International:

Here is a copy of a recent article from the Washington Post:

Federal judge rules out city’s bias - Washington Times

Contracts can’t be based on race, sex

HOUSTON (AP) - A federal judge has struck down the county transit authority’s affirmative action programme, saying that “basing governmental action on race offends the American Constitution”.

US district judge Lynn N Hughes’ action comes just a week after Houston voters saved the city’s programme with a public vote rejecting an anti-affirmative action referendum.

In a 26 page ruling Thursday, judge Hughes said white male members of the Houston Contractors association had unfairly lost business because of a well intentioned but flawed Metro Transit Authority programme.

Metro’s race and sex preference programme was designed to give 21% of construction contracts to women - and minority owned companies.

Judge Hughes ordered Metro to collect information on the race or sex of contractors only after the work is completed.

And the transit authority may not evaluate the bids of its contractors or select goods and services based on race or sex, he said.

“The Constitution disallows collective guilt. We do not accept the concept that a person is responsible for what others of her race, town, profession or politics may have done,” Judge Hughes wrote.

The contractors association had sued Metro in 1993. The case languished until Judge Hughes issued a preliminary injunction against Metros’ programme in April 1996.

The Federal Transit Authority then withheld millions of dollars in grants from Metro, saying federal law required affirmative action programmes.

Metro board Chairman Holcombe Crosswell said Metro’s lawyers were studying the decision.

“I’m sure we’ll appeal it,” he said.

You Say:

Subject: Comments on Australian News of the Day

Dear Editor,

A response to Melanie of the letters column testerday. One Nation supporters do not hate people as you seem to think. The members are more inclined to be angry, rather than hate and the anger is directed at the political establishment and their collusion with the media magnates, the ones who portray the party as hating, bigoted etc. Do you really believe that thousands of people live from day to day with a belly full of hate?

This is the same political establishment that panders to noisy minorities in the name of re-election, not a genuine interest. It's all about being re-elected now, the country as a whole is secondary to getting returned, with a larger majority if possible.

Take the blinkers off and read all the facts and decide independently. You obviously take an interest, or else the post would never have been written.

A response to David of the letters column testerday.

We (ON followers, members etc) are scum of the Earth? You can make all the statements you like, but why would it be better if we were gone?

The feelings of people have alway been there and always will, should we all quietly top ourselves if we are not all in agreement? The greatest inadequacy of all comes from the current government and opposition, who can do nothing but squabble and lead us in circles. While our country is being sold, the elderly are being asked to provide more and more. This is alledgedly due to the costs of capital works to nursing homes. The Govt cannot afford to help, but can offer billion dollar bailouts to Indonesia. The Suharto family have become fabulously rich, but cannot afford to help their own citizens and themselves? The value of these bailouts are not clear to me, maybe I am 'inadequate' as you think, but as in the article above, hate is not where I personally come from. The most hate I have felt so far is from anti-ON protestors who trot out the same lines as you, then come the tired lines about Germany in the 30's, then the KKK................ it all gets a bit tired if you can't back up your tirade with some facts.

As for a different opinion, well the more the better, instead of the sameness we now have.

Paul Jones

Subject: pacifism

Sir

On reading the letters of opinion 29 Nov,we wonder the type of people that formulate the establishment of the past 25 years in Australia, The answer is simple if we turn back our minds to the second world war there was a group of kretins that called themselves pacifists,they actually wanted to hand Australia over to the Japs with no resistance they were branded fifth columists,they were well and truly treated with the contempt they deserved thank God.

Today this same brand of shit control Australia even your prime minister is a self confessed pacifist,the damage they have already done to the country is beyond accountancy.

Pauline Hanson should demand from this govt a full itemised ledger of public monies spent on aboriginals and where as it all gone seeing as many of them still live in filth and alcohol.

If the sum spent in the abo industry was divided amongst the aboriginals they would all be billionaires,so come on Pauline bore it up the basterds where as all that money gone,I'm sure there is plenty more people would like to know the answer.

JH

Subject: Reconciliation or Separatism?

If people think handing over 80% of the australian land mass to 2% of the population is a clever idea, then i wonder what the future holds for this country, if any at all!! hands up all the aborigines, and i mean real ones, not people of european or asian heritage with ten percent aboriginal bloodline, who had their land stolen. only people of 200 yrs old or more can apply. what errant nonsense!!

By all means give them legal title to SOME land , how about 2%, same as the proportion of people who claim to be aboriginal! And thats stretching the truth!!

And then terminate all handouts and perks and double dipping. If i hear the rabbits who like to sign off with a reference to their university or educational faculty once more, im gonna throw up!! What intellectual arrogance!! University does NOT define superior intelligence, in fact quite the reverse, it quite often defines unthinking sheep. Led by the nose by the same yuppies who spat on our boys returning from vietnam! Grow up and start dealing with truth, theoretical hype has an annoying way of becoming terrifying reality!

This country is not heading for reconciliation by this move, it is heading for a calamity!! when mining grinds to a halt, when farming becomes impossible, when you cant move without consulting some land council or committee, we will be a basket case. any body who has dealt with committes knows it is a neverending bunfight.. i fear for this country, the land of my birth, i am no less entitled to walk it freely than an aborigine. I fear we are entering a very dangerous period of "purging guilt" , if the Gov.General, the churches, the bleeding heart demonstrators are so committed, how about paying taxes,or handing over assets and land gathered from your followers to these underpriveliged! or dedicate your whole life to cleaning up their atrocious hygeine standards and crime problem. Sorry , going back 200 yrs is not the answer.

"Silly billy" Deane is the best argument ive seen so far for having a republic, just to rid of him!! An ex judge!!! again!!!

I think they should be reminded 10 times a day, "playing God, doesnt mean you are God"!!!!

I hope im wrong , but i fear this Land Rights fiasco will seal the fate of this country, not reconciled , but deeply divided. i fear the "unthinkable" is awakening!!!

Ross Douglas

Sport:

Social:

Personal trivia, from the global office:

#

See GLOBE International for other world news.