Ghosts have Rights, Too, You Know

    "Wrongful death," cried the spirit, appealing unto the judge for a decision in his favor. "I did not need to die." 

   "Wrongful death is not a criminal matter," the judge replied. "But, you can sue. We should get you in touch with a torts lawyer." The judge paused for a moment, then tacked on a question. "Mr. Zebronovitch, why did you not get a lawyer to help you through these matters? If you had a lawyer, you would know these things."

   "We spirits do not have rights," Freddie Zebronovitch replied. "Everyone else is assigned a court-appointed attorney, but not us. That is part of the problem. I was killed and since I am not a living human being, I am not allowed to press charges. And, even if I could, they wouldn't let me testify in court. I am not allowed any of the rights that a living person has."

   Freddie paused. "Sir -- Sir Judge, If I might add to say that you have a lot of people protesting and claiming their rights these days. Everyone from the LGTBQ to Blacks being shot up by police. And, they are winning their rights. But, not us. We are being left behind in all this rush for social justice. No one concerns themselves with the rights of those who are dead."

   "Well, let me get you in touch with a news reporter," the judge replied. "I'm sure the newspapers will be glad to tell your story. Also, why don't you go out in the streets and protest like everyone else? If you think you have rights, go make a fuss about it like everyone else."

   Freddie smiled. He could see where this was going to lead. He decided right then that he -- a dead spirit -- would pay visits to news personalities in every city and every town -- not stopping by their newsrooms, but going about this like any other responsible, respectable ghost would do, visiting them after midnight in the bedrooms of their homes. Imagine the upheaval that should stir among the media, them being accosted by ghosts with grievances, begging and demanding headlines. 

   And, protests? Did the judge say protests? Then he and his fellow ghosts would take to the streets. Imagine the havoc to be caused by the faint image of ghosts shaking their chains on the open streets. Freddie laughed as he thought of old Jacob Marley, wandering the world, shaking his fist, shaking his chains, imploring the world to listen to his story of woe. This would be much worse than that: Ghosts wild on the streets, overturning dumpsters and setting them to fire.

   Freddie laughed, muttering to himself, "Ghosts have rights too, you know," and he commenced making a sign saying, "Every person should be equal, dead or alive."