SOCIAL TRAGEDY - AT 7:28 A.M. ET:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court is weighing whether a Connecticut city's decision to scrap a promotion exam for firefighters because too few minorities passed violates the civil rights of top-scoring white applicants.

The justices are hearing arguments Wednesday in a case from New Haven, Conn., that has the potential to change hiring practices nationwide. The court also was expected to issue opinions in cases argued earlier this term.

The firefighters' dispute is one of two major civil rights cases on the court's calendar in the next two weeks. The other deals with a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.

Underlying both cases are broader questions about racial progress and the ongoing need for legal protections from discrimination for minorities, especially after the election of President Barack Obama.

COMMENT:  This has nothing to do with the election of Barack Obama, contrary to what the story says.  It has everything to do with misguided policies, though well meaning, that twist the idea of equality out of shape.  Under the law, if enough members of minority groups do not do well on a test, the test is automatically considered biased.  This is absurd, of course, and an insult to minorities. 

The correct approach would provide extra help to minorities who might have some difficulty in a subject, the way we provide extra help in school.  After that, we must insist that they compete equally.  You show respect for groups not by condescending attitudes, but by demanding that they produce.  It's amazing what results can be achieved, as our military shows every day.

April 22, 2009