Your Mandarin found this little item while reading the Political Grapevine at Fox News.com:

And finally, the BBC reports a woman trying to post a help wanted ad was told her request for “reliable and hard-working” applicants wasn’t allowed because it could be discriminatory and offensive to unreliable people.

The same company, part of the British government’s Department of Work and Pensions, also rejected a hair salon’s advertisement for a “junior stylist” because it discriminated against older people even though the term “junior” refers to a level of qualification rather than age.

Yes, that is correct, we wouldn’t want to offend those who may be reliability-challenged. Your Mandarin is appalled that this once great country that some 70 years ago fought back the Nazi invasion has fallen into this sorry state. My greatest fear is that the US is headed along this very same path.

The Mandarin

The Mandarin, whose real name is 吏恆, joined the order in 1309, and introduced the Gormogons into England during the 18th Century.

The Mandarin enjoys spending time with his pet manticore, Βάρἰκος, or Barry (who can be found in the Bestiary). When not in the Castle…well, frankly, nobody is quite sure where he goes.

The Mandarin popularized the fine art of “gut booting,” by which he delivers a powerful kick to the stomach of anyone that annoys him. Although nearly universal today, the act of gut booting or threatening someone or something with a gut boot is solely due to him.