Not only do the PC editions of the time-tested idioms make little sense - Twitter was quick to point out how where there's a will, there's a way to find someone who will be offended by even the "correct" version.

Piggybacking on political correctness in an era where "social justice warriors" are widely mocked for taking their crusade into the realm of the ridiculous was probably not the best marketing decision - even PETA supporters cringed.

PETA's supposed mission - the ethical treatment of animals - has still got a long way to go. Between animal testing, growing global meat consumption and the fur trade, one would think the group has its hands full enough not to play language police, especially since "removing speciesism from your daily conversations" seems to be even tougher for people to stomach than removing meat from their diets.

In addition to his pattern of harassing and abusing female employees, the official also had a long-term sexual relationship with a subordinate. He not only supervised his lover, but also approved her performance evaluations and even promotions while they were sleeping together.

[...]

Finally, the OIG claims the official "lacked candor in his statements to the OIG." Lying to federal law enforcement is considered a serious crime, yet the OIG declined to prosecute. No reason was given for the decision - the report cryptically ends by stating the official has retired, and referring the matter to the OJP for "appropriate action."

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The New York Police Department is taking to the skies with a drone program, much to the dismay of civil liberties groups who worry the force's 14 new unmanned vehicles will be used to spy on New Yorkers with impunity.

The department claimed it does not plan to use the drones for "routine operations," but the "acceptable uses" included in a press release - "collision and crime scene documentation," "traffic and pedestrian monitoring at large events," even "search and rescue" - are vague enough to allow for general surveillance. The drones will be operated by 29 specially-trained members of the NYPD's Technical Assistance Response Unit.

The Legal Aid Society decried the program as another step toward militarization, an addition to the department's "unregulated arsenal of surveillance tools" that already includes more surveillance cameras per block (in Manhattan) than any other US city. The NYPD had attempted to preempt backlash by meeting with the New York Civil Liberties Union prior to announcing the program, but the NYCLU released its own statement criticizing the cops for their failure to place any "meaningful restrictions" on drone use. They also object to the permanent archiving of drone footage.

While the NYPD release lists "unacceptable uses" for which drones will not be deployed - "routine patrol," "traffic enforcement," and "search without a warrant" among them - that same release leaves the door wide open to breaking the rules. The list of "acceptable uses" for the new technology includes "other emergency situations with approval of Chief of Department."

More than 900 US law enforcement units already use drones in their operations, and the NYPD consulted with representatives from other police departments while putting together its program.