US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Seeks Mentally Retarded Lawyers.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Well, "mentally retarded" is one among several 'targeted disabilities'. (http://www.justice.gov/oarm/jobs/attorneyvotingoarm2010.htm)


The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division is seeking up to 10 experienced attorneys for the position of Trial Attorney in the Voting Section in Washington, D.C. The Civil Rights Division is primarily responsible for enforcing federal statutes and executive orders that prohibit, among other things, unlawful discrimination in voting, education, employment, housing, police services, public accommodations and facilities, and federally funded and conducted programs. The Voting Section enforces federal statutes designed to safeguard the right to vote. These statutes include the Voting Rights Act, as amended; the National Voter Registration Act; the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act; and the Help America Vote Act.

Trial attorneys are responsible for conducting investigations, litigation, and other activities addressing all aspects of the Voting Section's enforcement duties. These positions may require extended hours and some positions may involve significant travel.
...
The Civil Rights Division encourages qualified applicants with targeted disabilities to apply. Targeted disabilities are deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial or complete paralysis, convulsive disorder, mental retardation, mental illness, severe distortion of limbs and/or spine. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements and are able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation are encouraged to identify targeted disabilities in response to the questions in the Avue application system seeking that information.

Now, it certainly behooves the government, or any employer, to hire those who can do the job best, whatever disabilities they may have. Being blind or deaf or in a wheelchair doesn't stop a person from doing good work in certain jobs.

But mental retardation and complete paralysis? Political correctness run amok, says I. Of course, if you're looking for an experienced attorney, they aren't likely to have such disabilities.

CR

[Strike For The South]

Ha and they said I'd never make it to the top

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Well, since their field is unlawful discrimination it makes sense.

Obviously people with those disabilities won't meet the requirements:


Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and have a minimum of three (3) years post-J.D. experience. Applicants must have substantial litigation experience, such as handling discovery, litigation strategy, motions practice, brief writing, interviewing witnesses, taking and defending depositions, trial preparation, trial practice, and negotiations. Applicants must have excellent interpersonal skills, be mature and self sufficient, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and possess excellent professional judgment.

[JAG]

I honestly don't see the problem. More often than not it is people who want to make a fuss that make these cases into big deals - the reality is that they will employ people with the qualifications etc, but they are pointing out that due to the nature of the job, if you have the qualifications and are also handicapped in the ways mentioned, it would be a benefit. How is that questionable and out of order in the slightest? Unless of course you are suggesting that they go into a nursing home and just pick a random mentally handicapped person, then of course you would have a point. But from what I can see that is very much not the case. As ever, a mountain out of a molehill by those who see the evils of 'political correctness' everywhere.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Isn't "mentally retarded lawyers" inherently reflexive?


:book:

[A Very Super Market]

It is sickeningly PC, something I despise beyond reason. If a disabled person is fully capable of doing the job, then whatever. Actually, this is probably the work of some paranoid schmuck fearing a lawsuit from the disabled for discrimination. They really do need a lawyer.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Isn't "mentally retarded lawyers" inherently reflexive?


:book:

Hah, take the New York State legislature.....please.

[Louis VI the Fat]

The Civil Rights Division encourages qualified applicants with targeted disabilities to apply. Targeted disabilities are deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial or complete paralysis, convulsive disorder, mental retardation, mental illness, severe distortion of limbs and/or spine. Wha..?

Dear oh dear. :laugh4:

However funny, I think somebody in the 'job application' department didn't give this a whole lot of thought, merely copied standard encouragements for applicants.





Now, it certainly behooves the government, or any employer, to hire those who can do the job best, whatever disabilities they may have.

But mental retardation and complete paralysis? Political correctness run amok, says I.
CRI think a government should employ people with slight mental disabilities, even disabilities that affect job performance. Where else should these people be employed? Better to turn them into productive citizens, to give them a sense of purpose.
A government doesn't have to compete, to squeeze the last drop of productivity out of its workforce. It has a social function too.

Where I worked previously, we had two...let's call them 'a bit slow', employees. One was not really capable of doing much more than changing lightbulbs and bringing mail around. But so what? He was destined to be dependent on government money anyway, and this, for what little productivity he added, did provide him with a sense of purpose, of belonging, of being part of society. Simply waking up every day and going to work - that is important to people.

[PanzerJaeger]

I think a government should employ people with slight mental disabilities, even disabilities that affect job performance. Where else should these people be employed? Better to turn them into productive citizens, to give them a sense of purpose.

I agree. If they are going to be wards of the state anyway, at least get some work out of them.

However, what makes this funny/sad is that the job listing is for trial lawyers, not mail boys.

[Goofball]

Sorry, don't really have anything to add. I just had to post something in this thread because it may be the single funniest headline I have ever seen. U.S. Department of Justice ftw. ggnr... AWESOME.

[Megas Methuselah]

Ha and they said I'd never make it to the top

Haha, thanks, man. I literally laughed out loud when I read this.

[CountArach]

I don't see the issue here... the next line after the bolded one shows why:

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements and are able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation are encouraged to identify targeted disabilities in response to the questions in the Avue application system seeking that information.
So obviously if a mental disability, or some other disability, will preclude them from this then they won't be hired. I also wonder what is classified as a mental disability. Has anyone got a list of things they count under this?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I agree. If they are going to be wards of the state anyway, at least get some work out of them.

However, what makes this funny/sad is that the job listing is for trial lawyers, not mail boys.

Welcome back.

[PanzerJaeger]

Welcome back.

Thanks man. Great to see you're still around. You may be interested to know that in my absense I finally got to see some of the Eastern Front's great battlefields and explore the Kubinka Tank museum. :2thumbsup:

[Megas Methuselah]

Thanks man. Great to see you're still around. You may be interested to know that in my absense I finally got to see some of the Eastern Front's great battlefields and explore the Kubinka Tank museum. :2thumbsup:

I remember reading a conversation sometime ago about that tank place, and people saying for you it'd be like a kid at a chocolate factory or somethin' along those lines. Good for you!