" this will help them gets votes (for the democarats) "

" Why do people focus on just the aspects of color in relation to the initiative? The initiative is also trying to stop "preferential treatment" to women. Does the GOP have an opinion about that part of the initiative? "

" This means the Republicans can simply ignor cultural diversity and declare that all persons have no distinctive racial or ethnic prejudice exercised against them in our society. It is like saying something is different that what is truly is because we give it a different name. We simply declare it is a level playing field which because we say it is so makes it so. That is a bunch of hogwash and simply gives license to discrimination on many levels. Haven't we had enough of this give the privilege to the already privileged? Time for CHANGE! "

" So,the Republicans oppose breast cancer research--(after
all, that's money spent for gender specific purposes),
is it any wonder barely more than 20% of people in a recent
poll identified themselves as Republicans.... "

" So the Republicans are joining this out of state group's petition! Are they as crazy as these "fruits and nuts" from California? Ronald Reagan's Color Blind Society! Very lame. How many years must we go back? "

" Funny how they seem to think that if you throw out Ronald Reagans name, it will automatically sound better. The University of Nebraska made it clear that this will have detrimental effects on women an diversity. It is in the best interest of all of society to do what we can to help minority students who ARE CAPABLE of doing well in college - get to this level. They still for the most part have extra societal hurdles to overcome, and it is appropriate to offer them some additional assistance. "

" Once again, we see opponents of the affirmative action ban, or as it should be rightly called "the true equal rights amendment" bringing up tired and false arguments. There is nothing in the amendment that would ban governmental support for breast cancer research. There is nothing that would ban research into prostate cancer either. If you look at the California case, those programs and other similar ones have continued despite frivolous lawsuits. It is time for the opponents of the equal rights amendment to start providing accurate information instead of falsehoods. "

" "So,the Republicans oppose breast cancer research--(after all, that's money spent for gender specific purposes)"

(1) Men also get breast cancer.
(2) The initiative says you can't give preferences; it doesn't bar money spent for 'gender specific purposes'.
(3) No state that has adopted the initiative has in any way restricted breast cancer research or screening as a result. "

" Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas famously opposes affirmative action, and clearly feels slandered by the suggestion he ever benefitted from such a thing. But, aren’t Appleseed and UNL’s Chancellor supporting it? Justice Thomas is an avid Husker fan and should, as the only black member of the Supreme Court, understand the need for competence rather than gender or race affecting decisions rangeing from admissions policies to hiring policies. Has affirmative action “dumbed down” our education system? "

" Most of the funding that the University of Nebraska gets for research comes from the National Science Foundation which requires grant recipients to have affirmative action programs in place in order to get funding. If we gut their ability to go to federal and outside sources, will the state make up the difference? I would really hate to see us do something that won't allow our federal tax dollars comes back to Nebraska and then have to pay more in state taxes to make up the difference. I just can't believe that the Republicans, who are supposed to be the party of lower taxes, taking a position that is going to cost us so much. "

" There should be a "level playing field" in ALL things in America!!

Why should minorities be given a advantage in jobs, education and life in general? If people can't "cut it" or make it on their own merits....then
they should try harder or step aside and let those that played by the
rules do it or have it!!

I am a first born American....and my dad often told me he received NO
special treatment or advantage when he mirgrated (legally) to the USA.

Personally, I think Nebraskans are going to be quite surprised at the
HUGE number of fellow Nebraskans that vote NO on affirmative action
in November.....and it will also surprise many people when Democrats
also vote "no" to affirmative action!!! "

" There they go again! "

" When do us white men get our preferential treatment? I got me my bible and my gun, now I wanna get me some of that preferential treatment. "

" Urging passage of this initiative is just another step in affirming that men are superior over women. Has any one noticed that most insurance companies will cover Viagra for men but won't cover birth control for women? Who runs insurance companies...men. Just goes to show how prejudicial the republicans are. "

" Unbelievable. Remember republicans, Harvey Perlman is one of you, so you don't represent all voters. My Repub. husband is now voting Dem. Good job. "

" On the contrary biancalana, breast cancer is not gender specific. Men as well as women can and do have breast cancer in this counrtry.
This does not give license to discriminate. It prevents discrimination. Reverse discrimination is still discrimination after all. Bottom line, who is best suited for the job, most qualified etc. "

" Nebraska continues to be a racist state. Never will change. That GOP mentality is pervasive, inbred and taught. What gets me is how a state with such a small minority population (esp. blacks which is what most people think when affirmative action is mentioned) should be overly concerned about perhaps being displaced by a person of color who is qualified and able to perform the task.
I am an educated black female. I've been actively seeking a job in my career field for over 4 years in this state. Yes, 4 years!! If AA edicts were followed I would be working now. Obviously affirmative action is not adhered to in this state as it is so why bother to support the initiative.
In Nebraska it's who you know, not what you know. "

" Ending affirmative action won't suddenly allow discrimination of minorities. There are all ready countless laws on the books outlawing discrimination. "

" I hope that the minorities can find a state that will live with the lesser of two evils and have the affirmative action, what people do not realize is that in UTopia these petitioners are right, however, in real life it will not and did not work before...
I hope there will be a state in this country they can find that will help them survive in a society that is anger based.. "

" How telling is it that poster "I" states that she is a Black female, and that if AA were followed she would have a job by now. Clearly she is stating that because she is a Black female, she should have a job.

Unfortunately, we have laws in this country that prohibit hiring "I" because she is a Black female. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits hiring decisions based on race and gender, among other things. What "I" is advocating is turning back the clock 40 years so we can ignore that law. That's pretty sad.

It's a tough employment world out there, "I." My wife has been looking for a job for the past two years with no luck. It's not just the color of your skin - it's the fact that the job market stinks right now. Also, if you think you're not being hired because you're Black and/or female, there are Federal, State and local (in Lincoln, anyway) agencies that investigate discrimination. You should use the law in your favor and file charges against companies that won't hire you because of the color of your skin or your gender. "

" And rev wright(obamas friend, pastor, mentor) is a Democrat who despises the "white" man.
Yea sure racism is republican only? Are you people serious? Get a grip and stop pandering to the party line....racists and bigots come in ALL forms and party line is NO factor. Oh, tell me about Robert "KKK" Byrd...the grand poo bah oh and democrat leader.
WAKE UP folks. "

" Change? Change to what? Liberation theology? Sharia law?
First time to be proud to be American? Yea thats a great change.
Quotas are dangerous and that is exactly why our country is in the shambles it is. "

" AA benefits women far more than AA benefits people of color.
The are laws that prohibit discrimination...discrimination still exists...go figure.
"Colorblind society?" Not likely in the USA "

" "Most of the funding that the University of Nebraska gets for research comes from the National Science Foundation which requires grant recipients to have affirmative action programs in place in order to get funding. If we gut their ability to go to federal and outside sources, will the state make up the difference? "

(1) The NSF says you have to have AA, not preferences. NSF gives far more money to California, Michigan and Washington, where preferences are illegal, than it does to Nebraska.

(2) The NCRI also states that if funding of a state program by a federal agency is put in jeopardy by NCRI, then NCRI does not apply to that program. "

" Stop your cracking me up! "Our country is in shambles because of Affirmative Action?" Please. You would vote for Bush Jr. again if you could wouldn't you? "

" Where do all you people figure racism is still prevalant in nebraska. I see it as more of an excuse for alot of groups not a problem. When people stop hiding behind their race and start becoming unhyphenated americans then we can look forward to a colorblind society. "

" So what the Republicans are saying is they don't want the best person hired for the job. That is what this all comes down to. If this initiative passes, I, as a hiring authority, will no longer need to hire the best, or most experienced person for the job. I can hire whoever I want. I can hire my wife's brother who would not know a thing about the business, over a woman or a minority who much better fills my needs. And Republicans still think they are in touch with real Americans. I, as a tax payer, certainly hope not. "

" How can affirmative action be a race issue in Nebraska with less than 15% of the state's population being in a minority group?
More to the point, less than 5% of Nebraska's population is black (the group many believe benefits most from aff. action?).

This whole discussion and initiative is a farce. "

" You may want to read up on state and federal law. Nepotism is not illegal in Nebraska. You can hire your wife's brother who would not know a thing about the business if you want. You just can't hire/not hire someone because of the color of their skin. It's amazing to me that people who are in positions where they should know the law are unaware of the law. Seriously, everyone - go read the law. Affirmative Action at its base is illegal. "

" Where can i get a yard sign? "

" Republicans against affirmative action, REALLY, what's new? "

" If we follow the logic that giving preferential treatment is discriminatory, shouldn’t we then stop giving preferential treatment to veterans? If we are to stop pandering to one group then we should have to stop pandering to all groups, which can only be the fair way. While I don’t believe the AA laws are perfect, no one can argue that they haven’t made an impact on making every man/women equal under the law. How about distribution of wealth laws? That is where I believe the downfall of our country lies. "

" I find it interesting that the party made this decision even though former party spokesman David Kramer is a vocal opponent of the effort. "

" To Hey JR - that was my point. I can go out and hire anyone as long as I can prove they were the best person for the job, and that my decision was not based on race. If you take AA away, will there be a guideline saying I then have to hire the best person, or can I go out and hire my drinking buddy, or my brother in law. (Actually, there is a nepotism rule where I work that will not allow me to hire any relative). I have never, in over 50 hires, been told I had to hire a minority. This is such a non issue made an issue by a few extremists. "

" Howtelling,so I should have "possible" incidents of discrimination investigated by an inherently old boy, white administrated agency.If I did I would be at these Federal, State and Local agencies darn near weekly. Do you know how hard it is to prove racism, sexism "etcetera ism" in a state that is subtlety racist? I have and it's an uphill battle that will never produce justice. At least down south there is that possibility as the bigoted people are "out and proud" and you don't have to guess what that "subtle" comment meant.
Again, AA was designed to "equal the playing field" but in a sea capped with white it's hard to think the field is equal if you are of color in Nebraska. Most likely, if you are of color, you're drowning.
Tell your wife "Telling", "Good luck" and when she lands that job to look around and see if she sees equality on that field. Bet not. "

" Joseph P. Sokolovsky wrote:
"I am a first born American....and my dad often told me he received NO
special treatment or advantage when he mirgrated (legally) to the USA."

Sorry, Joseph, your father was from a country whose citizens are permited by the USA to immigrate to our shores. That's not true of every country, no how matter how desperate or deserving the population. So your father did receive preferential treatment. He just doesn't want to admit it. "

" De Jure and De Facto are two different things. Just because there are many, many laws barring discrimination, it doesn't mean it doesn't happen in reality.
Courtesy of MomsRising.org: "Women today make up 56% of college graduates and nearly half of the labor force in this country. Yet women make only 73 cents to a man's dollar, and mothers only make 60 cents, for the exact same job."
Go ahead white men...file your lawsuits! "

" I thought "affirmative action" was to help raise those that had been discriminated against for the last two hundred years. Now after a few decades the discriminators say they are all "even. "

" "Republicans don't discriminate"? Such bull malarky and clever Orwellian turns of rhetoric.. Democrats in my experience
are far less likely to discriminate than Republicans. Every time we vote in a Democratic president I tend to make significant economic and career gains only to quickly
lose them when the party of affirmative action for the rich, white and
males retakes Pennsylvania Avenue. "

" As I sit here and read some of the comments I am disappointed in what I've seen. Nebraska is such a great place. I've met some of the most down to earth good honest loving people who don't care if you are black, white, Latino, Asian, etc... Honestly I believe the majority of comments that are posted are from white citizens who have not had the near experiences of discrimination based on their skin color. I am not saying you've never been discriminated on but let’s get serious and stick to the facts and be honest about this topic. Why was Affirmative Action created? You have to look at the intent of why things are done. The intent of Affirmative Action was to help protect those who have or will be discriminated based on their race, gender, or ethnicity and to promote a fair chance for all people. It doesn’t matter what race or gender you are, everyone is a victim of discrimination. So if you feel this act does not benefit you, have you asked yourself why? Ask yourself that question. “What is it about me that this act does not benefit me?”. It has nothing to do with any kind of special privileges. It has nothing to do with special treatment. This country was not built on fair principals, equal liberty, and justice for all…yet we say we are “One Nation Under God”…(You say the rest…) I expect those who do not benefit from Affirmative Action to complain when you are already over privileged it’s just sad when they cant realize it. It sends a terrible message throughout this state and I am starting to question the morals this state brags about. "

" For a real eye opener check out this web site and realy see how this money was rased and spent.
http://nadc.nol.org/ccdb/search.cgi?page=formb1f&IDNO=08BQC00186&OFFREC=06/30/2008 "