I want to write an expos̩ article about these whiny women firefighters (reg. req. Рuse BugMeNot to bypass) suing Fairfax County because of sexual harassment and discrimination. But I need your help.
Before I start ranting and finger-pointing, I want to have the facts straight. I need to know one thing: Are the physical requirements for becoming a firefighter in Fairfax County identical for men and women? I e-mailed the training division and general information address with the same question. The department is probably overloaded with media inquiries right now.
If the answer is “No,” these gals have no basis on which to cry about “discrimination.” If the answer is, “No,” they were hired under “affirmative action.” Despite what the Supreme Court says, sex-based preferences are unconstitutional.
And if the women had second-class living quarters, I don’t think suing the county is necessary. They should get the union to demand better quarters. But suing the county because they have no heat? It’s a smokescreen. And pregnant firefighters who demand “flexible” hours want special, not equal, treatment.
And about the “harassment,” I’ll tell you what’s going on. Here is my biased, female opinion based on a couple of decades of deliberate interaction with members of the masculine sex, deep insight into human nature, and a cursory knowledge of biology: It’s harassment only if he’s ugly. 
(“Or poor!” – Commenter)
Related posts:
Update (12:30 p.m.):
Subject: RE: Inquiry About Training for Men and Women
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 12:22:27 -0400
From: Dawkins, Annie M
To: La Shawn BarberDear La Shawn,
Thank you for sending us the email. The physical requirements are the same for both men and women. Both men and women have to perform the same tasks.Annie M. Dawkins
Recruitment Section, 6th Floor
Email: fire.recruitment@fairfaxcounty.gov
web: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire
So…men and women have to meet the same physical requirements. In the same amount of time? Hmm. Perhaps I should have asked that in the first place. Perhaps the inquiry is over.
Then why is my instinct telling me something completely different?
Update II (3:17 p.m.): Well, no exposé on sex-based preferences is forthcoming (should I give up so easily?), and the issue of race-based preferences is irrelevant to this story.
I still think the suit is ridiculous, especially the demands for “flexible” hours because of pregnancy. Dear ladies, you were apparently hired based on the same standards as the men, but now you’re demanding sex-based perks, not equal treatment. For shame.
Read the e-mails below beginning with the message at the bottom:
Subject: RE: Inquiry About Training for Men and Women
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 15:11:11 -0400
From: Pfeifer, Gerald
To: La Shawn BarberLa Shawn,
Yes, the established time parameter is completion in less than 10:20.
Captain II Gerald A. Pfeifer
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Safety and Personnel Services, Recruitment Section—–Original Message—–
From: La Shawn Barber
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 3:07 PM
To: Pfeifer, Gerald
Subject: RE: Inquiry About Training for Men and WomenThank you, Captain Pfeifer. One follow-up: Do they have the same amount of time in which to complete the tasks?
— “Pfeifer, Gerald” wrote:
La Shawn,
We use the CPAT Test established and certified by the IAFF. So the answer to your question is yes. Men and Women must complete an identical
test.Captain II Gerald A. Pfeifer
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Safety and Personnel Services, Recruitment Section(message forwarded to Pfeifer)
—–Original Message—–
From: La Shawn BarberSent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 8:18 AM
To: WEBTeam
Subject: Inquiry About Training for Men and WomenHello – I’d like to know if the physical requirements for firefighters are identical for men and women?
–La Shawn
