Done With All That

The best thing to come out of all that craziness was Tina Fey's shining SNL moments.

Like many others, I was very happy that Obama's win was untarnished by complications on voting day. I have been unsuccessful in my efforts to peel away the KUCINICH bumper sticker from the Daewoo. Apparently bumper stickers are forever. I managed to rip away some of the edges, but the only solution I see is covering it with a new sticker.

Five more weeks until Barack Obama's innauguration...the first african american president ever.

A democrat in the white house once again. I was born during Truman's presidency and during my lifetime, we have had six democrats and six republicans in office.

Back in January when all the campaigning heated up, ending the war seemed to be a top story. Who knew the economy would collapse? They call this a recession. Some predict a full-blown depression will not hit for another year. In the meantime, we watch the house of cards.

Yet, this is a story like any other story...not entirely true...a matter of perception.

A lot transpires during the course of one year. Think back one year. What was the story of your life? Think back two years, three years, etc. One year from now is a complete mystery.

Feminism Revisited

Kind of weird to see Sarah and Gloria in the same photo...especially with that grinning Rudy Giuliani in the background today on September 11th.

This article in Salon comments on this latest version of woman power. Who could have predicted this?
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/09/11/zombie_feminism/index.html?source=newsletter

I recommend renting the film Iron Jawed Angels, about the women who fought for the right to vote. Gives new meaning to "Why Vote?"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00026L9CU

September 17th is Constitution Day

Dwight Eisenhower warned americans in 1961 of the rising military industrial complex. He said they will take your rights away if you let them.

US Consitution for fifth graders tells us the basics to the US Constitution...

There are three branches of government:
Legislative (House of Representatives, Senate, Congress)
Executive (President)
Judicial (Supreme Court)

The Bill of Rights is a simple 462-word document detailing the rights of all americans. James Madison authored the first ammendment and told the public "We ought to mistrust all those in power."

The Ten Rights are...

Amendment One
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment Two
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment Three
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment Four
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures , shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue , but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment Five
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment Six
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment Seven
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment Eight
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment Nine
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment Ten
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm

The Real News

Forget about lipstick on pigs, hockey moms, newspapers, tv news. For anyone with a progressive view, check out these two sources of up-to-the-minute reports on what really matters....

http://www.democracynow.org/

http://garynull.progressiveradionetwork.org/

Several Democracy Now staff (along with many others) were recently arrested in Minnesota during the Republican National Convention for doing nothing. By the way, there were about 10,000 people in attendance at a peace rally there during the days of the convention. DN reported extensively on the aggressive brutal treatment by police directed at the ralliers and those just doing their reporting jobs.

Gary Null has the most articulate voice going and great guests. On September 9th he interviewed author, John Whitehead. His Change Manifesto book addresses how americans are losing their consitutional rights...

http://www.amazon.com/Change-Manifesto-Movement-Remake-America/dp/1402213077/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221134860&sr=1-6

They discussed something else nobody is reading on frontpage news. Haliburton has been awarded another huge contract (some $385 million, billion, zillion) to construct "camps" within the borders of this country. For whom? I guess we can ponder that.

Also of note...I plan on renting the film Jesus Camp to better understand the rapturist view that Sarah Palin is speaking to. These people believe "an eye for an eye," an attitude that will get us nowhere.

We Contradict Ourselves

This Jon Stewart Show clip about Sarah Palin is priceless...
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

About Two Months To Go

I began this blog last January when I was moved to support Dennis Kucinich, a candidate who seemed to have a good command of the issues facing this country. I was also hopeful that Ralph Nader would have a voice in the campaign, but as Barack Obama began to shine, I willingly embraced his campaign, while continually questioning.

It will be a close election and despite Obama's strong presence, people will need to go out and actually vote for him. McCain and his frightening running mate could easily win this if people get frustrated and turn away. How would we ever survive four more years of the Bush legacy??

John McCain and Sarah Palin?????????

Information from http://www.moveon.org/:

Who is Sarah Palin?

some basic background:

~was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago
~previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage
~has no foreign policy experience
~strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest
~supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000
~thinks creationism should be taught in public schools
~does not think humans are the cause of climate change
~solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy
~pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years
~sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species (worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska)

How closely did John McCain vet this choice?
~He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting.
~They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president.

Alaska MoveOn members were also asked what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:
~She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience.
~She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again.
~She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials.
~She has NO experience beyond Alaska.
~Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be.
~She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that.
~She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news.
~She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman.
~McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary.
~There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.
~Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative.
~She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil.
~She's dramatically inexperienced.

Finally Some Content

Dennis Kucinich speaks more of the truth than all the others combined. They give him the stage now that the candidates are locked in. If Obama is smart, he will invite Kucinich into his cabinet....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv0smG7ptcM

Oil Drilling

Naomi Klein articulates so well what is going on with the current urgency to push through oil drilling in new places.

http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=2064

Just Like A Boyfriend

He calls, brings flowers, seems to care about what you want and need. Six months later, once he thinks you are hooked, he drops all that. Out comes the real man with his own agenda.

Barack Obama, we gave you the nomination. We do want change, not simply TALK of change.

Will you end the war?
Will you provide single payer healthcare to all?
Will you protect the environment and reign in the profiteers?

We do not have to vote for you!

Democrat, Republican, Independent, GREEN

Greens Nominate Cynthia McKinneyBy John Nichols17/07/08 "The Nation" -- -

The Green Party has made a good deal of history this weekend. The party has nominated a former member of Congress for the presidency, a coup for the party that itself has yet to elect a U.S. representative or senator. The party has nominated a woman for president, no small matter in a year when Democrats have rejected an opportunity to crack the political glass ceiling. The party has nominated an African-American for president, no small matter in a year when the Democrats have embraced Barack Obama. And the former member of Congress, the woman and the person of color that the Green Party has nominated is a smart, articulate and outspoken public figure who – despite the fact that she has taken her hits from a media and a political class that never could get comfortable with the idea that a young black women was walking the corridors of power and making no apologies – is more than capable of standing her ground in a presidential race that so far has been longer on style than ideas.

Cynthia McKinney, a former Democrat who represented Georgia in the U.S. House during the administrations of Bill Clinton and George Bush and often sparred presidents of both big parties, easily secured the Green nomination Saturday at the party's convention in Chicago. She then delivered an acceptance speech in which she made it clear that the small but serious party, which has more than 200 elected officials nationwide and grassroots organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, would be heard in a campaign where much of the media has a hard time seeing beyond Democratic blue and Republican red. As delegates and supporters waved "Paint the White House Green" signs, McKinney declared, "I am asking you to vote your conscience, vote your dreams, vote your future, vote Green."

Resolutely anti-war and anti-imperialist, firmly committed to defending individual liberties and determined to hold the outgoing president and vice president to account – as a member of the House in 2006, McKinney introduced the first articles of impeachment against President Bush – McKinney is an ardent advocate for national health care, expanded education spending and energy policies that emphasize mass transportation and conservation rather than rewarding oil-company profiteering. And, as she notes, "I have a record of standing up on all of these issues."It is that record, and her willingness to stand on it, that distinguishes McKinney from Democrat Obama and Republican John McCain, both of whom are being accused of changing positions in order to reposition their campaigns for November.

McKinney does not spend much time attacking either the Democrat or the Republican. Rather, the former state legislator and six-term member of the House – whose broad experience as a child of the civil rights movement, a community activist, an educator and a state and national official compares favorably with both of her big-party rivals – simply says: "Don't expect me to keep a count of the major flip flops of the other candidates between now and November. I'm sure there will be plenty. They are in this flip flop because they have to appear to share our values -- while they serve somebody else." That "somebody else" comment is a reference to the corporate and governmental elites that Cynthia McKinney has spent a lifetime battling. She has her scars. But she is still reasonably young by presidential politics standards – just 53 – and she is still appealing and appropriately idealistic.

Don't talk about "wasted votes" or "spoiling" that which is already spoiled, she says "We are in this to build a movement," McKinney told the cheering delegates. "A vote for the Green Party is a vote for the movement that will turn this country right-side-up again."

Obama in Baghdad

Barack's upcoming visit to Kabul and Baghdad is somewhat promising. He once pledged to bring troops home within sixteen months, a promise that is disappearing as he shifts focus away from Iraq and onto al-Qu'eda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The war issue seems to be falling behind a smokescreen of the current gas crisis. Now that the debate over drilling for oil in the US has grabbed so much of our passion, the war issue is slipping away. Obama appears to be buying into the military trance.

The July 11th episode of Democracy Now
(http://www.democracynow.org/) featured the topic of stop loss as the feature film, STOP LOSS (http://www.stoplossmovie.com/) is just released on DVD.

A growing number of creatives are writing books, blogging, and posting films on You Tube while serving in Iraq. The VietNam war was the first to appear on national television as journalists told that story. A new anthropology of war is taking shape as US troops in Iraq, email, IM, text, photograph and film. Self-expression is posted directly to the internet for our view. An uprising is underway as angry stop-lossed troops express the truth about what is happening.

Although, a new Stop Loss Compensation Act is attempting to offer an additional $1500 extra pay to those soldiers who are being asked to return to Iraq for unplanned tours of duty, this really is not the answer.

Stop-lossed soldier, Casey J. Porter, is back in Iraq as a soldier and undercover guerilla filmmaker. See his films at www.youtube.com/caseyjporter

Colby Buzzell had served and written a book, MY WAR: Killing Time In Iraq. Back home and about to begin taking college classes, he received the stop loss order. Read more about this at http://www.cbftw.blogspot.com/

Featured in the film, THE GROUND TRUTH, Aidan Delgado tells his story of a Buddhist fighting the war in Iraq in his book THE SUTRAS OF ABU GHRAIB: Notes from a Conscientious Objector.

Red White & Blues

In response to the Yes We Can video, Saratoga Springs (and former Buffalonian) guitarist, Phil Drum, offers us a simply lovely Barack-inspired version of our national anthem.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdin4RuwCUI

Yes We Can

A few months ago Jakob Dylan produced this very cool and inspiring video to honor and promote Barack Obama...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

The Times They Are A Changing

Okay, so he sold out and starred in a Cadillac commercial. Never one to claim himself a spokesman, Bob Dylan is still someone to listen to. He has recently come out with a supportive statement in support of Obama....

Poverty is demoralizing. You can't expect people to have the virtue of purity when they are poor. But we've got this guy out there now who is redefining what a politician is, so we'll have to see how things play out. Am I hopeful? Yes, I'm hopeful that things might change. Some things are going to have to.

What Are We Waiting For?

Dennis Kucinich is the truth-teller. We need his voice to remain focused on ending the war in Iraq.

McCain is cultivating an aura of I'll take care of you.

Obama replaces that with We'll work together to make change.

Kucinich maintains Democracy is something you make happen everyday by asking questions.

WATCH THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AF4QYlUx74

I truly hope Obama will allow Kucinich and Nader to assist him with a plan to end the war.

The Right

Less vocal and more savvy than the Religious Right, The Family are bipartisan and work from within to build power. They seek biblical capitalism, military might, American empire.
Gary Null (broadcasts available on i-tunes) interviewed Jeff Sharlet, who has written a thorough exploration on the movement....

http://jeffsharlet.blogspot.com/

And, by the way...Obama has listed long-time member of The Family, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, as a possible VP running mate.

Less surprising...McCain just appointed Senator Sam Brownback as an advisor (also a member of The Family).

Just Too Happy

His life goes on in the most pleasant ways.

Back in 2003 George W. lied to the American people about weapons of mass destruction, peppered his lies with references to 9/11, terrorism, Saddam Hussein. His form of hypnotism worked to keep people calmly submissive as he sacrificed young american lives and tax revenues in order to steal the oil fields of Iraq.

Five years later, his mission has not been accomplished.

1.2 million civilians have died in Iraq. 125 babies are dying daily in Iraq from diseases never before the war due to depleted uranium in the air and water supply that is also found in the urine of the American troops. There is no treatment of this.

Since the biological warfare of the first Gulf conflict there are over 400,000 sick American GIs. The media reports about PTSD and TBI, but little is mentioned about the other, more terrifying concern.

70% of US dollars sent to Iraq are stolen, misused, used for kickbacks or fraud.

McCain says The Surge is working. How will we know when we have achieved so-called Victory?

Finally

Millions of campaign dollars later...at last...it is finally settled that Barack Obama has the most endorsements to be the democratic candidate.

As we move on with this debate, I truly hope he will listen to the progressives.

Earlier this week, Ohio Represenative, Dennis Kucinich, presented articles to impeach President George Bush for high crimes and misdemeaners.

WATCH THIS:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zdxymWZ6MUE

Watch This Movie!

Green Party, Seat Belts, Consumer Rights, Spoiler...

Whatever you might think about Ralph Nader, find out the entire story in the 2006 documentary, An Unreasonable Man.

Breathe

Breathe in...

hope, strength, power, freedom

Breathe out...

FEAR

Fifteen Essential Issues

Gary Null has one of the country's longest running radio programs about health, nutrition and politics. I highly recommend these shows that are available as itunes podcasts.

Ralph Nader was a guest on the show this week to provide and update on the direction of his controversial green party/independent campaign. In the coming weeks, Gary plans to also feature Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul.

Gary's view is that we must offer Barack Obama the mandate and courage to raise the bar to go beyond talking change to living it. When elected, he will have the chance to create a cabinet that includes the various progressives who have the ability to enact true change...Kucinich, Nader, Paul, Edwards (to name a few).

Why not make the coming years a transformative time unlike anything since the 1700s?

Ralph Nader's platform addresses several issues that are not on the table for HC, BO, or JM...

1) Single-payer health care plan

2) Cut bloated military spending

3) No nuclear power -- solar power

4) Crack down on corporate crime and welfare

5) Open presidential debates to include alternative candidates

6) Adopt carbon pollution tax

7) Reverse U.S. Middle East policy

8) Impeach Bush and Cheney

9) Repeal Taft-Hartley anti-union law

10) Adopt Wall Street security speculation tax

11) End ballot access obstructionism

12) Work to end corporate personalhood

13) Strengthen investor rights to control CEO's gigantic profit/salaries

14) Allow direct democracy

15) Restore and strengthen civil justice system

The Nader/Gonzalez campaign is support by progressive and idealist voters who recognize that the two-party system does not represent them.

Dissent and alternatives are blocked out of the public debate.

A deep pathology of politics is developing due to growing political bigotry against any small thrid-party candidates who try to address majoritarian positions when the mainstream press totally overlooks them.

Not Good Enough ???

Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez are Independent Party candidates for the 2008 election. We will not see or hear much of them, but they are touring and talking to groups.

Their position is that the Republicans are unacceptable, but the Democrats are simply not a good enough alternative.

Just as Obama is closing in to lead the Democrats, this is a good time to remember that Obama says he plans to withdraw from Iraq. Still, he also plans to leave 150,000 troops in Iraq. Is this leaving????

His senatorial voting record is also questionable. While Hillary and McCain voted agains the 2005 Energy Policy Act that offered enormous giveaways to oil companies, tax breaks, and other subsidies, Obama voted FOR the act.

Nader and Gonzalez say he speaks like Martin Luther King, but votes like George W. Bush.

Many view this bid as detrimental to the anti-McCain effort....

http://news.sfweekly.com/2008-04-30/news/party-crashers-08/print

http://samspadesf.blogspot.com/2008/02/matt-gonzales-plans-to-siphon-votes-for.html

Nader is a great watchdog pointing to the writing on the wall...reminds us to keep the independent view in sight...reminds us that Obama is not offering the entirety of what is called for.

We must ask more of Obama.

21st Century Dilemma

Thich Nhat Hanh tells us that the only hope for the 21st Century is spirituality.

The question then is what kind of spirituality? We need one unified view that considers the benefit of all beings on the planet.

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Five million homeless in post-earthquake China. Thirty thousand children nearing starvation due to lack food and water in post-cyclone Mayanmar. Six million children starving in Ethiopia due to ongoing drought and high cost of food there. Areas of the United States looking more and more like a third-world country. The US is paying high-price contractors $100 to wash and dry one duffle bag of clothing for our military in Iraq....$250,000 for a mess-hall cook.

*
*
Strange forces are at work. Millions of dollars are spent on election campaigns...trillions of dollars are spent in the middle east mayhem.

*
*
This may be our last chance to take a real stand. Hillary is doing her best to position herself for 2012 after Obama fails to deliver.

*
*
Obama sounds good and he looks good, but maybe it is time to wake up.

Enough Already Or Not Enough Yet

Yes.....we are all quite done with the election.

Yet......now is the time to remain present and attentive....and involved.

We would not want John McCain to slip in while we slept.

John Edwards has finally commit his support. Hopefully, he will be selected as a running mate.

* * * * * * * * * *
Power To The People (or, like my bumper sticker says) Power To The Peaceful.

http://www.my.barackobama.com/meetBarack

R-68

Re-create 68 is organizing a counter-event during the Democratic Convention in Denver during August....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0pLYvwTKDv0

But Seriously

Barack Obama is our best hope right now. On a lighter note, he even danced with Ellen on daytime television!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RsWpvkLCvu4

A More Perfect Union

This April 18th Philadelphia speech is quite beautiful....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QORZY11IHMo

Finally

Three months since my last post.

I drifted away from this blog just as DK lost his footing in this race. HC is carrying on admirably. BO will likely be presiding over the Denver convention. He remains thoughtful and gracious.

We need a Democrat to beat McCain, but The Green Party is a much-needed presence. Ralph Nader stopped in Buffalo a couple weeks ago and spoke to about fifty people who managed to show up for a friday afternoon talk in an out-fo-the-way location. I missed it. Hopefully, his voice will enlighten some of the upcoming dialogue.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CyfSN7B4lYI

Who Were They?

John McCain, 1974

*
*
*

John & Elizabeth Edwards, 1980

Hillary Rodham, 1969

Barry Obama, 1978

Language Is Important

I just listened to Guiliani speak in New Hampshire. He uses the old Ronald Reagan slogan Peace Through Strength. Sounds familiar, right?

Of course, we all know that Dennis Kucinich talks of Strength Through Peace. A slight shift in words creates a huge shift in meaning.

The republican spin focuses on defense, security, protection....build walls, bully, dominate.

Turn that around to the progressive view built on interdependence, balance, compassion....liberate, mediate, nurture.

Balance creates peace. Balance creates strength.

Mrs. Kucinich speaks beautifully of this at a recent talk in Denver...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGWHVArtKpk

Melissa Ethridge Says...

New York Times article on Dennis Kucinich missing from Iowa caucus.....

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/etheridge-misses-kucinich/

Official Dennis Kucinich Store

www.officialkucinichstore.us/

The site has all the usual t-shirts, buttons and stickers.
This shirt features the points of the Kucinich platform...

KUCINICH
He's got your back!

Single Payer Health Care
End the Iraq War
Impeach Cheney
New Jobs & Safe Infrastructure
World Peace - No NUKES!
Green Energy - No Nuclear Waste
Free College & Pre-school
Cut Pentagon Budget 15-25%

January 4th PBS Interview with Dennis Kucinich on Bill Moyers Journal

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01042008/watch3.html

This update talks about DKs exclusion from the Iowa and New Hampshire debates. About 700 supporters rallied in New Hampshire. The health insurance industry has enormous impact in Iowa and this has likely effected recent decisions there as DK is the only candidate calling for a single payer insurance, DK addressed the clash of two streams of media...emerging internet-based information technology and the conventional television technology. He emphasized that he spent a lot of time in Iowa during 2004. Not being involved there this year allowed for beneficial time spent elsewhere. The television media is aiming to minimize conflict by focusing on the top three democratic candidates who share many similar views, while DKs progressive democratic view is radically different. He refers to himself as a Democrat's Democrat.

Dennis Kucinich In New Hampshire

This New Year's Day message offers a nice update...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZbn5lqW3IQ

Dennis Kucinich Says...

"We need to understand the connection between peace and the environment. We know that life on our planet is threatened by the twin threats of gobal warring and global warming. They are linked, and we have to understand that as we cognize the world as being interconnected and interdependent, we know that resource wars are passe and that the focus on sustainability will create peace."

Ani DiFranco Says...

He's so electable

Ani DiFranco remarks as she introduces Dennis Kucinich at a Boston rally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrj3Ss-Es0Q

What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?

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