Um…not to rain on your parade or anything. But the saying, “En tierra de ciegos, el tuerto es rey,” is from Spain, and may actually be from the Middle Ages. I learned it in elementary school Spanish, along with about 100 other Spanish sayings (refranes). I think it is very cool that a one eyed politician had the sense of humor to use it.
Also, I guess we can add Arizona to the dueling places claiming to have invented or originated the Guayabera. (Along with the duels over who invented the Pina Colada, or the Pisco Sour). But, I am pretty sure it was not Arizona. I do not know who Lew Murphy was, but in Puerto Rico in the early 1970s, there were laws passed that allowed government employees and lawyers appearing in Court to wear Guayaberas instead of suit and tie. Our Governor started appearing in Guayaberas pretty regularly, on his visits and press conferences.
And of course, for awhile at least, it substituted the black (cotton) turtleneck and denim shirt as the hip left wing college professors’ shirt of choice. A lot of my HS teachers used them. The long sleeved ones are very elegant and I have one for more formal Summer events and maybe church.
Let’s see if @cervantes makes an appearance with some research on the origin of the Guayabera (Mexico, Philippines, Cuba). In Puerto Rico in the late 60’s we had a Guayabera manufacturer whose brand was called La Cubanita. It was one of a list of local industries that would receive promotional advertising during the previews at Movie Theaters, urging people to consume local Cheese brand Indulac, local underwear manufacturer GRANA, and others who I do not remember right at this moment. Anyway, I am glad to know that this garment is used in the SW, which was, after all, Spanish before it was part of the US.