See detailed post in the *other* thread on this subject on education, Bobert. I'm not typing all that again *whew!*

But while I'm on the topic, financial aid is a JOKE in this country anymore, and college tuition is soaring ever higher. The new tax deductions for adults who go back to school are a nice step in the right direction, but not nearly enough. What good is affirmative action if you can't afford to go anyway?

In the interim, we can give a big leg up while helping out other national issues. Nurses, doctors, medical assistants, social workers and teachers are all desperately needed, among others -- positions which could be filled by offering steep financial aid to interested students of any color. It's win-win for everyone involved.

And if you can get big help for college for joining the military, shouldn't there be more incentives for other social needs that don't involve killing? Performing vital work in the community like building parks, cleaning up trash, playing music in nursing home (;-))and -- HEY! fixing up rundown schools! -- should be as deserving of both the time commitment in school and the perks as ROTC.

Thanks for posting that info harpgirl. When put altogether, even if U of Mich looses, "socioeconomic disadvantage" pretty much covers the whole territory, doesn't it? It covers most blacks or other minorities from disadvantaged backgrounds, while not excluding whites from the same background. So why is race awarded extra points if it's covered elsewhere? The admissions officers would still have plenty of leeway.