Aug 2, 2016
Today's Tweet(s)
REMINDER: The GOP is torn. Some Republicans think Trump is a terrible racist and the rest think he's a wonderful racist.— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) July 29, 2016
Beginning to think Trump won't release his tax returns because Putin claims him as a dependent.— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) July 22, 2016
Aug 1, 2016
Today's Chart
With today's polls 538's Now-Cast gives Hillary a WHOPPING 78% chance of winning. Last week Trump was at 57%. pic.twitter.com/QjyxBYbiLV— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) August 1, 2016
Logic Like A Pretzel
Grampy McDumfuck tried to throw some shade by taking exception to Trump's frat-boy slap at Khizr Khan:
You get one tiny atta-boy for that one time at that one event in 2008 when you took the mic back from that idiot lady who tried to say Obama's a Muslim. That's it, pal. If you had anywhere near the balls your daughter's got, you'd be out front on this one, trying to re-assure the country that your GOP buddies aren't really as fucking stoopid as they seem to be right now. He doesn't speak for the GOP? Your guys nominated this polished turd - Donald Trump is the GOP now. Your farm - your pig.
“In recent days, Donald Trump disparaged a fallen soldier’s parents. He has suggested that the likes of their son should not be allowed in the United States — to say nothing of entering its service. I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement. I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.That last bit, Sen McCain - that's bullshit. Trump absolutely represents the party. He is the lead messenger for the party. The party officers are lined up behind him, propping him up.
You get one tiny atta-boy for that one time at that one event in 2008 when you took the mic back from that idiot lady who tried to say Obama's a Muslim. That's it, pal. If you had anywhere near the balls your daughter's got, you'd be out front on this one, trying to re-assure the country that your GOP buddies aren't really as fucking stoopid as they seem to be right now. He doesn't speak for the GOP? Your guys nominated this polished turd - Donald Trump is the GOP now. Your farm - your pig.
Blame Da Gubmint
Trump won't show us the tax returns because he's embarrassed - for the last several years, Putin's been claiming him as a dependent.
Jul 31, 2016
Mr Khan
This guy is a giant-killer. God love him.
“He is a black soul, and this is totally unfit for the leadership of this country,” Khan said in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The love and affection that we have received affirms that our grief ― that our experience in this country has been correct and positive. The world is receiving us like we have never seen. They have seen the blackness of his character, of his soul.”
Hillary's Big Deal
AlterNet:
1. Make economic and social justice issues 'front and center'.
1. Make economic and social justice issues 'front and center'.
Clinton made that pledge when praising Sanders and his campaign, saying that’s “where they belong… I want you to know I have heard you. Your cause is our cause. Our country needs your ideas, energy, and passion. That is the only way we can turn our progressive platform into real change for America.”
2. Comprehensive immigration reform—not Trump’s border wall.
2. Comprehensive immigration reform—not Trump’s border wall.
“We will not build a wall… When we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to try to kick them out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep families together—and it’s the right thing to do… And we’ll build a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our economy.”
3. End targeting and racial profiling of Islamic Americans.
3. End targeting and racial profiling of Islamic Americans.
Replying to Trump’s proposal to stop Muslims from visiting from overseas and increasing police surveillance at home, Clinton said, “We will not ban a religion. We will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism.”
4. Believe in government public service and be competent.
4. Believe in government public service and be competent.
“So it’s true. I sweat the details of policy, whether we’re talking about the exact level of lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number of mental health facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription drugs. Because it’s not just a detail if it’s your kid, if it’s your family. It’s a big deal. And it should be a big deal to your president, too.”
5. Make it a top task to revive America’s economically stagnant regions.
5. Make it a top task to revive America’s economically stagnant regions.
“My primary mission as president will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States… Especially in places that for too long have been left out and left behind. From our inner cities to our small towns, from Indian country to coal country. From communities ravaged by addiction to regions hollowed out by plant closures.”
6. Reform campaign finance as the key to changing the economy.
6. Reform campaign finance as the key to changing the economy.
“I believe our economy isn’t working the way it should because our democracy isn’t working the way it should. That’s why we need to appoint Supreme Court justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not restrict them. And if necessary, we will pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.”
7. Hold corporations accountable and have them pay a fair share of taxes.
7. Hold corporations accountable and have them pay a fair share of taxes.
“I believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country should be just as patriotic in return. Many of them are, but too many aren’t. It’s wrong to take tax breaks with one hand and give out pink slips with the other. And I believe Wall Street can never, ever be allowed to wreck Main Street again.”
8. Oppose trade agreements that privilege corporations above everyone else.
8. Oppose trade agreements that privilege corporations above everyone else.
“If you believe that we should say no to unfair trade deals; that we should stand up to China; that we should support our steelworkers and autoworkers and homegrown manufacturers, then join us.”
9. Climate change is real, and the solution is a new energy infrastructure.
9. Climate change is real, and the solution is a new energy infrastructure.
“I believe in science. I believe that climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying, clean energy jobs.”
10. Achieve a higher standard of living, starting with higher minimum wage.
10. Achieve a higher standard of living, starting with higher minimum wage.
“If you believe that companies should share profits, not pad executive bonuses, join us. If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage, and no one working full-time should have to raise their children in poverty, join us.”
11. Expand Obamacare and a health care safety net.
11. Expand Obamacare and a health care safety net.
“If you believe that every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health care, join us!"
12. Raise Social Security benefits.
12. Raise Social Security benefits.
“We should expand Social Security.”
13. Protect reproductive rights.
13. Protect reproductive rights.
We should “protect a woman’s right to make her own heath care decisions,” Clinton said.
14. Make sure women get equal pay for equal work.
14. Make sure women get equal pay for equal work.
“If you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay, join us. That’s how we’re going to make sure this economy works for everyone, not just those at the top.”
15. Make the biggest infrastructure investment in decades.
15. Make the biggest infrastructure investment in decades.
“In my first 100 days, we will work with both parties to pass the biggest investment in new, good-paying jobs since World War II. Jobs in manufacturing, clean energy, technology and innovation, small business, and infrastructure. If we invest in infrastructure now, we’ll not only create jobs today, but lay the foundation for the jobs of the future.”
16. Make public universities tuition-free for most.
16. Make public universities tuition-free for most.
“Bernie Sanders and I will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and debt-free for all.”
17. Cut and restructure student debt.
17. Cut and restructure student debt.
“We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt.”
18. Expand job and trade skill programs.
18. Expand job and trade skill programs.
“Sure, college is crucial, but a four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job. We will help more people learn a skill or practice a trade and make a good living doing it.”
19. Open up lending options for small businesses.
19. Open up lending options for small businesses.
“We will give small businesses, like my dad’s, a boost, make it easier to get credit. Way too many dreams die in the parking lots of banks. In America, if you can dream it, you should be able to build it.”
20. Tax the rich to pay for these public programs.
20. Tax the rich to pay for these public programs.
“We’re going to pay for every single one of them. And here’s how. Wall Street, corporations and the super-rich are going to start paying their fair share of taxes. This is not because we resent success, but when more than 90 percent of the gains have gone to the top 1 percent, that’s where the money is.”
21. Track down tax evaders and make them pay.
21. Track down tax evaders and make them pay.
“We are going to follow the money. And if companies take tax breaks and then ship jobs overseas, we’ll make them pay us back. And we’ll put that money to work where it belongs: creating jobs here at home.”
22. Get military-style weapons off the street through new gun controls.
22. Get military-style weapons off the street through new gun controls.
“I’m not here to repeal the Second Amendment. I’m not here to take away your guns. I just don’t want you to be shot by someone who shouldn’t have a gun in the first place. We will work tirelessly with responsible gun owners to pass commonsense reforms and keep guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists, and all others who would do us harm.”
23. Work to heal divides on race and bigotry.
23. Work to heal divides on race and bigotry.
“That starts with listening—listening to each other, trying as best we can to walk in each other’s shoes. So let’s put ourselves in the shoes of young black and Latino men and women who face the effects of systemic racism and are made to feel like their lives are disposable. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of police officers, kissing their kids and spouses goodbye every day and heading off to do a dangerous and necessary job.”
24. Enact criminal justice reform and address abusive policing.
24. Enact criminal justice reform and address abusive policing.
“We will reform our criminal justice system from end to end, and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
25. Protect civil rights and liberties, including LGBT rights.
25. Protect civil rights and liberties, including LGBT rights.
“We will defend all our rights: civil rights, human rights, and voting rights; women’s rights and workers’ rights; LGBT rights and the rights of people with disabilities. And we will stand up against mean and divisive rhetoric wherever it comes from.”
Jul 30, 2016
Today's Tweet
That minute you realize Sarah Palin has more post-secondary education than Melania Trump (and didn't lie about it.) pic.twitter.com/DLKGvIlrqK— Frances Langum (@bluegal) July 29, 2016
Jul 29, 2016
Somebody Please
...this guy is an abscess that's been allowed to fester on the ass of humankind for way too long. Could we just get it drained and disinfected already?
Big Twitter thing today was the Voter ID crap got smooshed in North Carolina.
Federal appellate judges on Friday struck down a 2013 law limiting voting options and requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls, declaring in an unsparing opinion that the restrictions “target African Americans with almost surgical precision.”
The three-judge panel of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the law was adopted with “discriminatory intent” despite lawmakers’ claims that the ID provision and other changes were designed to prevent voter fraud.
The ruling – which could have implications for voting laws in other states and possibly for the outcome of close races in the swing state of North Carolina – sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder, who in April issued a 485-page decision dismissing all claims in the legal challenge.
“In holding that the legislature did not enact the challenged provisions with discriminatory intent, the court seems to have missed the forest in carefully surveying the many trees,” the ruling states. “This failure of perspective led the court to ignore critical facts bearing on legislative intent, including the inextricable link between race and politics in North Carolina.”
Today's Tweet
Wherein a draft dodger calls a 4 star general a failure. Really @GOP ? This is who the American people should trust? pic.twitter.com/zrRznb50iV— Krystle J (@Iacoguy) July 29, 2016
Jul 28, 2016
Tempting
The north Carolina GOP decided to pitch a bit of a hissy fit because of what they tho't was a horrible Democrat doing something horrible to "their" America".
That's the story, but it's not really the story.
I think it happens too often for it not to be a Dirty-Tricks thing. You make a charge about some made-up bullshit, which is intended to reinforce the negative image of the Democrat Libtards because of all the other made-up bullshit that's been installed like firmware in "conservative" brains for 35 years - it's not true, and you know it's not true, and you know it doesn't matter. It only matters that you get it into the consciousness stream. The rubes are already conditioned to take on whatever negative shit you feed 'em so you put it out there, and if you get slapped down, then you can issue the basic non-corrective corrective or whatever, knowing that the thing has already taken root and has passed into the body of GOP lore about rotten Democrats, and the rubes will never go back and look for any kind of retraction or rebuttal.
And the other point is that you don't see that shit - not anything rising anywhere near that level anyway - coming from the Dems.
Here's a screenshot of that @NCGOP tweet about @timkaine, since they deleted it. #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/LbAywwnnob— Ben Amey (@BenAmeyTV) July 28, 2016
That's the story, but it's not really the story.
I think it happens too often for it not to be a Dirty-Tricks thing. You make a charge about some made-up bullshit, which is intended to reinforce the negative image of the Democrat Libtards because of all the other made-up bullshit that's been installed like firmware in "conservative" brains for 35 years - it's not true, and you know it's not true, and you know it doesn't matter. It only matters that you get it into the consciousness stream. The rubes are already conditioned to take on whatever negative shit you feed 'em so you put it out there, and if you get slapped down, then you can issue the basic non-corrective corrective or whatever, knowing that the thing has already taken root and has passed into the body of GOP lore about rotten Democrats, and the rubes will never go back and look for any kind of retraction or rebuttal.
And the other point is that you don't see that shit - not anything rising anywhere near that level anyway - coming from the Dems.
Jul 27, 2016
Today's Quote
Vanity Fair Hive
“Democracy is a little bit messy sometimes,” he told reporters at a breakfast convened by Bloomberg News. “You know, I grew up in a family where I got yelled at a whole lot. It doesn’t make me nervous.”Bernie Sanders is a mensch.
Jul 26, 2016
Today's Tweet
the Internet is a magical place pic.twitter.com/TcF5Zt08AF— Ziwe (@ziwe) July 26, 2016
That Thing That Isn't Really
Wikileaks’s tweets conjured dark and menacing conspiracies, but these are not borne out by the emails themselves. Take the group’s claim that the “DNC knew of Hillary paid troll factory attacking Sanders online.” The highlighted email isn’t some secret communication laying out nefarious plots. It’s a summary of a panel discussion on Fox News Sunday.
But forget the emails for a second. The main problem with the notion that the DNC rigged the results for Clinton is that it requires one to assume the improbable. The DNC had no role or authority in primary contests, which are run by state governments. Clinton dominated the primaries. The DNC, through state parties, had a bit more influence over caucuses … where Sanders dominated Clinton.
None of the thousands of leaked emails and documents show the DNC significantly influencing the results of the nomination. Furthermore, if it is true that last fall Clinton campaign chair John Podesta tried but failed to have DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz sacked, the underlying premise of the entire WikiLeaks dump—that Wasserman Schultz machinated to deliver Clinton the nomination—is hard to believe.So, yeah - bad news for the DNC Truthers, except that truthers usually believe the conspiracy no matter what. Not that this one's anywhere near the weirdnesses of JFK or 9/11 - there is some little bit of substance to this - but then again, that's always the case, and it's also always the case that once it's in the bloodstream it prob'ly won't be going away any time soon.
The handful of (known) emails so far, indicate to me something along the lines of: tired staffers who hit the hotel a little late, and about halfway thru their 3rd mini-bar scotch are suddenly seized by the revelation that they possess the most amazing political chops, and they're having such a flood of genius ideas they just have to share them ASAP, so they fire off a few brainstorm emails etc etc etc. You tell them to knock off the shit; you discipline them; you fire them; you force them out - kinda like what happened.
What I'm really not shocked about: Democrats "conspiring" to nominate a Democrat. C'mon, guys.
Jul 25, 2016
Well That Explains A Lot
I've spent some time calling "the GOP base" a lotta names. Sorry not sorry.
One of my favorites has always been "Whiny-Butt Pussies" because seriously, when you listen to what they say - and to what their candidates and media darlings have to say - they're afraid of practically everything.
Immigrants and POC and Trade Deals and not having 37 guns (and believing they'll need lotsa guns to protect themselves from the hippies? wtf?) etc etc etc.
Anyway, you name it, they're scared of it.
So it shouldn't have come as any kinda shock to me when they picked Donald Trump as their POTUS nominee, but I was pretty shocked. I guess maybe I figured I was just indulging in a little name-calling, thinking I'd be cute and clever, but that deep down they weren't really that bad and I was just having some fun tweaking them.
Oops.
So I was right all along(?) Cuz Trump is pretty obviously the epitome of the Whiny-Butt Pussy (at least he plays it that way) - why would they not pick him?
Like Alice, I give myself plenty of good advice - and it seems I'm always kinda lost anyway.
One of my favorites has always been "Whiny-Butt Pussies" because seriously, when you listen to what they say - and to what their candidates and media darlings have to say - they're afraid of practically everything.
Immigrants and POC and Trade Deals and not having 37 guns (and believing they'll need lotsa guns to protect themselves from the hippies? wtf?) etc etc etc.
Anyway, you name it, they're scared of it.
So it shouldn't have come as any kinda shock to me when they picked Donald Trump as their POTUS nominee, but I was pretty shocked. I guess maybe I figured I was just indulging in a little name-calling, thinking I'd be cute and clever, but that deep down they weren't really that bad and I was just having some fun tweaking them.
Oops.
So I was right all along(?) Cuz Trump is pretty obviously the epitome of the Whiny-Butt Pussy (at least he plays it that way) - why would they not pick him?
Donald and Vlad
From Charlie Pierce:
In brief: In his business dealings, He, Trump seems increasingly dependent on money from Russia and from the former Soviet republics within its increasingly active sphere of influence. This is because most of the big banks on this side of the pond won't go near him without HazMat suits. (Gee, could it be that his sudden emergence as a Warren-esque crusader against the "rigged system" of the banksters is less of a principled opposition and simply pure animal vengeance? Unpossible!) As Marshall points out, this isn't exactly a deep corporate secret, as The Washington Post explained:
Trump has conveyed a different view, informed in part through his business ambitions. Since the 1980s, Trump and his family members have made numerous trips to Moscow in search of business opportunities, and they have relied on Russian investors to buy their properties around the world. "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets," Trump's son, Donald Jr., told a real estate conference in 2008, according to an account posted on the website of eTurboNews, a trade publication. "We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."So maybe now we have a slightly better idea of what's in those tax returns Trump doesn't want us to see?
Today's Chart
Which is actually another tweet, but anyway - be reassured, but don't be happy and don't get cocky. GOTV and put as many Blues in office as possible.
CLINTON still leads in our polls-plus model, which adjusts for Trump's convention bounce. https://t.co/zo8rbYw56E pic.twitter.com/J0G2D5PHxK— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) July 25, 2016
Today's Tweet
Look, it says it right here in the Declaration of Independence:— JB4Realz (@JB4Realz) July 22, 2016
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Hat Penis." pic.twitter.com/DjpGl39Uay
Jul 24, 2016
Worth Considering
The more we convince ourselves that it's a big scary world; that we live in a country falling into lawlessness and chaos; that the system is corrupt; that there's danger at every turn -- the more we allow ourselves to be spooked (for good reason or otherwise), the more likely we are to be stampeded into the arms of whoever is running as the Daddy-State-Law-n-Order candidate. Sound familiar?
I'm not saying everything's peachy - don't gimme that False Dichotomy bullshit - I am going to say that when things aren't as good as they should be, there's change in the air and politicians can smell it, and they'll pimp that up in order to get the crowd moving so they can shift power from one thing or person to some other thing or person. This is about power because it's always about power.
So at the risk of putting myself up for Mr Wishy-Washy: some things are OK but not nearly as good as they oughta be, while some things are pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as some politicians (and their surrogates and their fans) need us to believe they are.
So let's try a little harder not fuck it up this time.
I'm not saying everything's peachy - don't gimme that False Dichotomy bullshit - I am going to say that when things aren't as good as they should be, there's change in the air and politicians can smell it, and they'll pimp that up in order to get the crowd moving so they can shift power from one thing or person to some other thing or person. This is about power because it's always about power.
So at the risk of putting myself up for Mr Wishy-Washy: some things are OK but not nearly as good as they oughta be, while some things are pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as some politicians (and their surrogates and their fans) need us to believe they are.
The real point is that we've been here before.
So let's try a little harder not fuck it up this time.
Oops
Tim Kaine has been praising the Trans Pacific Partnership and has been pushing hard to get it approved. Job killer!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2016
Trade means jobs, but trade also means security. The time has come for all of us to urge the swift adoption of the Trans Pacific Partnership— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) September 8, 2014
So yeah, OK, Pence's tweet was a coupla years ago, and maybe he's changed his mind, and maybe pixies will fly outa my ass and make the world conform to the liking of a rich legacy fuck like Donald Trump.
The guy has no sense of anything but his own instant gratification.
hat tip = Politicus
Jul 23, 2016
Today's Tweet
Remember this one next week, when the Right Radicals are all spluttering about whatever stoopid thing they pull outa their asses about Bill or Chelsey or "politicizing family" or blah blah blah.
And BTW - is John Fugelsang a fucking genius or what?
I like imaging what certain Trump supporters would say if HillaryClinton accepted the Dem nomination with her 5 kids by 3 different men.— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) July 23, 2016
And BTW - is John Fugelsang a fucking genius or what?
Quick View
And like Bob & Chez say, "Don't get happy, Liberals". We get complacent, and Trump could win this thing. Don't ever forget that the Press Poodles have a job to do that only includes "finding and reporting the truth" as an item on the list that comes well after "boost audience numbers" and "enhance revenue".
False Equivalence + False Dichotomy = Both Sides = Dramatic Tension = Horse Race = Stay tuned, folks - you don't wanna miss a single exciting episode.
Never forget that very smart people spend billions of dollars every year on advertising because propaganda works.
Without substantial support from Capitol Hill, Hillary gets stonewalled just like Obama. So I'm gonna put away my misgivings and my suspicions for just long enough to vote for every fucking Democrat I can find.
The point of the GOP strategy is to lock us into a Stockholm Syndrome kinda thing where we'll do whatever they want us to do if they'll just stop fucking it all up.
Get your asses out there and make it work.
Jul 22, 2016
Things Change
A few shots of acceptance speeches from fairly recent conventions
 |
| GW Bush 2000 |
 |
| McCain 2008 |
 |
| Obama 2008 |
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| Romney 2012 |
And then this
Today's Quote
Trump's acceptance speech gave the impression of an America so bleak and depressing, that Melania started to plagiarize a suicide note. --Bill Maher
I Am Bad Man
"Ask not vaht country do for you. Ask vaht you do for rich husband. And remember, jewelry up front every time is how to beat pre-nup."
--Melania Trump
Tune Break
Weird fuckin' week, man - I need a hot bath and mind-altering substances, and some kind of mental floss to get this shit outa my battered soul.
(getting in touch with my inner hippie - oohhmmm)
Take Another Hit --Quicksilver
White Bird --It's A Beautiful Day
Rain Song --Led Zeppelin
Love Not Fade Away (cover) --Grateful Dead
The Weight --The Band
Spirit In The Sky --Norman Greenbaum
Badge --Cream
Can't Find My Way Home --Blind Faith
I'd Love To Change The World --Ten Years After
(getting in touch with my inner hippie - oohhmmm)
Take Another Hit --Quicksilver
White Bird --It's A Beautiful Day
Rain Song --Led Zeppelin
Love Not Fade Away (cover) --Grateful Dead
The Weight --The Band
Spirit In The Sky --Norman Greenbaum
Badge --Cream
Can't Find My Way Home --Blind Faith
I'd Love To Change The World --Ten Years After
Gettin' Old Ain't For Pussies
I'm stalking the thrift shops looking for a high-end adult Spider Man costume to hang in the back of my closet, just so I can fuck with myself in case Alzheimer's gets me.
Jul 21, 2016
Rolling Right Along
So how's that hispanic outreach workin', guys?
"Conservatives" just don't do signs, I guess.
It Comes Wrapped In The Flag
I love the flag so much, I cut holes in it so I could rub my sweaty armpits all over it.
I love wild animals so much, I bait them into traps and kill them and mount their heads on my wall so I can love them some more.
I love the natural world so much, I cut down the trees so I can see it better from my hot tub.
I love people so much, I keep their wages below poverty level so they can better appreciate the intrinsic rewards of hard work.
I love democracy so much, I want to make sure only those who are truly worthy of it are allowed to participate in it.
I love this big beautiful country so much, I wanna keep it all to myself, and I'm willing to shoot you dead if you say I have to share any of it with anybody who isn't just like me.
and on and on and on
hat tip = theatlantic.com
Run Ted Run
The party of Personal Responsibility, Self-Reliance and Rugged Individuality would like to remind you that "vote your conscience" is a slap in the face to all true Americans.
So, does this mean Ted will run Independent?
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