affirmative actions

I often feel as though I'm living in a backward state. Missour-uh is about as middle America as you can get.

But then...

Every once in a while, someone here does something really cool.

The latest Missouri hero is Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, who is beating Ward Connerly at his own game. Recently, the geechy anti-affirmative-action crusader descended on our state to introduce a bill that would make affirmative action basically illegal here. His modus operandi is to word the ballot language is such a way as to make folks think they're voting against discrimination.

Here's how he wanted to word the bill in the Show-me State:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prohibit any form of discrimination as an act of the state by declaring:

The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting?

Carnahan, in turn, offered more accurate and less desceptive ballot language:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

Ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for, women and minorities in public contracting, employment and education; and

Allow preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to meet federal program funds eligibility standards as well as preferential treatment for bona fide qualifications based on sex?

Of course Connerly is loathe to swallow his own medicine. He's going to sue.