A proposed ballot measure in Michigan, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, would end racial preferences in university admissions and public sector employment. It may or may not make the ballot, as a court battle over petition signature gathering looms. But the end of entitlements which misguidedly assume the inferiority of minorities is a hard pill to swallow for diehard libs, and for the City Of Pontiac, which is now being sued by the Justice Department for violating the 1964 (U.S.) Civil Rights Act by automatically giving one-third of its fire department jobs and promotions to minorities and women.

Groups have already formed to fight the statewide initiative to end minority preferences in school admissions and public hiring. One is named By Any Means Necessary, and recently, they showed just what their moniker really means. The Detroit Free Press reports:

Some of the 400 or so Detroit students who attended a boisterous rally at the state Capitol for affirmative action came away with more than a civics lesson last week. They swiped $600 worth of snacks and soft drinks from a cafeteria across the street, according to the owner. "They just stampeded in here," said Patrick McGlinchey, who owns the State Plate cafeteria. He said he and his staff watched helplessly as between 20 and 30 youths from the rally cleaned out entire shelves of pop, chips and candy without paying.

....The high school and college students were bused to Lansing by the group By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) to protest a proposed ballot issue that would end racial preferences, i.e. affirmative action, for university admissions and government jobs.

Some in the group attended a meeting of the state Board of Canvassers, which debated whether the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative petition drive had enough valid signatures for a spot on the 2006 ballot. The cafeteria in the House Office Building, where the meeting took place, is operated by McGlinchey through the Michigan Commission of the Blind. He said he hopes his insurance covers his loss. But he said he might send a bill to BAMN. BAMN organizer Luke Massie said Friday he'd heard of the incident, and intended to call McGlinchey, but had not spoken to the students.

Hang on here. BAMN knew about the incident, and the organizer INTENDED to CALL the cafeteria manager? How about, "pledged to reimburse?" But then, what's a little bit of theft and disorderly conduct? No big deal, man, we're busy fighting institutional racism.

The affirmative action mentality at play - no consequences; free ride; we're a protected class.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at July 27, 2005 09:46 AM

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