If lowering their standards means that there will be less firemen qualified to pose half-naked for the annual "on fire" FDNY calendar, I'm against it too. However, I was just pondering (while spending some QT with my calendar the other morning when I woke up) that there are too many damn white guys. Absolutely, let's get some latino and black men on that thing.

On another note, I'm not sure you can really use a quote applying standards when you're referencing a blog entry partially about "hammertime"

The link you gave leads to another, then another, then to the news article. Are you really criticising Bloomberg? Slightly lowering the college standard and lengthening the training? You are hard to please.
I think your opposition to this change might strenghthen your democrats arguments that the Republicans are not progressive. Having a Fire Service which reflects the make-up of Ney York (including women) doesn't seem so bad. Please give me more details Karol. Has AA (if that's what this is) been that ruinous to the USA or NYC?

What now will they replace the traditional red fire engine with a pink one becuase it offends wuusies?

And u don't think it's fishey that chaney rants about al queda the day b4 the alleged terrorist plot is anounced post-Lieberman war judging vote? So what does Fearless Leader do? Take a vacation; does Katrina II lurk around the corner? Brownie, r u still doing a heck of a job?

In the UK we've been told this is the worst crisis since WW2 (I kid you not). So where is our leader? In Bermuda!

Although not Opposed to lowering the standards A LITTLE to let in more unqualified applicants I would ask this question:

If you ever get involved in a fire, would you want to know that the firePERSON was not previously qualified?

Never thought I would be GRATEFUL that I had a fire back in the 80s. The firemen carried my mom to safety. If firePersons were unable to find her or carry her, she would not be around today.

Just a thought for you.