So one of the organizers of the Seattle HR conference makes some opening remarks before dinner. And he concludes by saying, “I don’t know about you, but in my house we say ‘grace’ before dinner.” And he proceeds to give thanks to our savior, Jesus Christ.

This in front of a room of HR professionals--people who have been trained with every fiber of their being to guard against the slightest hint of religious intolerance and insensitive behavior.

The palpable wave of shock and disbelief that rippled through the room was akin to John Ashcroft addressing the Republican National Convention and stating, “Y’know, I think we’ve been a little rough on the welfare state. Let’s reconsider that whole approach.”

(Another organizer stood up after dinner and offered a public apology.)