I didn't realize until today that apparently the term "special needs" is now politically incorrect and has to be replaced by a less offensive term. Maybe I'm just insensitive, but it seems to me that it was pretty descriptive of the actual situations without being insulting toward the kids that require extra care.

Was it an automated message? I get bullshit calls like that all the time.

This one was from a med lab. and it gave name , an account number , and another number -- plus a website. It is the medlab that all our test go through. and since we get stupid bills - like for 2.16 - it is quite possible that I missed it -

It's 100 deg, and feels like 101. Somehow, the fact that there's only a very small difference between the two is failing to be comforting.

I didn't realize until today that apparently the term "special needs" is now politically incorrect and has to be replaced by a less offensive term.

What would be the less offensive term? I can't think of anyway to put it that's less offensive. But then I always saw "handicapped" as a pretty accurate description as well, and never quite understood how it became a pejorative (in that respect I always thought "challenged" was worse).

some of the towns near where I used to live in CT are not not having school today - they don't have the AC to deal with this heat. CT isn't supposed to get this hot except for a shot time in July and August

Isn't it the case that new terms constantly have to be invented, because the old term has been coopted and used as a slur?

I have an orange savings account for emergencies and such. I'm thinking of opening another savings account to save for fun things, so I can keep the money separate. Question is, do I make more money by keeping it in the same account, or does it not matter with two accounts (assuming that the rate is the same regardless of balance)

By "orange," do you mean ING? I think you can make sub-accounts in ING fairly easily, as an alternative to opening another account totally.

The term "differently abled" has always bugged me. It sorta' implies that people with disabilities magically get some other ability that non-disabled people don't have.

Heh. The LA Times had this to say in 1985:

"In a valiant effort to find a kinder term than handicapped, the Democratic National Committee has coined differently abled. The committee itself shows signs of being differently abled in the use of English."

[link]

It's 56 and kinda drizzly here in Seattle.

hides from everyone suffering the heat waves

Isn't it the case that new terms constantly have to be invented, because the old term has been coopted and used as a slur?

I guess, but it gets ridiculous after a while. If you can use "special needs" as a slur, what can you come up with that isn't one?