October 31, 2010

Austin Rally to Restore Sanity Wrap-Up

by Bargain Citizen | October 31, 2010 | Ramparts360.com

The Austin version of the Rally to Restore Sanity seemed largely much ado about nothing. It could have just as well been called the Rally to Restore Absurdity, maybe the Rally to Stand for Nothing. Though it was fairly well attended, 3,000 – 3,500 by my non-scientific estimate, I found the whole affair un-inspiring, lacking any real meat on the bone.

The assembled masses seemed to partly agree. The crowd was largely unresponsive and people came and went for most of the duration of the event.

There were a handful of amusing moments from Jon Stewart via the simulcast from the Washington D.C. rally but many of his bits fell flat as did those from Steven Colbert and the local speakers.

What was hilarious, though completely lost on the crowd, were the likes of Congressman Lloyd Doggett and State Senator Kirk Watson playing to the theme by portraying themselves as moderate and reasonable. You’re kidding me, right?

As advertised, the rally was not openly partisan, at least for the most part, but liberalism still hung thick in the air. The left leaning Sierra Club was among the groups on hand, presented as a non-partisan organization and working in conjunction with Rock the Vote. (Oh great, fill young skulls full of mush a bunch of global warming hooey and then send them off to vote!)

Among other groups present were Texas Freedom Network, The Coffee Party, Coal Block and a few fellow travelers touting “Green” this or that, along with general concepts such as “fairness” and “equality”.

Some elements of the crowd seemed to celebrate an apolitical stance, their signs and attitudes conveying notions of reason, tolerance and righteousness. Most were decidedly anti-Tea Party and some were just plain stupid, apparently part of the whole rally shtick.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the event was my encounter with the lone dissenter to be found, John Tschirhart. As he has during other rallies, there he was manning his folding chair at 11th Street and Congress. The 90-year old heavily decorated veteran of World War II had his own point of view and seemed considerably more determined than those inside the Capitol grounds.

These were not the rabid lefties one might encounter otherwise but chatting with attendees revealed gross naiveté, mindless disdain for the right and a false sense of moral superiority cloaked in a desire to appear “moderate”.

[album: http://ramparts360.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Rally for Sanity/]

Two young activists who engaged me, clearly huge Jon Stewart fans, insisted that people “discuss things reasonably”, “know the facts” and “not react emotionally”. While I whole-heartedly agreed, as the conversation moved to specifics it devolved into a bizarre exchange.

The two shrugged off the national debt, seemingly oblivious that it might be a source of concern, one supposing it was $3 trillion while the other had no idea. Discussing health care incited the ever popular knee-jerk plea “for the children” and the need for the rich to “pay their fair share”.

The kicker came when I pointed out that we had more government than we could afford and we would have to deal with entitlement reform. Inquiring if they were concerned about the integrity of Social Security, one retorted that I was suggesting “old people should just eat cat-food.”

Okay, as it turned out, there was nothing to discuss reasonably after all.

Filed Under: Events 2 Comments
October 31, 2010

One Nation, Two Planets

Take a close look at the message in this cartoon. Is it true or false? This is from Politico.com.

Free market capitalism is the greatest mechanism by which human beings can create prosperity in the world. More competition = lower prices and higher quality. On the other hand crony capitalism, where individuals in charge of government agencies pick winners and losers, interferes with the free market by subsidizing friends and punishing opponents. When the latter go out of business you get monopoly = high prices and low quality. If you don’t believe me just go to the DMV.

The inherent virtue of bureaucracy is that no one is accountable for anything. It is legal mob rule masquerading as an impersonal entity, the government. The combined effort of a bureaucracy – that operates according to rules set by legislators – can choke the life out of individuals. We are seeing that daily.

The free market is not a demon with fangs and hands. It is a system that works whenever people try using it. This cartoon is propaganda – an out and out lie.

But there are those living among us who know that all information is useful – whether or not it is true. Confusion can disarm opposition.

IMO, with rubbish like the above being published day in and day out, it is no wonder that a growing number of the population in this country cannot tell truth from lies, right from wrong – indeed, what to speak of economic systems, even morality is whatever you think is good. “Both sides are bad. It’s all messed up. Turn on, tune in and get a bailout, man. Like, no way I’m gonna waste my time trying.”

We have a lot of work ahead of us.

But Sibyl – Sibyl, it’s ONLY A CARTOON!

That is the usual excuse. But the impression is made in people’s minds regardless, minds unprotected by proper understanding.

Check out CapMag.com or Mises.org for some inspiration.

Filed Under: Opinion Leave a Comment
October 31, 2010

Coexisting on the Peace Train

My jaw dropped when Cat Stevens in his latest incarnation came onto the stage at Rally for Sanity and/or Fear 10-30-10. Stewart introduced him as Yusuf… no last name. Because his last name is Islam. And while I watched him give the peace sign and sing Peace Train, I remembered what my years of study told me is the real peace of Islam; when all the infidels’ ability and will to resist is crushed by the brotherhood of believers. THAT is the peace of (Yusuf) Islam. And here is the real Peace Train.

Twitter had the links before anyone, the blogs had it up by 4:30 CST.

Mark Levin: “Stewart’s schtick, where he supposedly calls for civility, is belied by his idiot rantings, his repeated use of the “f” word, and now his choice of entertainment.”

But I couldn’t wait to see what Robert Spencer had to say:

Stewart-Colbert “sanity” rally features Yusuf Islam, who called for the murder of Salman Rushdie

This is an example of the Leftist/Jihadist Alliance, or perhaps of the cluelessness of the Left, or perhaps of its indifference to the freedom of speech that Islamic supremacists wish so ardently to extinguish. Take your pick. “Stewart-Colbert ‘sanity’ rally draws thousands,” by Hope Yen and Calvin Woodward for the Associated Press, October 30 (thanks to Weasel Zippers):

WASHINGTON — In the shadow of the Capitol and the election, comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert entertained a huge throng Saturday at a “sanity” rally poking fun at the nation’s ill-tempered politics, fear-mongers and doomsayers. [...]
Ozzy Osbourne and Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, engaged in something of a battle of the bands as the heavy-metal rocker barged in on the folkie’s hit, “Peace Train,” in a mock clash of music and cultures….

“Cat Stevens Gives Support To Call for Death of Rushdie,” by Craig R. Whitney in the New York Times, May 23, 1989: …

Read more at Jihadwatch.org. The comments there are often useful and informative, too.

This live performance gives a hint of where Stevens was at just before he converted in the late 70s. From the comments at Youtube he seems to be getting some new fans.

Oh, then they’ll really like A is for …

When what you believe regulates YOUR behavior then it’s a matter of religion. When what you believe is used to try to regulate MY behavior then it’s a matter of politics. That’s when it becomes my business.

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October 31, 2010

Dana Loesch to GOP: No Compromise

“Discussing the repercussions if a newly elected Republican majority does not follow-through on the promises that got them elected.” Hat tip Breitbart.tv.

Tons of comments here.

Filed Under: Analysis Leave a Comment
October 31, 2010

65% say “Get Out Of Our House!”

Update from Tim Cox, founder of “Get Out Of Our House”

posted by Mark Hall | October 31, 2010 at 8:07 am | GOOOH.com

We encourage everyone to vote on Tuesday and continue working until the last minute for those you support. When the dust settles, I hope you will carefully consider the note below. The real battle begins on Wednesday.

This new Rasmussen poll reports that 65% of our nation would like to replace the entire Congress, including their representative. We are likely to see a bigger turnover than we have seen in years on Tuesday, and that is great news, but recognize that 85 – 90% of all incumbents will once again be re-elected. An image of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic comes to mind. Within a few months it will be politics as usual. We’ll have a new budget that is $600 billion in the red and both sides blaming the other for the gridlock that follows. I pray I am wrong but pigs have never flown before.

USA Today estimates FOUR BILLION will be spent on political ads this election, including $32 million on the Senate race in CO, $20 million in PA and $17m in WA? Over $6m is being spent on individual House races in NY, NV, and MI – for jobs that pay $175,000. Look for a record number of earmarks next year as bribes are repaid. Watch for legislation that rewards donors instead of addressing problems.

Yes, the political pendulum will swing back to the right on Tuesday, but have our peers forgotten the past? In 2006 it swung from right to left because of Republican malfeasance, in 2000, from left to right. Back and forth it goes while our nation falls deeper into debt. Left, right, left, right, yet thirty percent of our kids fail to graduate year after year. Underemployment according to Gallup is at 18.6% and unemployment at 10%. Health care costs spiral ever upward. Borders leak like a sieve. Misguided government programs consistently fail.

Yet some still believe politicians will solve the very problems they have created.

The good news is there is an alternative. But it will require work. You must educate others that neither party is the answer, that politicians are the problem. The solution is simple: elect true citizen representatives who are not controlled by a party, indebted to groups who have paid millions of dollars, or concerned about getting re-elected. Our government was created so that every seat in the House is up for re-election every two years, but our nation has fallen into a trap: we are forced to choose between the lesser of two evils.

2012 will be different. We will run our candidates in the primaries against the incumbents, but our candidates will not controlled by either party. Our candidates will not have accepted special interest money, nor will they be career politicians.

I challenge you to inform others that we have an alternative. Please send this letter to every person of integrity you know and ask them to get involved. We only need an email address for them to join us. As soon as we get to 500,000 members we will execute our plan, explained in detail at GOOOH.com.

Inform your friends that GOOOH is not a party. It is a method for the citizens of each district to identify a candidate who will compete in the primaries where possible. We will not split the vote, but instead offer an alternative to career politicians. If you happen to live in one of the few districts with a good candidate, support the system nationally so we can remove the 429 bad ones! If we insist on supporting the few who are good we will be stuck with all who are bad. If your representative is good, he will defeat our candidate in the primary, as he should, but let’s create competition and see if we can find someone even better. There are almost 700,000 people in each district and no one person is so important that we should not evaluate others.

I often hear people express concern that GOOOH might allow someone whose views they do not agree with to be selected. That happens today! We all disagree on certain issues. But that completely misses the point. We need a new system to identify quality candidates. Trust that the people of each district will select a qualified candidate. If anyone who has this concern will participate in one of our Online Mock Selection Sessions you will see that those with extreme views and ridiculous quirks are quickly eliminated. With a fair system, we simply need to have faith in our fellow man. The system we have today attracts the wrong kind of people. The two-party system encourages extremists and career politicians. GOOOH will weed them out.

How much longer can our country last if we stay this course? Six hundred billion dollar deficits will not fix what is broken. Tough decisions need to be made, but they will again be deferred because those in office are more concerned about being re-elected than doing what is right. A twelve-year-old child understands you cannot spend more than you make year after year without consequence. Our economy offers all the proof you need that this course is not sustainable.

Do not permit your friends to keep doing what they are doing. Get every one of them to join GOOOH now and ensure we identify men and women who will do what must be done in 2012. If we do not, the greatest nation the world has ever known will soon become just one of many. It will fail under the watch of our generation unless we act.

In Liberty,

Tim Cox

Filed Under: Elections, Opinion Leave a Comment
October 31, 2010

Dems Deserting Harry Go Public

TheWashTimesVideo | October 29, 2010

Things in Nevada are getting hotter. Not content with the direction the country and their home state is going in, a group of Nevada voters calling themselves “Concerned Nevadans That Care About Our Country” will launch an anti-Harry Reid ad this evening.

Members of this group represent those from traditional Democratic coalitions and base demographics, like: African-Americans, Latinos, and union members.

Filed Under: Elections Leave a Comment
October 30, 2010

A Better East Texas: TISD Bond – Vote No

Grassroots America – We the People just gave Tyler ISD Officials a Failing Grade on Facility Planning. Documents from Tyler ISD’s website prove the points we’ve been making about the District’s ill-conceived and badly-timed 145 million dollar bond package.

We looked at the facts and discovered that 50% of the new Elementary Schools from the 2004 & 2008 Bond Elections & one of the schools in the November Bond Package will be at capacity or overcrowded in less than five years! That’s 8 out of 16 elementary schools – that will once again need portables! That is unacceptable! This gives us no choice but to give Tyler ISD a FAILING grade. We simply can no longer trust the direction TISD’s leaders are taking us. TISD officials and the Vote Yes Committee are asking taxpayers to just trust the district again and approve 145 million dollars more debt.

With climbing national, state, and local debt, we just can’t afford local elected officials who act like Congress.

We need elected officials who pay attention to the details so we don’t have to pay for multi-million dollar mistakes.

Vote NO on this bad school bond plan. Let’s get it right and that will make for “A Better East Texas”.

Hat tip P.R. and JoAnn Fleming.

Filed Under: Uncategorized 1 Comment
October 30, 2010

Steyn! On American Sovereignty and Territory

Over at SteynOnline, my favorite undocumented anchorman has been ruminating for the past week over the state of affairs as we confront the midterm elections. Here is a snippet from CAMPAIGN COUNTDOWN: SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORY. The pictures come from Texas Mob Father down at the Arizona-Mexico borderland. (click to enlarge twice)

Mark Steyn writes:

Over 4,000 US soldiers died in Iraq between 2003 and 2010. Between 2006 and 2010, nearly 25,000 Mexicans died in drug violence. America has no “exit strategy” for Mexico, but Mexico has an express check-in strategy for America.

What is happening on the southern border is the unmaking of America. And if a state under siege cannot pass even the mildest law of self-defense, what then are its options? Simultaneous to the federal court decision on Arizona, the International Court of Justice in the Hague declared that the province of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia two years earlier “did not violate any applicable rule of international law”. Certain European secessionist movements, in Spain and Belgium, took great comfort in the ruling. Russia and China opposed it, because they have restive minorities – Muslims in the Caucacus, and the Uighurs in Xinjiang, for example – and they intend to keep them within their borders. The United States, as is often the case, barely paid any attention to it: If the ICJ’s opinion was of any broader relevance, it was relevant to foreigners, and that was that. But, taken together, Judge Bolton and the Hague raise an interesting question: What holds the United States together? And will it continue to hold together?

Go read the rest here. Hat tip RuthfullyYours.

Filed Under: Border security Leave a Comment
October 30, 2010

Comparing Crowds

Hat tip Gateway Pundit. Stewart and Colbert, the Kings of Koolaid, call for “better behavior” (translation: “Stop fighting Ruling Class abuse and learn to enjoy it.”)

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October 30, 2010

Murky indicts herself for Halloween

Not filtered through the media, the press or any polical organization. From Sarah Palin’s Facebook page – from her straight to you.

Lisa, are you going to shut down my Facebook page for writing this?

by Sarah Palin on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 11:20pm

Yesterday, Lisa Murkowski’s hired guns threatened radio host Dan Fagan, and more importantly, the station that airs Fagan’s show, with legal action for allegedly illegal “electioneering.” The station, unlike Murkowski, who is flush with millions of dollars from vested corporate interests, does not have a budget for a legal defense. So it did what any small market station would do when threatened by Beltway lawyers charging $500 to $1000 an hour – they pulled Dan Fagan off the air.

Does all this sound heavy handed? It is. It is an interference with Dan Fagan’s constitutional right to free speech. It is also a shocking indictment against Lisa Murkowski. How low will she go to hold onto power? First, she gets the Division of Elections to change its write-in process – a process that Judge Pfiffner correctly determined had been in place without change for 50 years. She is accepting financial support from federal contractors, an act that is highly questionable and now pending before the FEC. And today, she played her last card. She made it clear that if you disagree with her and encourage others to exercise their civic rights, she’ll take you off the air.

The concept of “electioneering” involves several issues, but typically refers to campaigning at the polls, which is appropriately banned. Under federal law, it can also mean paying for advertising on broadcast media during a federal election cycle, and it requires disclosures if done by groups and corporations. Fagan used satire to mock Murkowski’s write-in efforts and encouraged Alaskans to run as write-in candidates. That is not illegal. That is free speech.

Read it all here.

Filed Under: Alternative Media Leave a Comment
October 30, 2010

Midterm 2010 Election Weekend

The Spirit of the Age looks familiar.

Filed Under: Cartoons Leave a Comment
October 30, 2010

Thug Tactics Doomed to Backfire

So many of the efforts by the left in this election season have backfired. Just look at Joy Behar’s “b*tch” comments about Sharron Angle, which garnered the latter two days of $136K plus donations. Angle sent her flowers and a thank you card. Or the one night (non-sexual) stand charge against Christine O’Donnell which united the blogosphere in her favor. Ever notice how a lot of Republican “sex” scandals involve no sexual activity? Hmmm.

J. Christian Adams really ought to be a household name by now since he is the whistleblower on the Black Panthers intimidation case; he was an election lawyer serving in the Voting Rights Section at the U.S. Department of Justice. I give him utmost credit for his courage. I believe he is at the vanguard of many good citizens inside the government who will act to expose its nefarious activities one day.  Meanwhile the King Street Patriots have started a movement for citizens to do the same at the polling place.

Had to share this story since drama queen SJL is one of those crooks I want to see thrown out so badly I can taste it. It’s not about race – it’s about law and order.

Sheila Jackson Lee’s Thug Tactics Against Law Abiding Poll Watchers Doomed to Backfire

by J. Christian Adams | October 30, 2010 | Big Government

Award winning civil rights lawyer Bartle Bull witnessed the 2008 voter intimidation in Philadelphia by the New Black Panthers. He surmised their purpose was to keep watchful eyes out of the polls so people would not know what was happening inside.

Now in 2010, we have a pretty good idea what Mr. Bull meant. Because in Houston, poll watchers for a group dedicated to election integrity called ‘True the Vote’ are being harassed because of what they are seeing inside the polls. And it might come as a surprise who is doing the harassing.

Not only are street operatives harassing True the Vote poll watchers, but Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and her confederates are urging law enforcement personnel to crack down – but on the poll watchers!

Lee’s thug tactics are doomed to backfire. The notion of connected elected officials prodding law enforcers to threaten law abiding citizens is an affront to decency. It is the sort of behavior which citizens around the country, in places like Wheeling, Allentown and Highland Park find particularly outrageous.

True the Vote is a group of citizen volunteers, often old ladies or stay at home moms. I should disclose they are also a client of mine. They are dedicated to exercising rights under Texas law to stand watch and record illegal activity in the polling place.

To some, this constitutes intimidation. To the rest of America, this is called public service.

Read more at Breitbart’s Big Government

Filed Under: Corruption, Elections Leave a Comment
October 30, 2010

The Deep Blue Blues

by Richard Pecore | October 29, 2010 | American Thinker

I have spent the past week or as a Revolutionary War general, waving an American flag and a campaign sign endorsing our conservative Congressional candidate, Dr. Donna Campbell all across this deep blue city of Austin, Texas to thousands of voters in their cars.

I have been campaigning for Donna to help her unseat longtime incumbent and ultra liberal Democrat Lloyd Doggett. I am doing it because I believe it is high time TX-25 had a Representative of the people of TX-25, rather than a representative that exclusively represents the People’s Socialist Republic of Austin.

This area has been firmly in Democrat hands for over 40 years and has long been considered a Democrat stronghold. In my opinion, the Texas GOP has never seriously mounted a challenge in this district, and instead, abandoned the field to the Dems. That’s a lot of history going against us. The Texas GOP has offered little help. Dr. Campbell has done this on her own with the help of some dedicated volunteers and a lot of fed up voters who are tired of Democrats, their failed policies, and their condescending attitudes.

Donna is on a roll. I can tell you from the honks and waves I’ve received, that conservative voters are highly motivated, more than I’ve ever seen in this city.  They are voting early and by the hundreds. Voter turnout in Travis County and Gonzales County is up double from the last midterm election and that seems to hold true for the other 6 counties in TX-25 as well.

Pelosi’s favorite lap dog may have waited too late to counter Donna’s momentum. Doggett, a wealthy millionaire and beltway Washington insider for well over a dozen years, simply didn’t take the Doctor seriously. No one did, except we few — we happy few.

What I have seen during my scouting mission into “Indian Country” has been inspiring, revealing and disappointing all at once.

Read more at American Thinker.

The original title of this piece was “Observations from Indian Country.” The comments after the piece posting are always interesting. Good work Richard!

Filed Under: Elections, Opinion 1 Comment
October 29, 2010

Our Turn

Sharron Angle’s ad.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Leave a Comment
October 29, 2010

Taking Dirty Campaigning to a Whole New Level?

Just in time for Halloween / the midterm elections Reason TV gives us a taste from a bygone era of American campaigning. No exaggeration here, folks, but in their own words. The Founders excel at everything it seems. Hat tip Hot Air.

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October 29, 2010

Rally to Restore Sanity?

by Bargain Citizen | Oct 29, 2010 | Opinion

Maybe you didn’t hear, It turns out that there is one more big political rally before the elections. Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity and Steven Colbert’s March to Keep Fear Alive will take place tomorrow, October 30 in Washington DC and several satellite cities across the country including Austin.

The Austin rally will take place at the Capitol from 11 -3. The local version of Restore Sanity includes a JumboTron simulcast of the DC rally, music and, not surprisingly, a slate of infamous Austin liberal politicians, plus one Mary Lou Serafine (good for her, glad to see someone jump into the lion’s den).

Though people may attend for a variety of reasons, the theme is obviously nonsensical and mocking. But then what could be more be-fitting for the likes of Leffingwell, Doggett and Watson?

While mildly amusing, it is stupefying to consider the number of Americans who consider Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert, Bill Maher and the cast of The View as learned, authoritative sources of information. One would expect that this same primarily younger and left-leaning crowd will constitute most of the rally audience.

Though some Restore Sanity proponents demand it is a call to adopt a more moderate and reasonable tone in our political discourse, smacking of the whole Coffee Party façade, you can count on most Austin attendees being of a hard-left Tea Party counter protest sort.

As the impending doom of the elections grows ever closer, leftists are becoming increasingly unhinged, promising to make the event entertaining at the least. Bargain Citizen Media will be on hand to visit with some of the partisans. Besides, we rarely pass up a chance to pursue Congressman Doggett.

I say let them have their day. Conservatives will still be working to electorally kick their liberal butts off the planet next Tuesday.

You can get all the fun details here.

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October 29, 2010

Restore Sanity – 10.30.10 Austin, TX

Mary Lou Serafine to “Restore Sanity” tomorrow

Will address crowd of 5,000 at Capitol

Mary Lou Serafine, the Republican candidate for Texas state Senator District 14, will be address Austinites tomorrow in conjunction of The Daily Show’s John Stewart “Restore Sanity” rally that will be held in the nation’s capital.

Dr. Serafine will share the stage for the first time with our opponent, incumbent Kirk Watson. Come out tomorrow between 11 am and 2 pm and show your support for Mary Lou!

For directions and details, please visit the Restore Sanity Austin link here.

Private Meet & Greet

Join us tomorrow evening from 7:15 pm to 9 pm and meet Mary Lou! Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. This is a great opportunity to hear many of “Serafine’s Solutions” from lowering taxes to border security.

To RSVP and get directions, please contact our campaign manager below:

Chris Duke
512.761.2900
cduketexas@gmail.com

In case you missed it -

Here is a picture from the Meet Mary Lou event this past Saturday at the Mexican American Cultural Center.

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October 29, 2010

RPT Election Day Hotline

As Election Day nears, the Republican Party of Texas has been working with our county parties and volunteers across Texas to spread the conservative message and encourage Texans to go vote!

With millions of Texans still waiting to potentially cast their ballot on Election Day, the RPT has taken steps to ensure that every eligible voter has their voice heard on Tuesday. Our goals for Election Day are very straightforward: to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, and to ensure that all legally cast votes are accurately tabulated.

The RPT has established a hotline for Texas voters to report any problems they encounter exercising their rights at their polling place. That telephone number is 512-591-VOTE (512-591-8683). If you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after your time at the polls, feel free to call the hotline.

You can even send a text message to the same number at 512-591-VOTE, or you can email our volunteer staff all day by using the following address: votetoday@texasgop.org.

Thank you again for your participation in this election, and please remember to vote in support of our Republican candidates!

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