My first thought at reading the articles you linked to in your "Detroy Marshall v. Burger King" post (Aug. 3), which were written by Anthony Marshall of Hotel & Motel Management, was that they were satire. For if they were, I would have complimented the writer on a sharp satirical tongue. However, after reading more I realized -- this guy is for real.
I found it funny to read an article calling for the end of tubs which included Mr. Marshall's list of features that his ideal shower would contain:
1) the threshold to the shower is made obvious by lighting or coloring so I see it and don't trip; 2) the flooring has an abrasive, nonslip-surface construction; 3) safety grab bars are installed on one or more of the shower walls; 4) bath mats, where appropriate; 5) all hot/cold water faucets or mechanisms have handles for easy gripping, no slippery knobs and large print instructions; 6) solid soap holders don't drip slippery wet soap goop onto the shower floor; 7) no soap dish holder unless it can withstand the weight of an emergency grab by a falling bather (this applies to inside shower towel racks, too); and 8) safety glass. I'm surprised I don't see suggestions for a rubberized shower floor.
One thing I found amusing is how many of Mr. Marshall's articles involved first person accounts of his near-fatal encounters with hotels. Chevy Chase might be safer at the local Ramada Inn than Mr. Marshall. -- R. Bennett, Baltimore
Posted by Walter Olson at August 22, 2005 11:43 PM