Normally I don't use this blog to comment directly about the post of one of the WP team members, but in this case I feel I must. But first, I have a confession to make.
I don't always read what others post here on Weekend Pundit.
It isn't that I'm lazy, but rather that there are evenings where I don't even post my own scribblings until very late in the evening because it's the only time I have free to sit down uninterrupted. That leaves me little time to read my own blog. However that's no excuse. It's my blog and, in the end, it's my responsibility for what's posted here.
That said, I have to say that I failed to read Brent's post from the morning of November 25th titled The Benefits Of Affirmative Action. I wasn't aware of the tone or the subject of his post until Gilford Police Chief John Markland brought it to my attention Tuesday evening. When I got home that evening I read it and I can honestly say I was dismayed and disgusted.
Brent, What. The. Hell. Were. You. Thinking?! Do you really believe Officer Janero Sankey was hired due to affirmative action? You certainly imply that's the case. Knowing both Chief Markland and Deputy Chief Kevin Keenan as well as I do, I can tell you your implication is way off base. If Officer Sankey wasn't qualified he would have never even gotten an interview, let alone hired. To say otherwise is an insult to Officer Sankey, the Gilford Police Department, and the town of Gilford.
To Officer Sankey, Chief Markland, Deputy Chief Keenan, and the rest of the Gilford Police Department, I offer my sincere apologies.
(Cross-posted to One Voice In Gilford)
I don't always read what others post here on Weekend Pundit.
It isn't that I'm lazy, but rather that there are evenings where I don't even post my own scribblings until very late in the evening because it's the only time I have free to sit down uninterrupted. That leaves me little time to read my own blog. However that's no excuse. It's my blog and, in the end, it's my responsibility for what's posted here.
That said, I have to say that I failed to read Brent's post from the morning of November 25th titled The Benefits Of Affirmative Action. I wasn't aware of the tone or the subject of his post until Gilford Police Chief John Markland brought it to my attention Tuesday evening. When I got home that evening I read it and I can honestly say I was dismayed and disgusted.
Brent, What. The. Hell. Were. You. Thinking?! Do you really believe Officer Janero Sankey was hired due to affirmative action? You certainly imply that's the case. Knowing both Chief Markland and Deputy Chief Kevin Keenan as well as I do, I can tell you your implication is way off base. If Officer Sankey wasn't qualified he would have never even gotten an interview, let alone hired. To say otherwise is an insult to Officer Sankey, the Gilford Police Department, and the town of Gilford.
To Officer Sankey, Chief Markland, Deputy Chief Keenan, and the rest of the Gilford Police Department, I offer my sincere apologies.
(Cross-posted to One Voice In Gilford)
Sorry Chan-- You're being WAY too PC on Brent. His reaction was EXACTLY mine, and scores of other Gilfordites, too. You KNOW why this guy "impressed" Markland so much-- his SKIN COLOR! Just like everyone was ga-ga for Gus Benavides-- NH's FIRST hispanic selectman (gasp-- OMG! Isn't Gilford just DREAMY!?), the PC pussies (of which you Chan, are one) just couldn't wait to get this guy on the force to show everyone how "progressive" we are... Oh well, Brent. Just be glad you didn't call him a faggot. PS-- once everyone discovered how conservative Gus was, the luster wore off. Funny how truly shallow political correctness (and its practitioners) turns out to be.
Looking at the chief's homepage, it shows a more traditional means of advancement in line with what I've seen. Here it is: http://www.gilfordpd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=9
He worked his way up.
I have seen local municipalities hire full-time police officers who don't have the following: 1) experience; 2) prior military service; or 3) college degree.
There was one exception to this when Sandwich, NH, hired Joe Canfield. The town even paid for his schooling at Plymouth State. At the time selectman Bob Rowan said how unusual it was to hire this then-young person under such circumstances but for the fact they had long known the family and him to be outstanding.
Joe's in Moultonboro now, BTW. So I'm a blogger not totally ignorant of these matters as I covered small town politics for three years with the Meredith News.
So Gilford is not an AA-EOE employer? Is that even legal for a public sector employer nowadays? How far away is New London, Conn.?
I had my suspicions, which the blog amply demonstrates, though as you say I only implied that that was the case. I think I'm safe in that I didn't assert anything with the absence of evidence.
I know individuals who are trying to get into law enforcemen--guys who are prior military or possess a four-year college degree and it has seemed a more arduous prospect for them than the 21-year-old applicant apparently without military experience or a college degree.
But I'm sorry I embarrassed you, Chan. These locals are sensitive, very very sensitive.
How about transparency and show the scores of all the applicants? How many applied for the position? I've seen affirmative action first hand, and it's out of control at university.