 2008 3:19 pm:
" It's interesting that they list Doug Tietz as a "local ally of Super Tuesday for Equal Rights" yet Tietz is a former University of Michigan YAF Chair and a campaign manager for the Michigan "Civil Rights" Initiative. Local?? It's funny how the executive director of the Nebraska "Civil Rights" Initiative isn't a Nebraskan. Here we have Connerly, Tietz, and the Georgia-based National Ballot Access company trying to change our constitution and pretend to be Nebraskans. Let's reject their out-of-state money's influence and politely show them the door. "

 I don't get it wrote on February 25, 2008 3:33 pm:
" Everyone wants to be treated fairly, except when they apply for a job. Just because they are a minority, they should be picked over another person? "

 What? wrote on February 25, 2008 3:46 pm:
" Affirmative action is to ensure there isn't discrimination in hiring practices. It's comical that a senator from Imperial introduces this bill to ban affirmative action. How much diversity is there in Imperial? Does affirmative action come into play a lot in Imperial? We're only 40-45 years from separate bathrooms and drinking fountains, based on race. Let's not be naive in our thinking. The good old boy network still exists. Sen. Mark Christensen, I'm disappointed with you for suggesting it be banned, and in the future whenever you introduce a bill, I really don't feel I'll even acknowledge it. Senator, I think you said too much about yourself. "

 Brian wrote on February 25, 2008 3:58 pm:
" I'm going to vote for Obama but I still don't agree with affirmative action. Any law that allows preference due to race or color is wrong. Senator Christensen is a quitter. Race and color should be irrelevant, content of character and qualifications is what should be important. "

 EJ wrote on February 25, 2008 4:24 pm:
" Why do people need advantages? Why do people need labels? Maybe you should think about that instead of automatically crying racism. Why should I be treated any differint from Obama? What does it matter that he is a black man. Which side is the racist?

"

 Hummpf wrote on February 25, 2008 4:25 pm:
" Kinda makes Nebraska look like a chump state when these out of state people can roll into Nebraska, convince us to make these changes and then go home to California, Michigan, etc. "

 Chris wrote on February 25, 2008 4:31 pm:
" As long as we have Ashford and Schimek leading the way of the Judiciary committee, nothing good will happen. Those three are only there representing their own interests, rather than the interests of the people they are elected to serve. "

 Locke wrote on February 25, 2008 4:53 pm:
" It will be interesting to see whether Connerly is allowed to speak at UNL. I wouldn't be surprised if liberal opponents of the proposed constitutional amendment shout Connerly down and say they are protected by "free speech." This sort of activity has occurred all over the country. "

 citizen wrote on February 25, 2008 5:19 pm:
" I'm glad the senator has his priorities in check....water rights over human rights!
Now that I have been through the University and saw first hand what affirmative action does to the hiring process, it opens your eyes to the fact that it is legal discrimination. It didn't matter how many incredibly qualified individuals applied for a job, if they were not a minority and that department had not met it's quota, they did not stand a chance. "

 Cole wrote on February 25, 2008 6:38 pm:
" Christensen claims that this issue is a top priority among his constituents. Really? Am I to understand that Imperial and the surrounding area is home to a growing and increasingly vocal population of homeless, unemployed white males who have been systematically displaced from their agrarian jobs by handicapped African-American women? There's only one explanation as to why a state senator from Imperial would pursue this issue with such fervor and I think we all know what it is. "

 To citizen: wrote on February 25, 2008 8:19 pm:
" Claiming that there are "quotas" is an out and out lie and you know it. If you have to fear monger to plead your side's case, it's obvious you don't have a leg to stand on. "

 Asa Randolph wrote on February 25, 2008 10:17 pm:
" The previous comment is correct. Quotas were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1978. Must anti-affirmative action advocates always resort to buzzwords that have no factual basis? "

 Locke wrote on February 26, 2008 5:05 am:
" While "quotas" might have been prohibited by a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court, supporters of affirmative action have found other ways to do the same thing. For example, I know of departments at UNL where chairs have been told that you can have a position only if you fill it with a woman or an African-American. Otherwise, the position will not exist. Of course, the term for this is not a "quota" it is an opportunity hire. But it serves much the same purpose. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on February 26, 2008 7:18 am:
" The Legislature voted in the late 1990s that UNL must be in the middle of its peer group in percentage of women and minorities on the faculty within 5 years, or be denied funding. What is that other than a quota?

Just because they're illegal, doesn't mean they're not in place. "

 Jen wrote on February 26, 2008 7:21 am:
" Oh, where to start on this issue? I guess first and foremost, the actions of the senators who threatened Sen. Christensen just goes to show how the general public really has absolutely no say in its government at all. Why do a bunch of senior citizens get to make all of our decisions for us? It's just astounding to me. Secondly, why can't we make our citizens actually *gasp* WORK for what they want? You wonder why there are so many white people in good jobs and good schools. It's because we're forced to work for every little thing we have, because we're not given the kind of leg-up that affirmative action provides others. That's why you see so many successful white, male businessmen. Once the race/gender card wears thin, underneath it all is probably someone whose not nearly as qualified for ascending the ladder as others. True talent and skills come through sooner or later, and these folks given everything on a silver platter (thanks to AA) will show their true selves eventually. Instead of handing everything to minorities, why don't we make them earn it like the rest of us? When are we going to stop beating ourselves up for the mistakes of generations dead and gone? "

 The Good Ol' Boy wrote on February 26, 2008 11:11 am:
" It is obvious that people that feel negatively about affirmative action are bitter with preferential treatment. WELL I AM TOO!

I agree that people applying for a position should be well qualified, but on a day to day basis in "white America" (Nebraska) this is rarely the case. People make decisions that they are comfortable with, which also roll over into the hiring process. If a white person is doing the hiring it is comforting for them to hire a young man or women that they can identify with. They feel like they are helping their own. Which I’m sure would be the case with any race.

Affirmative Action is not a burden to our society. It actually helps give minorities that ARE well qualified a chance to grow in their career and one day is in a position to hire someone they feel comfortable with. Ultimately giving us all an equal opportunity.


"

 Matt wrote on February 26, 2008 11:42 am:
" Make minorities earn their access to good jobs and an education???

What do you suggest we do, whip them if they accept a job through Affirmative Action?

Give me a break! Do you realize where most minorities live in this state and others? I wouldn't exactly call it the top of the ladder. Let's see you try to get through school and find a good paying job with all these exterior forces trying to knock you off the proverbial ladder.

It's rather easy to become a successful white male business owner when our society has been built by white male businessmen. Why don't you Affirmative Action haters really tell us your true feelings about minorities. As long as they stay in North O we're all cool, right? "

 rac wrote on February 26, 2008 12:00 pm:
" Great (not). More quota hiring, gender discrimination, politcal correctness. "Reverse" discrimination at it's finest. "

 Jen wrote on February 26, 2008 1:31 pm:
" Apparently I touched off a few nerves. Please allow me to answer. I believe Matt is insinuating that I am a racist. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, where the majority of students were black, making white students a slight minority. I do not come from a wealthy family, in fact I was raised on food stamps and public housing (you got it: I lived, played, ate, had sleep-overs, and made fantastic friends with minorities). My issue with affirmative action is it gives those who don't want to work hard an excuse not to. I have busted my hump to get where I am today. I never used being a poor, high school drop-out as an excuse or a pity tool to get where I needed to be. I have worked hard and studied hard to advance in my career. I take personal offense to someone who is given a better slot in life, simply based on the fact that I was born with too light of a skin tone. The IDEA of affirmative action is right on track, but there is no way to regulate that those who benefit from AA are benefiting for the right reasons. I oppose any organization that promotes discrimination, especially when it's wrapped all nice and pretty like a Christmas present. "

 Think about it wrote on February 26, 2008 6:09 pm:
" Jen, you need to learn the difference between your own personal experience and why public policy is formed. You said, "I take personal offense to someone who is given a better slot in life, simply based on the fact that I was born with too light of a skin tone." Take that sentiment, change the skin tone from light to dark, and multiply it by millions of your fellow citizens and then you'll be on the right track.

Good for you that you worked your way out of poverty. However, hard work alone often does not overcome the issues of racism, prejudice or the cultural effects of hundreds of years of institutionalized oppression and discrimination.

Think of how effective your hard work would have been 100 years ago, when women didn't even have the right to vote and poor women were routinely denied access to education and protection under the law. The privileges that you enjoy today were earned by many who believed that we should strive for true equality. You could return the favor by advocating on behalf of those in our society who are now in need of that kind of support.



"

 Clueless wrote on February 26, 2008 7:04 pm:
" People overreact to things that are just not a big deal. I deal with affirmitive action laws everyday in my career. The most strenuous thing I am required to do with hiring is to write down the ethnicity of my applicants. Now I am sure in other companies/institutions this is taken a bit further. But myself as a white man you really have to look at the salary comparisons of white/black men/women etc and it really is a difference. Its to bad in this day and age that something like this is needed to put people on a level playing field but it absolutely still is. "

 well said, jen wrote on February 26, 2008 7:30 pm:
" no amount of matt's hate mongering will shadow the truth as long as there are good people like yourself to bring it too light...now, if only senator christensen had a backbone... "

 Bill wrote on February 26, 2008 10:59 pm:
" It seems to me that this is the bet thing that could come of the this session. Now we know what to ask the candidates for the Legislature.
We should ask them this. "Will you consider the merit of any proposed legislation....and I say any proposed legislation."
When the answer is yes bring up the Affirmative Action bill as basis for your question. I think it is very important to know the names of the Unicameral that were involved so they can be held accountable for their actions. WHY? if they do this to one bill they can do it to any bill the wish to....maybe it is time to send the Unicameral system packing... "

 Jen wrote on February 27, 2008 6:58 am:
" I guess no matter how much reason and logic you try to put before people, we will remain a blameshifting nation. How tragic that no one can take responsibility for their own station in life. They still blame events that happened decades, even centuries ago, for the position they are in now. And to avoid the risk of being branded insensitive, racist, and having no compassion for fellow man, we have to go along and agree with it. Wow. "

 The Good Ol' Boy wrote on February 27, 2008 3:00 pm:
" Well Jen you are absolutely right blame all the American Indians, African Americans, Jews and all the other ancestors that have been subjected to the unruly behavior of this countries forefathers. People of power are born with it and this nation has sacrificed the lives of minorities to be in power.

On a smaller scope, I agree that all people regardless of race should take responsibility for their lives. Those that do not look for handouts. But on a bigger scale their are minorities that do what is necessary and work twice as hard for their money; while Jennifer, Tim and Brad get on the job training. Were they qualified or did daddy know the hiring manager?
"

 Brittany Mason wrote on February 28, 2008 12:24 am:
" I'm EXTREMELY glad that LR233CA was withdrawn, as were the rest of the 200 students present at UNL on Tuesday.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B4ZdR1alqmM

"

 Brittany Mason wrote on February 28, 2008 12:29 am:
" Any black man that says "God bless the KKK" is CLEARLY confused. Ward CONnerly is taking advantage of people's misconceptions of affirmative action, as well as their ignorance to America's institutionalized racism that STILL EXISTS TODAY.

The majority of Americans are FOR affirmative action, which is why the bill has VERY CONFUSING language, so that people think they are signing for affirmative action. THE BILL IS A BAN ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION...why doesn't it directly state that? "

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