Bill:  I address this issue in another post responding to your comments.  I think a sensible, constructive discussion of "affirmative action" is only possible if individuals agree on two things: a) affirmative action was (and is) the result of "good intentions."  It is not meant to be punitive, but to provide opportunities for "minority" individuals and women (I'd enjoy visiting w/you regarding the real sociological definition of minority) who would otherwise not get them...and b) it has had the unintended consequence of denying those very opportunities to others who do not quality for such advantage.  Far too often, considerations of affirmative action have resulted in the same "zero sum" decisions racism or sexism brought us. 

Given those two assumptions, perhaps we could discuss ways to have a) without having b).   Does that seem reasonable to you?