Apr. 16, Interview - Ms. Magazine recently profiled Ward Connerly's so called civil rights initiatives. Center For Media and Democracy's Diane Farsetta talked with Ms magazine executive editor Katherine Spillar at WORT 89.9 fm in Madison, WI.

Spiller says the carefully worded and confusing initiatives have less to do with civil rights and more to do with profits.

"He claims that these are Civil Rights Initiatives, in fact, he even calls them Civil Rights Initiatives. But indeed they are designed to eliminate Affirmative Action for Women, and for People of Color, in public contracting, public education, and public employment..

... Its about public contracting, and the hundreds of billions of dollars that are up for grabs every year by State, and Federal and Local Governments. So indeed, what this appears to really be about, is the 'ol' boys network' and Ward Connerly trying to push Women owned businesses and Minority owned businesses out of this very lucrative government contracting field."

"There has been a lot of suggestion that perhaps these states were chosen because immigration has become a big issue, in Oklahoma, for example, Arizona certainly, Colorado, Missouri, and that indeed these initiatives are designed to divide and conquer the voters and to create a basis for pulling out very conservative voters.

And not coincidentally, these states are swing states in the presidential election, they have key Senate seats up for election, and Congressional seats, so there seems to be some correlation between where these initiatives are being circulated on the ballot and the intent to bring out a very conservative vote, in the general election this November.

WORT's Diane Farsetta speaking with Ms. Magazine Editor Katherin Spillar.