Posted on 04/05/2013 7:05:29 PM PDT by John Semmens
While taking some flak for doing so, City of Phoenix officials are standing by their decision to accept non-swimming minorities as pool lifeguards.
“The problem with requiring swimming proficiency as a condition of employment is that minorities would be under-represented among those we hire,” City Parks and Recreation Administrator Alfredo Zote observed. “The Mayor has asked us to strive for a workforce that mirrors the composition of the City’s population. We can’t do that if we impose qualifications that have a disproportionate impact on any racial or ethnic groups.”
As to whether the ability to swim might not be a crucial skill in the performance of the job, Zote demurred. “Few of the annual drownings that occur in our state are at public pools,” he pointed out. “And we can team the non-swimming minority hire with a strong-swimming white hiree. That way the non-swimmer can help spot a potential drowning victim and direct the swimmer to rescue him.”
While Zote acknowledged that he had no idea on whether the new policy would have any negative consequences for the safety of visitors to any of the City’s 23 public pools he did ask that “critics balance any undesired outcomes at the pools with the social gains of our minority hiring policy. Providing employment for disfavored groups is not without its benefits. Whether their gains in self-esteem outweigh losses in terms of injury or fatalities at our sites is, in my opinion, a judgment call.”
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
http://azconservative.org/2013/04/05/administration-touts-obamacare-as-jobs-engine/
City Officials are only following the example provided by the President of the United States as further evidence qualifications and substance are less important than feelings and ideology.
The safety and quality of life is less of a concern than the perception of oversight. see obamacare
As always, enjoy your work. Keep up the fight.
Non swimmers can hold their breath longer, said one official as he pointed to a lifeguard who had been floating face down for over half an hour.
Hahha!
Life Guards - Check
President - Check
Brain Surgeon - Check
etc.
etc.
etc.
Got anything better than worn cliches and personal insults, and links to articles that everyone's already read, along with explanations what they mean? Pitiful.
“Got anything better than worn cliches and personal insults”
That would be my question to you, Idiot. You started the insults - remember? You could use some manners - but at least you picked an accurate tag - you are Revolting.
GREAT Satire, JS.
Now a story of reality...
During WWII, my father-in-law volunteered for submarine duty. All candidates were required to take a swimming test. My F-I-L never learned to swim, so he had a buddy take the test for him.
He served in Submarine Service for his enlistment.
SALUTE to my FIL.
"Whatever"?
Uh, Ms. Martinez just WHO are you are referring to as "whatever"?
Scratch a liberal and there's a racist right under the skin.
I guess there are 3 kinds of people in this world. Hispanic, black and "whatever".
Guess I'm one of those "whatever" people.
Stranger things have happened, and I expect there will be more.
The US forest service requires MORE latino hire ons, at least they did a few years ago, and they just came right out and said it.
For an illegal alien to qualify for SSI, he/she is a shoe in to get it because not being able to speak English is considered a disability.
What better person to attempt to rescue another non-swimmer. In the age of equality, you don’t need any qualifications to get a job as a lifeguard.
bump
LOL!
I'm speechless sick... I suspect this national hysteria is getting toward the end... When 'officials' are being this stupid in order to discover discrimination - when it gets this frantic - the scam's about over...
Yes, we all oppose real discrimination. ( I was active in the civil rights movement in the 60's when it mattered - and was very real ) But this? This isn't based on discrimination it's based on 'can my outrage about perceived racism trump yours?" Am I a more 'guilty white' than you are? Can I hate myself more? Hand me the whip I'll use it on my back. Really, liberals would be considered sick if they weren't already so creepy.
And yeah, when real discrimination was happening in this country years ago this type of official was happily part of the 'in' group ( the racists) of his time - just like he's happily part of the 'in' group (liberal guilty white masochists) now... His type stands with whatever thug group has the power at the moment. Low class wannabee..
Yes, that blew me away too, it’s something immature teens say.
Ya Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up!!
I heard the original story on the radio Friday. Should have known you would run with it.
Thanks again for the ping.
“Public pools are largely used by Latino and African-American kids, but most of the lifeguards are white and this creates a huge problem. “
Darwin Awards by proxy.
That's pretty good, but I think a Darwin Award has to be earned by the person who receives it. It's not like a Nobel Prize.
All I can say is this. If I am drowning..somebody please help me. I don't care about your ethnicity. You can be from Mars for all I care..as long as you can swim. I don't care what language you speak. I don't really think we will be having a conversation if I am drowning.
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