Chapter 16
The Other System
_________________________________________________________________

    Alternates is a homosexual clothing store operated by Choo Choo Miller and Boo Boo Tiller in the Midtown section of Atlanta that is now completely taken over by gays.  Same sex couples can be seen here and there walking hand in hand, and the storefronts have an assortment of unusual displays.  "Alternate life styles" is an explanation rendered for such conditions, however, a more to the point and accurate terminology  is the one offered by The Restoration.  "Homosexuality is not a religious or political issue.  It is abnormal, filthy and disgusting and should be rejected on this objective judgment."
    Choo Choo is late and hurries into the store.  He's wearing low-ride pants that display about 3 inches of white underwear that has red, printed hearts.  His white t-shirt has a print of a bearded individual with his tongue stuck out, and the back has another print "so gay."  He kisses Boo Boo on the cheek and says, "Hi, love."
    Flirty Flanagan, their lesbian seamstress,  is barely visible behind a stack of store-boughs on which she is making custom alterations, not necessarily intended to pursue any trend in fashion but to achieve some peculiar appearance and make some outrageous statement against everything that is normal.  She picks up a very attractive black dress, looks at the work order and says in a resentful voice, "Oh, that's the little twerp that came in here the other day, shaking her ass and thinking any man that saw her would start drooling at the mouth like an animal chasing after a bitch in heat."
    Choo Choo and Boo Boo exchange amused glances, and Choo Choo says, "How's everything going?"
    Boo Boo is immediately perplexed and goes to the mirror, looking at his bleached, blond hair that is frosted in a light tinge of purple and says, "Oh, I had my hair done the other day, and I can't do a thing with it."
    Flirty throws down the work order and says, "Oh Choo, you wanted me to remind you that Jew is having another press conference today at 10 o'clock."
    Choo Choo looks at his watch, turns on the television and says, "There's no telling what they've come up with now.  They make me sooo mad - all those things they've said about gays."

________________

    The pressroom at Restoration headquarters is very crowded.  Such events have become quite an item for local radio and television stations, always providing those of certain political persuasions subject matter for controversial editorials that leave the general public with the impression it is the Restoration responsible for the controversy and not the conditions within the country that began to develop before anyone even heard of The Restoration..  Behind the podium, there is a rear projection screen, adding to the reporters anticipation that this press conference will take on a different format and possibly create new material for more entertaining journalism and increased costs to advertisers.
    Melvin Rubenstein waits for the mumbling among the reporters to stop.  Seated behind him are Dr. Howard Earnshaw, Dr. Shelton Henderson and Vernon Watson of the American Medical Bureau as well as Harvey Russell of the Georgia Research Institute.  Howard feels much apprehension but at the same time is proud that he is wearing his second award St. Jude's Badge and one Crusade Medal.
    The mumbling ceases, and the room comes to a dead quiet.  Rubenstein says, "Many of you have expressed discontent as to the controlled format of our press conferences in the past, so today, I thought we would start with a surprise guest.  I'm not sure what he'll say but am relatively certain it won't be 'allusive and guarded' which are teams many of you have affixed to our previous press conferences.  May I then present Horace Hastings, a talk show host from Chicago, who made a special trip to Atlanta to appear here with us today."
    Everyone is shocked to see perhaps the most vocal critic of The Restoration enter the room and come to the podium.  He is wearing faded jeans, a white dress shirt with a bright, red tie and has greasy, black hair some 10 inches long in a pony tail.  As Rubenstein takes his seat beside the others, Hastings glares at them for quite a few moments before beginning to speak in a very forceful voice.  "Do you realize what these men are doing!?  They're preying on conditions to gain power under the guise of religion!  Don't be taken in by what they say for it is they who are responsible for the recent violence throughout the country.  They've operated under a mask of secrecy, and it is they who have committed acts of violence against a segment of the populace.  Soon, they will introduce their own political agenda.  They've waited awhile to do that - just long enough to create hate and suspicion among racial and social groups within the country through a well-managed sequence of propaganda explaining in their own terms what they insist is what's wrong with America.  Their goal is to divide the country into disorganized slices, continue the propaganda until they've fooled enough of the ignorant that don't have sense enough to see through what they're doing.  Then, amid the suspicion and fear they've created, they will gain the political power that is their ultimate intent - all the while blaming others for greed and breakdown in tradition.  Hate-mongers have always done that.  Just recall the Nazi rise to power.  At least the Nazis were honest enough not to claim religion as a basis for their movement."
    Rubenstein leans towards Howard and says, "That stupid son of a bitch.  He's walking right into it."
    With mounting resent, Hastings continues, "Their Crusades, as they call them, have been largely finger-pointing, often accusing America's diverse culture for all that is wrong and dwelling on the insane idea that merging the Church, one that they have created to serve their purpose, with government offers America the only hope to regain its position in the world.  And what have they done other than secretly directing violent attacks against enemies they have created to further mask their purpose?  They've taken advantage of the homeless and used them in their construction projects at a fraction of what they would have paid the very people they profess to put back to work.  Their leadership, if you can call it that, has destroyed jobs and plunged the economy into further downturn."
    Again he stares at the others on the platform, and his eyes come to rest on Vernon Watson and Harvey Russell for some few moments before he says, "We have 2 men not dressed as storm troopers.  The Gestapo never wore uniforms.  It didn't serve their purpose to be identified as they carried away innocent women and children.  If American doesn't stop these fanatics, it's only a matter of time until we'll start seeing people hauled away under an iron hand of terror to who knows what, and all in the name of God."
    With that, he abruptly turns, starts towards the one vacant chair but then turns and walks out of the pressroom, slamming the door behind him.
    Rubenstein decides to let Vernon Watson introduce himself and nods for him to take the podium.  Watson is a tall, slender man with gray hair and features of a reserved intellectual.  He is dressed in a dark, blue suit, white shirt and tie that perfectly matches his suit.  For a moment, he tilts his head before looking at the doorway behind which Hastings has just disappeared.  He tilts his head again and begins in the studious tone one would expect from someone having such an outward appearance.  "I'm not from the Gestapo.  In fact, I'm not even enlisted in The Restoration.  I do, however, share some of their concerns but these concerns are not economic, political or religious in nature.  Let me introduce myself.  I'm Vernon Watson.  For the past 10 years, I've been director of the American Medical Bureau that has the responsibility of overseeing research in the medical profession, administering grants and monitoring the insurance industry's activities, primarily in hospital care.  To my knowledge, the American Medical Bureau has never hauled away anyone and has no immediate plans to begin any such practice that would not serve the purpose of the organization."       
    "So, what am I doing here amid what you just heard described as a mask of secrecy and disputed political intent?  It's for the very purpose you might expect from someone in my position and that is to announce what I and all on the Board of Directors at the Bureau consider one of the most promising medical breakthroughs, certainly in my lifetime and as far back as I can recall.  Within the past few months, under the leadership of The Restoration and careful monitor by the American Medical Bureau, Doctors at Henderson Hospital, primarily Howard Earnshaw and Shelton Henderson who are here with us today, have developed new methods of cancer treatment.  Yes, you heard me correctly - treatment.  Not genetic engineering and not relegation into a pain management system.  Their research has the undisputed potential of relieving the pain and suffering of many - all abandoned by the medical system under an automatic system immediately categorizing many as hopeless, too expensive to treat and therefore terminal."
    He turns to the rear projection screen and continues, "Although the press often doesn't have a scientific mind, you need facts to support such a claim.  I have a number of items for your consideration."
    On the rear projection screen, there is a picture of the patient in room 34 in his hospital bed with many tubes and monitors.  Watson says, "You might expect such an environment for a person who is terminal and at the time this picture was taken, was only expected to live a few more weeks under pain management.  His x-rays attest to that."  The x-ray images come up on the screen, and Watson places a pointer over several dark areas.  "These are inoperable tumors across the bottom of the spleen and penetrating into the gastric folds of the stomach.  There is a smaller tumor at the pyloric opening extending into the ascending colon down to the hepatic flexure.  Such an advanced progression has long been regarded as hopeless.  But now let me show you something."
     A video of the surgery at Henderson Hospital comes onto the screen.  The patient's heartbeats can be seen in the throbbing tissue around the tumors, exposed by a long incision across his lower abdomen.  There is dead quiet in the room as the reports gape at the portion of the surgery where Dr. Henderson used the endoscope to follow the progression of the tumors behind the stomach and then painstakingly separate the organs to remove the tumor through a series of braces he inserted to hold the organs in place during the process.
    As the next series of images come onto the screen, Watson says, "Here Dr. Earnshaw is injecting a series of protein Inhibitons that he developed after years of research.  These compounds restore and strengthen the properties of the p53 gene and enable the compounds to bind to the cell receptor protein molecules of neighboring tissue and interrupt the uncontrolled growth factor of any remaining cancer cells."
    Briefly, the first series of x-rays come back on the screen.  As other images appear,  Watson says, "Recall the progression of the malignancy  before surgery, and now observe x-rays 21 days after surgery.  The dark areas are absent."  He points to a number of sutures around the removal sites.  "Healthy tissue growth is beginning to fill in along the surgical line, and the patient is ready for the next step in his recovery process."
    There is a video of Dr. Earnshaw using an endoscope and a modified laparoscopic process to insert several long needles into the tissue surrounding the tumor sites.  There is a stir in the room, and Watson waits for it to subside before going on. "The drainage tubes have been removed, and here we see additional Enhanceiton protein compounds consisting of highly concentrated amino acids being injected into the organs around the removal site.  Now observe the x-rays 42 days after surgery and note the healthy tissue has advanced over the sutures."  Another x-ray is on the screen, and he says, "Compare the last x-ray to this which is an x-ray of a normal digestive system.  All the patient's organs have been restored to near normal regimentation."  Then there are pictures of the patient walking down the hospital hall and out onto the hospital grounds.  Watson says, "This is the patient 5 weeks after he was supposed to be dead."
    There is a louder stir in the room when additional x-ray images come on the screen.  Still using the pointer, Watson says, "This is an andenocarcinoma in the lung.  Cancer has no enclosing capsule which causes it to metastasize via the blood stream to other parts of the body - sometimes into the brain.  Brain cancer is the most debilitating, often placing the patient into a slow progression process involving much pain and finally loss of consciousness over lengthy periods.  Presently, treatment for such a condition would be denied by the insurance system, the patient placed in pain management and only observed as he suffered under a torturous death.  Sedateomoxifaine is the primary drug used in pain management but our research has shown many patients develop a tolerance to this drug after only 3 or 4 months.  Then, the patient is indeed hopeless, often enduring unbearable pain until mercifully, the body concedes to death.  You may recall the original manufacturer of Sedateomoxifaine was bought out by United Rx, a large conglomerate of smaller companies obtained by some very complicated stock exchange procedures.  With their marketing campaign for Sedateomoxifaine, it has become the largest selling drug in the world.  Such is the outcome of clever advertising campaigns that often shield the facts and serve the purpose of progressive statistics."
    "I have another sequence of videos for this very patient."  Again, the surgery is shown as well as the post-operative injection process, accompanied by x-rays showing the stages of tissue replacement.  He pauses and seems somewhat amused as the reporters strain to see the screen, knock against each other and feverishly take notes.  Walking back to the podium, he says, "I'm going to ask this patient to join us now."
    An elderly man enters the room and quietly takes his seat beside Dr. Earnshaw.
    Watson again pauses, looks at the x-ray on the screen and then at the patient.  He points to a number of boxes at the rear of the room and says, "All those boxes are labeled with your news organizations and contain videos and case records for 15 patients who have undergone similar treatments.  Of course, more time is needed to determine the long-term benefit of this new form of treatment but there can be no question of its short-term benefit, be it only sparing the terminally ill the pain and suffering they endure today in pain management.  I think....no, I'm quite certain the ultimate benefit will be proven to extend far beyond that.  I sincerely hope the press will not take this breakthrough and describe it as some terror tactic or act to gain political power.  Mr. Rubenstein will now receive your questions."
    Hands shoot up and clamor breaks out as Rubenstein silently stands at the podium.  Soon, they all realize he is waiting for them to shut up, and a gradual quiet settles.  As expected, the first reporter asks a rhetorical question, seasoned with the normal suspicion of The Restoration.  "Mr. Rubenstein, what we've just seen are surgical procedures that became obsolete many years ago.  Do you honestly think the profession will take this giant step into the past and abandon all the technological advances of the present day?"
    Rubenstein quickly shakes his head and says, "First, I must correct the premise of your question.  Please recognize we're speaking of terminal patients presently in pain management who are receiving no treatment at all.  Then too, you must also consider the massive costs of maintaining this new technology, as you describe it, is one of the main reasons for so many restrictions in insurance, the collapse of the Medicaid system and a budget crisis for many hospitals that has caused them to cease use of such equipment in any event.  Recognizing all these conditions, the recommended treatment process is both practical and cost effective."  
    Another reporter asks in the same antagonistic tone, "Mr. Rubenstein, Mr. Rubenstein, you've conveniently overlooked so many aspects of how such an idea can be reasonable put into practice.  Where is the hospital space?  Where will the doctors come from?  I can guarantee you present private insurance and Medicare will not pay for experimental medicine."
    Rubenstein faces the screen and immediately produces a picture of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
    The reporter shouts, "Now what's that got to do with it?" as all the others chime in with a sarcastic laugh.
    Rubenstein is still at the screen and asks, "How did the country respond to this crisis?"
    The reporter sits back down after saying, "I don't know where you're going with all this."
    Other images come up on the screen.  The first is a picture of an Army recruiting office and then a sweep to a long line of men extending some 3 blocks down the street.  Rubenstein says, "These are only a few of the many who recognized the Pearl Harbor crisis and immediately volunteered to do whatever they could to assist their country that was truly in need at this moment in history.  At this very moment, we're preparing medical manuals outlining the surgical procedures and protein compounds for post-operative treatment.  We're going to ask every surgeon in the country to first read these manuals and then attend a number of seminars we'll be sponsoring throughout the country.  After that, we still have enough confidence in the American spirit to know many of them will volunteer one day each week to contribute their skills to those so desperately in need."
    Another question rings out.  "These advanced cases can't be treated like a woman in labor in the back seat of a car on the way to a hospital.  Even if you get the volunteers, who'll  pay for the hospital stays?  You just said it won't be the insurance system and implied hospital budgets won't allow them to contribute anything."
    Rubenstein faces the reporter and sternly asks, "How many people are there in the United States?"
    Amid more laughter, the reporter says, "Hell, I don't know.  What....300 million?"
    "Three-hundred twenty million," Rubenstein says.  "Today, The Restoration will begin an effort to enlist every single one of them in this....this Crusade to help the sick.  We're asking that each week,  every family contribute but one dollar for each member in their home to an accounting firm that will independently receive and distribute the funds as training, qualification and needs develop.  The firm is Weinstein Investment Management.  The address is on the screen here and also posted on Restoration.org.   The Weinstein office will issue weekly reports on funds collection and offer a careful accounting of expenditures."
    He waits for other questions but the reporters, unsuspecting such an announcement, cannot gather their thoughts, and the room falls into dead silence.
    Rubenstein signals the screen to be shut down and says, "We have another announcement.  May I introduce Dr. Harvey Russell of the Georgia Research Institute."
    Russell isn't nearly as polished as Rubenstein and is rather tentative when he looks about the room, giving the distinct impression he is unsure of what he is about to say and doesn't know exactly how to put it.  He and the reporters stare at one another until he finally says, "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, more commonly called AIDS, is a disease that has substantially fallen from the news since a number of suppression drugs were developed.  These drugs greatly reduced the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, through strengthening the t-cell lymphocyte production of anti-bodies, and transmission of AIDS has markedly reduced over the past 20 years.  Most any disease will develop a tolerance to drugs, and the infecting organisms eventually take on an immunity to suppressing  medications.  Within the past year, the Georgia Research Institute has carefully monitored the national data base and observed an influx of pneumocystis carinii bacteria pneumonia and certain cancers, primarily Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Kaposi's Sarcoma.  Further analysis has shown a greatly accelerated RNA dependant DNA polymerase in a mutated form of the AIDS virus.  The most striking thing about this development is  the great majority of cases have occurred in elderly patients presently in the pain management system - those one would not expect to have contact with blood-born HIV antigens primarily transmitted by homosexuals."
    The hush in the room is more intense as a fixed stare comes over the reporters' faces, most of whom don't have the presence of mind to begin taking notes.
    Russell gains confidence from the obvious level of interest and speaks much more clearly.  "Preliminary cell analysis strongly suggests transmission of the new form of the disease is not limited to blood-to-blood contact, and it is strongly suspected that infection can transmit through casual contact of skin cells, perspiration and salvia. With the material that Mr. Rubenstein mentioned, also included is a 12 month study of incidence rates among those over 65 years of age, tabulated within postal zip codes.  Without exception, the localities have a high population of homosexuals, and these incidence rates exceed any accepted parameter of probability and establish homosexuals as the primary carriers of the mutated virus."
    As a hushed undertone of whispers begins to build, Russell falls into what seems a loss of confidence and hurriedly says, "I've told you all we know at this point, and your questions would tell you no more than what I have just said."
    Prompted by the obvious intent to end the conference, the reporters enter into something of an organized riot, as they madly sort through the boxes, trying to find the one addressed to their station or newspaper.  Soon, the room is cleared, save many discarded notes on the floor, disorganized chairs and the few individuals on the platform who remain for a few moments, staring at the vacant room and then at each other.

________________

    Within the next few days, various accounts and opinions appear in broadcasts and newspaper editorials.  Many of the opinions are at odds but some speak to fast-emerging facts not open to interpretation.

Massive Response To Medical Fund Raising Campaign

   Only days after the announcement of what The Restoration called The Helping Hands Crusade, Weinstein Investment Management, the appointed auditor, announced the fund has received 425 million dollars, mostly in individual contributions of $5 or less.  The Crusade now enters into what medical observers describe as an impossible logistics management entanglement requiring a nationwide distribution of medical manuals, recruitment of surgical volunteers and negotiations with hundreds of hospitals that presently do not know what doctors will volunteer and if such doctors are on their surgical staffs.  Aside from these concerns, other questions have arisen as to the legality of widespread implementation of the proposed procedures without the lengthy process normally required to obtain government approval.

    It only takes a few days for the legal system, just as Vernon Watson had predicted, to unleash a broadside of challenges to the medical research.  Doctor Harvey Russell was immediately fired from the Georgia Research Institute for making unauthorized disclosures and endangering the privacy rights of homosexuals.  In a recently developed legal maneuver, what is now called a joint suit by parties having contingent interests is filed by the Georgia Medicare Administrative Agency, the Georgia Research Institute,  United Rx and the Gay Rights Alliance.  A list of violations to existing law are cited claiming unauthorized medical experimentation, failure to establish Medicare guidelines before beginning the surgical procedures and administering the protein compounds and undocumented allegations that homosexuals are responsible for transmitting a new strand of AIDS when sufficient data does not exist to support the existence of the new strand.  Any application of the new findings is ordered stopped until creditable data, large enough to support conclusions, can be tabulated.
    The 5th Circuit Court in Atlanta ruled against the prosecution's request for a long discovery period and distant trial date based on the prosecution's own brief that insufficient data existed and there was, therefore, no material to discover.  There was some guarded shock when The Restoration announced its case would be pleaded by Martin Rosenfeld, a Jewish lawyer, known for his renegade courtroom tactics in previous corporate law cases that on a few occasions had brought him close to being disbarred.  
    This case is by far the most controversial item in current news events and offers the news media an unsurpassed opportunity to increase the cost of advertising in the newspaper columns and televisions news.  The reports even exceed the space and time offered to accounts on who is suspected of screwing who in Hollywood, who has been proven to be screwing who in several prominent divorce cases and ads for upcoming television movies on sexual predators. 

________________

    The DA's opening statement dwells more on allegations rather than established fact relevant to the plaintiffs' case.  He seems to have rehearsed his pacing motion in front of the jury box and waving motions of the hands and arms that make him appear more like a sidewalk preacher than learned attorney.  Finally, he comes to a stop, places his hands on his hips and faces Martin Rosenfeld.  "I'm surprised....I'm surprised that it took a case such as this to bring you into court.  I'll just tell you and the jury that a number of criminal investigations against The Restoration are underway at this moment, and I expected you to be brought up on murder and criminal conspiracy charges rather than a civil case.  You, Mr. Rosenfeld, will insist other legal actions have no bearing on this case but perhaps they do.  Now, you've done what you have before - you've taken the law into your own hands, assumed authority you do not have and clothed it all in some self-endearing front that you have set out to restore the American spirit."
    He moves to the jury box, and in a less challenging voice, says, "So now what have you done?  You've come up with some undocumented medical miracle that while established authorities are trying to prove or disprove your claims, the already burdened medical system will be further weaken while some Frankenstein-like experimentation goes on.  It will create hope among those who have no hope, and the very system you propose to overhaul, like an unskilled auto mechanic working on a jacked up vehicle in the street, will become more burdened.  This case must be determined by common sense.  We have no body.  We have no murder weapon - at least not one that can be put in a plastic bag and shown to you.  What you must decide is a crime against existing law where drugs not approved by government agencies have been put into use by an organization who claims one of its proposed ways to rebuild American is to merge the Church into government and increase centralized government control of nearly everything.  Yet, they contradict their own doctrine and take off on their own like a dog that jumps the fence and ends up chewing off the legs of a child down the street."
    He walks back to the prosecutor's table, again changes the infection of his voice and goes on.  "Some have called you Neo-Nazi.  Oh, you have no death camps.  Maybe that will follow as a convenient solution for those who refuse to go along with conspiracy and all the rest.  Although not proven, there's little doubt you are responsible for the brutal attacks on the innocent since you began your quest for power.  You're on the verge of launching your political campaign, and even it places you in marching steps with the real Nazis.  It's a platform against privacy, human rights and a calculated exploitation of news events and present conditions, some of which you created to suit your own evil and power-seeking objectives."
    "There are no witnesses to your past brutality - at least none who are still living, but now we have evidence that has quite properly placed you where you belong - as a defendant in a court of law.  Oh, you say you've collected millions of dollars for the public good but you knew your claims would be challenged and you would find yourselves exactly where you are now.  It's all a scheme to direct these millions of dollars to who knows what.  Maybe one of your construction projects you claim is to house the homeless is really a concentration camp you will open with no political fanfare to house your opponents and not the homeless.  Are we to wait for the explosions and the buildings to start coming down?  No, No, No - a thousand times no.  You're guilty of many crimes, only some of which are recorded in these proceedings."
    During the prosecutor's vigorous presentation and body motion requiring some athletic ability, Rosenfeld remained quite calm.  Now, he remains in his seat, watches the prosecutor walk back to his table; and with his eyes still fixed on him, slightly tilts his head.  He then tilts it the other way and looks at the judge who is staring at him with a rather stern expression.  Rosenfeld stands up, faces the jury and says, "If I'm expected to respond to what you have just heard with the same waving motions and ranting hands, I'll need to warm up."  He then takes off his coat,  does a few side-straddle-hops and touches his toes a few times.
    As laughter breaks out in the courtroom, the judge pounds his gavel as though he were a carpenter driving in a 30-point nail.  The laughter subsides, and he says, "Mr. Rosenfeld, don't make a joke of what your client expects.  We'll have none of that or anything like it.  Make your statement."
    Rosenfeld puts his coat back on, picks up a piece of paper and begins to fan his face as he walks towards the jury and says, "Perhaps I shouldn't admit it but I'm confused.  I think what I just heard was....what did he keep saying....oh, yes - undocumented....undocumented claims.  Well, as to Neo-Nazism...."  His pacing comes to an abrupt halt and he places his hand under his chin before saying in an enlightened tone, "Wait a minute....that's not what we're called here to decide but you know that.  Let me tax your imagination for a moment.  Let's assume everything you just heard is true and there is indeed some dark conspiracy, that somehow no one has discovered, to assume political power and then place everyone under some sort of occupation where all the Restoration's construction projects overnight will be transformed into concentration camps housing political opponents and lawyers who made undocumented claims against them.  What does that have to do with healing the sick and preventing the spread of disease?  Is it possible that such an evil organization as the Restoration would even consider such a task.  All those millions of dollars it now has should not be wasted on medical research but no....put to better use in the purchase of weapons and spread of political propaganda intended to exploit the suffering of so many and serve its evil goals."
    He pauses a moment, again tilts his head, as though in thought, and says, "That's certainly one way of looking at it.  There is, however, some other explanation that, when you consider the facts, documented evidence and not unsubstantiated theory, may well lead you to the truth that is now your solemn responsibility to determine.  Let's get away from all the conspiracy theories and look at the facts you must consider.  Have you ever found yourself in a position, perhaps at home or at work, that you saw someone who was not facing his or her responsibilities?  What would you do, if your wife ignored the needs of your children?  What would you do, if you discovered some procedure at your work that was neglecting the expectations of your customers?  Would you put your hands in your pockets, walk away and simply recite that cliché of the me generation - 'that's not my problem?'  What should a responsible person do, when he or she observes such things?  Let's continue the trend established by the prosecution and dwell on the Nazis.  Some of the greatest heroes of World War II were Nazis, for it was they who saw grave crimes against humanity, not to mention flawed tactical planning, and it was they in the July Plot who rose up and attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Their goal was to stop the atrocities and negotiate an immediate peace with the Allies, for they saw the cause of the war, greatly changed since the nationalist movement had begun, was hopeless.  Goals had been deceived and worthwhile purpose lost.  So, what's my point?  The need was recognized and the response to that need came from within the Nazi party itself.  The party didn't respond to the need and join the move to bring a humane end to the war.  What did it do?  It hung those in the July Plot with piano wire and after that, thousands and thousands more died for nothing."
    "Regardless of where you stand on today's political issues or whether you are conservative or liberal, you surely must recognize substantial needs exist within the country.  As long as the medical system is the central question, why don't we get away from undocumented accusations and look at the facts.  Like the Nazi curfew, substantial restrictions exist.  Much medical research has been abandoned.  It's too expensive - especially when current economic theories such as progressive statistics discourage assuming additional expense when profits from existing products are increasing.   Much of the advanced computer equipment in hospitals now stands idle.  It's too expensive to maintain and in fact, there's no need to maintain it for surgeries medical insurance will now deny.  It's much less trouble and much less expensive to place suffering patients in pain management.  Statistics clearly establish they won't live long enough and the expense for materials needed to wipe the urine and feces away all the while they're suffering are much lower than surgery for hopeless patients.  If we are permitted to theorize to the extent the prosecution has, we could say this is the oppression that is ruling America.  No one is dying in gas chambers but people who could be saved are dying all the same.  Those who cannot afford medical insurance or have insurance that will not pay due to recently incorporated restrictions, are being led to the gas chambers of pain management.  Accountants and statisticians, not doctors, have it all worked out.  Death comes more quickly and less expensive than any effort for cure.  That's the system, so hang The Restoration with piano wire and continue to permit those with the skill and resources to stand by with their hands in their pockets and eyes closed.  Then, when America finally recognizes or admits what has happened, do the same thing as the Nazis at the war crimes trials and simply say, 'I didn't know.  I was just following orders.'  Or should we do the same as those in the July Plot - rise up against the system, stop the killing, regain our lost purpose and send a helping hand to those who are so desperately in need?  I submit there is one other way to consider these charges.  Suppose I walk back to the desk, remove the gun from my briefcase and shoot the judge, because I don't like the way he combs his hair.  By any legal standard, I am guilty and should be executed.  Suppose I simply walk to the bench, slap his hand, and say, 'I don't like the way you comb your hair,' and then, run and face the corner as though I were a child in the 3rd grade?  The same thought prompted both actions but should the SS now come,  remove me from the corner and take me away to the same electric chair used to execute a murderer?  What is the greater crime - murder or a slap on the hand?  Don't ask yourself that question - it's obvious.  What you must determine is what is the greater crime - to recognize a need and do nothing or with all your heart and worthy intent, rise up against it - just as those in the July Plot and just as The Restoration has now done."
    The prosecutor, paces in front of the witness chair, now occupied by a representative of the Georgia Research Institute, and asks, "What is the procedure for obtaining license to distribute newly developed pharmaceuticals?"
    The witness says, "We use roughly the same procedure as did the FDA before that responsibility was delegated to the states.  First of all, any organization submitting findings must first be licensed as a research facility."
    The prosecutor briskly walks back to his table, removes several documents and says, "Your honor, may I submit in evidence the license of Henderson Hospital where these experimentations took place.  The facility is licensed as a private hospital and has no license for medical research."  He moves back to the witness and goes on.  "Aside from administering new drugs and treatment methods, what are the activities of the Georgia Research Institute?"
    "We tabulate a highly structured information gathering process, receive case reports from hospital administrations all over the state and conduct test on bacteria and tissue samples in an ongoing process to apply this information in the development of vaccines and cures."
    The prosecutor looks at the jury and rather loudly says, "What is the procedure for an independent medical facility to conduct research on drugs or procedures normally done at the institute?"
    The witness also looks at the jury and forcefully says, "They must submit supporting data and be issued a license.  Based on evaluation by our medical staff and the relative merit of the submitted proposals, in some instances,  a financial grant is awarded to assist the research."
    "And what did The Restoration do before conducting the research and even putting the alleged results into surgical and treatment procedures?"
    The witness shrugs his shoulders, looks at the judge and says, "Nothing."
    Walking back to his table, the prosecutor says, "A violation of state law....not to mention medical ethics."
    Rosenfeld steps forward, holding a book on his shoulder, as though he were a soldier marching in a parade, and asks, "Do you know what this is?" as he shows it to the witness.
    Immediately, the witness is indignant and pointedly says, "Of course, I know what it is.  It's the by-laws of the Georgia Research Institute."
    Rosenfeld begins sifting through the pages and says, "I read the entire thing the other day and was especially struck by article 3 on page 54."  He hands the book to the witness and says, "Would you read the first sentence to the jury?"
    The witness reads the sentence first, hesitates and in a much toned-down voice, recites, "Mission - To aggressively encourage and test treatment methods and medications, grant licensing and establish procedures for implementation for the health of the general public."
    "And exactly how do you do that?" Rosenfeld asks.
    "We must first establish the benefit and determine side effects through test parameters and lengthy trial periods before any drug can to into general distribution."
    In a rather astonished tone, Rosenfeld says, "Really...."  He goes back to his table, picks up a stack of computer data sheets and returns to the witness, holding them on his shoulder in the same manner as he did the by-laws.  He asks the witness, "Do you know what this is?"
    Somewhat disinterested, the witness says, "No."
    "It's something I got from the Department of Public Records.  Anyone in the state can get a copy by filling out a half-sheet request form and paying $10.  If you park across the street from the department, it'll cost you $12."  He returns to his table and begins an exaggerated flipping motion, as he searches through the pages.  "Oh, yes.  Here it is.  According to information your office submitted to the records department, within the the 15 year period preceding the last 5 years , your department granted 1500 licenses for medical research - all properly documented under the process you have described."  He continues to flip, being certain he makes more noise with the pages.  "But wait - during the past 5 years, only 125 such licenses were granted.  When I saw that, I had to make another trip to the records department and pay another $12 to park.  Now where did I put it?  Here it is.  These are records accrued from information each hospital in the state of Georgia is required to submit to your agency each quarter and my God, within the past 5 years during which you awarded a scant 25% of the licenses than during the proceeding  15 years, cancer deaths in the state of Georgia rose 24%."  He walks back to the witness stand, shaking his head and holding his palms up.  I think statisticians call this 'a conflicting data base requiring further analysis.'"
    "Were you aware of these figures."
    "Yes."
    "What did you do?"
    "Nothing."
    "Why?"
    "We didn't need to waist the taxpayers' money doing research on something we already knew.  Independent medical research has become very expensive, and all the drug companies are now largely producing drugs that have an established market.  Most of the drugs developed during the 5 year period you mentioned were pain killers now used in pain management.  If the medical system will not pay for treatment of terminal cases, the need to develop treatment drugs diminished to the point large scale research, often requiring years, was not cost-effective."
    Again Rosenfeld says, "Really....well, well....I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask that you again look at article 54 and explain to this court why the Georgia Research Institute has greatly diminished conducting the very activity it was formed to achieve."
    The prosecutor jumps up as though his chair were on fire and shouts, "Objection - the institute has broken no laws, and this entire line of interrogation is only an effort to misdirect the jury's attention from the central issue."
    In a very studious voice, the judge looks over his by-focals and says, "Overruled.  The defense is laying a foundation.  You well know that's permissible."
    Rosenfeld looks at the prosecutor and says, "I knew you would say something like that. Recall my example about shooting the judge or slapping him on the hand."  He whirls around and very quickly paces back towards the jury, then turns around and goes back to the table where he takes his coat off again walks back to the jury.  "In each of those examples, an injustice was done."  He whirls around again and faces the witness.  "But if all I do is slap someone's hand and tell him something he truly needs to know, should I go to the chair - the same as if I had murdered him and left it to the undertaker to comb his hair?"  He whirls around yet another time and faces the jury.  "This case is not one to be decided on evidence collected from a crime scene."
    The prosecutor again jumps up.  "Objection.  The defense is making a closing statement in the middle of a cross-examination."
    The judge, without realizing it, brushes his hand through his hair and says, "Sustained.  Mr. Rosenfeld, save that for the proper time."
    Rosenfeld places his palm over his lips and tip-toes back to his table.  He faces the witness and asks, "Based on these public records, can you honestly say the Georgia Research Institute has met the responsibilities outlined in its own charter?"
    Again, the witness is indignant and responds, "You can't look at it in such a simplistic manner.  The department has a budget that has been greatly reduced during the period you mentioned due to failing tax collections.  We can't go out like someone from the Gestapo and issue an ultimatum to any hospital or research facility to require them to do anything.  That's not the way the free enterprise system works."
    Rosenfeld again puts his coat on, places his hands on his hips and asks, "And what should one do when the free enterprise system does not work?"  Again, he picks up the computer runs and almost shouts, "If you need, a body at some crime scene, here it is."  He takes his coat back off and walks back to the witness.  "The prosecution keeps referring to Nazis.  You just did yourself in referring to the Gestapo.  May we continue this analysis and say we're  speaking of 2 evils.  On one hand, we have a department that has not done what it was chartered to do.  On the other, we have a hospital, granted without proper license, who has taken on some of that responsibility; and despite what you have said, at this point, there is no data to support the claims of the research are not entirely valid."
    The witness says, "I don't understand the question."
    The prosecutor jumps up.  "That's not a question."
    Rosenfeld continues, "Well, then I must continue the metaphor analysis the prosecution began.  Would you say we're speaking of 2 acts.  The lack of activity by the institute and the unlicensed research of Henderson Hospital?"
   As the witness says, "Yes," the prosecutor stands, doesn't say anything and sits back down.
   Rosenfeld walks back to the jury box, leans on the rail and says, "Then continuing this analysis, would you say that those in the July Plot to assassinate Hitler were faced with the same question.  Which was the greater evil?  To permit the death camps to go on or try to end a hopeless war by yes, another illegal act - murder.  What would be the greater evil?  My shooting the judge or slapping him on the hand?"  He waits but the witness does not respond.  He puts his coat back on, walks back to his table, opens his briefcase and produces a single piece of paper.  He hands it to the witness and asks, "Do you know what this is?"
   The witness looks at the document for about one second, hands it back to Rosenfeld and says in a weak voice, "It's the Hippocratic Oath."
   Rosenfeld walks back to his table, takes his coat back off and begins distributing copies of the Hippocratic Oath among the jurors as he says, "Surely, the prosecution won't object to this being entered into evidence.  It deals with a physician's obligations and pledge to do no harm."  He walks back to the witness and asks, "Isn't it true that medical science has surrendered to pain management and progressive statistics - employees have been laid off, many restrictions have been added to medical insurance and as long as a profit margin exists at a certain level, nothing will change....unless....unless someone, some group of individuals , much the same as those in the July Plot, come forward and assassinate the system?  Oh, not out of malice but out of a sincere determination and drive to carry out the standards of the very document you are holding in your hand?  What crime, if you insist on calling it that, has been committed?  Who has been harmed?  What should the jury decide?  What the defendant has done or what the system has not done.  And then, then comes the question.  Where does the crime really exist?"
   The prosecutor pounces to his feet and paces towards the bench.  "Your honor, council is again making statements and not conducting a cross examination.  I object."
   The judge says, "Overruled.  I'm not sure about the grammar but there is a question there."  He looks at the witness as though intrigued at what his next answer might be.
   The witness is confused, not knowing that is precisely the reaction Rosenfeld had hoped to achieve, and only says, "We have to act within the budget we are awarded and at our level, can't take off and establish new guidelines and benefits within the system."
   Rosenfeld pounds the table and shouts, "And that, ladies and gentlemen of the jury is precisely what all the Nazi war criminals said.  'I was just following orders.'"
    The prosecutor appears dumbfounded but calls the next witness from United RX. With the same accusatory nature is in his voice, he asks, "One of the questions the jury must decide is what injury these unproven and undocumented claims The Restoration has made has caused the plaintiffs to suffer.  What can you tell us about that?"
    The witness is hostile and barks out, "We've experienced substantial loss in stock value.  Orders for Sedateomoxifaine, our largest selling product, have declined dramatically, even though it is the most widely used pain killer in the pain management system."
    The prosecutor folds his hands and says, "Let's try to avoid the wide speculation that brought us here and only concern ourselves with established fact.  What other adverse effects have you experienced?"
    "We've found it necessary to lay off a number of employees, and the decline in stock value has discouraged our continuing research projects.  We're a business and must make a profit.  Due to that, sometimes, we must do things we'd just as soon do without."
    "Would it be factual to state that recent events have caused great harm to your business?"
    "Yes, without question."
    Walking back to the table, the prosecutor looks at Rosenfeld and says, "We need not prolong these proceedings with dramatics and courtroom shenanigans.  What you have just heard are the facts central to this case."
    Rosenfeld walks to the witness and says, "I was trying to find a word to describe some of the things I found in the last prospectus of United RX, and the prosecutor just gave it to me.  I don't think shenanigan is a widely used accounting term but let's look at your own report and see just what has injured your business to the extent you just testified.  United RX showed a 25% increase in profits 3 years ago and 33% 2 years ago.  There's several pages here detailing what you just said.  Sedateomoxifaine is the most widely used pain killer and this one drug alone is responsible for nearly all of the increased revenue."  He thumbs through the pages and adds, "But I don't know if you should call it a shenanigan or not but look here, operating expenses during this same period are down 30% and 40% respectively.  I looked through the prospectus several times and could not find any explanation of this which struck me as a more glaring statistic than the increased revenue.  Oh, don't misunderstand me.  You don't have a charter as does the Georgia Research Institute and don't have the exact responsibilities as a government funded agency; and  as you stated, a business must make a profit but the further and further I got into the prospectus, the more and more questions I had.  Let's get back to this same 3 year period.  Your research allocations declined 45%,  and as stated, the employee payroll went down 30%, yet your stock value increased 21%."
    Rosenfeld walks to the jury box and asks, "Since your suit was brought, how many employees has United RX laid off?"
    The witness stares at the prosecutor and in a much more guarded tone, says, "Well....actually none.  We have what we call short term and long term planning phases.  Due to recent developments, additional layoffs are anticipated in both the short and long term."
    Rosenfeld turns so the jury can see the prospectus and goes on.  "There's a very complicated graph on page 11 with blue and red lines running up and down.  Based on the blue lines, within the past 4 months, you've actually added 5% to your work force."  He faces the witness but does not ask a question.
    After another hesitation, the witness says, "We were not meeting production schedules and found that necessary."
    Still at the jury box, Rosenfeld says,  "I try to keep up with what's going on in the business world."  He begins walking back towards his table and says, "Perhaps I shouldn't tell anyone, but the legal system really doesn't use sexy private investigators, like in those television programs, to uncover dark facts needed to sway a jury.  I suppose some of my clients will be asking me why I charge so much when I tell you I get a lot of information I need to present court cases from magazines such as this that I bought at the corner drug store for $1.25.  There's a long article in here about the current implementation of the theory of progressive statistics.  It starts out by justifying the practice by mentioning that in times past, business procedures had a record of expanding to include enough steps to accommodate the number of employees producing much redundancy and excessive operating costs.  It says here that as competition grew within the past 10 years, employers found it necessary to cut expenses by removing many processing steps and redundant quality control administration.  The central guideline is that such reduction should continue until it produces an adverse effect on profit.  Is United RX presently operating under such a procedure?"
    "Not to the extent you imply."
    Rosenfeld stands perfectly still for a moment before his mouth drops open.  He reaches into his briefcase and produces a neatly bound manual.  He puts one hand on top of his head and the other at the bottom of his chin and pushes his mouth closed before walking to the witness stand, handing the manual to the witness and asking, "Can you tell the jury what this is?"
    "It's the manual for management trainees at United RX."
    "And who wrote it?"
    "I did."
    Rosenfeld opens his coat and stuffs the manual under his belt.  "Since you wrote it, you don't need me to tell you it is divided into 3 major sections, namely, Progressive Statistics and Cost Management, Downdrag of Employee Benefits and Outsourcing to Achieve Tax Benefits."  How does laying off someone and sending his job to an outside source achieve a tax benefit?"
    "We would no longer need to maintain the equipment required for his job, would not pay Social Security tax and would no longer carry him in medical insurance and retirement benefits.  That's an established trend.  If you read the article, you know that."
    Rosenfeld jerks the manual from his pants, leaving his shirt half-way out, and asks in a startled voice, "Do you mean that before all these undocumented claims were made by The Restoration, United RX was already well into an expense cutting program?"  He fumbles through the pages and says, "Oh, yes.  Here it is.  You call it downsizing."
    "No.  That's what whoever wrote that article called it.  We call it rightsizing."
    Rosenfeld's hands drop to his side, and the manual falls on the floor.  "Do you mean....do you mean that, call it what you may, United RX was well into some kind of sizing that saw quality control procedures eliminated and many employees with it?"
    "I wouldn't put it that way?"
    Rosenfeld picks up the manual.  "Maybe I'm making something very complicated that is really very simple.  Lawyers do that you know, hoping to confuse a jury.  Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.  Let's get back to the facts.  Isn't is true that your, what did you say, short and long term planning, already provided for the layoffs long before this suit was brought?"
    The witness refuses to give a direct answer and only says, "We didn't plan the decline in stock value."
    Rosenfeld slaps his palm against his forehead and says, "I'm glad you brought that up.  I almost forgot."  He stops and looks at the ceiling.  "I can't remember where I parked my car either."  He produces more computer pages and walks towards the witness, taking long, swift steps.  "These are quarterly reports from the 10 largest hospitals in the United States during the same periods we have mentioned."  He slaps his hand against his head again and says, "Your honor, I forgot to enter the prospectus into evidence.  Here it is as well as these reports."  He does a military about face, comes back to the witness and asks, "Now, where was I."  When the witness says nothing, he leans forward and says in a muted voice, "Don't tell me you haven't been paying attention."  After another brief pause when he searches through his pants pockets, as though he had lost something, he says, "Check the figures if you like.  During the period in question, prescriptions for Sedateomoxifaine were down 25%, and what did the prosecutor say a minute ago?  Oh yes, a shenanigan.  Well, if you look very closely at  the prospectus, you're going to see something of an accounting shenanigan. Isn't it true that the profit declared is due expense reduction from employee layoffs, reduced benefits and cuts in quality control procedures?"
    The witness looks helplessly at the prosecutor and mumbles, "Yes."
    Rosenfeld places his hands on his hips and says, "And just how long can you continue to conceal the fact you are losing market share by a substantial margin, primarily due to reduction in orders for Sedateomoxifaine?"
    The witness becomes increasingly more restless and says, "That's not my department.  I don't have the facts at hand to make such a projection."
    For a moment, a startled expression comes over Rosenfeld before he says, "I agree.  Damn, I asked the wrong question.  What I should have asked would concern the past and not the future."  He moves closer to the witness and pointedly adds, "Are you telling this jury that all the figures in the documents now entered into evidence are the result of about a 20 second statement in a press conference held by The Restoration when it announced its medical findings?  How could that be?  The figures have been steadily declining for months?"
    "No, but the claims made about Sedateomoxifaine did have an adverse effect on stock value?"
    Rosenfeld walks back to his table, stops, looks back at the witness and asks, "Then I have only one other question. What concern does United RX give to all the patients now in pain management who are suffering because Sedateomoxifaine has a very short tolerance deterrent?  Where does your true responsibility rest?  Is it obligation to the stock holders or those who are seriously ill?"  He looks at the judge and says, "That was 3 questions."
    "We have a responsibility to both and must weigh changing developments and take cooperate action to meet them."
    A very confused demeanor comes over Rosenfeld.  He stares at the wall for a moment, sits down and then stands right back up as he says, "No other questions are needed to give the jury the true facts in deciding this case."
    The prosecutor waits for Rosenfeld to sit back down before saying, "Your honor, the state calls Boo Boo Tiller, Secretary of the Georgia Gay Rights Alliance."  As the witness takes the stand, he says, "Many self-styled facts have been placed before the court.  What sort of facts can you offer to support the claim recent announcements by The Restoration have had a disastrous effect on the Midtown Business District?"
    "I have quarterly income statements from 20 businesses in the area.  The aggregate loss in trade amounts to a 51% decline over the average of the past 3 years for the same quarter."
    "And how did such a decline occur?" the prosecutor asks as he enters the documents into evidence.
    "Almost overnight and exactly concurrent with The Restoration's press conference."
    The prosecutor faces the jury and asks, "And how else has the Midtown Business District been damaged?"
    "One of the main activities of the Gay Rights Alliance in recent years has been to gain rights and protection for alternate life styles.  Their statement that homosexuality is abnormal, filthy and disgusting has only renewed prejudices against these life styles as well as ridiculing labels such as 'odd-balls, queers and fairies.'"
    "Let me be sure I understand your testimony.  These statements, or allegations, have not only put your businesses at risk but have also produced great mental distress in tearing down the progress against discrimination the Gay Rights Alliance has achieved."
    "That is certainly correct.  A number of businesses have been vandalized.  Here are the police reports you can enter into evidence."
    The prosecutor stares at Rosenfeld who stares back before looking towards the back of the courtroom and then under his table.
    As he hands the judge the documents, he says, "No further questions."
    The judge says, "Mr. Rosenfeld, don't you wish to look at this evidence?"
    "No," Rosenfeld says as he walks very slowly towards the witness.  "We need to establish the central question and not bring in extraneous acts for which The Restoration had no direct control."  He faces the witness and asks, "Just for a moment, let's take it that there really is a new strand of the AIDS virus that can be communicated by casual contact.  What would you regard the greater threat to the general public - presumed derogatory statements about life style or the danger of mass infection from a virus for which there is no known treatment?"
   The prosecutor jumps up and almost runs to the bench as he says, "Your honor, this is improper cross-examination on a premise not opened in direct questioning."
   "Overruled.  You referred to the press conference in which this was mentioned.  In any event, this is one of the points in the plaintiff's complaint.  It cannot be excluded from testimony."
    Boo Boo says, "I have no idea.  Casual contact is much too general a term.  All I know is my business, as well as the others in evidence, have been greatly damaged."
   Rosenfeld folds his arms and asks, "If one were to take a completely objective view of the facts now before this court, would he say that lack of knowledge as to how such a virus could be spread would make the threat to the general public even more menacing?"
   "I don't know."
   "Exactly.  No one knows.  That's the whole point."  Rosenfeld walks to the bench with more computer pages in hand.  He looks at the top page, wads it up and throws it in the trash can 30 feet across the room.  "Your honor, what we have here is another report from the Georgia Research Institute.  The material marked Exhibit A is a tabulation of new cancer cases in the United States within the past 10 years.  Especially note the highlighted sections on Hodgkin's Lymphomas and Kaposi's Sarcoma.  During the first 7 years of the study, the cases actually declined by some 3%, however; during the past 3 years, there was a 34% increase in occurrence of these 2 types of cancer."  He hands the judge still more computer pages and says, "We did another study for the past 3 years and tabulated the new cases by postal zip codes."  He faces the witness and hands him a few of the pages before asking, "What is your postal zip code?"
   "It's 30030."
   Rosenfeld starts licking his fingers as he thumbs through the pages and says, "Ah yes, here it is - 30030."  He hands one of the pages to the witness and asks, "For these 2 types of cancer, what is the incidence rate in 30030 for the past 3 years?"
   "Thirty-eight percent."
   "Compared  to what for the preceding 7 years?"
   "Minus 3%."
   Rosenfeld produces still more documents, walks to the bench and says, "Your honor, here is letters from the city councils of the largest 15 cities in the United States, the same localities on the item previously entered into evidence.  Each confirms large homosexual populations in the zip codes with the other reports."  He walks back to his table and takes a few moments to arrange all the computer runs into 3 neat stacks before saying, "Boo, you're a businessman.  If you were to see your business decline some 41%, what would you do?"  
   "Try to determine the cause, and perhaps change the product line."
   Rosenfeld walks forward again and adds, "I don't suppose the specific action is important but the point is you would take some rather drastic action.  Is that not correct?"
   "Yes."
   Again, Rosenfeld seems confused.  "Can you image the alarm the Georgia Research Institute must have felt when this material first came to their attention - perhaps the same as you would feel in trying to deal with a 41% decline in sales?"
    "No.  I'm concerned with running my business and leave such questions to responsible government agencies."
    Rosenfeld jumps 2 feet off the floor and says, "Exactly my point, Boo.  The Georgia Research Institute is the responsible agency, and they did nothing for a number of months after coming by this information.  Now, do you agree  such an agency has the same responsibility as a business owner when adverse trends develop?  They must determine the cause and take appropriate action."
    The prosecutor is perplexed and shouts, "Objection.  The witness has no knowledge of how government agencies implement their responsibilities.  The question is out of order."
    The judge says, "I agree in principal but not application.  The witness from the Georgia Research Institute has already testified as to its responsibilities.  Mr. Rosenfeld, I must caution you on dramatics.  Limit your questions to subjects on which the witness has direct knowledge."
    Rosenfeld remains perfectly still for a moment, and a frown comes over his face, as though he were about to cry.  He faces the witness and asks, "You've testified that reference to homosexual life style as abnormal, filthy and disguising has caused mental pain and suffering among those in this life style.  Would you describe the homosexual sex act to the jury?"
    The prosecutor jumps up so fast, several papers blow off his table,  fly half-way across the floor and come to rest in front of the jury box as he bellows, "Objection!  Objection!  What has that got to do with the question before this court?"
    "Overruled.  The plaintiffs' suit alleges prejudice towards alternate life styles, and the jury is entitled to hear possible causes and then, who is responsible."
    The witness starts squirming around before saying in a suppressed tone, "One partner's organ is inserted into the anus of the other."
    Rosenfeld's mouth drops open and he asks, "Do you consider that abnormal, using the relationship between man and woman as the standard?"
    "For gay couples, it isn't abnormal."
    "What percentage of the populace is gay?" Rosenfeld asks in a biting voice.
    "No one knows for sure but it's estimated around 15%."
    "We've spoken so much about statistics, wouldn't you say we can accurately say the lifestyle of 85% of the country should be considered normal?"
    "Legislation to protect any minority rights has never subscribed to majority rule."
    "That question in the context of this trail is something the jury must decide." He goes back to his table and picks up a large book before going back to the witness and saying,  "This is a medical dictionary.  I've marked 2 sentences.  Would you please read them to the jury?"
    In a very broken sentence structure, Boo Boo begins, "Escherichia coli is a bacteria that lives in the intestines.  It is the most common cause of urinary tract infection and infection in wounds."  Quickly, he hands the book back to Rosenfeld.
    "Boo Boo, based on learned medical fact, would you not agree such an act is unsanitary?
    "I wouldn't describe it as filthy."
    "What do you think the issue is, Boo?  How you would describe it or the impression of the general public resulting from the claims in your suit?"
    "I can't answer that."
    "Of course you can't.  There is no one opinion resulting from such a term.  One person might view it as offensive while the other might view it as accurate.  We'll never arrive at an absolute opinion as to what possible damages could result and might as well move on.  Would you say there is a natural conflict in cultures between gay and straight citizens?"
    "I wouldn't put it exactly that way."
    "Then how would you explain all the laws that have been passed to protect the privacy of gays and protect them from discriminatory hiring practices?"
    "You refer to legislation to assure our rights are protected the same as anyone else."
    "Precisely my point, Boo."  Regardless of whether one agrees with the premise of such legislation, the very fact such laws were passed would seem to confirm there is a conflict of some nature but my concern must now turn from the rights of gays to the rights of the general public.  Don't you feel it deserves some protection under the law from exposure to communicable diseases?  Bear in mind that legislation guaranteeing privacy denies potential employers from accessing medical records and exposes a much larger segment of the population to exposure to disease - especially in view of the recently discovered strand of AIDS?  Who or what protects those rights?"
    Boo Boo becomes perplexed and only says, "Write your congressman."
    Rosenfeld puts his hands in his pockets and stares at the ceiling.  "That wouldn't do any good.  She's a lesbian.  Would it be fair to say that all segments of the society should have the same rights - that is each has the right to speak out against the other, especially on matters involving health, and one is entitled to just as much legal protection as the other, so which lifestyle suffers the most?  Is it homosexuals who have the potential of spreading a new strand of a disease or the other lifestyle who should expect protection from that possibility?"  Before the witness can answer, he jerks his hands out of his pockets, and adds, "I realize that's an impossible question to answer.  The simple truth is, as I'm sure you and the jury realize,  that no law, application of free speech or any results from any form of medical research should ever be expected to avoid prejudice to 100% of any society.  We'll need to leave it to the jury to decide that point as well as if they regard the homosexual act you have just described as disgusting or something they feel they should try themselves."
    Boo Boo glares at Rosenfeld, leaves the stand and the prosecutor says, "Your honor, the state rests."
    Rosenfeld watches the prosecutor until he is seated and then says, "Your honor, the defense requests a recess until tomorrow morning in order to prepare the courtroom for our presentation."

________________

    As the jurors move back into the jury box, they all stare curiously at the 10 chairs in front of the witness stand and video setup complete with screen and several projection devices as well as several x-ray viewing lamps.
    Rosenfeld sits down beside one of the projection devices, leans back and crosses his legs as though he were about to view something on the screen but then jumps up and says, "Oh, we're not ready for that yet."  He walks to the jury box and says, "Facts!"  With that, he makes an abrupt about face and motions for the guard to usher in 10 persons who take the chairs in front of the witness stand.  He remains still for a moment, establishing eye contact with each of them individually and begins to nod his head, as a broad smile comes over his face.  He approaches the bench with a handful of medical folders and says, "Your honor and jury, these witnesses are the first patients who voluntarily took part in - what is it the suit claims - oh yes, experimental medicine.  These are the case records to be entered into evidence.  This is the only evidence the defense will present.  Oh no, I didn't say that correctly.  This is the only evidence the defense needs to present for the facts in the case records substantiated by the video you will see...."  He stops abruptly and moves to the front of the jury box, looking at the jurors and saying, "Do you know what I almost said?  I almost said the facts will prove the alleged experimental medicine yielded results far beyond any other treatment method for decades."  He turns around and walks back towards the 10 witnesses but then turns right back around and goes back to the jury box and says, "You really must excuse my.  My dog kept me awake all night and I'm not thinking very straight this morning.  It just occurred to me that every advance in medical history began as an experiment.  I mean when Moses came down off the hill, he didn't bring any medical manuals with him, and I guess that means God intended man to figure out certain things on his own."
    He faces the witnesses.  "Will the patient in room 34 please stand and walk to the jury."
    The man stands and walks across the front of the jury box, establishing eye contact with each juror, and then returns to his seat.
    Rosenfeld says, "We call Doctor Henry Hannah, previously of the Monroe Medical Facility."  As the witness is seated, Rosenfeld asks, "Please give the jury your experience in the medical field as well as the purpose of the Monroe Medical Facility."
    The witness is a very distinguished appearing person with gray hair and dark skin tone.  He is dressed in a light gray suit, with light blue shirt and gray tie.  He says, "Forty years a doctor, fellow of 3 surgical associations and 10 years at Monroe Medical which is a government funded organization overseeing hospital operations, insurance benefit distribution and placement in pain management."
    "And why would a person with such a background enter into a job that is largely administrative in nature and does not involve any direct application of his medical skills?," Rosenfeld asks, leaning over the witness stand.
    The witness says, "The very nature of my past experience is what lead me into such a job.  I was beginning to find my practice was restricted by cost cutting measures throughout the medical system and the emergence of pain management as the only allowable treatment for many conditions.  As a doctor, I could do nothing and thought getting into an organization with some policy-making authority offered the best way to improve medical care for the terminally ill." 
    "And what resulted?"
    "Nothing."
    "Can you give us more specifics?"
    "Our purpose was to monitor hospital case records and create a data base accessible by every hospital in the country with the idea such a system would make information on  advances and new treatments available to everyone - especially those in medical research.  Our budget was cut every year I was there, and there was a strong insurance company lobby against nearly every recommendation we made."
    "You said when you were there.  Are you no longer a member of that facility?"
    "No.  I felt I was serving no purpose at all and resigned."
    Rosenfeld appears to be talking to himself but is sure his voice is loud enough for the jury to hear.  "Field Marshall Erwin Rommel must have felt the same way when he enter the July Plot."  He moves to one of the x-ray lamps, produces and x-ray and says, "What can you tell us about this?"
    "It shows organs of the digestive system are substantially involved in a series of tumors.  You can see them in the dark areas.  If the tumors were to be determined as malignant, such a patient would automatically be classified as terminal and placed into pain management, unless he or she could afford to pay for elective surgery.  Changes in insurance conditions within the past 10 years would deny any surgical benefits once a patient is determined terminal."
    "Why?"
    "Such advanced surgery and post-operative therapy are viewed as too expensive - especially in the case of a patient who has a limited life expectancy, even if the surgery were performed."
    Rosenfeld switches on one of the projection devices and says, "Ladies and gentle of the jury, this is a video record of the complete surgical procedure.  There is a video record for each of the 10 witnesses that you may wish to view during your deliberations.  Doctor, you've viewed the complete video record.  Please elaborate on the experimental nature of what you saw."
    "The only step that remotely approached experimental was the fact that a number of established procedures were combined in the same surgery.  The insurance system has disallowed such advanced procedures for years."
    Rosenfeld switches on another projector as he says, "The patient in room 34."
    It shows the patient in a hospital bed, unconscious and with a number of leads attached to several monitors.  Rosenfeld asks, "Describe what this is."
    "A patient who, had he not been at Henderson Hospital, would have been in the pain management system, under heavy sedation and waiting to die."