You know, I have discovered that there are not that many people alive who have taken the time to see West Side Story.  I really am old. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6wo2wpT2k

This Vaughn Ward proves as much and reminds me of an old story I might have already relayed awhile ago. http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

But that never stopped me before.

I am representing this thirties' gay who recently lost his lover. It is 1982 and I recall that I was squeamish about shaking his hand because his lover died of AIDS.

In 1982 we knew shite about AIDS. So please forgive me.

The client was an airline steward and he had one of those grand Hispanic names...you know...like six names in a row with an Jesus thrown in for good measure.

Anyway, Thomas (fictional name) took care of his loved companion till the very end. He had to sponge bath him every day. He had to feed him and change his bed pan for at least a year as he watched death just drag the soul right out of his lover.

Obviously Thomas had that 'gene' that kept him safe from AIDS. He was hale and hearty and robust and loud; a little Falstaffian in demeanor.

Anyway the deceased's father gathered up what was left of his son two or three days before death appeared at the door. And magically, somewhere in Texas, the son decided to sign a change of beneficiary form leaving the two hundred grand to dear old dad (whom he had not spoken to in years). Before the change, Thomas had been the listed beneficiary.

Only one witness to the change and that was dear old dad.

So we try the case claiming undue influence and forged signature and....whatever I came up with. Sometime during the trial, opposing counsel asked this question of my client:

Have you ever applied to become an American Citizen?

I knew enough not to object because I already knew the answer.

I AM THOMAS ENRICO DETORO JESUS HERNANDEZ. I WAS BORN IN PUERTO RICO ON MAY 2, 1956 AND I STILL MAKE MY RESIDENCE IN PUERTO RICO ALL THESE YEARS AND AS SUCH I AM A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS MUCH A CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY AS YOU SIR.

The single greatest response ever made by one of my clients in court. I mean you should have seen the look on the faces of the jurors. hahahaha

It is just that this Vaughn is not alone in his ignorance. There are tens of millions of people in this country that do not realize that Puerto Rico is part and parcel of the United States of America.And you get your citizenship as soon as you are born and then you can move to NYC and act in West Side Story.

But then again, the idiot running against McCain in Arizona spouts that the United States never declared war on Germany during WWII.

ARE THESE IDIOTS ALL HOME SCHOOLED FOR CHRISSAKES?

Listen, I just wanted to prove that I am on line. Seashell has sent me a fantastic Compac Presario. I hooked my screen and my mouse and my keyboard and my speakers to it and it works like a charm. I have much to learn about all this new software.

Seashell has also spent three hours restructuring the software.  What a friend indeed!!!

I cannot thank you good people enough. I was excited when I first learned about the new package and blogged on Friday. I log on today and find all these comments and I feel sooooo good.

I LOVE CAFE!!!