Here's an article on "The Health Risks of Being Left-Handed"

[conuly]

Nothing in this article is news at all. Oh, wow, lefties are more prone to ADHD, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, schizophrenia? We only knew that over a decade ago.

No, the reason I'm linking to this article is a valid language check. ADHD is not a health risk. Bipolar disorder is not a health risk. Dyslexia is not a health risk. Schizophrenia, much though it's always sounded massively unpleasant to me, is not a health risk. These are all neurological differences (or disorders, if you prefer that term).

To call them "health risks" is really confusing. Your health isn't at risk!

In another article from Pat's Papers, some shopping malls and the like are casting a wider net, looking for more diverse Santas.

Every single comment is atrocious. It's all "Santa is supposed to be white, this is stupid" and "OMG, speaking anything but English is wrong". Apparently, it's not about the kids, it's about making sure Santa is just like them. Unless you're going to go commentsmiting (there's only 8 of them, so it's easy to reply to each and every one of them if you like), don't bother to read them. What a waste of mental energy.

Comments

[elenbarathi.livejournal.com]

Originally Lycian, which is neither Turkish nor Greek, but a last remnant of Minoan Crete.

Now I've been bit by this awful plot-bunny about pious young Bishop Nikolaos proving his courage and Divine protection amongst the wild pagan Northmen by bull-leaping his way over the antlers of a team of eight charging reindeer, tossing the driver out, commandeering the sleigh full of treasure, and vanishing with a "Ho ho ho!" into the distance. I think I may have watched A Nightmare Before Christmas a few too many times.

[oloriel.livejournal.com]

Fair enough - but today Myra would be in Turkey, I believe? (And either way that means Santa should probably be, what do they call it, olive-skinned? And definitely not speaking English...)

*snickers* Mental images!