Yesterday government officials admitted the FBI ignored warning signs that Major Nidel Malik Hasan–who allegedly killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas–might become a threat.Yesterday government officials admitted the FBI ignored warning signs that Major Nidal Malik Hasan–who allegedly killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas–might become a threat.

FRANK PINTO, 63, QUEENS VILLAGE, QUEENS

Do you think the FBI is getting too much flak? Should we consider all the times we don’t hear about how they didn’t fuck up?

No.

Why’s that?

I don’t know.

Oh. How about the attention paid to Al-Qaeda’s interest in—

I’m not Arabic.

I’m interviewing just anybody.

I’m Italian. Half Sicilian and half Neapolitan.

OK. I understand there was a time when an Italian-American would tell people he was French because men were afraid of being suspected as Mafiosi.

I’m bisexual.

Are… you trying to tell me something?

No. What do you think about gay marriage?

I don’t have an opinion.

I used to live in Hollywood. It was a while ago. I dated a man named Steve. We met at a bar-and-grill.

In which part did you meet?

The grill part. It’s where the dancing was. We ended up living together.

If he was going to prepare a nice dinner for you, what would he make?

Spaghetti and meatballs.

That seems like a steep cliff to climb.

He did alright. It was fine. Are you gay?

Frank. Are you and Steve still in touch?

No.

What’s your last name?

Pinto.

Like the beans. You’re “Frank and beans.”

Yeah.

You’ve heard that one before, huh?

Yeah.

-PETER MADSEN

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