Bathroom hang-ups
My husband and I had a conversation the other day. I was wondering why in this day and age we were spending our time arguing about where an individual chooses to go to the bathroom.
Admittedly, I couldn't understand why a man would want to use the women's restroom or a woman use a man's restroom, and then my husband pointed out that maybe our hang-up is that we, as a society, don't understand the difference between sex and gender.
Additionally, my husband made reference to the movie Unforgiven, where the cowboy was assassinated on the toilet, and this had me thinking: Perhaps when we are in public and caught with our pants down, we have a basic need to be near those with whom we relate best and are the least threatening to us.
It seems to work well for many politicians.
REBECCA RUSH
Bryant
Be on guard for snakes
I saw the story about a man being bitten by a copperhead snake in a garden center. It reminded me of an incident from 20 years ago.
I had purchased several large bags of pine bark. As I was spreading it with my hands, I saw a copperhead snake come out of the bag. I put on gloves and got a rake to kill the snake and spread the bark.
I never had any more problems after that, but I would remind everyone to be careful. You never know where those snakes are!
LARRY HACKER
Bryant
What it would come to
The middle-aged shopper pushed her cart into a checkout lane. She began to unload a few items when the checkout lady said, "Wait, could you please answer a few questions for me?"
"Well, yes, I guess so," she answered.
"Okay, No. 1. Have you ever been divorced?"
The customer looked puzzled but said, "Yes."
"Next question, do you eat red meat?" The customer answered, "Yes, of course."
"All right, do you consume alcohol?"
"Yes, occasionally."
"No. 4, do you believe in open gun carry?" Answer, "No, I don't."
"Finally, No. 5, are you a Muslim?" The shopper stiffened. "Certainly not."
The clerk put the few items back in the cart.
"I'm sorry, I can't check you out. Three of your answers violated my religious freedom beliefs. I can't serve you. Take your groceries to another lane."
The angry customer said, "But aren't you here to serve shoppers like me?"
The clerk calmly replied, "Sorry, my religious beliefs come first."
"Why didn't you ask me if I was a homosexual?"
The clerk replied, "No need to; it's not on my list. I'm a lesbian."
JOHN SADENWASSER
Bella Vista
On the pothole patrol
Patients come to UAMS from all over America and around the world. Their introduction to Little Rock is the privilege of driving on probably some of the city's worst streets--streets like Pine, Cedar, Capitol Avenue, and others around UAMS.
There are so many potholes, bumps and indentations that a professional race-car driver couldn't avoid them.
I worked there for 19 years and I can tell you from experience that these streets have always been horrible. This is not just a new phenomenon.
It's an embarrassment for the city and it seems like there is a real simple way to fix this problem. Let's put a better face on our city.
TIM IRBY
Little Rock
Let him write editorial
I would like to see James A. Brettell write the editorial about the subject referred to in his letter, "Misrepresented truth."
TREY HINES
Springdale
Big issue in Arkansas
Homelessness is a growing concern everywhere. Homelessness among children and youth is an even bigger national problem.
Every single night, hundreds if not thousands of children are unable to acquire a safe, secure place to call home. According to statistical evidence provided by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 59.3 percent of homeless children in America are unsheltered and unaccompanied, and are left to find housing on the streets.
According to a report called "America's Youngest Outcasts" which was issued by the National Center on Family Homelessness, Arkansas was in 47th place on a national scale in reference to the number of homeless, the cumulative risk for children becoming homeless, and the planning by the state.
Over 21,000 Arkansas kids know how it feels to not have a regular, adequate, and safe place known as home; 200,000 children have experienced poverty and are malnourished.
For these reasons, I've decided to focus on eradicating homelessness among children and youth, as the statistical analysis suggests it is a bigger problem than some may realize. So far, I've collected clothing and canned goods to donate to local shelters and Goodwill. I've created a website, and hung up posters to inform the public about shelters in Arkansas available for children and youth. I've contacted certain schools to give speeches about the issue to raise more awareness.
As it is something I'm passionate about, I continue to work to address this issue on a larger scale, and I encourage everyone to do the same.
MEGHANA BOLLIMPALLI
Little Rock
Bring back the privy
My 93-year-old sister just called me from Texas where she lives. She called to tell me that she has solved the transgender restroom conundrum.
She is the early form of conservative Republican that believes the Constitution was doing very well before the Evangelical Tea Party started messing with it during the Reagan administration.
My political denomination is liberal Republican-Democrat, and usually we agree on the important things. Her idea for transgender restrooms gave my artist instincts new direction.
My sister's conservative concern is the outlandish costs of restroom redesign and construction. She believes, as I do, that the very purpose of restrooms is having a private compartment to segregate you from all others.
Here is the plan: Provide public porta-potties of the permanent-flush type located inside buildings or on the street.
This will be a boon for public-space landscape artists.
RICHARD BULLARD
Stuttgart
Editorial on 05/21/2016