What exactly is disgusting about going to the bathroom?
21
I'm surprised about Trump's comments on Hillary. After all, husbands know that women need to take longer times in rest rooms, which, so often designed by males of the species, are inadequate for the numbers that they serve. I have been married just once,and for only fifty two years, so I may be a little ignorant about women's needs; but Trump beats me in every way. He has been married three times and should know all about women by now.
David Hudson
David Hudson
13
Let's face it. In this country it's never the case that we give something a fair try just to see how it will work out. No, instead we have a bunch of backward, trembling reactionaries whipping up fear with their lies and their panicky arm waving. Try real hard not to be one of them. Live your life a little more bravely--please.
8
Since when has someone's trip to the bathroom become the public business of the media? As for Trump, he and his cohorts will use absolutely anything to bash Clinton. This is just a new low on our way to the bottom.
18
After all these months, it's good to see the Times finally starting to focus on the real tissues.
19
The difficult logistics of the public toilet are familiar to every woman. The important part of this ugly episode is that it puts Trump's twisted personality on view even more than usual. That he thinks the fact that women use the toilet is disgusting is a sign that he is a neurotic, phobic mess. But we knew that already.
16
It occured to me, as I scanned through this rather embarrassing collection of potty-humor comments (yeah, mine is in there, too) that Trump successfully excited a classic drop-and-run tactic used in debates and in advertising. He placed the image in your mind. You cannot unhear it, cannot unsee whatever image it evoked. There you go. Done and done.
4
Not surprisingly, its too easy to see the right-wing commenters to this article. Like with Obama, they can't stoop too low in their views. What a sad commentary on our country right now. As the Donald said - "Disgusting"
9
Sometimes bathroom functions are accompanied by noise, and even more so when one's stomach is clenched in nervousness or excitement. Maybe Hilary opted out of the closer bathroom with open stalls simply to save herself and/or others from a potentially embarrassing situation. Who among us has not been there?
6
If you want to shorten the lines for female restrooms, then design them more efficiently so that women who have to pee can do so in a trough against the wall in full view of everyone. That's what men do. Welcome to equality.
4
How low can you get in writing articles of such platitude! Will any subject do just to get it into print? Aren't there more serious issues to cover?
8
These are first world problems. In India, in many places, there are very few toilets for women, and they can be raped there even when they choose to go in groups. We are trying to fix all our gender issues here and that is good. There certainly are many (gender issues), but the REAL problems are in other countries where women are treated like chattel and aliens. Yes, Trump is a dunderhead.
8
Coming from a family of four, with a wife and 2 daughters, I admire the courage to write this column.
So right you are.
I am glad this truly basic but global issue has reached seismic proportions !
Republican or democratic, Indian or American, have emphathy and address it guys. And gals !
So right you are.
I am glad this truly basic but global issue has reached seismic proportions !
Republican or democratic, Indian or American, have emphathy and address it guys. And gals !
4
Good grief! Are we really spending all this time talking about how and why and when and where Mrs. Clinton had to go potty? Really?
4
To even spend time talking about this shows how ridiculous the Times has become. Truly, are nation is bankrupt with $20 trillion in debt and burning over $1 Trillion in deficits. Really, and you want to talk about, bathrooms, gay rights, abortions, affirmative action and all of your political correctness? Give us a break please! Rome is burning! Maybe Trump does have the solution!
4
This is what passes for news at the NYTimes? I only read the first two paragraphs and got the point but it goes on and on, fantastic coverage. I have been reading on a couple of conservative sites and nothing about Ms. Clinton's bathroom problem. I am waiting for the sexist card to be played so we will know it is truly an important issue. No wonder the Times is going out od business trying to support a base like this.
3
Imagine a spoiled little boy waving a loaded gun around. A spoiled little boy with a bad comb-over. That's Donald Trump. That he is even a candidate shows how insane America has become.
10
Yukusoka, Japan. Our ship was paying a visit. We were in a bar (where else?} I was in the head at a urinal when a woman came in. Eek! Went back out to the bar and told my buddies and they said, "yeah, both men and woman use the same restroom." It didn't take long for me to conclude how much sense it made. In France, for instance, entrance to some restrooms is for both men and women and once inside they go to their respective sides. Americans need to get out more.
6
The best bathroom story I know: An Austrian composer (either Hugo Wolf or Max Reger, I am not sure which) responding to a critic's panning, wrote to said critic:"Dear Sir, I am now sitting in the smallest room in my house. Your review is before me; soon it will be behind me."
10
The national toilet obsession didn't begin with transgender men and women, actually. The vehement objection during Civil Rights days down here to integration of black and white bathrooms was notable. Later, it was a "key point" of those who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment decades back. Women and men would have to use the same bathrooms (gasp!) if discrimination against women on the basis of gender were ended.
There's an oddly immature but visceral response on the right to the idea of toilet "invasion" by outsiders, and it becomes uppermost in cases in which the actual matter (equality in pay, access to parity of various kinds) is ignored in favor of toilet talk. This is largely because there is nothing of substance with which to attack their opponents' arguments; then it's time for regression and the evocation of childhood disgusts. It fits very well with Trump's overall appeals to the least mature parts of his audiences' minds, but is really an old bugaboo of the right. For them, segregation of various kinds is a good thing, and toilets come to be the symbol of that basic "good".
There's an oddly immature but visceral response on the right to the idea of toilet "invasion" by outsiders, and it becomes uppermost in cases in which the actual matter (equality in pay, access to parity of various kinds) is ignored in favor of toilet talk. This is largely because there is nothing of substance with which to attack their opponents' arguments; then it's time for regression and the evocation of childhood disgusts. It fits very well with Trump's overall appeals to the least mature parts of his audiences' minds, but is really an old bugaboo of the right. For them, segregation of various kinds is a good thing, and toilets come to be the symbol of that basic "good".
8
And why did she apologize? She should have been apologized to, by the moderators for starting without her. Furthermore, someone should have told Trump to shut up, get over it and stop acting like a 5 year old.
19
Just as important as toilet equality for women is toilet availability for the growing number of homeless, who should not have to suffer the further indignity of finding a dark alley. Mexico City provides clean public attended facilities all can use. Why can't we?
10
When China first recognized Canada, I went to Ottawa with my boyfriend, a White House newspaper correspondent where he had an interview with the new Chinese Ambassador. When chatting with one of the consulate members I asked her what was a significant surprise to her when she first arrived in Canada. Her answer surprised me - remember this is the 70's - she was completely surprised that at the train station she had to pay to go to the bathroom - a normal necessary bodily function.
How uncivilized and inhuman this materially wealthy capitalist country must have looked to her. It's 2015 and going to bathroom is still viewed in such an inhuman and uncivilized manner. Sad.
How uncivilized and inhuman this materially wealthy capitalist country must have looked to her. It's 2015 and going to bathroom is still viewed in such an inhuman and uncivilized manner. Sad.
6
Unequal time in the restroom?
"What would happen" if women stopped wearing absurd clothing they have to "wriggle" out of? Stopped fiddling with makeup? Stopped wearing high heels (and whining about them?)
Quit acting like these "inequalities" aren't the result of free, individual choice!
"What would happen" if women stopped wearing absurd clothing they have to "wriggle" out of? Stopped fiddling with makeup? Stopped wearing high heels (and whining about them?)
Quit acting like these "inequalities" aren't the result of free, individual choice!
10
Why didn't the moderators wait until everyone was back on the stage to begin? Asking a question before having everyone back on stage seemed odd to me.
28
Trump needs a new reality show called: "Are You Less Mature Than A Third Grader?" Will he demand that Carly Fiorina be excluded from the next debate because girls have cooties? Will he attempt to give Ted Cruz a wedgie when the going gets tough? Stay tuned America...
7
The author says the urinals in the women's bathroom, sent a message: "You might be here, the message was, but we don’t have to like it."
No, that was not the message. The message was: remodeling a bathroom is an expensive nightmare. Once you start to tear down tile and plumbing, you are likely to have leaks and mold in the walls for years to come. If it is not broken, don't fix it. Universities do not have money to spare on unnessary maintenance.
Anyone who has dealt with tile walls and plumbing will know this.
You should not "read in" social messages and attitudes where none are intended, or take umbrage where no offense is intended.
No, that was not the message. The message was: remodeling a bathroom is an expensive nightmare. Once you start to tear down tile and plumbing, you are likely to have leaks and mold in the walls for years to come. If it is not broken, don't fix it. Universities do not have money to spare on unnessary maintenance.
Anyone who has dealt with tile walls and plumbing will know this.
You should not "read in" social messages and attitudes where none are intended, or take umbrage where no offense is intended.
8
Trump knows what he says is crude, shocking, and outlandish. So a lecture about bodily functions shouldn't be addressed to him but all the candidates who feel they can tell us anything from their empirical podium. Hillary promises everything to everybody. Sounders wants to convince us to follow Grease's example and have government pay for everything util no one is left to actually pay the bills. Cruz, Rubio, and Kasich vie about who hates Planned Parenthood the mos, all the time claiming they know what America wants more than the other candidate do. Maybe these are the ones who should be told everyone pees. Then along comes Trump. crude, outlandish, and unpredictable. He says what he thinks and doesn't back off.
He throws out political correctness, something a lot of people would like to do. He stands free of PAC and lobbyist money and swears he will only work for our country. I'm pretty sure that if this writer asked him if he peed, he would answer something like, "You're damn right I do and unless you have an infection, its the same color as yours and everyone else's." In the end, he would have never made a dent in this race if it wasn't for the shallow, untrustworthy, and weak candidates both parties put out there to tell us what America wants
He throws out political correctness, something a lot of people would like to do. He stands free of PAC and lobbyist money and swears he will only work for our country. I'm pretty sure that if this writer asked him if he peed, he would answer something like, "You're damn right I do and unless you have an infection, its the same color as yours and everyone else's." In the end, he would have never made a dent in this race if it wasn't for the shallow, untrustworthy, and weak candidates both parties put out there to tell us what America wants
THE YEAR OF POTTY MOUTH Right? I mean everyone's been talking about the potty. And who belongs where. And who's who. And what's what? With all the new changes in plumbing, it's hard to match the toilet hardware to the human plumbing it confronts.
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to pansexual restrooms is the fact that it would inevitably result in men waiting in lines for females to vacate a space in the stalls. In their own good time, of course. After all, is a Lady not a Lady? Don't ask!
Would it be considered in such a catholic (in the sense of all-embracing) toileting arrangement for there to be two lines? One for stalls and the other for urinals.
Then the question arises as to whether it's discriminatory for the line for the urinals to move more quickly the line for the stalls? Or would that require that the number of stalls be increased so that both lines could move at the same pace? I mean, fair is fair. Right?
I think that the cultural shift that would be the loss of that most discreet of institutions that exist primarily in places of fine dining: a place for ladies to powder their noses so they can schmooze and gossip while the guys back at the table engage in several delightful moments of locker room humor. Hmmm are we allowed to continue referring to those categories? Would they offend transgender persons? Or exclude nongender persons?
Maybe the guys will powder their noses while the gals will trade filthy jokes. The rest got it all!
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to pansexual restrooms is the fact that it would inevitably result in men waiting in lines for females to vacate a space in the stalls. In their own good time, of course. After all, is a Lady not a Lady? Don't ask!
Would it be considered in such a catholic (in the sense of all-embracing) toileting arrangement for there to be two lines? One for stalls and the other for urinals.
Then the question arises as to whether it's discriminatory for the line for the urinals to move more quickly the line for the stalls? Or would that require that the number of stalls be increased so that both lines could move at the same pace? I mean, fair is fair. Right?
I think that the cultural shift that would be the loss of that most discreet of institutions that exist primarily in places of fine dining: a place for ladies to powder their noses so they can schmooze and gossip while the guys back at the table engage in several delightful moments of locker room humor. Hmmm are we allowed to continue referring to those categories? Would they offend transgender persons? Or exclude nongender persons?
Maybe the guys will powder their noses while the gals will trade filthy jokes. The rest got it all!
Does anyone else think that Trump was implying that Clinton was taking so long in the bathroom because she was menstruating? That seems to me to be what he's implying by saying "I know what she's doing, it's disgusting". I don't think he was referring to her taking a pee or fixing her make up.
1
I think he meant a bowel movement.
3
Is it possible that both sides can be stupid at the same time? Obviously it is crude and dumb for Trump to talk about Clinton's bathroom breaks, but equally dumb as I can tell to ask for a law to protect the "right" of a man wearing women's clothes to use a Ladies Room.
5
What is degrading is our national inclination to not talk about important issues. All this verbiage regarding a bathroom break? Have we forgotten about issues like global warming, terrorism, foreign policy? Where has intelligence, morality and culture gone?
2
Is this the best topic we can come up with for presidential politics? Including the option to comment on it?
1
It is obviously the best topic Trump can come up with.
4
I suspect the school likes female students plenty but facilities people have budgets to consider. Converting wall mounted urinals to floor mounted toilets is a major, very expensive renovation in your typical concrete dormitory building. "but my all-girls’ dormitory still had a wall of urinals in the bathroom. You might be here, the message was, but we don’t have to like it." You are working hard to be offended.
7
Why in the expletive are there 242 comments about this?
1
get unisex bathrooms. there, problem solved!
3
So it all comes down to this?????!!! No wonder this country is going down the toilet...no humor intended in this comment.
3
When you don't have experience in Government, when running for the highest Governmental position in the country, you have no other choice to get attention, but to divert to having a Potty mouth, & no one does it better than Trump.However, it can only last so long ,& it is due to end, it will not get him into the White House, more probably into the other kind of house.His only chance to becoming President is to put aside his Yiddish obscenities, & tell the country why he would make a better President, than anyone else in the race,what would he bring to the office,but does he really have anything to offer, & the answer is a resounding yes.More than anyone else thats running he is the most qualified to fix our infrastructure, he has demonstrated that hy building magnificent structures,and to do this he surrounded himself with the best engineers, architects,& legal minds.His greatest ability is his vision & drive.Rebuilding our infrastructure will create millions of middle class jobs, which are sorely needed to strengthen our economy.In a world full of chaos & despair,improving our image as the most beautiful & productive country the world has ever seen, is the most powerful weapon we have, & we have the talent to accomplish this, all we need is a leader with the vision, who else but Trump, but his time is running short, we know he can appeal to the rabble, now it's time to show the rest of the world & America,he's more than a Potty mouth.
2
Jennifer, when you mention the silly legends now abounding about whether Hillary passed up a nearby rest room because it was occupied, you play into the hands of the Trump minions. Every lie he has fabricated, from the thousands of dancing New Jersey Muslims on 9/11 to the Mexican border rapists, has spawned equally silly rationalizations to give each of these Trumpisms a veneer of respectability.
Don't fall for it. She didn't pass by a toilet during the debate. It's ridiculous.
Don't fall for it. She didn't pass by a toilet during the debate. It's ridiculous.
7
Thank you Hillary for handling this situation with dignity, humor and grace - something lacking in the republican candidates, and not just about bathroom breaks.
9
Is this the final straw for Trump's free media coverage?
Oh, for Pete's Sake!
Is there a "required" reading list for presidential candidates? I recommend "Everyone Poops" be added to the list....
6
Dog bites man, not news. Man bites dog, news. Trump makes puerile, abusive, off color remark about female opponent, NOT NEWS.
6
Seriously? This bathroom story about Hillary not being willing to enter a bathroom because someone *else* was using a stall is trying to make her and all women VICTIMS? A whole column about this? When do we discuss the ISSUES?
3
WHY ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT THIS?!
That Donald Trump would say what he said is unconscionable enough but now people are saying Secretary Clinton would be late to the stage on purpose? For crying out loud!
That Donald Trump would say what he said is unconscionable enough but now people are saying Secretary Clinton would be late to the stage on purpose? For crying out loud!
6
I think Hillary missed out on a chance to make a huge symbolic statement - she could have used the men's restroom.
2
Does anyone actually believe that wasn't planned? She was probably on her cell phone sending a confidential memo to Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin laughing about how she would make her grand entrance, not thinking her messages could be retrieved. Acthally I was hoping they would play the theme music from Welcome Back Kotter
But given the fact that Hillary plays the victim better than anybody Let me say this. Hillary could hold a national forum on female bladder control. She could bring in the brightest from academia and the medical field. A grass roots movement could change female bladder control as we know it! This could be legacy! My Rushmoer awaits!!
But given the fact that Hillary plays the victim better than anybody Let me say this. Hillary could hold a national forum on female bladder control. She could bring in the brightest from academia and the medical field. A grass roots movement could change female bladder control as we know it! This could be legacy! My Rushmoer awaits!!
Every female knows there is no toilet equality. Am always amazed feminists don't address such 'real life' problems that affect us all
4
It's infuriating to stand in a long line waiting for the women's room while the shorter men's line just zips along. If there's just one locking bathroom for each, I'll use whichever is free, which is usually the men's. The only advantage ever to waiting for the women's room is that it doesn't smell like an elephant's potty.
3
My daughter attends college and lives in a dorm. Her hall bathroom still has three urinals in the girls bathroom, despite the fact that thirty years ago it was an all women college. Despite hefty tuitions, the college still hasn't managed to update the bathroom.
3
Somewhere in Europe (I don't remember where) the two doors had dog silhouettes - it took awhile to realise there was a pointer and a setter
4
I think public toilets should all just be unisex. I also think, however, that the stalls need actual privacy and that certain men need to learn to aim better. Is it really that difficult?
5
The excessive coverage of Hilary Clinton's bathroom break has gone right into the toilet. Should we now call it "Bathroomgate?" I thought political debates and reviewing their aftermath were to focus on the issues being debated, not the length of time it takes for someone to go to the bathroom. Let me add this. Had Bernie Sanders or Martin O'Malley been the one that came back late to the debate stage, would we even be having this ludicrous discussion?
4
I only watched part of the debate, and missed this exciting action.
I gather that Hillary went to the bathroom during a commercial break. So did millions of other Americans. Let's get back to the issues.
I gather that Hillary went to the bathroom during a commercial break. So did millions of other Americans. Let's get back to the issues.
56
I'm not sure what the whole transgender outrage has to do with Hillary Clinton going go the restroom, but one thing I am sure about is that one-half of one percent of the population shouldn't take away the rights of the other 98% of the population. When I use a public restroom I don't want to have a man in the stall next to me.
The transgender group are asking for special rights to give force the rest of us to declare their lifestyle is normal and not deviant. If we object to it, we are then declared abnormal with some kind of a phobia. I'm tired of these "in your face tactics."
We're all born with a gender, live with it. Embrace it. Don't ask me to give up my privacy and modesty in a public bathroom because you're unhappy with your genitalia.
The transgender group are asking for special rights to give force the rest of us to declare their lifestyle is normal and not deviant. If we object to it, we are then declared abnormal with some kind of a phobia. I'm tired of these "in your face tactics."
We're all born with a gender, live with it. Embrace it. Don't ask me to give up my privacy and modesty in a public bathroom because you're unhappy with your genitalia.
6
If that, Pat, is high on your list of things to worry about, congratulations on your good fortune.
3
Sorry, but you're wrong about it being "simple." I have a friend whose daughter now identifies as male. This is a very religiously conservative family that is dealing with a reality that you say doesn't even exist.
You are wrong, and you need to come to that realization. Judge not, my friend. My buddy wasn't expecting this, but he is trying to understand and support his new son.
And I just see feet in the next stall. So, why should I care if they are male, female, or "undecided" feet?
You are wrong, and you need to come to that realization. Judge not, my friend. My buddy wasn't expecting this, but he is trying to understand and support his new son.
And I just see feet in the next stall. So, why should I care if they are male, female, or "undecided" feet?
3
Speaking as a lifetime woman (sixty-eight years) to everyone who is accusing her of a nefarious plot rather than simply accepting that the "Ladies" was a bit of a trek, none of us want to call attention to our bodily functions. So to suggest that Hilary Clinton, just about exactly my age, would want to call such attention to a worldwide audience is, I think, a sign of either a silly season or the exceeding low level of our national discourse.
A simple, end of discussion tactic would have bee in innocuously wait...TV has, as far as I can tell, never found itself short of time-consuming babble. Viz,: obsessive coverage of Trump's childish rant.
I wish the paper of record could set an example and rise above the mindless reporting of every word that drops out of the mouth of this dismal candidate for the highest office in the land. So
So shame on you NYT for putting gas (haha) in the clown car.
A simple, end of discussion tactic would have bee in innocuously wait...TV has, as far as I can tell, never found itself short of time-consuming babble. Viz,: obsessive coverage of Trump's childish rant.
I wish the paper of record could set an example and rise above the mindless reporting of every word that drops out of the mouth of this dismal candidate for the highest office in the land. So
So shame on you NYT for putting gas (haha) in the clown car.
48
Eons ago, in grad school, I took a course titled Human Factors Engineering, or some such. The instructor seemed to be a bit creepy, so I made up a wacky report addressing the future of bathroom design, all tongue in cheek, so to speak. He was so titillated that he suggested that he'd co-author a publication on it.
Americans, bodily functions, architecture and imagination are exceptional, but at least, in NYC, if you have to pee in the street, it's legal.
Americans, bodily functions, architecture and imagination are exceptional, but at least, in NYC, if you have to pee in the street, it's legal.
This isn't the first time Trump has been angered by women who pause to take care of basic bodily functions. Remember he famously called the woman lawyer who was deposing him "disgusting", when she requested a short breast pumping break for nursing purposes.
We simply can not have him cursing out Angela Merkel when she requests a brief potty break during their summit meetings.
We simply can not have him cursing out Angela Merkel when she requests a brief potty break during their summit meetings.
5
It could be said that while bathroom equality is struggling to come out of the "toilet," Trump's devious involvement in the election process is flushing our most critical civic activity down the toilet.
4
Public venues that actually care or want women there seem to have worked out the restroom issue. At one Broadway theater the woman had no wait but the men did. Seems a little obvious that if men are so fast, they don't need equal space. Make men's rooms smaller, women's larger.
2
Can't resist: some years ago a church I visited remodeled its two facilities into one for women and the other for handicapped, either sex. I fabricated a sign proclaiming "equal opportunity facility," and gave it to a friend who posted it on the door. It survived there for years!
1
He knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted to remind people of her femaleness and the - in his mind and perhaps unconsciously in many minds - the essential "disgustingness" of women and their anatomy. He gave people an image of the President's anatomy, the President hiking her skirt, on the toilet. That image is out there now, which was his intention.
I'm convinced Hilary Clinton will be our next President.
I'm convinced Hilary Clinton will be our next President.
11
Trump and crew are pigs. I have never voted for a Clinton. I have been an independent since 1976. Now, though I hate to see us become a one-party country, it appears i will be forced to vote for Hillary. GOP attempts to block abortions, same sex marriage, keep blacks from voting and cuddling up with Putin make it impossible for me to vote for them. When I think of people like Bob Dole and Abraham Lincoln, and to a certain extend even Reagan, I cannot fathom what has happened to the party that used to lead the nation on environmental issues but now doesn't believe in climate change.
6
I'm genuinely sorry that some people don't feel welcome in bathrooms. However, transgender people can't insist on normal people accepting them immediately; it will take time. In addition, it cant be expected for businesses to have to accommodate such a small percentage of the population. Transgender is incredibly new and some of the "identities" people have are just plain absurd-"none of the above". I will say going to the bathroom, man or woman, is not disgusting it is very natural. Donald Trump is the disgusting one.
21
Toilets are an important issue deserving of public discussion, albeit not the way this is playing out with Trump statements. Many people who have a variety of medical conditions, such as Crohn's colitis, IBD, need access to more public bathrooms. This is not a subject that is below the dignity of public discourse depending on how we approach it.
36
All this trouble and furor would have been avoided if the US had halfway decent bathrooms: small rooms, with full-sized walls and doors. With locks that actually work, and warn people outside when the room is occupied. No need for separate ones for men and women. No embarrassment. No need to share your temporary neighbor's sounds and smells.
It is called civilization. Eventually it will reach us.
It is called civilization. Eventually it will reach us.
5
I thought it was simply a campaign tactic (or stunt if you will). And a very effective one in comunicating a message to women with a side order of a back of the hand to men. I also think the timing of the new baby is also likely a campaign tactic. Again, it should be very effectively positive for Grandma Clinton with of course the benefit too of bringing great joy to her daughter and the whole family. If you're the Clintons, and you're planning a new baby, no reason not to time it for maximum political benefit. Both of these items, bathroom and baby should translate into votes. And in the grand history of American campaign stunts to garner votes these two are really good ones! Good in the sense of being effective to purpose, but also good when compaired to say some of the Trump stuff.
The sequel to Bubba's "Hairgate", when he received a haircut on an idling air force one in 1993 tying up two runways at LAX for two hours, has just taken place. Just an ongoing example of the Clinton's affluenza. They're richer, smarter and more privileged than anyone else. Mrs. Clinton has an ongoing history of demonstrating that the rules don't necessarily apply to her. Taking a bathroom break in and of itself isn't noteworthy, except no one else on TV gets to keep their viewers on hold while they relieve themselves. Mrs. Clinton didn't realize that she was going to be on national TV and prepare herself accordingly? No, it's better to inconvenience millions of other people instead of herself. Without knowing it Mrs. Clinton just lowered the bar on the meaning of public service.
3
So sorry you were inconvenienced. There is no reason she should apologize for it. Shame on you for making this political. Right-wing misogynists will never give her a break....even a bathroom one.
6
No one has ever scrutinized a male politician's bathroom breaks. Not ever. The same way that no one ever dwells on their suits, ties, shirts or hair styles. Only slight attention has been given to some of them for their spray tans (no names please). Tons of attention, way too much attention, gets paid to women for their bodily functions, how they cover their bodies, what they cover their bodies with, what they put on their feet, how they deal with their hair, how they present their faces.....Hell let's just spit it out. In a culture that worships profit over all else women's bodies are a commodity - the observers think the bodies of women belong to the observers, usually men. We are objectified daily, in every context, at every age, sometimes bluntly, sometimes obliquely. Trump has the maturational age of a second grader, and fewer social skills than any 8 year old I have ever met.
108
Building codes already require more stalls for women but it will take time to implement that policy. The reactions to this little incident are much more informative. The basic meanness of some of the republican candidates and the boorishness of Trump in particular have been revealed once again.
6
As with so much of this un-presidential campaign, comments here have focused on Trump and his insatiable need to create sound bytes for the media to report.
Here's a thought. ALL of those present on the stage should be taken to task for absolute lack of courtesy. Had there been any gentleman present at this debate, they would have suggested waiting for their absent member. Not because of gender but because waiting for an invited guest is the proper thing to do. As President, would they proceed with a State dinner if the guest of honor was late? Or a photo op? No, they would not because it would be rude.
So as candidates, self interest was once again on display. Go on with the debate because that empty podium gives me an advantage.
Forget Trump's inflammatory rhetoric. It wasn't only Trump who was calculating the possibilities. None of the assembled debaters were anything other than inconsiderate bores showing how incapable they are at handling something unexpected during a public event.
Perhaps someone did suggest waiting during the commercial break and was vetoed. If so, my apologies to that upstanding individual.
Here's a thought. ALL of those present on the stage should be taken to task for absolute lack of courtesy. Had there been any gentleman present at this debate, they would have suggested waiting for their absent member. Not because of gender but because waiting for an invited guest is the proper thing to do. As President, would they proceed with a State dinner if the guest of honor was late? Or a photo op? No, they would not because it would be rude.
So as candidates, self interest was once again on display. Go on with the debate because that empty podium gives me an advantage.
Forget Trump's inflammatory rhetoric. It wasn't only Trump who was calculating the possibilities. None of the assembled debaters were anything other than inconsiderate bores showing how incapable they are at handling something unexpected during a public event.
Perhaps someone did suggest waiting during the commercial break and was vetoed. If so, my apologies to that upstanding individual.
54
When I was growing up in Manhattan I knew where the ladies room was in every department store on Fifth Ave. It was very necessary knowledge believe me!
2
I am sure I am not alone in dubbing this potty incident one of the most inane campaign comeuppances in either all or at least recent history. It goes beyond stupid.
Where have we gone?
Where have we gone?
6
I have to add this because I saw a comment that is 100% right on .. they should have waited for her to go back to the podiums ....
8
This is how insane Trump can be ... first he brings it up, and I'm thinking who wants to really hear about this... and then he says it's disgusting, digging his ditch of nuttiness even deeper.
Anyway I though Miss Hillary went to have a Bong Hit ..
Anyway I though Miss Hillary went to have a Bong Hit ..
2
Typo in 2nd paragraph - it's transitioning WOMEN who need to use the ladies' room. They are WOMEN. Thanks.
2
They are most assuredly not.
1
"... it’s disgusting, I don’t want to talk about it....”, he said as he chose to talk about it. If he did not want to talk about it but he did anyway, he must have felt that "it" was something of great importance, something that needed to be talked about, due to its tremendous importance. Trump and Huckleberry rose to the occasion.
At least he has shown us a glimpse of the inner workings of his "mind" and his sense of priorities. This is most illuminating in evaluating him as a potential President of the United States.
At least he has shown us a glimpse of the inner workings of his "mind" and his sense of priorities. This is most illuminating in evaluating him as a potential President of the United States.
3
Why didn't they wait until Mrs. Clinton came back from the break to continue the debate???? I found that discourteous! Anyway .... GO BERNIE!
5
The Donald made a piss-poor comment not worthy of discussion and particularly not worthy of an editorial. We all need to start ignoring him and maybe, just maybe, he will go away!
3
Excellent choice of adjective!
No matter what the situation was at the women's restroom, the moderators of the debate should have shown the candidate the courtesy of waiting until all the candidates had returned to the stage. Trump's commentary on the situation was disgusting and it show's that he has contempt for women among the many groups of people for which he has already shown contempt. He is not Presidential material.
16
Would you feel the same way about Trump if he said this about Fiorina or Palin?
Seems to me that the point of all this is that Trump has neither the class, the brains, or the decorum to be President.
Using his stupidity to ramble on about such stupid things is a waste of time. Ms. Weiner is an expert as rambling on about subjects that are a waste of time. Trump is getting so much free exposure for all these incidents, and the public is stupid enough to listen.
As to Hillary, well, some of us plan a little farther ahead so we're not late to important meetings. Think about it next time a world leader is sitting in your office.
Using his stupidity to ramble on about such stupid things is a waste of time. Ms. Weiner is an expert as rambling on about subjects that are a waste of time. Trump is getting so much free exposure for all these incidents, and the public is stupid enough to listen.
As to Hillary, well, some of us plan a little farther ahead so we're not late to important meetings. Think about it next time a world leader is sitting in your office.
Astonishing that you would criticize her considering the 11-hour grilling she was subjected to unnecessarily, not too long ago, about Benghazi - and she participated with poise and leadership.
4
I know some world leaders. They use the bathroom too, sometimes during meetings. Most of them don't puke at state dinners, but a Bush was the exception.
8
I think I heard somewhere that Melania, the current Mrs. Trump, said in an interview that part of her happiness was that they had separate bathrooms. Now we understand.
8
Thank you! Separate bathrooms ... Love means never having to wait while he fixes his comb-over or practices his pouty snarl, never having to wonder if the catalogs of mail-order brides or ingénue photo-shoots stacked in his loo means you'll be replaced by a new model.....or worse yet, replaced by a full-sized plastic woman who never needs a bathroom break.
4
I'm sitting with my coffee reading today's Times online, as I do every morning, when all of a sudden I discover I've been transported back to the third grade--with Frankie and Jenny and everybody in my whole class squealing and yelling and jumping up and down about pee pee.
For America, this is truly a pathetic and sorry moment.
For America, this is truly a pathetic and sorry moment.
121
I agree. The NYTimes has hit an unbelievable low with this type of reporting. On the Opinion page no less.
1
Commenters here who complain that toilets are insignificant, why aren't we focusing on the REAL issues, have missed the point (maybe they should re-read it?). Ms. Weiner points out that something as simple as restrooms are stupidly inequitable by sex. Always sufficient and convenient for men; usually a bit insufficient and inconveniently located for women (example: Hilary's long hike); almost always insufficient for transgender people. There! Now you need not trouble yourselves to re-read it.
The first place I worked, in 1963 just outside Worcester, MA, had bathrooms--gender not specified. We were all expected to be well-educated and behaved adults who could handle it. Everyone did just fine.
Later in CA, one place I worked in one building there was no women's room. The women used the men's room in defiance or the indication that only males were expected to work in that building.
When there are enclosed stalls, there is no need for separate rooms for men and women--or there should be no need. So just grow up males and accept women as equals.
Later in CA, one place I worked in one building there was no women's room. The women used the men's room in defiance or the indication that only males were expected to work in that building.
When there are enclosed stalls, there is no need for separate rooms for men and women--or there should be no need. So just grow up males and accept women as equals.
10
At the 5k and 10k races in a city park, the line for the women's room was so long that some bright young women liberated the men's room.
When all-male educational institutions resisted coeducation, bathrooms were the front lines of the battle: we can't afford to double the number of bathrooms.
Opera is the entertainment of older people, and where are the long lines? Women's restrooms.
I once advocated (joke, people, joke) that architects should have a leg broken before graduation so that they understood the problems of the disabled. That was in the days when you might see a sign "Handicapped Restrooms Upstairs" with an arrow pointing to ... the stairs.
All God's children got bladders.
When all-male educational institutions resisted coeducation, bathrooms were the front lines of the battle: we can't afford to double the number of bathrooms.
Opera is the entertainment of older people, and where are the long lines? Women's restrooms.
I once advocated (joke, people, joke) that architects should have a leg broken before graduation so that they understood the problems of the disabled. That was in the days when you might see a sign "Handicapped Restrooms Upstairs" with an arrow pointing to ... the stairs.
All God's children got bladders.
55
This topic simply proves that in many open societies, the fact that human beings live in families headed by males can sometimes be a problem.
But the same can be said often when they are headed by women.
Perhaps our school curriculums might be due for rigorous training in how to protect each individual's personal dignity in the first place.
The time to start that training is obviously in kindergarten.
But the same can be said often when they are headed by women.
Perhaps our school curriculums might be due for rigorous training in how to protect each individual's personal dignity in the first place.
The time to start that training is obviously in kindergarten.
For years, I would chuckle at the lines to the Ladies room that seemed to instantly form in stadiums at sporting events - or get whiny when my wife wanted to stop at a rest area - yet again.
And then in my 60s, I was gifted with an enlarged prostate so that now I need to find facilities as often as - all to my humility and my wife's amusement.
And then in my 60s, I was gifted with an enlarged prostate so that now I need to find facilities as often as - all to my humility and my wife's amusement.
21
Bathrooms can surprise us.
When my wife was traveling in a hardscrabble part of the state and desperately needed relief, she came upon a ramshackle gas station which could have been seen in Eudora Welty's photo album. Reluctantly, she asked for the restroom and was directed there. She found an immaculately clean restroom complete with fresh flowers and took care of business. She tried to express her surprise and delight to the proprietress who interrupted her and, through her missing teeth, remarked: "I know...I get that look a lot. I used to spend hours cleaning the toilets but I finally gave up. I finally found it easier just to change the flowers."
People rise or sink to the level of our expectations.
When my wife was traveling in a hardscrabble part of the state and desperately needed relief, she came upon a ramshackle gas station which could have been seen in Eudora Welty's photo album. Reluctantly, she asked for the restroom and was directed there. She found an immaculately clean restroom complete with fresh flowers and took care of business. She tried to express her surprise and delight to the proprietress who interrupted her and, through her missing teeth, remarked: "I know...I get that look a lot. I used to spend hours cleaning the toilets but I finally gave up. I finally found it easier just to change the flowers."
People rise or sink to the level of our expectations.
8
Maybe this explains why we women are better when engaging in activities that require a lot of patience. Compare standing in front of a urinal, unzipping, peeing, zipping and leaving the restroom (no hand washing most of the time); with waiting on line for a stall, checking the condition and making sure it is clean, covering toilet, lifting skirt/unzipping and pulling down pants, pulling down hose if used, sitting, peeing, drying, reverting process with clothing, flushing toilet, washing and drying hands. We appreciate when the restroom is clearly identified and provided with enough stalls in public places. Really, this is a good topic for a political campaign.
53
I take issue with the "no hand washing most of the time" claim. Contrary to popular belief, men generally practice correct hygiene.
1
If only this was the year of the toilet for invisible people.
I have many homeless friends who spend a considerable part of their day searching for a bathroom. Our mayor will not even talk about the possibility of providing public restrooms even though some cities have successfully done so. Of course, there are plenty of obstacles and issues that would have to be addressed but making a good-faith attempt to provide public toilets for people trying to survive on the streets would at least acknowledge their humanity.
I have many homeless friends who spend a considerable part of their day searching for a bathroom. Our mayor will not even talk about the possibility of providing public restrooms even though some cities have successfully done so. Of course, there are plenty of obstacles and issues that would have to be addressed but making a good-faith attempt to provide public toilets for people trying to survive on the streets would at least acknowledge their humanity.
83
We human beings of whatever gender or sex all go to one room to urinate, defecate, wash, bathe and brush. But we frequently tend to euphemistically call that room the bath room or the rest room. Getting rid of human waste and cleanliness are essential. While kids talk about doing number one or number two, you would and should expect more from adults. Talking about certain natural normal biological functions make us uncomfortable. Sleeping with some one is another euphemism for another normal biological function. This whole discussion is immature, ignorant and intemperate.
2
Those who claim that long lines for women's bathrooms prove the existence of discrimination are ignoring elementary hydraulic differences. Men using urinals can complete their mission in a minute and one bathroom can process dozens of men at the same time. who can also use the stalls. Women take several minutes and are limited to the number of stalls. Non gender specific bathrooms are a stupid idea since they slow down the process to the lowest common denominator.
2
We aren't ignoring the differences; rather we are asking that the convenience be equalized. Providing the same number of disposal receptacles for each sex is not equality. If the entire process involved in urinating takes women four times as long, there should be three or four times the number of receptacles for them. (Putting stalls around each of the women's already costs more; we have crossed that Rubicon.)
When the City Center theater was remodeled a number of years ago, one of the welcome features was a significant enlargement of the women's restroom. Now everyone of both sexes could get through the line at intermission.
When the City Center theater was remodeled a number of years ago, one of the welcome features was a significant enlargement of the women's restroom. Now everyone of both sexes could get through the line at intermission.
5
Equality isn't everyone having exactly the same thing: equality is everyone having what they need. Up until now the question of need has been decided from one perspective. Now the idea of what is needed is being looked at from multiple perspectives and there's bound to be some changes.
24
If a person has the plumbing for a boys room. They are a boy. If they have the plumbing for a girls room. They are a girl. Very easy really. Once more let's take a vote on it.
1
Just want to mention that, coming from a country that often has one-size-fits-all facilities (only one for whoever may need it), I frequently find myself using the "men's room" instead of lining up behind the multitudes for the "lady's room" in the US. Since I gave birth to my child I need to "go" far more frequently. This situation should be taken into consideration by the "bathroom architects" so that the lady's room is larger until men are also able to give birth in the future...
6
Thank you! This is a subtle inequality the every woman has experienced, and too often silently accept the line... and the comments. I was so proud when my 83 year old mother quietly commandeered a nearby empty men's bathroom at a music concert, to help a pregnant woman in the usual long line at the woman's. "I'll be dead before the lunatics who design these places figure out we need twice as many stalls!" she commented. And she soon was, quietly dying in her seat 15 minutes after the intermission.
11
RIP. Good for her to stay active all the way through, I hope she had a good life, even if 83 is young.
Anyone who designs a public facility with equal sized restrooms should have their architecture degree revoked. The need for women's restrooms to have more stalls is obvious to just about everyone outside the architecture community.
Anyone who designs a public facility with equal sized restrooms should have their architecture degree revoked. The need for women's restrooms to have more stalls is obvious to just about everyone outside the architecture community.
2
The XO of my medical unit in Vietnam told of an experience he had in Japan on a prior assignment. New to the country, he was refueling his car and needed to use the toilet. As he stood in front of two doors with Japanese script that seemed obviously to be restroom entrances, he had no idea which was which. The question was soon answered when a woman entered one of the doors. Relieved, in a manner of speaking, of having to guess, he walked through the second door, only to find the woman he had just seen enter the first door squatting over a hole in the floor, with several identical holes along the wall.
He said that he still didn't know to that day if the Japanese had communal restroom facilities or if he had entered through the exit door. He also said, though it was a bit disconcerting, he managed to relieve himself (in another manner of speaking) and that the woman appeared not the least bit perturbed by his presence.
He said that he still didn't know to that day if the Japanese had communal restroom facilities or if he had entered through the exit door. He also said, though it was a bit disconcerting, he managed to relieve himself (in another manner of speaking) and that the woman appeared not the least bit perturbed by his presence.
3
Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance ( HERO), which was recently repealed by voters, offered broad protections against discrimination including gender identity, sexual orientation, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy and genetic information, as well as family, marital or military status. The right-wing made is all about bathrooms, even though bathrooms are not mentioned in the ordinance, arguing that men dressed as women, would enter women's restrooms to sexually assault women. I guess bathrooms are the new front of the culture wars. It's going to be a very long election.
5
Please! Stop! It's not a topic for discussion and dissection.
Whether the ladies room was too far, or Secretary Clinton's staff inept, even if it was a deliberate ploy on Clinton's part, which seems a bit grassy knoll, it doesn't matter. Is there no civility left, anywhere? No manners? No dignity?
Part of the problem rests with the moderators, who were at a total loss, and made it worse by being unable to ad lib, fill time, and instead, started the next question without Clinton. It exacerbated the situation.
The main problem rests with a crude businessman with no credentials to be president. And just because Trump was vile beyond words doesn't mean that we have to follow suit and keep discussing a commonplace biological function, and giving Trump more free press by replaying and replaying his diatribe.
Have we no shame? All of this is playing out on a world stage, and we look like utter fools. It's embarrassing in the extreme. We are all humiliated by this. All of us except Trump, who seems to reside permanently in middle school.
Whether the ladies room was too far, or Secretary Clinton's staff inept, even if it was a deliberate ploy on Clinton's part, which seems a bit grassy knoll, it doesn't matter. Is there no civility left, anywhere? No manners? No dignity?
Part of the problem rests with the moderators, who were at a total loss, and made it worse by being unable to ad lib, fill time, and instead, started the next question without Clinton. It exacerbated the situation.
The main problem rests with a crude businessman with no credentials to be president. And just because Trump was vile beyond words doesn't mean that we have to follow suit and keep discussing a commonplace biological function, and giving Trump more free press by replaying and replaying his diatribe.
Have we no shame? All of this is playing out on a world stage, and we look like utter fools. It's embarrassing in the extreme. We are all humiliated by this. All of us except Trump, who seems to reside permanently in middle school.
29
BRAVA for your commentary. What a waste so to speak, the whole discussion is.
1
This incident is but one among a myriad of instances that demonstrate our sad drift away from what enables us all to co-exist: common courtesy. Yes, I may have the Constitutional right to say whats on my mind, but often to exercise that right might be needlessly offensive to another person. I have the legal right to say your child is ugly, for example, but it would be rude and hurtful to do so. Commenting in public about the length of time a person has spent using a restroom is also rude and hurtful. Donny (I chose not to call him Mr. Trump) appears not to have a sense of civility. Should not that be enough to conclude he would be an embarrassment to the United States if he were to be elected to any office...but especially if he were to become our president?
102
I don't usually worry too much about lack of manners, but Donald Trump's comments the other day shocked me. I thought it was totally chauvinistic and middle-school. The man has a toilet for a mouth. The press should stop airing his vicious comments. He has no sense of shame.
3
There is some validity to the privacy-modesty issue, and it comes up most often, at least in my experience, when children are involved.
Both in the workplace, when I used to work in an office, and at the gyms where I work out, as well as in shopping malls and parks, opposite-sex children in toilets can be very rude and discomfiting. This is exclusively an issue of mothers and sons; years ago, when I used to attend gay-rights rallies, it was not unusual for a two-father family to ask me or another woman to escort their daughter into the women's restroom. Mothers think nothing of marching their sons in, though - at my gym, right past the sign that clearly says, no opposite-sex children over age 4, when these boys are almost old enough to shave. It's really creepy to sit in a stall, or stand behind a shower curtain, with two feet facing you on the other side, belonging to a curious kid waiting for a free show. However politely, explaining the problem to the entitled mommies (don't even think about talking to the boys directly!) is asking for a load of grief. And to top it off - there is a 'family changing room' with stalls with doors - they just don't use it.
Both in the workplace, when I used to work in an office, and at the gyms where I work out, as well as in shopping malls and parks, opposite-sex children in toilets can be very rude and discomfiting. This is exclusively an issue of mothers and sons; years ago, when I used to attend gay-rights rallies, it was not unusual for a two-father family to ask me or another woman to escort their daughter into the women's restroom. Mothers think nothing of marching their sons in, though - at my gym, right past the sign that clearly says, no opposite-sex children over age 4, when these boys are almost old enough to shave. It's really creepy to sit in a stall, or stand behind a shower curtain, with two feet facing you on the other side, belonging to a curious kid waiting for a free show. However politely, explaining the problem to the entitled mommies (don't even think about talking to the boys directly!) is asking for a load of grief. And to top it off - there is a 'family changing room' with stalls with doors - they just don't use it.
6
Definitely something women in non traditional roles undergo frequently. In my first job as a process engineer I worked in a sprawling plant where the only ladies room was in the front office. It took almost 10 minutes each way and I had to plan my work day around that walk during certain times each month. I was the first non-secretarial, non-order desk, therefore non front office female person in the plant. My "office" was in a construction trailer behind the manufacturing area at the back of the building. Two years after starting there they "converted" the shipping men's room into a co-ed facility. Thankfully it got cleaned a bit more often after they did that. That was the big nod to women in the workplace - when I left 6 years later there had been no further changes. Until I read this article I had really forgotten it. Didn't hold my career back and I doubt it did Hilary's either.
2
Shades of MIT in the late 1960's. There were so few "ladies' rooms" that one part of freshman education for incoming women was giving them a campus map with the locations thereof clearly marked. They were few and far between. It required planning, especially during heavy days of one's menstrual period. Some buildings had no toilet facilities for us.
4
When I was in graduate school, in math, about four decades ago, there was no women's restroom within what seemed like miles and all the substantive conversations among the guys continued in the men's room while I fumed outside. When I made partner in a fancy law firm, about three decades ago, the celebration was held in an all-male club where there was no women's restroom at all, period, and when nature called the few other women and I simply left, fuming. When I taught high school in a fancy private school, about one decade ago, there was one bathroom with two stalls for about forty female faculty, while the male faculty enjoyed acres of porcelain; I developed extraordinary sphincter muscles and continued to fume. I am tired of fuming. Next time I'll lead the charge to the men's room -- but, in the meantime, I applaud every one of these comments suggesting that this issue is not a matter of sniggering but rather is wholly substantive. Equity matters. Welcoming matters.
15
While were talking about this, I want to make a request. I want a replacement for M'am. M'am, as in M'am, you're just going to have to wait in the longer line for the women's bathroom, you're disturbing the men. As opposed to Sir, please wait, I'm speaking to this woman and I'll be with you in just a minute, no one if fooled that M'am and Sir are thought of equally.
The only person to whom this is respectfully said is the Queen of England. Every other woman grimaces, internally if not overtly every time she's addressed as M'am, usually with some implicit element of condescending sneer that if she points out becomes only open prey for another epithet not printable here that rhymes with witch.
All women have felt the social slap, especially when the more military style of "enforcement" accompanies the use of M'am in ordinary daily practice.
M'am is short for Madame meaning my lady. That a woman is politely referred to as the property of another still taints the way women are referred to this day. Even the English police recognize this demanding women officers be referred to as Sir. M'am is not and has never been equal to Sir.
I'm tired of having to smile in the face of veiled or overt insult now couched in the usage of M'am even from conservative women and resentful men who find every opportunity to insert anger and rebuke at anyone who is not like them.
M'am has got to go.
The only person to whom this is respectfully said is the Queen of England. Every other woman grimaces, internally if not overtly every time she's addressed as M'am, usually with some implicit element of condescending sneer that if she points out becomes only open prey for another epithet not printable here that rhymes with witch.
All women have felt the social slap, especially when the more military style of "enforcement" accompanies the use of M'am in ordinary daily practice.
M'am is short for Madame meaning my lady. That a woman is politely referred to as the property of another still taints the way women are referred to this day. Even the English police recognize this demanding women officers be referred to as Sir. M'am is not and has never been equal to Sir.
I'm tired of having to smile in the face of veiled or overt insult now couched in the usage of M'am even from conservative women and resentful men who find every opportunity to insert anger and rebuke at anyone who is not like them.
M'am has got to go.
5
For heaven's sake, Southerners take their "M'ams" and "Sirs" seriously, as genuine marks of respect. We should encourage more use of "M'am" and "Sir" from everyone.
The New York Times, always tackling the hard issues like, is Donald Trump a misogynist, or "Is it offensive for Trump to say 'schlonged'?" Reading this newspaper is like talking to a liberal friend with mild dementia. The Times sees what is happening in the world, and responds to it, but apart from observations about the obvious, the paper is totally out of touch.
6
Ever since someone mistook me for a man in the ladies washroom, I've taken advantage of my tomboy looks and crash the men's room with impunity whenever I want. Sometimes I do it even when there are no lineups, just for fun. Can't beat em, join em, I say.
20
I've often wanted to suggest as I left the men's loo that a woman waiting six deep for the same purpose that she might just sail in past the urinals to the first available stall. As an older guy with an insistent urge to pee, it's time to get over her inhibitions and go do what comes naturally. Peeing is not very sexy.
3
More of us women of a certain age are doing that, especially in many restaurants and other places where it is obvious that each sex-labelled space is single occupancy anyway.
3
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-il. The only 2 humans with magic colons I guess, who have never needed to poop
6
All these articles lambasting Trump's narcissism, crudeness, bullying tactics and inappropriate remarks give him exactly what he wants: more and more publicity. I just wish the media would stop covering his every utterance but he's all about entertainment and that's what people love.
31
90% of Trump's appeal comes from the negative response his comments engender. This proves that he is not a prisoner of political correctness. The more outrageous his comments, the more uniform the rejection, and the higher he rises in the polls. The media is being played by a maestro.
After D. Trump, obnoxious candidate, once again becomes D. Trump, obnoxious-private-citizen-with-a-need-to-see-his-name-attached-to-walls-in-public-places, maybe he can drop a few billion on creating a network of public toilets in NYC. After walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan across the Bridge last spring, I waited 45 minutes in (or, as New Yorkers say, on) line for the bathroom at Starbucks, the only porcelain seat for blocks around.
A golden opportunity to be of public service, Mr. T: the Trump Flush. Pay-to-pee, naturally.
A golden opportunity to be of public service, Mr. T: the Trump Flush. Pay-to-pee, naturally.
12
Starbucks ought to offer straight catheterization for it's clients. Perhaps there is a connection between such a need and venom for others among democrats.
I cannot imagine one woman in the U.S. voting for Trump, even his third wife.
73
That's the shocking part, seeing all these women in his rallies and audience, lapping up every word he utters..
5
Right wing loons see conspiracy while left wing opportunists see a rights issue. Apparently there is no bottom.
4
They're hysterical because she went to the bathroom. That means she'll be president for sure.
13
We have degenerated as a nation into topics so petty and so mean-spirited that I still find it shocking, despite the fact that I grew up with this nasty generation and was a victim of it as a child. My generation has become tolerant, even complicit to crude sniping and ugly behavior, and these callous demonstrations by so-called presidential contenders of my generation only serve to underscore how fragile our social fabric truly is. It scares me.
35
Being this apparently is the day of the bathroom, perhaps someone could answer a question I have. I was recently in Israel and had an occasion to use the men's room in a Jewish establishment. Over the urinal was an official sign which stated " This facility desecrates the Sabbath " No one was able to tell me why the sign was there. An answer would be appreciated.
5
More info, please....what kind of establishment? A restaurant open on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday?) Not many in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but some, and many more in Haifa where (GASP!) the public buses run on Saturday! A hotel bathroom with hot air hand dryers which turn on when the beam you break the light beam? Or perhaps entrance doors that open when you approach (same concept as the hand dryers)? Of course, if someone is not Jewish, they don't have to follow those rules...
*sigh* There are fanatics everywhere...
*sigh* There are fanatics everywhere...
2
Yes, Ms. Weiner, let's pass a law requiring every school to demolish and rebuild their restrooms. Maybe we can get some of the money by eliminating wasteful math and science classes. We certainly would not want to cut into the Sex and Gender education curriculum, of course!
Apparently the good people of Michigan and the national press were not sufficiently aroused by his word choice describing how Obama beat Hillary in 2008. He had to go descriptively deeper and dumber to generate this week's dose of free publicity...and perhaps reveal something envious about himself.
4
Years ago I worked for an investment firm, where there were men's rooms on every floor and women's rooms every fourth floor. It didn't take long to get the message, but it took a very long time to go to the bathroom.
28
As my four-year old grandson would say to The Donald, "You have a potty mouth." But that's how far the Republicans have "dumbed down" the political discourse. Or, it is now just diss-coarse?
21
This should tell every voter how desperate and venal the Republicans are, to make an issue of a woman needing a minute longer for a bathroom break.
Sanders had a good time making fun of their shallowness!
Sanders had a good time making fun of their shallowness!
23
Easily the least significant opinion piece the Times has ever published.
9
Says a man who has never waited in long lines to 'relieve' himself.
1
The column raises an important point that seems lost on you, Mr. Williams, and which your dismissiveness only underlines: we men take the issue for granted. And it's not just public bathrooms; they are only indicative. I think you should read the column more carefully.
2
Nonsense, and excuse me, but only a non-trans guy would think that.
1
Only the WWII-era Japanese propaganda posters of Eleanor squawking to Franklin whilst on her chamber pot have even approached the sordid level of this latest gaffe. Certainly one may see that the United States is no longer a great nation, but one that has voluntarily hopped into the proverbial bowl along with the entire 2016 presidential caravan.
10
Hey CNN - did you impolitely resume questioning before the front-runner's return in order to encourage Trump to make a nasty boy comment to add spark to your poor coverage? Where is your sense of both equality and decorum and just plain good manners. We expect potty-mouthed Trump's schoolyard comments, but we foolishly expected more from you.
29
I understand Mr Trump has a phobia for germs so it's quite natural for him to be unable to contemplate going to the bathroom without a sense of disgust.....
I suggest extended therapy for his poopooophobia.
I suggest extended therapy for his poopooophobia.
14
Well, woman have certain disadvantages over men, but at least they are not handicapped by the psychosis triggering hormone, testosterone. Please try to show some understanding of what men have to overcome in order to function with reasonable rationality in the modern world. Evolution can't happen quick enough to make this easy for us. Men are designed for the jungle. Trump might be a real star there.
8
A woman does NOT need to wiggle out of a skirt as the female writer of this article suggested. She pulls it up. A woman DOES need to wiggle out of pants which is what Hillary had on. It's usually faster when a woman wears a skirt especially if she doesn't have to worry about pantyhose.
4
esp:
And women usually always wear pantyhoses, especially in the winter, in case you haven't noticed.
And women usually always wear pantyhoses, especially in the winter, in case you haven't noticed.
1
My right to privacy is under attack, and Mx. Hillary does not care. How shameful. Seems there is no where one can get 'rest'. Best we adopt the airline model, one for one. Best this be a jobs program for America. Let us find 'stall ready' projects on our way to financial ruin.
I think the article is perfect, and fitting for the the Times and our times. It begs a thousand questions, regarding, race, gender, equality and politics. And it pokes at the current hysteria in modern politics, about who and what is P.C. and what is not. Going to the bathroom should not even register on the scale. It’s human nature.
First, why should anyone have to excuse themselves or even apologize for having to go to the bathroom? And the time we take to use the facilities is a personal choice, not someting that should be timed. Perhaps Mrs. Clinton simply washed her hands after? Perhaps someone ought to ask The Donald what is hand washing habits are after visiting the Mens' room.
And didn’t at least one of our former presidents, invite advisers in to the loo when he had something on his mind, besides relieving himself?
Hillary Clinton should not have apolgized for being in the bathroom, in fact she should have said like it was, she had to visit the Ladies’ room.
Likewise, it was totally rude of ABC News to continue the debate, without Mrs. Clinton present. They should have simply ran another round of commercials or had a filler until all the contestants where back on stage. It’s TV and TV is about fixing things and improvising as we go along.
So enough about bathroom breaks, let the politicians get back to work and the candidates back to debating the issues of our times.
First, why should anyone have to excuse themselves or even apologize for having to go to the bathroom? And the time we take to use the facilities is a personal choice, not someting that should be timed. Perhaps Mrs. Clinton simply washed her hands after? Perhaps someone ought to ask The Donald what is hand washing habits are after visiting the Mens' room.
And didn’t at least one of our former presidents, invite advisers in to the loo when he had something on his mind, besides relieving himself?
Hillary Clinton should not have apolgized for being in the bathroom, in fact she should have said like it was, she had to visit the Ladies’ room.
Likewise, it was totally rude of ABC News to continue the debate, without Mrs. Clinton present. They should have simply ran another round of commercials or had a filler until all the contestants where back on stage. It’s TV and TV is about fixing things and improvising as we go along.
So enough about bathroom breaks, let the politicians get back to work and the candidates back to debating the issues of our times.
14
She did not apologize for going to the bathroom. She apologized for being late, which is just courteous behavior. A shame Mr. Trump did not attend class the day they taught it at New York Military Academy. He certainly didn't learn it at home.
4
We've reached the lowest point when the media vultures pounce on and belabors the issue of a woman's biological functions. Nothing's sacred, no subject is too delicate to mention, and society's flushing itself down the toilet. Used to be journalists would abide by an unwritten code of mutual respect, privacy, dignity and objectivity, but in today's world, they're urging society to do away with any sense of what once was considered unacceptable and inappropriate, something that Mr. Trump has also forgotten. Hope all the ladies are paying attention.
6
Jennifer is not a journalist, she a writer of (often funny, sometimes poignant) fiction and this is an op-ed piece, though she does bring up culturally valid points. Toilet equality harks back to whites only bathrooms, now women would like more parity.
2
My understanding of the results of what is produced during a toilet break is
one of creativity. Bodily fluids should be respected.
one of creativity. Bodily fluids should be respected.
3
When I tended bar I had to listen to morons like Trump expound upon every topic under the sun, but at least I got paid for my suffering. I refuse to listen to this jerk for free.
228
Republicans are stupid and unserious to make this a discussion.
2
Would the story have been different if Jebra had said it instead of Donald?
1
I think Mr. Trump has created a subtle resistance turning point for
himself. A prior Republican whom referred to our future president
during the debates as "That one".
himself. A prior Republican whom referred to our future president
during the debates as "That one".
The truth is actually more interesting as the GOP despises the female pelvic floor as too complicated and dangerous to turn on the lights. Donald Trump clearly is a lights-out, two minute wonder-boy type. Females are designed to be Barbie dolls and the moment or two required for procreation can be accomplished without any substantive touching. This begs the question of GOP women and what is their psychological makeup. Keeping-in-mind GOP men, their bibles and guns, GOP women might likely be repressed, depressed and Sara Palin wound-up-tight types.
2
America needs more public toilets. 24/7. Not fancy ones. But clean and functional and reasonably clean. If vandalism and trashing are a problem, then ones with paid human attendants. And all places that serve/sell liquid drinks ought to be required to have them. Where exactly do they (the sellers) think that liquid is going to go?
11
The Clinton haters don't miss a chance to criticize her- even when it comes to bathroom breaks. How petty can people get?
12
A very significant portion of the American people finds Ms. Clinton untrustworthy. The list of reasons is too long for a comment here, but I'll mention one. Remember her huge profit on cattle futures, which she attributed to reading the Wall Street Journal? If that were all it takes to be a successful commodity speculator the whole world would be rich. When this was reported on television news the looks on Wall Streeter faces were a convincing counterpoint. I write as a Journal reader for many decades. It takes a little more than that to be a successful investor.
As for those who make an issue of this bathroom break, I think it's safe to say they are a distinct minority of those who do not trust Hillary Clinton. So I hope Ms. Weiner will back up her case with more than this.
As for those who make an issue of this bathroom break, I think it's safe to say they are a distinct minority of those who do not trust Hillary Clinton. So I hope Ms. Weiner will back up her case with more than this.
1
It seems Mx Clinton had a problem because she would have had to share a washroom. That's her privilege of course but possibly she might have made arrangements for a private potty prior to the debate.
1
This request will now be added to the tedious list of pre-debate negotiations, each of the candidate teams engages. Adulthood and common decency appear to have drifted yet further away this election cycle.
1
"Mx" ? Do you have evidence that Hillary Clinton has ever expressed a desire to use that term for herself? You don't have the right to choose it.
Everyone needs bathroom breaks: to make this into a political statement or suggest there is anything else going on is demagoguery and vile.
Everyone needs bathroom breaks: to make this into a political statement or suggest there is anything else going on is demagoguery and vile.
1
For a Party that has made fealty to a judicially ersatz "right of privacy" its litmus test fetish, it is peculiarly silent about the one place one would hope privacy exists--in the single sex bathroom, which recognizes sex is a state of biology, not of mind.
Hillary should've really stirred the potty and shown up all the male chauvinists by taking a cue from the desperate women attending Broadway shows - and used the nearest men's room. Disgusting - not. Emphatic - very much so.
50
It happens. I was at the urinal of a men's room in a packed theater on Broadway. It was intermission. The ladies' room I passed had a queue snaking all over the lobby. The men's room provided immediate service. Suddenly, a tall, middle aged women walked into the men's room, sauntered to a stall, and took care of business.
My fellow travelers and I at the urinal craned our necks to behold the specter. "Good for her!" one guy called out, and we all broke down in laughter, which, as you know, resulted in several seconds more bathroom time as we all pressed the reset button.
My fellow travelers and I at the urinal craned our necks to behold the specter. "Good for her!" one guy called out, and we all broke down in laughter, which, as you know, resulted in several seconds more bathroom time as we all pressed the reset button.
Amen, brother! I just took my kids to see The Book of Mormon. We had a great time--except for seeing the enormous line that immediately formed at the ladies' room while the men just popped in and out of their facility. My daughter and I are used to scooting fast and missing out on the chance to buy a souvenir or snack. Other business takes precedent!
Much ado about nothing! Toilet stalls, insulated for sound, with doors from floor to ceiling remove all controversy and insure maximum privacy.
Stalls here in France are usually designed in this manner even though there may still be separate restrooms for men and women.
Recently, in a shopping center in Avignon, I found the men's room closed for cleaning. The men simply, without hesitation, switched to the lady's room with floor to ceiling doors and maximum privacy. The women registered no concern and continued washing their hands at the sinks next to the men.
Any one of any gender or sexual orientation can use these public restrooms in France with no discrimination or bad vibes.
Stalls here in France are usually designed in this manner even though there may still be separate restrooms for men and women.
Recently, in a shopping center in Avignon, I found the men's room closed for cleaning. The men simply, without hesitation, switched to the lady's room with floor to ceiling doors and maximum privacy. The women registered no concern and continued washing their hands at the sinks next to the men.
Any one of any gender or sexual orientation can use these public restrooms in France with no discrimination or bad vibes.
166
As we contemplate the horror that is the Republican field, there needs to be sanity.
At least 2, maybe 4 SCOTUS appointments for the next president.
Democrats, Independants - this should be the deciding factor in a vote in 2016.
Abhorrent, disgusting as you may find Trump, is there any shred of doubt that he is preferable to all the other Republicans when it comes to women's rights?
Or, that he might nominate Thomas, Scalia, Alito clones to SCOTUS.
Note, a Bush gave us Thomas, Alito - Jeb!! expect the same. Rubio came out straight in the first debate - a woman who has an abortion, well, it's murder!
Keep some sanity especially if you're a person who has problems with Hillary!
At least 2, maybe 4 SCOTUS appointments for the next president.
Democrats, Independants - this should be the deciding factor in a vote in 2016.
Abhorrent, disgusting as you may find Trump, is there any shred of doubt that he is preferable to all the other Republicans when it comes to women's rights?
Or, that he might nominate Thomas, Scalia, Alito clones to SCOTUS.
Note, a Bush gave us Thomas, Alito - Jeb!! expect the same. Rubio came out straight in the first debate - a woman who has an abortion, well, it's murder!
Keep some sanity especially if you're a person who has problems with Hillary!
26
And please note that Bernie Sanders in national polls beats the GOP with the widest margins, double HRC's margin. So we're twice as likely to get a progressive SCOTUS with Bernie as nominee & president than with HRC … not to mention her being financed so heavily by Wall St.
2
Personally, I thought Hillary had already used the restroom and was on the phone with Bill...but hey, if The Chump thinks urination is disgusting, he can stop doing it. I certainly wouldn't cry if he developed a fatal case of uremic poisoning...
40
This immediately came off as a stunt. A stunt that felt emblematic of the sort of token activism one would associate with the Clintons. (e.g. Bill discovering executive powers and "No Taxation Without Representation" DC license plates in his last week in office.) There are laws about equal numbers of toilets for women and men. That fight is mostly won and done. But Hillary couldn't resist making some cheap hay from it.
Sure, for trans people it is still a very real fight. But it's laughable to think that Hillary was trying to make a point for them, especially given her 'be wrong first on gay marriage, then save face and evolve' strategy of the past. Save this piece, I've seen no one, not least of which someone from the Clinton campaign, try to say she was.
This was about Hillary trying to score points with a certain demographic of women, who quite rightly fought this fight some time ago, and thankfully won. But it's the sort of meaningless token activism Centrist Democrats are want to insultingly pull. Especially frustrating when there is such a real and present danger of reproductive rights being rolled back.
The university and ABC also come off looking silly in all of this too. It's 2015. Why exactly couldn't the restroom labeled 'Mens' be temporarily converted to a unisex restroom for the duration of the debate to facilitate ease of access for all debate participants?
It's not the Democratic Party that has "wide stance" hanky panky issues in public restrooms.
Sure, for trans people it is still a very real fight. But it's laughable to think that Hillary was trying to make a point for them, especially given her 'be wrong first on gay marriage, then save face and evolve' strategy of the past. Save this piece, I've seen no one, not least of which someone from the Clinton campaign, try to say she was.
This was about Hillary trying to score points with a certain demographic of women, who quite rightly fought this fight some time ago, and thankfully won. But it's the sort of meaningless token activism Centrist Democrats are want to insultingly pull. Especially frustrating when there is such a real and present danger of reproductive rights being rolled back.
The university and ABC also come off looking silly in all of this too. It's 2015. Why exactly couldn't the restroom labeled 'Mens' be temporarily converted to a unisex restroom for the duration of the debate to facilitate ease of access for all debate participants?
It's not the Democratic Party that has "wide stance" hanky panky issues in public restrooms.
8
Then again, maybe she just had to pee.
14
You really think this was a stunt? I'm no big Hillary fan, but I am female and you'd be surprised, Mister, at what can happen when women are trying to rush in and out of the bathroom. Agreed, though, that ABC could have made some sort of accommodation. But stunt? You try the mad dash female bathroom break, pal, then let's talk.
9
Don't be ridiculous. Ms. Clinton is perfectly capable of using her voice to make a point if that is what she wanted to do. She's certainly above going to the restroom as a stunt.
2
One of the great luxuries of living in this country is that there are bathrooms everywhere. And free. When I go to Europe I am thankful for all the McDonald's and Starbuck's businesses everywhere. You can always count on them having a bathroom even if you have to get a code to get in. And we need them to keep our kidneys healthy. Insurance is not free in this country. And it's worse now with Obamacare: you pay for insurance, but still have to pay for healthcare. That is what is disgusting.
3
In Italy, and possibly other western European countries, it is acceptable to go into a bar to use the restroom without having to purchase anything. Nobody says a word. Very civilized IMO.
3
Please remind us when we didn't have to pay for both health insurance and for co-pays and co-insurance. I have never had that experience.
3
This article and all of the discussion of Hillary Clinton's bathroom break provide even more evidence of the low state to which American politics has sunk.
Over here in Germany, Angela Merkel has been chancellor for ten years. And not once, not on any occasion has there ever been any discussion of her bathroom needs or habits. Come to think of it, I never heard anything like that in connection with Margaret Thatcher either, nor with regard to any male candidates or leaders.
Americans really need to get a grip and focus on the issues for a change.
Over here in Germany, Angela Merkel has been chancellor for ten years. And not once, not on any occasion has there ever been any discussion of her bathroom needs or habits. Come to think of it, I never heard anything like that in connection with Margaret Thatcher either, nor with regard to any male candidates or leaders.
Americans really need to get a grip and focus on the issues for a change.
298
Expat Annie - Agreed that America needs to get a grip and focus on the issues for a change. With any luck. we will hopefully have less articles about Trump's foolish utterances to read in the future, and more about substance (today, for example, the Times published Bernie's Sanders' column on his excellent suggestions to fix the Fed. Let's cross our fingers that this is a real trend -
Bernie is finally starting to get some ink!
Bernie is finally starting to get some ink!
3
"Donald J. Trump, also a presidential contender. “I know where she went — it’s disgusting, I don’t want to talk about it.”
As he talks about it. Interesting after listening to many of the long winded monologues of Mr. Trump, it would not be unreasonable to assume one of the unmentionables he may be referring to; would smell like ice cream on his own trips to the restroom.
As he talks about it. Interesting after listening to many of the long winded monologues of Mr. Trump, it would not be unreasonable to assume one of the unmentionables he may be referring to; would smell like ice cream on his own trips to the restroom.
12
I've had time to think this issue over, as I struggle past the Men's room then the regular Women's stalls to barely (hopefully) make it to the Handicapped Stall with the Blasted-Bars I need to get back up!
I must travel extensively, and often find every regular stall empty, but but the precious few Accessible stalls are full.
I must travel extensively, and often find every regular stall empty, but but the precious few Accessible stalls are full.
24
All the joking aside, in 2015 America a woman going to the toilet should not be such a big cause for a fuss, should it? All sensible folks need to take a moment and ask ourselves whether we are really sliding in our standards sometimes. ABC could have given the lady 5 more minutes before resuming the program. The DNC has been (allegedly) designing these debates in Mrs. Clinton's favor, couldn't they have factored in a bathroom break situation?
Finally, the criticism of her not wanting to share a bathroom with someone else who was already there. She has Secret Service protection, doesn't she? Do you tihink they might have had a say in that?
Anyway, while we are talking about improving the lot of women in India & Africa (especially in the availability of toilet facilities and civic hygiene training), the Middle East (recognition of women as equal in society and removing outdated, patriarchal constraints and taboos on their personal lifestyles), we need to ask ourselves if we are quick to abandon our principles and standards in our keenness to indulge in salacious gossip. Never mind Trump, we all need to examine our conduct first.
Finally, the criticism of her not wanting to share a bathroom with someone else who was already there. She has Secret Service protection, doesn't she? Do you tihink they might have had a say in that?
Anyway, while we are talking about improving the lot of women in India & Africa (especially in the availability of toilet facilities and civic hygiene training), the Middle East (recognition of women as equal in society and removing outdated, patriarchal constraints and taboos on their personal lifestyles), we need to ask ourselves if we are quick to abandon our principles and standards in our keenness to indulge in salacious gossip. Never mind Trump, we all need to examine our conduct first.
33
Who complains when Roger or Nadal takes a quick break during championship games? Hillary does it during what could easily be called a championship playoff, and people are offended? Feel compelled to make rude comments? Really? Oh, I forgot, Trump has the mindset of a pre-teen.
56
There you go again, insulting pre-teens. I'd substitute amoeba, or turnip, or carrot, but that would be insulting amoebas, turnips or carrots. Fie on Trump!
2
Are you kidding? Nothing Hillary does is not tactical. This has nothing to do with gender equality or ladies rooms - it has to do with a ruthless politician who will use every trick in the book to make sure media attention is focused on her and not on Bernie Sanders, who happens to pose a real a threat to her coronation. Bernie is the real feminist candidate in the race - and it was Bernie who was trying to answer a debate question when Hillary so calculatingly made her late return to the podium. Get real.
37
@Bea Stern in New York - I have to say that that comment that Hillary intentionally took longer in the john so that she could distract from Bernie's fine answer is one of the more nonsensical statements I have seen lately.
I presume you are a woman, so surely you know that it takes us a bit longer to do the job? Clearly you are a Bernie supporter; from the sound of your post, you seem to also loathe Hillary. Fine. Criticize her for her policies or what she says. If Bernie's candidacy is so weak that another debater returning to the stage threatens his chances, well then he has no chance, does he?
I presume you are a woman, so surely you know that it takes us a bit longer to do the job? Clearly you are a Bernie supporter; from the sound of your post, you seem to also loathe Hillary. Fine. Criticize her for her policies or what she says. If Bernie's candidacy is so weak that another debater returning to the stage threatens his chances, well then he has no chance, does he?
16
Insane.
6
Oh, come on. People gotta pee.
14
Donald Trump is the most vile, disrespectful, ignorant, racist and uninformed candidate ever to run for president in my lifetime. I was born in 1959.
147
I agree -- and I was born in 1930.
7
I was born in 1945 and Trump still wins that distinction.......... although Strom Thurmond is on his heels
2
One could make an exception for George Wallace, with some pity as he was wounded by an assassin's bullet.
1
In graduate school in 2003 I studied Engineering at UC Berkeley and the bathrooms were a subtle reminder that women had only been added to the field in the last 30-40 years. The men had a beautiful bathroom on every floor with marble and windows etc(we would use them late at night in protest of a creepy walk to the basement) but during the busy day we could either go to the (3) floors down to three cramped stalls with no natural light with a line or across a bridge on the forth floor to another building where there was a single stall. I was reminded how bummed I was the first time I saw the expansive men's room on our floor with Hilary's "sorry". It took a long time to run down three flights of stairs before class and I was oft annoyed my male colleagues didn't have to do the sprint. So we learn to run and hope Trump doesn't get the chance "make America great again" before Hillary might actually make it better for women and girls.
131
Sounds like a perfect opportunity for a protest. If the women in the school started routinely using the men's room, I bet there would be a quick fix.
2
"What does a bathroom mean? It means welcome." Only in the U.S.
5
Port-A Pottys for everyone!!! Just watch out for splinters.
1
Remember he good old days BB (Before Bernie) when Hillary Rodham Clinton was the Right's favorite socialist to kick around?
1
Why did they pick a venue that had bathrooms so far away?
Shouldn't Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her people done a better job of finding a venue to was more suitable to Hillary?
Couldn't they have shown the debate on a delay to avoid this from happening?
I do hope my party doesn't mock Hillary about this the way Democrats mocked Rubio for sipping water during a response to an Obama speech. It was a cheap shot at beset. To mock Hillary would a classles thing to do. Let's hope that Democrats remember this in the future.
Shouldn't Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her people done a better job of finding a venue to was more suitable to Hillary?
Couldn't they have shown the debate on a delay to avoid this from happening?
I do hope my party doesn't mock Hillary about this the way Democrats mocked Rubio for sipping water during a response to an Obama speech. It was a cheap shot at beset. To mock Hillary would a classles thing to do. Let's hope that Democrats remember this in the future.
5
Donald Trump's bad boy -- little boy -- behavior embarrasses the whole country. He acts like a child. I am fairly sure he is going to pull Hillary Clinton's hair and run soon.
42
The Iraq War proved that Mrs. Clinton lacks the analytical abilities to lead America as the president. The president must be the smartest person in the White House. If anybody else is smarter over there, such a person should not be an adviser but the president.
Can you believe that Hillary attacked Mr. Trump as a sexist? That’s absolutely wrong conclusion. Donald can be anything but he isn’t a sexist. He treats both the men and the women in equally bad ways, with a bunch of personal insults and bullies both men and women.
Mr. Trump would be a sexist only if he treated the women worse or differently than the men. That’s not the case at all. He is just a bully.
The president should be a person smart enough to make a clear distinction between a bully and a sexist.
Not being able to make the correct conclusions is the reason why she failed to stand up to the wrong majority in the Congress and refuse to authorize the Iraq War.
If she believes that any American deserves the right to another $5 trillion mistake, that’s just another reason not to send her to the White House…
Having very rich experience in keeping America on the wrong course over the last few decades is not a proper qualification for being the great leader in the future…
Can you believe that Hillary attacked Mr. Trump as a sexist? That’s absolutely wrong conclusion. Donald can be anything but he isn’t a sexist. He treats both the men and the women in equally bad ways, with a bunch of personal insults and bullies both men and women.
Mr. Trump would be a sexist only if he treated the women worse or differently than the men. That’s not the case at all. He is just a bully.
The president should be a person smart enough to make a clear distinction between a bully and a sexist.
Not being able to make the correct conclusions is the reason why she failed to stand up to the wrong majority in the Congress and refuse to authorize the Iraq War.
If she believes that any American deserves the right to another $5 trillion mistake, that’s just another reason not to send her to the White House…
Having very rich experience in keeping America on the wrong course over the last few decades is not a proper qualification for being the great leader in the future…
4
Bullying is often based on insecurity.
The Donald's bullying in particular seems to me based on insecurity.
Do we want that in a President? Do we dare have a large measure of that in a President?
That seems to me far more important than toilet issues.
Anyway, a restroom for women is more important, more welcoming, than whether all the urinals were pulled out when it was re-designated. That struck me as reaching too far to find insult. The Donald offers plenty of insult without going in search of the unneeded urinals.
The Donald's bullying in particular seems to me based on insecurity.
Do we want that in a President? Do we dare have a large measure of that in a President?
That seems to me far more important than toilet issues.
Anyway, a restroom for women is more important, more welcoming, than whether all the urinals were pulled out when it was re-designated. That struck me as reaching too far to find insult. The Donald offers plenty of insult without going in search of the unneeded urinals.
18
RE: "Mr. Trump would be a sexist only if he treated the women worse or differently than the men. " He does treat them differently. Maybe some are deaf to it, but when it comes to women he uses especially misogynistic and pejorative terms and phrases while with men. While some men earn his scorn they are still men in Trump's eyes.
4
Manly men never go to the bathroom. It's a sign of being feminine and that is unacceptable in someone who wants to be president. There are many unwritten rules that women rule afoul of. This is one of them.
131
So what do 'manly men' do? Go on the floor anywhere they want, or hold it so long that they have ruined their kidneys in 10 years?
2
If this is the type of intelligent discussion we are going to see in electing our first white woman president, maybe we should wait... This is simply not an issue that ought to be discussed as a main voting issue, when our soldiers are overseas getting killed.
Wait until peacetime for the silly stuff, girls.
Wait until peacetime for the silly stuff, girls.
Melda, Carol's making a joke.
3
I visited my daughter now living and working in Frankfurt, Germany, and we went to the bookfair together. She told me "Dad, I need to go pee." The lines in front of the women's toilet Were endless. So she walked into the men's bathroom. It had no line. She came out relieved. Maybe that is the difference between being in your early 40s compared to your 60s.
21
Well, I'm 81, and I have often used the men's when there's a line for the women's and the men's is sitting there empty. Except for a pang of envy as I get ready, the urinal doesn't bother me at all.
3
Being from New York, I've had at least a quarter-century long exposure to DT. I'm trying avoid uttering his name since it's the most over-used word in the English language right now. No remark is too mean or stupid for this candidate. He is the Anti-Empathy. Unfortunately, he's not that different from most of his Republican colleagues.
97
"Unfortunately, he's not that different from most of his Republican colleagues."
They are hiding behind him. They pretend to be on the side of reason because even they can say The Donald goes too far. But he goes in the same direction they go, and not that much farther.
They are hiding behind him. They pretend to be on the side of reason because even they can say The Donald goes too far. But he goes in the same direction they go, and not that much farther.
45
Think about him when you are sitting down today to relieve yourself, Ellen?
lol. He always gets the last laugh because of the media fixations, it seems!
lol. He always gets the last laugh because of the media fixations, it seems!
Rather than apologize for being late, Hillary could have seized the opportunity to enter into a discussion about the gender disparity issue against women in the provision of public toilets. Why do designers, owners and operators of public buildings, such as convention conference centers, hotels, airports, train stations, stadiums, movie houses, supermarkets, offices, factories and shopping malls never think it fit to provide more public toilets, in direct proportion to women and to women proportional representation in our populations? Hillary might have mentioned that even in the US Capitol, until recently, congresswomen and women senators were forced to use restrooms far away from the House and Senate floors, causing some to miss important votes. Though the issue of inadequate accommodations may be trivial to some, restroom gender parity is an issue that impacts a woman’s health and her quality of life. Speak up, Hillary!
Carol Olmert
Author, "Bathrooms Make Me Nervous"
Carol Olmert
Author, "Bathrooms Make Me Nervous"
31
This is partly a failure on the part of Hilary's people, who should have scoped out the facilities or made other arrangements for the short break. There's an element of this called "show business" and you can be sure they'll know where the ladies' room is at the next venue. Cher probably has twelve helpers during a concert costume change and she's not auditioning for the most powerful job in the world.
That said, Hilary is smart enough that she'll find a way to use this and perhaps, if elected, to change the sorry situation of women's facilities in public spaces around the country. It's neither pie-in-the-sky nor wacko. Now that there are more women in the medical professions, more attention is paid to women's health issues. There are plenty of practical issues facing women (and women's bodies) that having a woman in charge for a change could really make a difference. Mr. Trump is one reminder that it's time for a woman president, Hilary's late return from a bathroom break should be another.
That said, Hilary is smart enough that she'll find a way to use this and perhaps, if elected, to change the sorry situation of women's facilities in public spaces around the country. It's neither pie-in-the-sky nor wacko. Now that there are more women in the medical professions, more attention is paid to women's health issues. There are plenty of practical issues facing women (and women's bodies) that having a woman in charge for a change could really make a difference. Mr. Trump is one reminder that it's time for a woman president, Hilary's late return from a bathroom break should be another.
98
Yes. Women may have this issue to deal with, but they do deal with it better, or their staff does. Women don't routinely walk on to a TV set late, or show up for national prime time events, because of this. That was a screw up.
2
Only a man would call a woman using a restroom a "screwup". We women know better and believe me, we know the restroom placements are inconvenient compared to men's access.
3
Huma Abedin did scope out the situation. The women's room was much further away than the men 's room--nothing to be done about that. She timed it at a minute and a half each way. Apparently another woman had an urgency issue and Huma let her in first. The Secret Service would not let Mrs. Clinton use the bathroom until it was cleared. This has all been covered on other sites.
2
I'm surprised this piece overlooked the pleasures of cramming yourself into a tiny stall with a toddler and infant. How dare a mother try to take small children in public alone!
As for unnecessary urinals, we just stuck plants in the ones in my college dorm.
But humorous anecdotes of first world bathroom frustrations aside, bathroom access is a matter of life and death for many women around the world. In places without toilets in every home, women face the risk of attack any time nature calls at night. Others abandon school when shame about bodily functions meets a schoolyard with no enclosed facilities.
As for unnecessary urinals, we just stuck plants in the ones in my college dorm.
But humorous anecdotes of first world bathroom frustrations aside, bathroom access is a matter of life and death for many women around the world. In places without toilets in every home, women face the risk of attack any time nature calls at night. Others abandon school when shame about bodily functions meets a schoolyard with no enclosed facilities.
18
There were "enough stalls for all."
The only problem was that Clinton refused to use a bathroom in which another stall was occupied by a commoner.
The only problem was that Clinton refused to use a bathroom in which another stall was occupied by a commoner.
3
Really? You know this how?
21
In 1983, I went to Galliard Auditorium in Charleston to see Mikhail Barishniknov. Black tie event, haute Charleston society. At the intermission, when it became apparent that those in line for the women's restroom would probably never get out before the program ended, elegant ladies in gowns led the take over of the nearby men's room, commanding the occasional male user to get in line with the rest of us. No harm was done. We all got back on time. Ignore the sign on the door.
10
Yes, yes,another Trump ploy for free publicity. Is it just his way of being a PC reactionary ? Or is it with all his money he is cheap & bad mannered? I think he is a very rich man who has no manners! I am so surprised when parents ask themselves where some of their children's actions are so bad. So can you imagine how Angela Merkel would deal with Donald as President? A gag & a belt. I often wonder what his mother & father did or did not do in his upbringing? Stop with that Trump brings to the discussion,just a lot of hot air & blockage. Watching him speak makes me think he needs to make an extended visit to the toilet himself.
7
"another Trump ploy for free publicity"
Good point. Trump is winning without TV ads, because he is very good at getting free TV coverage, all Trump, all the time. This is just one more, and the article plays into his game.
Good point. Trump is winning without TV ads, because he is very good at getting free TV coverage, all Trump, all the time. This is just one more, and the article plays into his game.
6
Donnie Trump turns out to be a bad little boy who is terrorized and "disgusted" by the "potty"! Ya can't make this stuff up!!! (:
14
I would so much rather be hearing of Sanders specific social security plans or Trumps universal health care specifics.
Toilet politics kinda highlights why America is in Decline.
Toilet politics kinda highlights why America is in Decline.
30
Our ladies rooms in the US may be far from ideal, but we have it much better than females in other parts of the world (India for example). Once women start designing and building public spaces this will change, I'm sure of it!
8
It seemed to me, watching the debate, that the EP of the debate could easily have gone to commercial while waiting for Secty. Clinton as a courtesy when she did not appear on the stage on time, as sports EP's do when an injury interrupts play on the field.
That aside, Clinton handled the situation well, didn't blame anybody, and the debate resumed without a hitch. Imagine if the Donald had encountered a similar situation. First, he would have berated the network on other networks and in speeches to his adoring crowds, telling folks that the network had deliberately intended to embarrass him by placing the men's bathroom so far from the stage (as if only he, The Donald was inconvenienced). Then he would sue.
That aside, Clinton handled the situation well, didn't blame anybody, and the debate resumed without a hitch. Imagine if the Donald had encountered a similar situation. First, he would have berated the network on other networks and in speeches to his adoring crowds, telling folks that the network had deliberately intended to embarrass him by placing the men's bathroom so far from the stage (as if only he, The Donald was inconvenienced). Then he would sue.
30
Mrs. Clinton wasn't injured, though.
Nor is she disabled in needed a special accommodation.
She simply failed to plan ahead. (no talking, head straight to the bathroom if there is a time crunch/distance issue).
This lack of planning ahead, and then whining when you are called on your special needs and not back on track on plan, is something Hillary has to answer for in her actions assassinating the Libyan leader (it took longer than planned) and no forethought to who would then rule...
Maybe the bathroom issue is relevant, afterall.
Nor is she disabled in needed a special accommodation.
She simply failed to plan ahead. (no talking, head straight to the bathroom if there is a time crunch/distance issue).
This lack of planning ahead, and then whining when you are called on your special needs and not back on track on plan, is something Hillary has to answer for in her actions assassinating the Libyan leader (it took longer than planned) and no forethought to who would then rule...
Maybe the bathroom issue is relevant, afterall.
Midway - How do you know whether she talked or failed to head straight to the bathroom? Were you there?
5
Boys have special biological needs, too. They have testosterone which compels them to run around like maniacs. But feminized schools, designed for girls, will not allow it. So boys fall behind. Just DARE to say that we should teach the boys and girls separately and the ACLU has a meltdown.
So, rather than address all gender inequity based on biological needs, here we go with feminizm again, focused only on women...
"Women have special needs in bathrooms and the heck with what boys need: I am a feminist and it's all about me, me, me, me, me."
So, rather than address all gender inequity based on biological needs, here we go with feminizm again, focused only on women...
"Women have special needs in bathrooms and the heck with what boys need: I am a feminist and it's all about me, me, me, me, me."
6
You should try being a woman today with naturally high testosterone.
Talk about trying to squeeze yourself into a tight pink box...
Let's not split us up by gender. Let's have active schools/workplaces, and more passive ones that "copy" and improve upon the active ones. Just like we used to have trailblazing scouts, and people in the wagon trains with the family men, elderly, women, children and animals moving slowly behind...
Talk about trying to squeeze yourself into a tight pink box...
Let's not split us up by gender. Let's have active schools/workplaces, and more passive ones that "copy" and improve upon the active ones. Just like we used to have trailblazing scouts, and people in the wagon trains with the family men, elderly, women, children and animals moving slowly behind...
Strange how one fact was missing. Mrs. Clinton was late because she refused to share a multi-stall restroom with some else, particularly a woman named Elizabeth Smith who worked for the Sanders campaign.
Another liberal "teachable moment" around a bald-faced lie.
Another liberal "teachable moment" around a bald-faced lie.
3
Well, I'm not sure how you even know the name of the other alleged bathroom user. Is that from a credible source? But really, frontrunners in both parties need security so is it really unusual to think that Secretary Clinton might need a private restroom opportunity? And I wonder if Senator Sanders and Governor O'Malley were sharing a men's room with other "common folk".
2
To pee, or not to pee. That is the question!
2
That this is an issue only reminds me how utterly estranged I am from 99% of my "fellow" human beings. #AtALoss
3
Christine McMurrow
How long was Rand Paul's filibuster? Ted Cruz's? Remember, a man's bladder is much larger than a woman's so I suspect he would be able to do it.
And can you prove to me Hillary did not wear an adult diaper in case she had to go? I am not being sarcastic but is that a possibility?
How long was Rand Paul's filibuster? Ted Cruz's? Remember, a man's bladder is much larger than a woman's so I suspect he would be able to do it.
And can you prove to me Hillary did not wear an adult diaper in case she had to go? I am not being sarcastic but is that a possibility?
A man's bladder is larger????? Where in the world did you get that data at?
2
I just saw a video of Don Lemon cut a CNN interview with Kurt Schlichter. Mr. Schlichter was in process of shaking down Hillary Clinton's blind support of her husband. I have waited years for such an event. Good luck Hillary, maybe 2020.
I think Trump's comment gave Democrats what they needed, something to deflect away from Hillary's lie that a Trump video was a primary ISIS recruiting tool. Or, when she said before when she compared Republicans to ISIS.
But I think I know why she said it. The urge to go clouded her thinking. So I have to perfect 2 pronged solution. First, have a commode off stage behind a curtain. That way she can get back in plenty of time. Second, don't drink anything for at least 2 hours before a debate. It makes sense. A woman's bladder is significantly smaller than a man's. So make a tactical decision to stop drinking before Finally, women Hilary's age tend to go more often due to the bladder muscle weakening as they get older. Just looking out for you Hillary!!
But I think I know why she said it. The urge to go clouded her thinking. So I have to perfect 2 pronged solution. First, have a commode off stage behind a curtain. That way she can get back in plenty of time. Second, don't drink anything for at least 2 hours before a debate. It makes sense. A woman's bladder is significantly smaller than a man's. So make a tactical decision to stop drinking before Finally, women Hilary's age tend to go more often due to the bladder muscle weakening as they get older. Just looking out for you Hillary!!
Trump thinks that using the bathroom is disgusting? No wonder he has always been so full of it.
He should relieve himself of his waste on a more regular basis to help cleanse both his body and disturbed mind.
He should relieve himself of his waste on a more regular basis to help cleanse both his body and disturbed mind.
30
Disgusting Donald
Torchbearer in the decline
Of civility.
Torchbearer in the decline
Of civility.
7
please no more shameless advertising for hillary.
macdzl, we live in a democracy, there is room for everybody, It is not an "either" "or" situation nor is it my way or the high way. You have the choice to consider Hillary shameless, a vast population might consider Trump shameless.
3
With so many life changing issues like the decline of the middle class, crushing student debt, malignant Wall Street and bankster corruption, gun violence, infrastructure collapse, dysfunctional government, global climate change, foreign and domestic terrorism, to name a few, do toilet issues really deserve this much coverage in a respected newspaper like the Times? I think many readers would like to see less fluff and more hard coverage of the campaign. Toilet issues are best reserved for the likes of People Magazine and the Murdoch rags.
5
In Trump's mind we are still in the days when small boys and girls played wee-wee and show and tell behind the garage and when done were ready to leap up and beat the kids in the next block.
Trump is still in this mindset. Shame, shame on him. Do we want a five year old to be our President?
Trump is still in this mindset. Shame, shame on him. Do we want a five year old to be our President?
11
In India some girls refuse to go to Schools, because there are no separate toilets for Girls. PM Mody promised to construct "Girls" toilets because these girls get no education.
5
I don't want to understand Donald Trump any more than I absolutely have to, but truly is "disgusting" perplexes me. Is it the image of the possible leader of the free world having to sit down to pee? Raw misogynism? Or pubistic "disgust" at nature? In some ways his comment seems very dainty. Enough. Trying to understand again.
4
Trying to help here...
It's disgusting to think that maybe she wasn't just taking a long pee, but rather was sitting there for a while doing ... number two.
Gross? Sure. Some might say, disgusting for the mind to go there.
But go there it does, when one candidate stands out by not making it back to the podium on time. For whatever reason. hth.
It's disgusting to think that maybe she wasn't just taking a long pee, but rather was sitting there for a while doing ... number two.
Gross? Sure. Some might say, disgusting for the mind to go there.
But go there it does, when one candidate stands out by not making it back to the podium on time. For whatever reason. hth.
I was outraged that the debate restarted without Clinton. It really isn't a debate if your opponent isn't there is it? Clinton handled it well.
39
Viva L'difference, I say. I hope that Hillary Clinton will play up the value of having a woman president of the United States. This is huge, as I see it.
Why be ashamed of being the first woman who is a serious candidate for president? Why play it donw? I believe that if we have a woman president there will be a great awakening throughout the land, as more and more woman rise to the occasion.
As JFK said in his inaugural address:“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days . . .nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”
I say run Hillary, run!
Why be ashamed of being the first woman who is a serious candidate for president? Why play it donw? I believe that if we have a woman president there will be a great awakening throughout the land, as more and more woman rise to the occasion.
As JFK said in his inaugural address:“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days . . .nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”
I say run Hillary, run!
9
Trump's and others' comments are just ridiculous and stupid. But it is absurd to use that as a springboard to advocate for legislation for restrooms that are "equal," "equitable," and "welcoming" (whatever those inherently vague words mean in the context of lavatories). Sometimes, men's facilities are farther from something; sometimes, women's facilities are. That is not discrimination. I suspect the author's school didn't remove urinals and replace them with stalls because of the expense, not to send some subliminal message to female students. Not everything in life is evidence of the repressive male patriarchy. Sometimes, you simply need to accept that reality.
33
It is tragic new low in American public discourse that the leading Republican candidate, Donald Trump, associate the word 'disgusting' with the use of a restroom by a woman. And one-third of the American electorate does not find anything wrong with what this presidential candidate said.
6
It used to be more infuriating when I would go out to clubs with friends and get in line for the ladies room and still not actually be int the door of the ladies room to watch ten or fifteen guys go in and out in thirty seconds. and we are reapplying makeup or licks tick at the mirror, not in the stalls. But the amount of stalls are ridiculous small.
Men's room and yes I have used them in desperation while a male friend stood guard are completely sufficient as they have the same number of stalls and urinals lining the wall. We can exactly use a urinal. Our plumbing is different for that kind of plumbing.
The only time I was ever in and out of a bathroom and men were waiting was a Patriots game. It felt so good to watch them hop from foot to foot trying to hold it a few minutes longer. Since most were feeling no pain, i doubt they were pondering our pain but it was still a great moment.
Men's room and yes I have used them in desperation while a male friend stood guard are completely sufficient as they have the same number of stalls and urinals lining the wall. We can exactly use a urinal. Our plumbing is different for that kind of plumbing.
The only time I was ever in and out of a bathroom and men were waiting was a Patriots game. It felt so good to watch them hop from foot to foot trying to hold it a few minutes longer. Since most were feeling no pain, i doubt they were pondering our pain but it was still a great moment.
1
Just when I thought the conversation couldn't go any lower. And Trump? A blathering fool who will soon enough return to political insolvency and anonymity. Mark my word.
4
Donald, you're absolutely right: Excrement has no place in politics. Please withdraw.
39
Good Heavens! What a trivial issue of Hillary Clinton's physiological needs!
There are many more important questions to raise, other than the need, as any other ordinary person, to relieve oneself. For example,
(1) Hillary Clinton effectively offering another cheek to be slapped by her husband, after she did not lock him out of the White House at the time of his sexual shenanigans.
(2) The potentially damaging influence on her, if elected, of her Arkansan husband and her own perpetuation of the ideas of a socialist worshiping the Golden Calf.
With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump fascinating to big parts, re4spectively, of the voters, one can only ask, "Whereto are you going, United Sates of America?" -- "Quo vaditis Civitates Foederatae Americae?"
There are many more important questions to raise, other than the need, as any other ordinary person, to relieve oneself. For example,
(1) Hillary Clinton effectively offering another cheek to be slapped by her husband, after she did not lock him out of the White House at the time of his sexual shenanigans.
(2) The potentially damaging influence on her, if elected, of her Arkansan husband and her own perpetuation of the ideas of a socialist worshiping the Golden Calf.
With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump fascinating to big parts, re4spectively, of the voters, one can only ask, "Whereto are you going, United Sates of America?" -- "Quo vaditis Civitates Foederatae Americae?"
Where is the RNC in all of this? These individuals are not better than the people they are supposedly backing. These comments from Trump and Huckabee are way out of line, but then again, this kind of mentality and trash talk seems to be more and more the norm for this country. Ignorance is apparently the choice of the day. What has happened to us? We are so much better than this, or at least we used to be. If people like Trump and Huckabee honestly appeal to people in this country, with there useless, demeaning comments, then we are truly in serious trouble. Trump and Huckabee, with the statements that they made, are truly, first class, top of the garbage heap, PIGS.
5
I have to wonder if Trump is becoming more and more outrageous, hoping for a way out of a presidential primary campaign that he now seems in danger of winning. Which would only lead to his being trounced by Hillary.
As to bathrooms. Are we only entitled to equal access, or should we demand equal outcomes? If we spend exactly the same money on bathrooms at a public venue, that is used equally by men and women - women will have to wait longer than men. Is that equitable?
What about in education? Women have higher college graduation rates than men. "Overall, 140 women will graduate with a college degree at some level this year for every 100 men."
http://collegepuzzle.stanford.edu/?tag=women-exceed-men-in-college-gradu...
140 v 100. That is a serious difference. But no one is crying, "Foul!" Few find it troubling that women are earning more degrees than men. And they live longer too, a lot longer. No fair?
A much higher percentage of Asians earn degrees than whites. Some people want roadblocks in front of Asians to slow them down.
http://trends.collegeboard.org/education-pays/figures-tables/completion-...
Is it okay that Asians are quicker in school and men are quicker at taking a pee? Maybe it's time to stop pretending we're all the same. Maybe there is a good reason that 4% of NBA players aren't Asian, and it's not racism. Maybe we need to start having that conversation.
As to bathrooms. Are we only entitled to equal access, or should we demand equal outcomes? If we spend exactly the same money on bathrooms at a public venue, that is used equally by men and women - women will have to wait longer than men. Is that equitable?
What about in education? Women have higher college graduation rates than men. "Overall, 140 women will graduate with a college degree at some level this year for every 100 men."
http://collegepuzzle.stanford.edu/?tag=women-exceed-men-in-college-gradu...
140 v 100. That is a serious difference. But no one is crying, "Foul!" Few find it troubling that women are earning more degrees than men. And they live longer too, a lot longer. No fair?
A much higher percentage of Asians earn degrees than whites. Some people want roadblocks in front of Asians to slow them down.
http://trends.collegeboard.org/education-pays/figures-tables/completion-...
Is it okay that Asians are quicker in school and men are quicker at taking a pee? Maybe it's time to stop pretending we're all the same. Maybe there is a good reason that 4% of NBA players aren't Asian, and it's not racism. Maybe we need to start having that conversation.
1
Why does Donald Trump think that going to the bathroom is disgusting? I'd love to see a Quinnipiac poll about the number of Americans who agree.
6
Get real Alice. He did not say going to the bathroom was disgusting. Its the time she took to come back, and wondered what she was doing. Please stop spinning incorrect info, and your Quinnipiac whatever.
1
You'd think a man who lives in a toilet wouldn't find it disgusting.
I was watching a special that Chris Matthews did on Trump's life. (pssst, don't tell anyone I told you…)
Anyway, Trump was making this or that statement about various things in his life and his business throughout the documentary.
I watched him speak.
And, I thought to myself - I don't believe a word he's saying.
Like Jon Lovitz, the liar on SNL.
It struck me so odd.
Here's a game.
The next time you hear Trump make a statement of fact, ask yourself if you would bet one of your cherished body parts on whether it's true. Men and women can both play this game.
You'll be amazed.
Literally nothing Trump says will be worth the bet.
Even mundane things won't pass the test.
As the saying goes, "if his mouth is moving…"
I was watching a special that Chris Matthews did on Trump's life. (pssst, don't tell anyone I told you…)
Anyway, Trump was making this or that statement about various things in his life and his business throughout the documentary.
I watched him speak.
And, I thought to myself - I don't believe a word he's saying.
Like Jon Lovitz, the liar on SNL.
It struck me so odd.
Here's a game.
The next time you hear Trump make a statement of fact, ask yourself if you would bet one of your cherished body parts on whether it's true. Men and women can both play this game.
You'll be amazed.
Literally nothing Trump says will be worth the bet.
Even mundane things won't pass the test.
As the saying goes, "if his mouth is moving…"
4
That's his appeal. He's a hero to all of the people who feel restrained by the truth and being polite.
The people who like to litter and drink and drive love Trump. They imagine an America with no rules and no responsibilities - a permanent vacation. He's really promoting anarchy, and his base is eating it up.
He's like the substitute teacher of America.
The people who like to litter and drink and drive love Trump. They imagine an America with no rules and no responsibilities - a permanent vacation. He's really promoting anarchy, and his base is eating it up.
He's like the substitute teacher of America.
4
Yes, "To Pee is Human"...
And all the difference is made in the degree of dignity of access, means to which is either chosen or afforded. Of course, there is the character test among those who can choose... and clearly some prefer to pee on others. Not very dignified.
And all the difference is made in the degree of dignity of access, means to which is either chosen or afforded. Of course, there is the character test among those who can choose... and clearly some prefer to pee on others. Not very dignified.
When the president goes to the can, is the vice-president temporarily deputized? If there isn't a protocol, congress should get to work. We wouldn't want our enemies to catch us with our pants down.
1
The moderators *never* should have started without her. That alone was the height of rudeness. They are trained to blather on if needed, and should have extended her that courtesy. Surely everyone knew before the debate started where the restrooms were and what was going to ensue. Moreover, whoever was in charge should have created a longer break as soon as she or he saw how far the women's restroom was. Major "fail" the whole way down the line, esp for ABC. But not Clinton's "fail."
26
I've heard Trump wears diapers. I don't know if this is true, but I've heard it.
2
"Mrs. Clinton said, “I’m different, and it’s not fair that my bathroom was where it was and, by the way, it’s not fair that the line for the ladies’ room is always 10 times longer than the line for the men’s”?
Do you actually believe the candidates had to use public rooms?
Ten times longer? Really?
She had to share it with others? Really?
It was a mile further down? Really?
Oh this is a war on women, alright.
"Why not ask for laws that say that every school and stadium in the land has to provide facilities that are not just equal but equitable, and welcoming?"
Sure, take away the urinals and force men into stalls that can be shared by all. And I promise. really really promise, never to pee on the seat. Really.
Do you actually believe the candidates had to use public rooms?
Ten times longer? Really?
She had to share it with others? Really?
It was a mile further down? Really?
Oh this is a war on women, alright.
"Why not ask for laws that say that every school and stadium in the land has to provide facilities that are not just equal but equitable, and welcoming?"
Sure, take away the urinals and force men into stalls that can be shared by all. And I promise. really really promise, never to pee on the seat. Really.
I try to be funny/snarky in comments on occasion, but as for the over-the-top coverage of "ToiletGate" let me just ask:
Are there any adults left in the discussion of the upcoming election??
Really? Toilets?? Have we all become tweens sniggering over potty behaviors?
Are there any adults left in the discussion of the upcoming election??
Really? Toilets?? Have we all become tweens sniggering over potty behaviors?
2
Women suffer more than men
Misogyny
War on Women
Blah blah blah...
Misogyny
War on Women
Blah blah blah...
I absolutely don't understand why Trump said it was "disgusting". Unless it just means that everything and anything that Hillary has done, is doing, and plans to do is "disgusting."
1
I think a mature nation wouldn’t be discussing it.
6
A mature presidential candidate wouldn't be discussing it like a 5th grade boy on the playground.
2
Trump's comments about Hillary Clinton's momentary absence from Saturday's debate are beyond the pale. That a vulgar, arrogant man like Trump seems to lead the Republican presidential candidates seems unbelievable, and yet no one, not even other Republicans can think of a way to shut him up. We need to bring back the gong used in "Laugh-In" to signal that it's time for the Donald to exit the stage!
22
I cannot imagine Trump being president because he is absolutely and unequivocally unqualified. However, I cannot imagine being subjected to his coarse, lower-class/no class behavior and speech. Can you imagine him asking Angela Merkel why she spent so long in the loo? He, who has been with a thousand bimbos and married three "models" has the audacity to discuss a presidential contender's bathroom break. He may live in a penthouse with golden bathroom faucets, his lack of class is on full display for the world to see. He is the most uncouth man on the national scene and is most undeserving of being given serious consideration for the presidency by anyone who wants to see this nation succeed. He will take it into the sewer if given the opportunity.
99
Research Lyndon Johnson for bizarre bathroom behavior at the White House. You will be disgusted!
a few decades back, my sister and i were at a conference at harvard where women out numbered men by a large margin. as we were waiting, we saw two women come out of the men's room. my sister turned to me and said, "i'll do it if you do it," and in we went, using the stalls, of course. one man said, "if you women were really liberated, you'd use the urinal." i noted that the issue was one of physiology, not ideology.
i always thought that penis envy (such as it exists:) has more to do with urination than fornication.
i always thought that penis envy (such as it exists:) has more to do with urination than fornication.
6
To coin a phrase, Trump is a potty mouth.
3
If it was one of the men would we have had some prostate jokes?
3
"Other bathrooms send different signals. My college had been coed for 18 years by the time I arrived … but my all-girls’ dormitory still had a wall of urinals in the bathroom. You might be here, the message was, but we don’t have to like it."
Maybe what the message was really saying was: "All our bathrooms have urinals and it would be a gigantic waste of money to tear them out of the walls because their existence might offend the ultra-sensitive."
Maybe what the message was really saying was: "All our bathrooms have urinals and it would be a gigantic waste of money to tear them out of the walls because their existence might offend the ultra-sensitive."
2
Trump's remarks can be construed to mean he never goes to the bathroom, which could explain quite a lot.
13
am i the only one thinking that they could have stalled and played another commercial or cut to the moderators until she was back at her place?
8
I see nothing wrong with M using the W room, or W using the M room. The plumbing doesn't know the difference.
2
NPR had it right this morning when it said that Trump doesn't pay for air time or advertising. He has to be outrageous to get free press, to stand out in a crowd of candidates. He couldn't care less what others think. It's all show biz for him.
162
When I first heard about Trumpet's imbecilic rant, I wondered if there might be a distance problem. Also, I recall that, when Nancy Pelosi took over as Speaker in the House, she had to order equal facilities for the growing number of women. Also, what about the lack off those portable infant changing tables that are generally lacking in most Men's Rooms?
Some years ago, I went to the Kiwanis International Convention, which had worldwide representation, several times. At the first one, the men had double the facilities during breaks since Women were not admitted to the various service clubs at that time; however, we knew that it was coming.
The next year, since there was only a sparse number of women delegates, the men were cut back to their normal facilities, while the five percent, or so, of female delegates, had the definite advantage. Unlike the long lines in the Ladies Room at the end of a movie or play, it was indeed the men who had to stand in the long lines. I'm sure that was a smirk on the face of the ladies as they returned to their seats.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Some years ago, I went to the Kiwanis International Convention, which had worldwide representation, several times. At the first one, the men had double the facilities during breaks since Women were not admitted to the various service clubs at that time; however, we knew that it was coming.
The next year, since there was only a sparse number of women delegates, the men were cut back to their normal facilities, while the five percent, or so, of female delegates, had the definite advantage. Unlike the long lines in the Ladies Room at the end of a movie or play, it was indeed the men who had to stand in the long lines. I'm sure that was a smirk on the face of the ladies as they returned to their seats.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
4
It's all so childish. Someone should send El Trumpo a copy of that classic Japanese children's book, "Everyone Poops." We all excrete, Donald. Even you. There is nothing "disgusting" about it. Grow up. Behave yourself. Or go sit in the corner and contemplate your shortcomings.
8
Trumps' bathroom humor has no place in the White House and the public knows it. He is what he is. He serves a purpose like a clown at the circus. There will be a turning point before the Republican Convention and his numbers will slide dramatically. People will shift their focus just as they do at the circus from the clown to the lion tamer or to the high wire act. If you take the clown seriously it is your own fault. The "broken media" is making money off the clown right now. They have to get their money like beggars wherever they can.
6
Gender inequities are riddled all through our society and they impact us in fundamental ways. They are such an imposition. They affect how we interact casually on the street. They affect how we interact at work, when dating, as we prepare to marry, after we are married, and I hate them. I hate how they affect my relationships with women, and with other men. My wife should not have to wait any longer than I do to use a restroom. My wife should not have to suffer unequal pay at work, or do anything other than her best work to rise to the top of any organization she works for, or suffer gender discrimination on her way to becoming President of the United States if that is what she decides she wants to do. Gender inequity, its persistent, negative effects, and the toll it takes on human happiness are among the top reasons why Ms. Clinton's candidacy appeals to me.
11
But will she focus on why men get 63% more jail time for the same crime?
Will she focus on how men are 90% of civil workplace fatalities?
Will she focus on why women's health issues are funded almost ten times that of men?
Will she focus on why boys are failing in schools that have been feminized to accomodate girls (boys have more testosteone and need more recess time: but you never hear that biological need addressed, do you?)
Will she focus on this sexism:
menshealth.gov
womenshealth.gov
Will she ensure due process rights for men falsely accused of sexual assault?
Oh there is gender inequity alright. But it's not what you think.
Will she focus on how men are 90% of civil workplace fatalities?
Will she focus on why women's health issues are funded almost ten times that of men?
Will she focus on why boys are failing in schools that have been feminized to accomodate girls (boys have more testosteone and need more recess time: but you never hear that biological need addressed, do you?)
Will she focus on this sexism:
menshealth.gov
womenshealth.gov
Will she ensure due process rights for men falsely accused of sexual assault?
Oh there is gender inequity alright. But it's not what you think.
Friend, you make some excellent points, of which I have been aware for a long time, as I'm sure many readers have. These inequities are all wrapped up in the same ball of wax. Whether or not Ms. Clinton or any other candidate addresses them directly, yes, electing her would help break down gender inequities in general, which harm women and men.
Acknowledging the problems with the inadequate toilet facilities for women in most public places, the real story here is about the troglodyte GOP front runner and his supporters.
5
We all know that H. Clinton took so long because she was washing her hands for as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday". Men probably don't do that. I'm guessing--I haven't been in there to check.
5
I am feminist and it bothers me that women have to wait on line so long. To remedy this I think women should be encouraged to use the men's room stalls and both sexes should be encouraged to pee in the street if they want to.
I said this before in a comment on the Texas election and a woman congratulated me on my satirical humor. I am not joking. I don't think that urine spreads disease, and if some don't like the smell it would be easy to make patches of bare earth or gravel for people to use.
I said this before in a comment on the Texas election and a woman congratulated me on my satirical humor. I am not joking. I don't think that urine spreads disease, and if some don't like the smell it would be easy to make patches of bare earth or gravel for people to use.
3
Trump and Huckabee matter only excrementally. Their bodily systems must function in some retrograde way, no doubt. Everything expressed (or shall we say emitted) by them offends common dignity. Clean Accessible Lavatories Matter for Everyone!
3
Join the GOP on its journey back to grade school where infantile remarks are the norm, and where if you disagree with your political opponent, you are permitted to say anything, without grace or dignity.
13
A titillating distraction for the day that re-confirms the low character D. Trump, as if we needed more of same. I hope he gets nominated. Now can we get back to global warming, income inequality, the disturbing budget bill, saner gun laws, saner women's reproductive laws, and on and on?
4
her inconvenient restroom symbolized the many inconvenient truths about how different and how difficult it can be when you’re a woman in a world that was mostly made for men?
If women were the majority in bathroom design, there would be three "ladies rooms" for every one for men.
If women were the majority in bathroom design, there would be three "ladies rooms" for every one for men.
8
No surprise that the Donald is a potty mouth.
2
The TV image should have not shown the stage until Hillary had returned. In any case, it is a low bar bar for any gentleman to have withheld comment. Without bad taste, the Donald would have no taste.
7
Consider the brilliance of Trump's remark - we will all now see in our minds an old women hitting the bathroom... Not much else will matter.
Pretty ridiculous basis for an article, it's remarkable that my liberal colleagues cannot get their "act" together beyond writing an article about toilet activity.
Allowing a man in a dress to use woman's lavatory maybe properly tolerant, but it does absolutely nothing to validate anything. Mocking a secure border and mocking preventing too easy access for murder plotters may be what gets a rise in the lunatic left community, but it makes this Leftie feel very much worried. When is someone in Leftland going to get off their PC high horse to criticise something substantial about Trump?
Trump said hedge fund guys are, "getting away with murder." Can we criticise that, please? How about his recent statement that we, "wasted 4 trillion dollars in Iraq"? Raise your hand if you disagree.
Allowing a man in a dress to use woman's lavatory maybe properly tolerant, but it does absolutely nothing to validate anything. Mocking a secure border and mocking preventing too easy access for murder plotters may be what gets a rise in the lunatic left community, but it makes this Leftie feel very much worried. When is someone in Leftland going to get off their PC high horse to criticise something substantial about Trump?
Trump said hedge fund guys are, "getting away with murder." Can we criticise that, please? How about his recent statement that we, "wasted 4 trillion dollars in Iraq"? Raise your hand if you disagree.
Trump has no filters. He is so......Sarah Palinish.
6
Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump need not apologize. Their comments are consistent with who they have chosen to be.
Not so for the debate organizers. They should rightly be embarrassed at causing discomfort to those they are trying to serve...and then immediately remedy the situation.
My guess is that leaving urinals in women's bathrooms was not a deliberate attempt on the part of Princeton University to make its female students feel unwanted. May we assume that the university has learned an important lesson from this lapse and has, by now, attended to it?
Not so for the debate organizers. They should rightly be embarrassed at causing discomfort to those they are trying to serve...and then immediately remedy the situation.
My guess is that leaving urinals in women's bathrooms was not a deliberate attempt on the part of Princeton University to make its female students feel unwanted. May we assume that the university has learned an important lesson from this lapse and has, by now, attended to it?
4
“I know where she went — it’s disgusting, I don’t want to talk about it.”
And this is a candidate for President?
And this is a candidate for President?
28
Yes. and study after study have shown that he is the choice of at least 42% of the electorate. What does that tell you about the intellectual and emotional status of a decisive share of our citizens? He is like them, so they like him.
Nothing to do with whether he is qualified to be President.
Nothing to do with whether he is qualified to be President.
2
What is truly disgusting is that America is considering such a roster of shallow losers running for President on the Republican side. Hillary put in her work and knows the job and yes she's human. More than I can say for the orange haired menace disgusted by nature.
53
LOL. Explains it all.
1
I'm a Bernie fan, but the Republican comments about Hillary Clinton's trip to the bathroom show just how crudely over the top these vulgar clowns are. If I were Bernie, I'd up the ante by promising to push for national legislation mandating that two women's restrooms be established throughout America in all public buildings for every men's lavatory. I would guess that it takes a woman at least twice as long as men to conduct business there.
9
Absolutely! It's biological, right?
Also, biology has it that boys have much too much testosterone and need to run around in the lower grades.
Will feminists allow for speical biological needs of boys?
Nah... but go ahead and given women more. And take it from men. And keep doing it until even your own grandsons can no longer get into college.
Also, biology has it that boys have much too much testosterone and need to run around in the lower grades.
Will feminists allow for speical biological needs of boys?
Nah... but go ahead and given women more. And take it from men. And keep doing it until even your own grandsons can no longer get into college.
Used to be that only us eighty year olds were obsessed about what went on in our bathrooms. Now even the Presidential contenders from both parties are wading in on the topic. Really not too surprising though considering that the political discourse has been streaming towards the toilet for some time now.
5
The bottom line is this. She would not have been late had she not insisted that she could not use the facilities while another person was using one of the several stalls. Only someone who thinks she is somehow better than others insists that the ladies room be thoroughly empty of other women before entering the facility. So yes, it is disgusting that a candidate for public office considers herself too important to answer the call of nature at the same time that others respond.
19
You don't seem to get that if HRC uses a public restroom with others present the next thing she may hear is the sound of her peeing on a youtube video. Barbra Streisand travels in an RV to avoid this. Imagine what a Trump would do with that.
7
Or she understands that she is a public figure whom many people love - and many hate. And, as former FLOTUS and U.S. Secretary of State, she understands security considerations.
2
Where do you get this drivel from? Faux News, perhaps. Did you even read the commentary which said that there was at least one other person using the bathroom at the same time as Ms. Clinton? I honestly cannot fathom the hostility your comment and that of Ms. Stern show towards Ms. Clinton. By all means disagree with her stance on policy issues but save the mindless hostility for ISIS.
2
Hooray for Jennifer Weiner for speaking the truth so cogently and humorously, too.
Let a man stand on line to pee for 7 minutes, shifting from one leg to the other, and there'd be more restrooms in Whole Foods, Starbucks and every cultural venue in the world. Even at The New York Times.
Let a man stand on line to pee for 7 minutes, shifting from one leg to the other, and there'd be more restrooms in Whole Foods, Starbucks and every cultural venue in the world. Even at The New York Times.
10
Here in England women have been known to go into the men's when their queue is inordinate. I suppose there would have been even more of this surreal controversy if Hillary Clinton had done so. How is it viewed by the French? Shared lavatories have long been the case there.
2
Apparently there's no place Trump wouldn't go to insult a woman. Even if it means going into the ladies room. Which, in his case, really is disgusting.
23
I love that inspired phrase "the porcelain playing field"!
I would like to bring up my pet pee peeve, the inadequacy of restroom facilities at Grand Central Terminal. After major renovations were completed, there were two small restrooms (one for men, one for women) at the stationmaster's office on the upper level. On the lower level, there were and are four restrooms (two for men, two for women), but they are still too small and cramped for the heavy usage they get, especially when you consider that the lower level is one big dining court.
The upper level women's restroom often had women lined up waiting to use it. Instead of expanding the facilities for all, management solved the problem by simply eliminating the men's restroom and reassigning the space to women. Men are relegated to the lower level only.
So now the porcelain playing field is not (upper) level for men. At a busy commuter terminal like GCT, passengers of all genders should have ample restroom facilities conveniently accessible along their path from train to street.
I would like to bring up my pet pee peeve, the inadequacy of restroom facilities at Grand Central Terminal. After major renovations were completed, there were two small restrooms (one for men, one for women) at the stationmaster's office on the upper level. On the lower level, there were and are four restrooms (two for men, two for women), but they are still too small and cramped for the heavy usage they get, especially when you consider that the lower level is one big dining court.
The upper level women's restroom often had women lined up waiting to use it. Instead of expanding the facilities for all, management solved the problem by simply eliminating the men's restroom and reassigning the space to women. Men are relegated to the lower level only.
So now the porcelain playing field is not (upper) level for men. At a busy commuter terminal like GCT, passengers of all genders should have ample restroom facilities conveniently accessible along their path from train to street.
3
Jennifer Weiner's arguments are legitimate, persuasive, and ought to have legs. In any case, Hillary handled that particular additional challenge she was presented just as she handles everything from the barely significant to the extraordinarily momentous that stands in her way, with admirable aplomb.
30
It isn't really just about toilets. The bigger picture is the assumption that men, their needs, and their vantage-points are all too often assumed to be the default, whether in bathroom design, workplace schedules, or even debate breaks. And many women have tired of the expectation that in order to be allowed onto men's turf, we have to pretend we're just like them.
25
Women know how to cope with bathroom inequities. When I was an undergraduate at a women's college affiliated with a men's college (back in the 60's), we would take finals in a building that only had men's rooms in the basement. The ladies rooms were a five minute walk in another building. Fortunately, we were smart enough to complete our finals even with the time penalty.
2
There are some things a gentleman doesn't mention: a lady's needs or her indiscretions. Oh, wait...I said the unthinkable: "gentleman."
9
Whatever happened to "vamp until ready"?
1
A while back a female astronaut climbed donned pampers and drove cross country to confront her two timing lover.This careful preplanning eliminated the bothersome task of using filthy gas station rest rooms. With a little foresight Ms. Clinton could have pinned on a set of pampers and avoided the debate disruption. It was shameful that she publicly demonstrated that her bladder could not outlast that of the much senior Bernie Sanders. You can bet that Donald Trump will be wearing pampers for the next debate. '
Let's not dignify Trump's bullying comments with discussion of bathroom behaviors and the timing required to relieve oneself.
Trump is fundamentally a bully who will use anything to denigrate his opponents. Furthermore, he incites similar behavior among this audience.
Let's cut to the quick and state loudly and firmly that Trump is out of line making the inappropriate remarks broadcast today both about Ms. Clinton and about new reporters whom he hates but would not kill.
Trump is fundamentally a bully who will use anything to denigrate his opponents. Furthermore, he incites similar behavior among this audience.
Let's cut to the quick and state loudly and firmly that Trump is out of line making the inappropriate remarks broadcast today both about Ms. Clinton and about new reporters whom he hates but would not kill.
9
Oh mercy! Striving to give Hillary ink at every opportunity and for little or no reason -- other than to promote her candidacy shamelessly -- we have to read about her POTTY breaks!!??
I respectfully suggest covering the real issues in this campaign brought up by Bernie Sanders. What a concept.
The Times has covered itself in shame in its coverage of this campaign.
I respectfully suggest covering the real issues in this campaign brought up by Bernie Sanders. What a concept.
The Times has covered itself in shame in its coverage of this campaign.
1
Hate to be blunt but many women also pee standing up and don't bother cleaning off the toilet seat leaving that unpleasant chore to the next woman. The fact that Trump would chooses to degrade women over and over again should disqualify him from receiving a single vote because of his vulgar comments.
5
To Mike Huckabee who said that Hillary's best moment in the debate was when she was absent during a restroom break: Mike; you're a sick puppy.
13
I think that all rest rooms should be uni sex, period. Just think about the waste of resources that two rest rooms creates? Do people have a man and woman's rest rooms in their homes? Why not? Because it is too expensive.
I think the Federal Govt should set the example and be out front on this issue. Also think about how much more productive this policy will be as male and female colleges can can those rest room conversations!
I think the Federal Govt should set the example and be out front on this issue. Also think about how much more productive this policy will be as male and female colleges can can those rest room conversations!
3
Exactly! Remember L.A. Law?
You gotta hand it to Trump because he knows what the real americans care about.
"Can you believe the disgusting things democrats do in the toilet?" I mean, come on, the man is a genius.
"Can you believe the disgusting things democrats do in the toilet?" I mean, come on, the man is a genius.
2
Your piece would have been more complete had you mentioned that this is the second debate in a row that Mrs. Clinton was unable to avoid using the washroom, and being late to return!
Remember in Vegas she quipped "it takes us longer".
Remember in Vegas she quipped "it takes us longer".
2
In many ways Trump has the emotional maturity of a very young child, in this case one who has reached the phase of potty jokes. Just as "you better be nice to me or you'll be sorry" belongs on the playground, his latest utterances belong in pre-school.
Given the lack of dignity of the debates this year, maybe the cameras should just follow the candidates into the bathroom, giving new meaning to "streaming video".
Given the lack of dignity of the debates this year, maybe the cameras should just follow the candidates into the bathroom, giving new meaning to "streaming video".
14
It is somewhat appropriate that this opinion piece appears in the NEW YORK Times. New York, where the average apartment is around the one million dollar mark and yet, after spending that kind of money, the only place to use a bathroom in the city is at home, work or Starbucks. Just walk into any Starbucks and see. And yet the infrastructure is already there. All the green grocers, Duane Reades, etc can be commissioned by the city to provide bathrooms to the public. There can even be a rating system.
One of the greatest cities in the world but where else would someone pay so much to live or visit and not expect to be provided with a basic, on-going and obvious necessity?
One of the greatest cities in the world but where else would someone pay so much to live or visit and not expect to be provided with a basic, on-going and obvious necessity?
4
I agree with most of your points. But re "it’s not fair that the line for the ladies’ room is always 10 times longer than the line for the men’s...": this is a direct result of the fact that men can use urinals to pee. This is much faster than the time it takes a woman to pee in a stall. That's not unfair - It's the way it is. It would require quite a lot of stalls to be built for the average women's room to be able to accomodate the same pace of people in and out as a men's room. Few places would have the space to accomodate the number of women's stalls to keep the pace of men in and out of a men's room with just 3 or 4 skinny little urinals
Certainly I knew right away why she was missing. I am not much into the sisterhood, but it was a moment of symbolic bonding by women, including me, with HIllary. We were all with her in the inconveniences of the toilet, waiting in a line or making a long hike, joking with her and sharing the fact of our common human need with its specific characteristics. At Wilson Library at UNC in 1972, the floors alternated male and female, but some of them that would be female had been taken for a different use. That complicated doing one's research in the library, mandating hikes away from one's papers and books and requiring recollection of which direction would yield up the women's room or, instead, a closet for storage.
3
At the ski resorts, the ladies lines get so long and move so slowly— at times to alleviate the situation...it's necessary for the men have to vacate their facility ... to facilitate the ladies back ups.... it's just the way it is....
I wanted to suggest that making this incident into news is childish - and so I illustrate by writing: all comments on this event are beyond the pail.
2
From Trump's remark, one can assume that he is either perpetually constipated or wears an adult diaper.
13
"inequity"? This is an op-ed piece as absurd as the protests against the use of the toilets by transgender people. Unisex bathrooms have been a normal fact in Europe for a long time. It's not an "inequity" issue, it's just common sense. But these days everyone seems to look for a greater political meaning and some metaphor of oppression in everything. Enough already.
1
Since Hillary and DNC were in charge of and orchestrated everything, I can't find much sympathy for her having to take a long walk or not being able to find a stall with TP or whatever it was that caused the delay. Can't even manage the basic facilities. This is our next Prez?
That said, for Trump to blather out that infantile poison is a true embarrassment for the nation, on which the world's eyes are focused. (Well, maybe not as much as they should be, since DNC didn't exactly pick prime time for the debate.)
But Trump made it prime time in the aftermath, and demonstrated how pathetic it is for us as a nation that he is considered the front runner in the Republican Party. I just want someone to ask him: What would you do if you had to go? Pee in your pants?
Or maybe he will claim he doesn't pee. Not beyond the realm of possibility given the other whoppers he's tried to pawn off on the hot headed and gullible. Of course you know the old saying: "He thinks his (you know what) doesn't stink."
That said, for Trump to blather out that infantile poison is a true embarrassment for the nation, on which the world's eyes are focused. (Well, maybe not as much as they should be, since DNC didn't exactly pick prime time for the debate.)
But Trump made it prime time in the aftermath, and demonstrated how pathetic it is for us as a nation that he is considered the front runner in the Republican Party. I just want someone to ask him: What would you do if you had to go? Pee in your pants?
Or maybe he will claim he doesn't pee. Not beyond the realm of possibility given the other whoppers he's tried to pawn off on the hot headed and gullible. Of course you know the old saying: "He thinks his (you know what) doesn't stink."
1
Reminds me of a concert I worked at years ago, with Dizzy Gillespie at Herbst Theater in San Francisco. He showed up late after an intermission and proceeded with a rather long explanation, which may still be available on YouTube. However, extra restrooms were added after that, and there is a law requiring gender equity for restrooms in public buildings in California, now.
4
I agree with Diana. Why didn't the moderators honor her dignity and cover for her? That was quite rude. I travel a lot and am familiar with many US airports (not bragging). I hate standing in line to use the bathroom. So, I have made it a point to know where the less-frequented ladies' rooms are and where the ones with the most stalls are and where the cleanest ones are in most of these airports. I am an airport ladies' room expert (still not bragging.) I particularly like the ladies' rooms on the departure level in Indianapolis near the airline counters. These facilities have plastic toilet seat protectors that rotate with the wave of your hand to present you with a clean seat protector. Awesome! I don't think men think about things like this...but I could be wrong.
2
O'Hara and some others have those rotating seat covers, too!
Terrorist attacks. ISIS. Illegal immigrants. Obama Care. Gun regulations. Family Planning. Abortion legislation. The death penalty. Police forces out of control. Prison guard abuses. The list goes on and on, and we are talking about using the toilet. PLEASE! Is this all we have to offer? Something is seriously wrong.
2
The mere fact that Donald Trump is a presidential candidate is a painful facet of American Democracy. The fact that he is also popular among a substantial segment of our population is not merely disgusting but also terrifying. He has, in a nutshell, spit upon the values of freedom and equality for which America has sacrificed many of our soldiers. He has also reduced the presidential campaign to vulgarity and hate mongering.
80
Potty-mouth Trump finds it disgusting when another member of the human race goes to the bathroom, is germ phobic, doesn't like Mexicans, and demeans women. Sounds like he might have some issues.
32
And the orange hair explains why!
1
All Building Plumbing Codes are very specific about the number of sinks, toilets and urinals for men's restrooms and number of sinks and toilets for the women's based upon the occupancy formulas for type and size of buildings. As an Architect for nearly 40 years, my experience has been that developers will only do the minimum required. Restrooms are very expensive to construct and aren't rentable or usable for anything else. Unless the building codes are changed radically, the very real and unnecessary inadequate restroom facilities for women will not be solved. It's about money.
224
Excellent analysis. Thank you.
The International Code Council is the professional association that addresses building code standards in the U.S. and globally: http://www.iccsafe.org.
NYT readers, let ICC know if restroom adequacy for women or transgender people is a concern for you. ICC can advise you on the latest international code standards for restrooms and other building features. If you think that international standards should be changed, let the ICC know.
Those interested in building codes should also check to see whether their state prescribes standards for local governments to follow. Revision of state codes must approved by the state legislature.
Local governments are usually the entities that adopt building code standards. Check to see what is required by your local government and whether the latest restroom standards are being required. Local building codes frequently do not require adoption of the latest code standards, in order to accommodate the real estate and construction industries. If you feel that the local code is outdated, work to change this at the local level.
The International Code Council is the professional association that addresses building code standards in the U.S. and globally: http://www.iccsafe.org.
NYT readers, let ICC know if restroom adequacy for women or transgender people is a concern for you. ICC can advise you on the latest international code standards for restrooms and other building features. If you think that international standards should be changed, let the ICC know.
Those interested in building codes should also check to see whether their state prescribes standards for local governments to follow. Revision of state codes must approved by the state legislature.
Local governments are usually the entities that adopt building code standards. Check to see what is required by your local government and whether the latest restroom standards are being required. Local building codes frequently do not require adoption of the latest code standards, in order to accommodate the real estate and construction industries. If you feel that the local code is outdated, work to change this at the local level.
In the July 2008 NY State Bar Exam at the Javits Center, we women complained about the inadequate number of women's rooms since we only had a 1/2 hour break once during a 7-hour test day and spent it waiting on bathroom lines instead of eating enough for lunch. The second test day, half of the men's room signs had been papered over with women's signs. It was necessary and a good solution at the time! All women, not only lawyers, have a stake in this issue and should contact their representatives about it. The NYC building code was altered in or around 2008 as well, when Citi Field was being built, to require certain types of NEW buildings to have twice the number of women's stalls as men's. This system seems to be working pretty well in Citi Field, at least. There are restrooms behind every single section there. If only we had this regulation everywhere, the lines would be a lot shorter. Meanwhile, the older buildings do not necessarily have to convert their bathrooms. If they have more than one men's room, they can just change one of them to a women's room. It would be somewhat of a solution overall, and cheaper than renovating.
They should allow enough time for bathroom breaks during debates, especially 3 hour ones like the one on last Saturday night. Shoot, the network could sell more commercials so everyone ones, including the viewers who won't have antsy debates worrying more about their bodily functions than ISIS (lol).
1
Mr Trump (aka Drumpf as immigrant name, before their name change) may think that urination is disgusting. Based on his behavior, attitude and words, I think Mr Trump is extremely disgusting.
4
Oh no! There was a leak in the Clinton campaign!
There has to be more to this story.Doesn't Hillary have Secret Service protection?Did the SService have to clear the bathroom before Hillary could do her business?Couldn't a "genius"SService Agent notify the moderators to ad lib for a few minutes?Or was Hillary stressed out and had some unforeseen health issues?With Hillary,you never know what the real facts are.I want a female President,the more I see/hear Hillary,the more I want Warren to run.
Bud, there's no mystery here: the women's facilities were roughly a 2-minute walk away from the stage, as opposed to the men's facilities, which were right next to it.
So, the idea that Hillary was "stressed out" or had "health issues" or needed some special Secret Security clearance is a total non-starter. She simply had to walk farther to get to where she was going, do her business and then make the same length trip back.
Why this couldn't have been taken into account by the moderators is another issue. Sheer oversight, I expect.
From your name, I'm guessing you're a guy. Trust me: on the "finding a close bathroom" front, if you haven't been there, you have no clue.
But as concerns Hillary: Nothing to see here; move along...
So, the idea that Hillary was "stressed out" or had "health issues" or needed some special Secret Security clearance is a total non-starter. She simply had to walk farther to get to where she was going, do her business and then make the same length trip back.
Why this couldn't have been taken into account by the moderators is another issue. Sheer oversight, I expect.
From your name, I'm guessing you're a guy. Trust me: on the "finding a close bathroom" front, if you haven't been there, you have no clue.
But as concerns Hillary: Nothing to see here; move along...
131
Shameful that this unprincipled bully is getting so much press, even if it is bad in this case.
7
How much closer is the "men's" room? If it was, say, 20 seconds away instead of a minute and 45, I wonder what the reaction would be if Hillary had used the men's facilities? I've done it when the women's was out of order, but then I'm not running for president. Still, I would have applauded her.
1
Trump has made the most repulsive remarks today. He's outdone himself. THIS will be our President? This abusive bully with the potty mouth of a preteen? I'd say if it happens, we've reached a truly dark nadir.
16
If one cannot strategize a toilet break, I have little faith in that person's ability to handle a real issue. And I thought Poppy Bush was an idiot barfing at a Chinese diplomatic dinner!
1
More victimhood. Can't we take a break please from always being told how unfair the world is to women, especially women in the rich, rich world? If women go on like this, there will be no end to your dissatisfaction and that feeds on itself. And if women need to take longer to answer the call of nature, what happens to them in war, now that they have the equal right to combat jobs with men? Will men have to cover for them when they take too long to do the job? Nature is unequal, men and women are not the same. Understand this and you will be free.
You will be free as long as you are a man.
2
Nature is DIFFERENT, but not unequal, Rahul. Understand this and you will not be a bigot. Based on your name, I could make some assumptions about you and what your place "ought" to be in America and the world in general, then tell you to "understand" that and be free (regardless of how offensive and oppressive these assumptions are).
2
The media was all over this today. Barring the fact that Trump said something ignorant about this (guess what? he does that with everything) why on earth should anyone care about this?
2
I'm not deaf to woman's issues but you can't be serious: "I’m different, and it’s not fair that my bathroom was where it was and, by the way, it’s not fair that the line for the ladies’ room is always 10 times longer than the line for the men’s room" at a debate which (for worse) is focused on national security? I consider myself an enlighten person (aka man) but think how would that play w/ the voting public - democrat or republican? I don't support Hillary but, in this case, she was smart!
"Potty parity" is not a new issue. It has been debated and acted upon in various locations, including stadiums where football and other games are played. The issue has been addressed, even if not fully or adequately. Yes, it is unfair and a bit degrading for women to have to line up like sheep for sheering and wait for much longer than men. Yes, we can do better.
This column slips into the red zone, or something, when it suggests that the problem stems from a world that was made for the convenience of men without consideration of women. There was a time when few women would attend a lot of sporting events, such as boxing or football, a time when women believed that to be seen at the scene of such brutality was unbecoming. Times have changed and facilities have not caught up with current practices. This does not mean that the entire world, then or now, was a conspiracy to deny decency toward women.
As a person who is generally identified wherever I go as a white male, I find that the popular notion that men are evil has created some rather unpleasant aspects in life. Many times, men who are beyond the young adult stage are judged to be wrong in whatever they do, the objects of instant derision when any opportunity arises. Further, all men, it seems, are viewed as potential rapists or worse wherever they go, unless they are in a social situation where they have been vetted and approved. This is all but ever present. Much more degrading than waiting for a toilet seat.
This column slips into the red zone, or something, when it suggests that the problem stems from a world that was made for the convenience of men without consideration of women. There was a time when few women would attend a lot of sporting events, such as boxing or football, a time when women believed that to be seen at the scene of such brutality was unbecoming. Times have changed and facilities have not caught up with current practices. This does not mean that the entire world, then or now, was a conspiracy to deny decency toward women.
As a person who is generally identified wherever I go as a white male, I find that the popular notion that men are evil has created some rather unpleasant aspects in life. Many times, men who are beyond the young adult stage are judged to be wrong in whatever they do, the objects of instant derision when any opportunity arises. Further, all men, it seems, are viewed as potential rapists or worse wherever they go, unless they are in a social situation where they have been vetted and approved. This is all but ever present. Much more degrading than waiting for a toilet seat.
1
Just curious -- why is there an assumption she was in the bathroom? I think we can be pretty sure that her bathroom was no farther than the other candidates bathroom and I think we can also be sure she didn't have to wait in line. How about the possibility that she was conferring with her handlers who had been following live blogging and comments from debate viewers so they knew what was working and what was not? I would think that was a much more likely reason for her delay.
Did you even read the article? All your questions were answered therein. She said she was in the bathroom, the women's restroom was indeed further than the men's room, and she did have to wait till some one else left the bathroom.
8
According to the Times, the nearest ladies room was 1 minute 45 seconds each way from the stage. The men's room was "considerably closer." It would be 3 minutes 30 seconds round trip for Clinton. There was also reportedly someone else using the ladies room and for security reasons they wouldn't let Clinton in until the other person left. I don't know how many commercials they ran, but there wasn't much room for error. It had nothing to do with "her handlers."
6
Yes! Let's demand a congressional hearing on the subject! The American people have a right to know the truth!
3
Sad that we have lowered ourselves to such level. Is there no decency left in America? What next, will we start talking about private parts, requirements for different clothing? America, what has become of you? From the movement to deny birth place we have come to new low. And nobody in the Republican party stands up to demand apology?
7
I don't fault her for not arriving back to the podium on time since the ladies room was quite a trek. But she seemed to be savoring the drama of the late entrance, and I didn't like her glib delivery of the word "sorry". There's been one or two arrogant moments in the campaign which have been a little irritating.
It was obviously embarrassing for her to be late. What did you expect her to do? Seems like "sorry" was the appropriate thing to say.
4
Oh, please. Saying one word, "sorry", is a sign of arrogance? In what world do you live?
6
The only thing disgusting here is Donald Trump.
27
The mere fact that Donald Trump is a presidential candidate is painful. The fact that he is also popular among substantial segment of our population is not only disgusting, but also terrifying. He has, in a nutshell, openly spit upon the values for which America has sent so many of our country men to die.
14
If the only talking point the Republicans can garner from the debate was about Hillary's "business", then she is really in business. Prepare to pee quickly, but wait 4 more years for the White House fellas.
5
Gender differences were in full view and no body commented on the hardships women face in most public places with restrooms. I saw no mention of this inequality in any newspaper or TV news analysis of the debate.
7
Is this really part of all the news that's fit to print?
1
Donald Trump's 'yuck' response to Clinton's need to use the restroom, reminds me of a line in a Woody Allen movie. Replying to a man who's petulantly complaining about something, Allen says: "What are you, six years old?" An appropriate question for Donald, I think.
14
All the remaining doubts about would-be Republican candidate for the President of the US have disappeared and we are now convinced that he is a giant mental first-grader. He calls going to bathroom "disgusting"; anything he does not understand he rejects, declaring it to have 'coodies' ; he praises himself by saying, "I am really great." And he never uses more than 100 words to communicate.
What is more pathetic is, say, if he were elected to the office, he does not know anything more than names a rolodex full of construction people. One and a half billion hostile and unnamed Muslims, and a Russian named Putin.
What is more pathetic is, say, if he were elected to the office, he does not know anything more than names a rolodex full of construction people. One and a half billion hostile and unnamed Muslims, and a Russian named Putin.
15
All this brouhaha over perfectly legitimate criticism of a presidential candidate who cannot make it back to the podium on time during a nationally televised debate.
Next time Clinton can share the restroom like everyone else.
Next time Clinton can share the restroom like everyone else.
Sure, Trump's vulgar misogyny is deplorable; but, CNN's refusal to wait for her to return before resuming questioning is equally deplorable. The distance to the women's room was known. Nobody watched the debate to see the moderators. Shame on CNN.
15
That a woman candidate's restroom break has become the fodder of jokes or criticism is really evidence of male chauvinism. And I don't usually use that term.
There are a number of issues here:
First among them is the fact that Secretary Clinton cannot simply walk into a ladies room with her secret service detail. Or at least not its male members. So, of course she's going to need a private place, during a debate break. What's wrong with some privacy anyway?
Next, we might as well consider what males often overlook. Women are rarely given enough restrooms, resulting in end lines lines. They need to use a stall, not a urinal. And it takes longer. Adding a longer walk to the restroom itself naturally takes extra time as well.
But the thing that galls me, as a woman, is the rudeness of the network to go ahead with questions, knowing the situation, while leaving her podium empty. That was a major error!
Hilary simply apologized upon her return. Excellent manners. But where was the apology from the network?
What an absurdity to have to respond to this trail of errors. And I won't even bother with the absence of manners by the donald...
There are a number of issues here:
First among them is the fact that Secretary Clinton cannot simply walk into a ladies room with her secret service detail. Or at least not its male members. So, of course she's going to need a private place, during a debate break. What's wrong with some privacy anyway?
Next, we might as well consider what males often overlook. Women are rarely given enough restrooms, resulting in end lines lines. They need to use a stall, not a urinal. And it takes longer. Adding a longer walk to the restroom itself naturally takes extra time as well.
But the thing that galls me, as a woman, is the rudeness of the network to go ahead with questions, knowing the situation, while leaving her podium empty. That was a major error!
Hilary simply apologized upon her return. Excellent manners. But where was the apology from the network?
What an absurdity to have to respond to this trail of errors. And I won't even bother with the absence of manners by the donald...
44
It's certainly starting to get quite comical --- I can't quit laughing at this one.
I played golf today with my husband and two nephews. There was a line for the men's room at the half way house, and no wait for me at the ladies. I suggested the boys use the ladies and you would have thought I said they should sit down to pee while they were at it. Believe me, if it had been reversed I would not have thought twice about using the 'men's' room. Silly stuff but gee, some people!
2
A few years ago when I was using one of the earlier versions of MS Word, it kept trying to auto-correct the word "restroom" to "resort" as I typed it. It was irritating back then, but I've come to believe there are times that it was totally correct.
What's next? Republicans accuse Mrs Clinton of not washing hands with soap and water. Subpoena investigation coming.
11
One thing architects of most public buildings fail to understand is that they should plan for two or three times more toilets for women than for men. How often have we seen a long line outside the women's toilet while men nearby zoom (or is it zipp?) in and out.... Equality can take different forms.
3
The Republican Party used to be the party of the rich, and high class. They are still are rich and in a certain sense, classless. Throughout my life I voted for all the major parties. Lately I have been an independent. Was never convinced to vote for a Clinton. Trump just settled that for me
1
Of all the things to be concerned about in this insane world, THIS is the best you can do?
This lame op-ed, together with this newspapers blatant Hillary boosterism, pathetic.
I really must rethink my subscription to the Times.
This lame op-ed, together with this newspapers blatant Hillary boosterism, pathetic.
I really must rethink my subscription to the Times.
2
Good idea. You really should.
Bathroom inequality isn't the most important issue of our day (and nobody here is saying that), but it is something to be considered. If this event being brought to light causes some rethinking and encourages improvement of bathroom situations, the result will be a plus for everybody.
3
"....apologies to Mr. Trump"? Even taken ironically, this is an offensively decorous reference to that cretin.
6
Wouldn't the smarter thing have been for the moderators to wait until all were present before resuming questioning? As it happened, Ms Clinton had no choice but to make an entrance, and interrupt the question being directed to Mr Sanders.
5
“I know where she went — it’s disgusting, I don’t want to talk about it,” said Donald J. Trump, that paragon of class and genius, talking about it.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
12
The bathroom is still segregated. It is not segregated by skin color, but by gender. This segregation of the genders in the bathroom is a cultural norm, but it need not be. A bathroom could be designed to be non-segregated, and private. We need to start doing this, not because this would make life easier for transgendered people, but because it would make life easier for women. By leveling the available bathroom space, you will no longer see the line for the women's restroom be longer.
Just last week, I was with my boys in the bathroom of the supermarket. A woman peeks in nervously, and calls for her son. I assisted, and was able to pass on the message in this cavernous bathroom to her boy, who was in a stall at the back of the bathroom, alone. How horrible for this poor mother! It's a minor issue, but shouldn't she feel free to go and see her child, who was, like my boys, about 5?
Segregated bathrooms make no sense whatsoever.
Thank you for this excellent essay, Ms. Weiner.
Just last week, I was with my boys in the bathroom of the supermarket. A woman peeks in nervously, and calls for her son. I assisted, and was able to pass on the message in this cavernous bathroom to her boy, who was in a stall at the back of the bathroom, alone. How horrible for this poor mother! It's a minor issue, but shouldn't she feel free to go and see her child, who was, like my boys, about 5?
Segregated bathrooms make no sense whatsoever.
Thank you for this excellent essay, Ms. Weiner.
3
I think Secretary Clinton's "Sorry" said all that and more, and competed with her "Everybody should" for best moment of the evening.
4
Why didn't a MAN write a letter which would ihave nter alia, denounced the unspeakable Trump?
3
Now, Hillary, if she's smart, could follow the lead given by this columnist. She could say, "This is why we need bathrooms in public transit stations." She could say, "This is why women deserve decent work breaks." She could just say, "Girls, has this ever happened to you?" But knowing Hillary, any advice is probably wasted on someone whose private vocabulary is said to equal Trump's public display.
1
Is there any depth to which this 69 year old playground bully/misogynist will not sink? A disgrace to not only the country but the human race.
15
No apologies to Mr. Trump! His comment was disgusting.
10
She had to walk two minutes to reach the restroom? That can be a very long walk if one has had a lot to drink. Instead of tweeting about how humiliating Trump's comments were to women, I wish Hillary had made a withering comment back to him. She is intelligent and knows how to make her point without being vulgar. Are women equal or not? Do we want to play with the big boys? These things require being able to defend oneself or go on the offense when necessary. This is rapidly turning into a "daddy help me" situation what with the silly tweet from the Hillary campaign and now this op-ed piece. I am waiting for Bill to weigh in on the matter..
This is the second New York Times article to appear in the past week regarding Hillary Clinton's use of the toilet -- the first being on the front page of the website - and now this one - a serious Op-Ed piece discussing this "important" issue...
If this is indicative of how the Times prioritizes its political coverage -- especially concerning the person who will most likely be the first woman to become President of the United States -- then perhaps I should begin relying on The Onion more often for my daily dose of serious political reporting -
And - while we're at it - considering Mayor Bill de Blasio's extremely poor track record regarding showing up late for numerous important political appearances -- perhaps the Times might want to take a look at his bathroom habits -
If this is indicative of how the Times prioritizes its political coverage -- especially concerning the person who will most likely be the first woman to become President of the United States -- then perhaps I should begin relying on The Onion more often for my daily dose of serious political reporting -
And - while we're at it - considering Mayor Bill de Blasio's extremely poor track record regarding showing up late for numerous important political appearances -- perhaps the Times might want to take a look at his bathroom habits -
1
It isn't just "transitioning men" who can use their restroom of choice in a number of enlightened states, California and Washington among them. They have nearly identical civil-rights statutes that forbid sex discrimination in public accommodations, such as public restrooms, and then define "sex" for purposes of that proscription to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. "Gender expression" refers to one's presentation as one gender or the other and would include crossdressers and non-surgical full-time transgenders as well as those engaged in a full surgical reassignment process.
Such laws recognize the primacy of gender in a species with two biological sexes but a spectrum of behaviors that often diverge from those traditionally associated with male masculinity and female femininity.
According to law enforcement officials in the states with such statutes, there have been zero incidents of men masquerading as women to gain access to the ladies' room for ulterior motives; no voyeurs, no predators, no problems.
All of which makes the Houston campaign's ugly simplemindedness all the more reprehensible. Don't we have enough empirically documented problems to consider before hysterical overreaction to a non-issue becomes law?
Such laws recognize the primacy of gender in a species with two biological sexes but a spectrum of behaviors that often diverge from those traditionally associated with male masculinity and female femininity.
According to law enforcement officials in the states with such statutes, there have been zero incidents of men masquerading as women to gain access to the ladies' room for ulterior motives; no voyeurs, no predators, no problems.
All of which makes the Houston campaign's ugly simplemindedness all the more reprehensible. Don't we have enough empirically documented problems to consider before hysterical overreaction to a non-issue becomes law?
1
Mr. Trump just holds it in, one day he'll explode when he's full of it. That will be real disgusting!
3
My all-female dorm also had urinals. We put pots of geraniums in them. The college had always been coed. We chose to consider the urinals a kindness to overnight guests.
2
I think you article is "disgusting". I really want my privacy in the loo and not have some person who now considers him or herself a different gender giving me the voir dire.
Why is it wrong for a guy to use a gal's loo but OK for some guy with gender confusion masquerading as a gal to use it?! Propriety.. whither thou goest?
If a gal takes an extra 3 minutes to do her business compared to a guy, that's about 15 minutes a day x 7 days = 1.75 hours per week. Allowing for 2 weeks vacation x 50 weeks = 87.5 hours per year. That's 3.65 days per year taken away from her Presidential duties. A male President would be preferable, since he'd be spending more time on the job.
Why is it wrong for a guy to use a gal's loo but OK for some guy with gender confusion masquerading as a gal to use it?! Propriety.. whither thou goest?
If a gal takes an extra 3 minutes to do her business compared to a guy, that's about 15 minutes a day x 7 days = 1.75 hours per week. Allowing for 2 weeks vacation x 50 weeks = 87.5 hours per year. That's 3.65 days per year taken away from her Presidential duties. A male President would be preferable, since he'd be spending more time on the job.
3
Great piece! An essential commentary on what it means to be human, be respected, and maintain one's dignity.
As for Secretary Clinton's delay in returning, Governor Huckabee and Mr Trump continue to prove why neither of them should be president. All men should be gentlemen. In a president, it's required. Sadly, it appears that they were not properly raised. These uncouth, ignorant louts can only appeal to same.
As for Secretary Clinton's delay in returning, Governor Huckabee and Mr Trump continue to prove why neither of them should be president. All men should be gentlemen. In a president, it's required. Sadly, it appears that they were not properly raised. These uncouth, ignorant louts can only appeal to same.
16
Women are still under attack for their plumbing system. Mr. Trump is insane.
4
funny, but not that funny 'cause it's a little too true.
Let's see ... there are more females than males in the nation, according to census figures
Bathrooms in public places should reflect that - have more stalls for women than for men.
Apologies to Trump? Never! unless you think he never has to pee?
Let's see ... there are more females than males in the nation, according to census figures
Bathrooms in public places should reflect that - have more stalls for women than for men.
Apologies to Trump? Never! unless you think he never has to pee?
2
I have to say I can appreciate this article, women do get the short end of the bathroom debate. I often have to wait for my wife when we are at a public venue, the ladies room lines often extend beyond the portal of the bathroom. I have on more than one occasion encouraged her to use the men's room, five feet away, yet empty.
I explained to her recently the reason for this is that "the architects are men, if they were women they would have double the stalls of the mens room".
I am not certain that she bought that, yet why else would the universal design for restrooms cause women everywhere to wait on long potty lines ?
I explained to her recently the reason for this is that "the architects are men, if they were women they would have double the stalls of the mens room".
I am not certain that she bought that, yet why else would the universal design for restrooms cause women everywhere to wait on long potty lines ?
4
My question is (and was on Saturday night): why didn't the moderators hold their questions when they saw that Hillary was not back at her podium? What was the rush? Why couldn't the TV production people cut to another commercial to accommodate the candidate? It's not just bathroom access; it's a general lack of empathy and awareness of anyone else's needs but your own.
It's bad enough that the debate was held on a Saturday before Christmas, but to ignore any participant during the debate...that was just rude.
It's bad enough that the debate was held on a Saturday before Christmas, but to ignore any participant during the debate...that was just rude.
10
She must be quite a star when even her breaks are followed with such fervor and attention. Viva, Hillary! go go gal.
5
Did you ever have to use the bathrooms at Trump Lasker rink? I've only been in the women's. Talk about disgusting.
5
This whole brouhaha puzzles me. Not only that the Donald was disgusted by the notion that Clinton was doing what he had done -- emptied her bladder -- but that the moderators chose to start without her. Given the facility with which they are able to fill air time with inconsequential drivel, that they decided to showcase her absence by resuming the questions just perplexes me. Yes, the bathroom deck is stacked (just try to be a competitive female marathoner or sailor and tend to nature's call in an efficient manner). So fix what can be fixed (more facilities for women) and be sensitive enough to adapt to what can't (the whole hose, skirt thing).
289
I believe St Anselm College should apologize via a press release. At the very least they shd have provided her w a near-by port-a-potty.
2
The ABC moderators failing to wait an extra minute for Hillary to return to the stage was one of the rudest things I have ever seen. I wanted to write a comment to this effect on the ABC website, but it would have meant signing in and creating a password. So I will say it here, where it probably counts more anyway.
There is nothing "disgusting" about a woman using the restroom, and only a potty-mouth like Donald Trump would suggest such a thing.
That man looks in the mirror and thinks he sees handsome. The rest of us see a buffoon who has no business anywhere near the White House. His id (in this case, short for idiot) is on display 24/7, and the rabble who find him amusing are as disturbed and contemptible as he is.
There is nothing "disgusting" about a woman using the restroom, and only a potty-mouth like Donald Trump would suggest such a thing.
That man looks in the mirror and thinks he sees handsome. The rest of us see a buffoon who has no business anywhere near the White House. His id (in this case, short for idiot) is on display 24/7, and the rabble who find him amusing are as disturbed and contemptible as he is.
5
Thanks, Mary! How disrespectful to begin without Ms. Clinton - but even someone of her stature had to endure what the rest of jus women endure on a constant basis!
1
first world indulgences... like the bathroom wars... pls NYT less of the predictable and more of the truly vexing
2
Drumpf, er, so-called "Trump", needs a complete psychological workup.
5
At the SF opera, the toilets on the south side are all women's, and on the north men's.
Even so, there is always a rush at intermission for the women's side.
However, if you have a box seat, you can get up during a performance and not disturb anyone, as each set has it own anteroom, and light from the hallway does not shine into the auditorium, like it does through the doors into the balcony and main floor.
Oh the advantage of having a few extra sheckles to spend. The hoi pooloi get special privileges, I am going to join them next season. What good is money of you don';t spend it?
Even so, there is always a rush at intermission for the women's side.
However, if you have a box seat, you can get up during a performance and not disturb anyone, as each set has it own anteroom, and light from the hallway does not shine into the auditorium, like it does through the doors into the balcony and main floor.
Oh the advantage of having a few extra sheckles to spend. The hoi pooloi get special privileges, I am going to join them next season. What good is money of you don';t spend it?
14
Actually, the hoi polloi DON'T get special privileges, for the hoi polloi are the common people, those who have little say in how the world runs.
10
"Were you on the toilet AGAIN? What was that, the fourth time today?! Melania, you disgust me!!"
134
This-Just-In Department: [FoX News] At a rally in Michigan, Mr. Trump declared that he never uses bath rooms because he did not have to and only socialists and socialist sympathizers used such disgusting facilities. Asked how he took care of his cleansing needs, Mr. Trump smiled and, in a swift move, dropped his pants. "See," he said, "I'm many many many things, including the cleanest."
5
Where does Bernie Sanders stand on toilet inequality? And, yes, he does stand.
19
How do you know? I had to sit beginning about 40, because of a loss of tight stream. TMI? That's life for some.
2
Trump's disgusting comments again demonstrate why he should not be elected president.
242
Oh come on. Doesn't anybody here recognize humor when they see it?
2
Every time Trump opens his mouth he demonstrates why he shouldn't be president.
10
And once again his followers cheering lustily. A group comfortable with yelling racist epithets, "roughing up" protesters. Can torches and pitchforks be far behind?
14
It was a real cultural shock to those young American boys when they got to Japan and Korea during the Korean Police action, to discover that the binjos were unisex.
26
David,
It's the same for the Benjo Ditches running along side the roads in the countryside!
It's the same for the Benjo Ditches running along side the roads in the countryside!
2
Trump repeated several times that he thought it was disgusting that Mrs. Clinton went to the restroom during a commercial break. He thinks urination is disgusting? Is he so special that he never urinates? I remember Trump whining that one Republican debate went on for three hours. I can only suppose that the reason he complained about the length of the debate was because he had to hold his need to urinate for too long.
281
This is the same Trump who calls Hillary tired and low energy. He should be so low energy himself: he wouldn't have lasted even 1 hour in the 11-hour marathon attacks she endured in front of the Trey Gowdy hit squad on Benghazi. Can you picture Trump being inquisitioned for hours without once losing his cool? He should be tied to a chair and made to watch the whole thing: he might learn a thing or two about self control.
374
Maybe Trump has what I've heard called an executive bladder.
53
He never urinates, never defecates, never passes gas, and never utters a single sentence in the English language that contains a suggestion of truth.
252
Female Lavatories Matter
Hillary 2016
Hillary 2016
252
As soon as I saw that empty podium I knew what had happened, and I’ve been awaiting wry commentary on the cause. Jennifer’s is the first I’ve seen.
I avoid the cute essays pointing out Hillary’s age and wondering why Bernie hasn’t gone missing more often. But I do understand that it wasn’t the 1 minute 45 second walk each way to the loo, but the fact that, predictably, the stall Hillary DID finally find was out of paper.
Bathrooms sometimes can be TOO welcoming, though. I remember, over 40 years ago, my freshman year at college. My dorm was co-ed by floor and arranged by interest – my floor was male and dedicated to those who, among other things, were studying French. At the time, my French was already pretty good and rather than studying French, I was studying French co-eds on transfer programs living on the floor below.
But one night very late, I was alone in the bathroom drying my hair after a shower, and in briefs and nothing else. In comes bolting a young woman – on a male floor; and desperately dives into one of the stalls, obviously the victim of dorm hootch and a late party in one of the rooms. Presently, she emerged in better shape than she’d entered, just as I was finishing up. She sheepishly grinned, checked me out and disappeared.
Ah, to be young. There have been MANY years of the toilet.
I avoid the cute essays pointing out Hillary’s age and wondering why Bernie hasn’t gone missing more often. But I do understand that it wasn’t the 1 minute 45 second walk each way to the loo, but the fact that, predictably, the stall Hillary DID finally find was out of paper.
Bathrooms sometimes can be TOO welcoming, though. I remember, over 40 years ago, my freshman year at college. My dorm was co-ed by floor and arranged by interest – my floor was male and dedicated to those who, among other things, were studying French. At the time, my French was already pretty good and rather than studying French, I was studying French co-eds on transfer programs living on the floor below.
But one night very late, I was alone in the bathroom drying my hair after a shower, and in briefs and nothing else. In comes bolting a young woman – on a male floor; and desperately dives into one of the stalls, obviously the victim of dorm hootch and a late party in one of the rooms. Presently, she emerged in better shape than she’d entered, just as I was finishing up. She sheepishly grinned, checked me out and disappeared.
Ah, to be young. There have been MANY years of the toilet.
31
"Depends" endorsed and used by U.S.Presidents and leading Politicians because you can't always go when you want to!
I see a Saturday Night Live skit coming soon!
I see a Saturday Night Live skit coming soon!
4
Just be aware that if you did that to her (check her out), you would be subjected to a Title 9 Tribunal and accused of sexual assault.
1
Thanks for a smile, Richard!
1
I guess, along with global warming, a stagnant economy, gerrymandered elections and the national dumbing down, we need to give top priority to toilets and who goes where.
72
But only if Mr Trump (immigrated as name Drumpf becomes president do we
need to give top priority to toilets and who goes where in Trump's virtual reality show presidency (and candidacy).
need to give top priority to toilets and who goes where in Trump's virtual reality show presidency (and candidacy).
2
Who said it needed to be given top priority?
2
Totally agreed.
The author seems to imply, without saying, that this is a reason why we should elect Ms. Clinton next year. Somehow, I see her connections with the Neocons, her support for the Iraq war, her vote for the awful anti-consumer rewrite of the bankruptcy laws a few years back, and many other things, and being just a tad more important.
The author seems to imply, without saying, that this is a reason why we should elect Ms. Clinton next year. Somehow, I see her connections with the Neocons, her support for the Iraq war, her vote for the awful anti-consumer rewrite of the bankruptcy laws a few years back, and many other things, and being just a tad more important.
3
Long-suffering women have for years decades centuries had to deal with toilet in equities. I remember when I lived in New Jersey and frequently went to the theater in New York, and the topic of discussion always was during theater intermissions, why don't we storm the men's room? Invariably in older New York theaters there were two stalls for, say, 200 women, making it impossible to get back to the play in time.
But only Trump could insultingly make potty insinuations about the need to use the toilet. It seems as if he's daring the media to call him on his vulgarities , probably wondering himself how far he has to go to bring down the ax. People have tried ignoring him, yelling at him, all to no avail.
Should he, God forbid, win the nomination at least we know there is a treasure trove of video clips showing him insulting every segment of the population. The Democratic ads will write themselves.
But only Trump could insultingly make potty insinuations about the need to use the toilet. It seems as if he's daring the media to call him on his vulgarities , probably wondering himself how far he has to go to bring down the ax. People have tried ignoring him, yelling at him, all to no avail.
Should he, God forbid, win the nomination at least we know there is a treasure trove of video clips showing him insulting every segment of the population. The Democratic ads will write themselves.
596
I've always wondered myself why women in Manhattan theatres during intermissions, queued for about three miles outside the ladies loo, didn't storm the men's. People who haven't been treated to this experience should know that this may be the only venue where you can find a line outside a MEN'S room -- but it's usually just a few, unlike the queue outside the ladies, which needs to be seen to be believed.
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Actually about 25 years ago at Lincoln Center a bunch of us women did storm the men's room. We took turns warning the occasional male who wanted to walk in, let him go in alone, then went in a few at a time. We would have missed the 2nd half of the program if we had all waited for the women's room stalls.
I am glad there is finally some discussion about this.
The other unmentionable is when a pre- menopausal woman has not only to pee, but to change her tampon or pad, god forbid we ever acknowledge that a woman is menstruating.
(When have you ever heard a woman blame her absence from work, or an underperformance in an athletic competition, on having menstrual cramps, yet many of us have suffered mighty from them)
We have not come very far from Gloria Steinem's brilliant and funny essay"if men menstruated" written like 50 years ago, but still just as relevant...
I am glad there is finally some discussion about this.
The other unmentionable is when a pre- menopausal woman has not only to pee, but to change her tampon or pad, god forbid we ever acknowledge that a woman is menstruating.
(When have you ever heard a woman blame her absence from work, or an underperformance in an athletic competition, on having menstrual cramps, yet many of us have suffered mighty from them)
We have not come very far from Gloria Steinem's brilliant and funny essay"if men menstruated" written like 50 years ago, but still just as relevant...
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In the 1970s in Central Park at a concert of the NY Philharmonic, we DID storm the men's room.
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I was surprised that the debate moderators didn't ad lib some discussion, maybe review the debate rules, or do something to idle in neutral, until all the candidates were back on stage to resume the debate. Saying "sorry" was certainly an okay thing for Hillary Clinton to do when she returned, but I didn't think it was necessary, I didn't think the onus was on her to explain or apologize, given that it seemed clear to me that someone responsible for making the debate arrangements had not planned things adequately.
On the other hand, I am more hopeful that some progress on bathroom issues in public and semi-public places will be made now that somebody high-profile has brought attention to the issue, so I see a silver lining to this episode.
On the other hand, I am more hopeful that some progress on bathroom issues in public and semi-public places will be made now that somebody high-profile has brought attention to the issue, so I see a silver lining to this episode.
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Actually, Diana, Marco Rubio stopped by and volunteered to speak for a few minutes on camera about the advantages to being young BESIDES fewer wrinkles.
11
Marco Rubio forgot to mention the word that most often goes with
young: foolish. That's young and foolish.
young: foolish. That's young and foolish.
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She was late of course she should have apologized.
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