The Root DC

Whenever people pass my house eating or drinking, my eyes follow. And more often than not, they do what I’d rather they didn’t: toss their trash on the ground. Sometimes I say something. Other times I pick it up because it’s easier than starting ruckus with those who don’t want to be corrected.

Sometimes people oblige. Other times, I’ve gotten steely stares or flat warnings to mind my own business. So this week’s announcement of a crackdown on littering caught my eye.

Littering makes our communities look rundown and, I believe, has a subconscious impact on how people view themselves. Don’t we all feel better when our house is clean? So to for our neighborhoods.

The District’s pilot starts with warnings to pedestrians and motorists who litter.

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Dear Albert Haynesworth:

Albert, albert, al-bert

Let me start by saying I was with you when Mike Shanahan tried to make a fool of you with all that running. Then you stunk it up on the field and even you’re teammates turned on you. Seems they didn’t much like your antics either.

And now I see why. Today I read that when confronted in February by the police after you allegedly groped the breasts of black waitress at the W’s rooftop hotel, you came out of your mouth with this: “I know what this is about. She is just upset I have a white girlfriend. I couldn’t tell you the last time I dated a black girl…I don’t even like black girls.”

The police say that after an evening at the rooftop bar at the W Hotel in the District, you motioned for your waitress—both hands full with dishes—to come over. She does and then you put the credit card in her bra? Read the full story here. 

Your attorney says you won’t take a plea deal. Your prerogative, though it sounds like right after the incident, you should have walked over to this young woman, apologized profusely and opened your checkbook to try to make it right.

Instead, you went there. So let me go here.

Brother, you are entitled to date anyone you please,

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