static Boolean quickEquals(Object aThis, Object aThat){
    Boolean result = null;
    if ( aThis == aThat ) {
      result = Boolean.TRUE;
    }
    else {
      Class<?> thisClass = aThis.getClass();
      if ( ! thisClass.isInstance(aThat) ) {
        result = Boolean.FALSE;
      }
    }
    return result;
  }