The Slice: Bear in mind they are adorable

I had wondered how preschoolers survive sleeping with bruins.

Several readers had theories.

“I think it’s because bears are highly intelligent and recognize that youngsters mean them no harm,” wrote James McPherson. “The bears may be continuously hoping with each new generation that this crop of kids won’t grow into cynical, self-centered, sometimes mean adults who threaten the existence of all of God’s creatures.”

Cary Heuther had another idea. “Preschoolers can safely sleep with bears because the bears know they’re cubs and think they are cute.”

Jeannie Maki speculated that the bears exist in a state of quasi-hibernation that suppresses their urge to maul.

Bill Tracy said the bears know that the kids are their allies in the never-ending battle against monsters in the closet and under the bed.

Off theIR radar: Kristen Soo Hoo Edgar was watching “Jeopardy!” with her husband when they saw an answer under “U.S. Cities” for which they could have easily formed the question: “This is the largest city in Eastern Washington.”

“Sadly, none of the contestants buzzed in, and they all had a blank look on their faces.”

But Edgar noted that at least Alex Trebek pronounced “Spokane” correctly.

And they didn’t call it Eastern Washington State.

Dialing up another old-phone item: “You can find a ’50s vintage, yellow rotary phone hanging on our kitchen wall,” wrote Dave and Carolyn Cox. “Yard boy wanted to use it to call his parents. Had to show him how.”

Today’s Slice question: What percentage of the people around here nowadays would have sided with the Tories in 1776?