We had a short debate in the editorial board meeting this morning about today's Bee story describing the folks suffering outside the Mexican consulate while waiting to process passports. It's hard for me to believe no one predicted an increased demand for services.

My blood pressure goes up anytime folks in government "service" don't even think so far ahead as to provide bathrooms for people who are using their services. Certainly those office workers have facilities. If they don't want to share with their constituents who are paying their salaries, then they should have made arrangements with the city for temporary restrooms. I thought pay toilets were a relic of the past. It's uncalled-for to charge $1 for restroom services, though I understand the problem of the copy business next door.

The point was raised, however, that people brought this hardship upon themselves. They should not have waited until the last minute to process their paperwork.

Maybe so, but just look at the April 15 deadline for taxes in the U.S. and you know that human nature is human nature. Meanwhile, I think the city and the nonprofits need to step in and partner with the consulate to mitigate this unnecesssary shivering until their appointment process kicks in.