On the subject of affirmative action, I found this poll which surprised me.

CBS News Poll. Jan. 5-8, 2006. N=1,151 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
"What do you think should happen to affirmative action programs? Should they be ended now, should they be phased out over the next few years, or should affirmative action programs be continued for the foreseeable future?"
Ended Now 12%
Phased Out 33%
Continued 36%
Unsure 19%
http://www.pollingreport.com/race.htm

I was shocked that 36% said that affirmative action should be "continued for the foreseeable future" and not phased out. I'm curious if more would have stated "phased out" if the time frame had been longer....

Regardless, it seems to me that affirmative action continuing without an end in sight would seem like a statement that either some races are inherently in need of additional help and cannot compete on their own merits, or that racism is insurmountable and such programs will always be needed...

Both are ridiculous IMO.