New Haven Independent

Posted by: Wow | March 12, 2009 7:42 AM

Wow, so we all want to be treated as one, as long as someone has an edge they can use their, race, sex, ect......... A test score has no color. If you pass you move on in life.

Posted by: joe a | March 12, 2009 7:44 AM

Black Firefighters are Emergency First Responders, and keeping diversity in all ranks is a compelling state interest to our National Security."

Why can't we get high score's on test? This statement is a reason.....

Posted by: dixwell livin | March 12, 2009 10:27 AM

what kind of statement is that to say? can't get high scores on them tests? what do you mean bythat? this is blantnent racism.

there is no written test during a fire. no one is going to ask you a mutiple choice question on hoses while a build burns to the ground.

the fird department should look like our city not the suburbs thats all.

Posted by: jackie | March 12, 2009 11:21 AM

dixwell livin, i will not mention your apparent contradiction or lack of clarity when you suggest that it is "blatnent [sic] racism" if black firefighters "can't get high scores on them tests." huh? are you trying to prove the racist nature of the black firefighters' claim?

anyway:

"...the fird [sic] department should look like our city not the suburbs thats all."

if the FD is to look like the city, i say, "god help us." i'm not referring to race here, but basic civility--applies to all colors and creeds. man, it's a disaster around here. no respect. everybody thinks the world revolves around them, is so entitled. hmm... actually that may have some bearing on this case.

but i disagree about the nature/importance of written tests: as with driving "written" tests, there's a need to know the content. then again, maybe you're one of those "red light runners"?

the FD should be a meritocracy--bowing neither to racial politics nor townie cronyism.

Posted by: bob | March 12, 2009 12:15 PM

dixwell livin - and your "blantnently" ignorant. Is that really all it takes to be a firefighter? Point a hose and spray water?

How about dealing with hazardous materials, rendering medical care, acelerants, combustibles building structures, ventilation, search and rescue and so on? Do you have a clue?

Posted by: spell check | March 12, 2009 1:44 PM

Dixwell livn

I am not sure what statement you are making, or question you are trying to ask. What makes you think the fire department does not reflect the community it serves? I believe the numbers are pretty close in that respect. The city bends over backwards to ensure that. In fact even break the law to do it. The court record proves that.

Furthermore, spelling the way you do certainly does not help drive the point home. Please have someone proofread for you next time. Maybe one of the high scorers on the promotional exams.

Posted by: jackie can you hear | March 12, 2009 2:43 PM

Jackie,

Can you here that. It is my applause for your comments. I could not agree more. Godspeed.

Posted by: Moreorless | March 12, 2009 4:49 PM

Another case of a "Black" Good ole boys club trying to make the harshest of threats and implying the NH20 case is a threat to National Security--GIVE ME A BREAK. This group that represents African-American people right now is doing more harm to Race Relations than they can imagine. To LIE & THREATEN the general public with a breach of National Security and try to create a huge rift like this should be a crime.
Race, Sex or other should bear no weight on a job in the gov/municipal sector. It should be based on the aptitude tests that were chosen to make a list from. if it does not fit your needs, you tweek it, you don't discriminate against one race to satisfy another race.
And to Dixwell Livin--Once the City of New Haven stops relying on the entire state of CT for a good portion of its budget, then you can request that the employment quotas match the city's population--right now, they should match the state population--that's where your funding comes from.
Good Luck to the NH20--I hope you finally change these foolish entitlement laws--it is the IABPFF that is the threat to national security--they want lower standards and dumber fire officers to lead the way--apparently they can't see that as a horrendous idea.

Posted by: Patriot | March 13, 2009 2:43 AM

This is ridiculous. "Diversity" is necessary for national security? Please . . . This black firefighters' organization is nuts. Allowing anyone who fails a test to get the job is a threat to national security. And what does race have to do with this job? Absolutely nothing. I want a competent individual in this job, not some black guy who failed a competency standard so we can have diversity. Diversity my butt - I want the public to be protected and I want to be saved if needed. When it comes to saving my life, I don't care what G-- D--- color you are. This black firefighters group makes the dumbest argument I ever heard - and if that is the argument they put before the Supreme Court, no one is going to take that seriously. Open up a damn book and read - and stop whining. No one is "discriminating" against you. You pass the test, you do well, you get the job - that's the law, that is the rule of the game. These black firefighters discriminate against THEMSELVES by not studying harder. No jobs welfare folks. Earn your way, like everybody else has to.