Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

This one just couldn't wait until the next time I get around to a "link-sausage" entry: "The County of Los Angeles has requested that equipment vendors avoid using the industry term 'Master/Slave' in product descriptions and labelling." (snopes.com) Email from the county government 2003-11-18 included:

The County of Los Angeles actively promotes and is committed to ensure a work environment that is free from any discriminatory influence be it actual or perceived. As such, it is the County's expectation that our manufacturers, suppliers and contractors make a concentrated effort to ensure that any equipment, supplies or services that are provided to County departments do not possess or portray an image that may be construed as offensive or defamatory in nature.

One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources. Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label.

(<innocent look>So they're worried about offending masters and slaves in LA County? Or are they more worried about offending non-lifestyle doms and subs who feel use of this technical jargon promotes a "fulltime is more real" view that excludes them?</innocent look>)

Oooh, sparkly new terminology coming! (Y'all can guess which faux-HTML tag goes on this paragraph...)