Career civil servants who have been in position for long periods tend to be mediocre, because rewards are so poor that the competent people have left for industry.

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Teams desperate for a competent big man, like the New York Knicks for instance, may be willing to give the 30-year-old more than mid-level money for his talents.

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When you land in Beirut, rent a car - however you will need to be a competent, confident driver to handle the Lebanese penchant for white-knuckle driving without breaking a sweat.

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There, committees of elders (and some not so elderly) have taken responsibility for almost every innovation, proving themselves to be competent and resourceful.

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This means they are often promoted over those who may be more competent than themselves, as their bosses mistake their confidence for real talent.

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The medical treatment plan for Loughner was aimed at improving his mental state so he would be competent to stand trial.

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That the competent performance of this essential function may be fraught with political complications is supposed to be a challenge for our politicians, not our intelligence agents.

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With this type of standardized information out there, the hope for consumers is that there will be greater transparency that allows them to find an honest and competent advisor.

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