Job Qualifications

A bitterly divided Civil Rights Commission voted Thursday to reject the concept of comparable worth, which calls for equal pay for jobs that are different in type but similar in value. In its 5-2 vote to adopt a staff report on the issue, the commission called on the Justice Department to "resist comparable worth doctrine" whenever it arises in court.

The contours of Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign sharpened in her frenetic weekend visit to Iowa as she sought to distinguish herself from Democratic rivals by stressing her experience in the White House and the U.S. Senate. In hours of remarks at stops in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Clinton avoided direct strikes at her two leading opponents, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.

The chief of naval operations, in the wake of the Navy's unprecedented two-day break in operations last month, blasted his subordinates Tuesday for lax adherence to safety procedures and inattention to safety training and operations. In a message to Navy skippers and other leaders summarizing the findings of fleet commanders, Adm. Carlisle A.H.

The Senate appears likely to approve an air security bill that calls for a federal takeover of passenger and baggage screening at the nation's busiest airports, a vote that will test the spirit of unity that has prevailed in the capital since the terrorist attacks.

For the first time in state history, gubernatorial candidates will have an opportunity to present their pitch for votes in written form as part of the official information contained in ballot pamphlets to be mailed to voters several weeks before the November general election. Secretary of State March Fong Eu said the statements, not to exceed 200 words, may include job qualifications, the candidate's platform and an address or a telephone number where more information can be obtained.

A little over one year ago, in testimony before the State Senate Committee on Local Government chaired by state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), I had the audacity to argue for the complete elimination of elected county government (the Board of Supervisors) in large urban counties.

Judges usually interpret legislation as they find it and not as they would like it to be. Sometimes, though, a judge's underlying dislike for a statute is openly revealed by the illogic of the reasoning the judge uses for its interpretation. One such example is the 1971 U.S. Supreme Court decision in General Electric Co. vs. Gilbert, interpreting the sex discrimination language in the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Another example is the present court's recent decision in Wards Cove Packing Co. vs. Atonio, interpreting the race discrimination provision of the same statute.

Selecting a team captain is not a precise science for high school coaches. Some let their players vote. Others choose a captain based on leadership skills demonstrated in preseason workouts. Kelly Clark, the football coach at Traverse City Central High in Michigan, has come up with an elaborate process for choosing captains. First, he's requiring players to apply for the position. He posted the job on the football display case: "Leaders wanted, apply here."

Midlife crisis No. 246: I spent last weekend at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, visiting some vacationing friends. For 48 hours, decision-making was limited to whether we should be poolside or oceanside and, in the evenings, whether we wanted hot dogs or hamburgers on the grill. On Sunday morning, one of my friends' children chipped a tooth on a kayak and another one bloodied her toe on the cement. Not even those mini-crises could spoil the mood.

Political brawling returned to Bell Gardens this week after the City Council gave the city manager's job to one of its own, a woman with no college degree and no government administrative experience. In voting to appoint Maria Chacon as city manager, the council chose a member who has led successful recall efforts against political enemies in the working-class city, which is known for nasty partisan feuds. The appointment boosts her annual salary from $31,400 to about $80,000.