Jerome,
You've repeated on of the most frustrating misconceptions about affirmative action. Affirmative action does NOT "clearly grants entrance to colleges and universities on the basis of skin color rather than ability and talent." This statement is patently untrue and makes you sound quite ignorant. Please read up on the matter before spouting such utter nonsense.

My ingnorance or lack thereof is nothing you are qualified to lecture me on. However, if you are concerned about my understanding of the subject please use your superior intellect to explain how affirmative action works. It's great when people disagree with a point of view but don't take the time to explain how and why. It's like the people that voted for Kerry because they hated Bush not because Kerry was a better choice. Wonder who you voted for?

Jerome,

Actually,minority students are given preference over students who are equally qualified for entrance into universities. That is the basis for affirmative action.

In most situations, even when affirmative action is preached, most people are going to hire who they want to anyway. You can always find an excuse to not hire somebody you don't want to.

The problem is, that certain organizations including colleges, use quotas instead of affirmative action. They are so concerned with having a certain percentage of minorities at their organization, that they will select minority candidates who are LESS qualified than their majority counterparts. While affirmative action has some hint of worth, quotas are a bad idea all the way around.

Jerome,
I'm not going to do your homework for you. Do you have google on that machine? Do the research yourself but try to refrain from spouting off about something you obviously know nothing about. I feel no need to debate you on something that you are clearly wrong about. The sky is blue also Jerome, I'm not about to explain to you why.

Why do you insist on telling me what I know and don't know Bob. I never told you the sky wasn't blue therefore I do not need it explained. You however told me I did not understand AA therefore to be credible you need to state your position and support it. Not because I need it explained but because your disagreement is invalid without the explanation. I don't care if you disagree with with me. I love debate. The problem is that people like yourself refuse to debate and tell people to stop "spouting off" about things and that I'm just plain wrong. Fact is Bob I could debate you under the table bud. I know more about AA and many other things than most people and I did not learn it by Googling. I got my education the old fashioned way. We can't debate in a chat session so let's just agree to disagree. I prefer people earn their way through life regardless of sex and color not because of it. Call me elitist and uncompassionate, I have no problem with that.

"I am interested to know Roberts' position on affirmative action, which clearly grants entrance to colleges and universities on the basis of skin color rather than ability and talent. Please advise"

Basically who gives a rats royal. Roberert's was writing on gender not race. Had you included the sentence just above the one you choose to quote you might have found that your question was used only for an argument rather than learning anything. "It's admirable to have a diversity goal for hiring more qualified female op-ed columnists, but it's quite another to have a rigid quota."

I am sure that Ms. Roberts has simular ideas on other affirmative action ideas. They may be a bit flaky as is most of her writing but then that's her opinion and they pay her for it.

Even with all our problems and disagreements isn't life in blogland great? We can sit at our computers and discuss any topic introduced into this forum. It becomes, however, a bit frustrating when folks seem determined to argue rather than to discuss or to exchange information and ideas.