There's an exception to every rule

I remember a classic sci-fi short story which mentioned that the sign above the gate of the Space Academy read, "God bless you." This was a key phrase for cadets to learn, the story explained, because experience on hundreds of alien worlds in first contact situations had demonstrated that it was the only thing one could say to E.T. that could not be misunderstood in such away as to cause an incident.

Apparently the world of Academia is an exception.

A Georgia college professor says he's going to lower students' grades for saying "bless you" when someone sneezes.

Apparently he's going to do this on the ground that it's rude to interrupt him rather than because of religious bigotry on his part. But still... what is this guy's problem, anyway?

HT: Drudge