On the one hand, for once I'm not slamming nationalized health care, per se. In fact, this cautionary tale could happen in any large institution. On the other hand, it shows what can happen when bureaucrats take a pefectly reasonable goal (sensitivity to folks' beliefs) and take it to absurd lengths:
"HOSPITAL staff in the Lothians* have been told not to eat at their desks to avoid offending Muslim colleagues during Ramadan. NHS Lothian has advised doctors and other health workers not to have working lunches during the 30-day fast, which begins next month."
* A Scottish electoral region
While I'm all for folks having the freedom to worship as they please, this seems to me to be going overboard: does the NHS prohibit its non-Jewish staff from eating breads, buns and doughnuts during Passover? Of course not (or so one would hope); each of us should be free to practice our faiths as we see fit, but elevating one person's faith above everyone else's (which is exactly what this edict does) is demeaning and insulting.
Bill Aitken, a Scottish legislator, seems to have the best take on the situation: "Frankly, this advice, well meaning as it may be, is total nonsense. This is the sort of thing that can stir up resentments rather than result in good relations."
No kidding.
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