233 Comments

I find myself wondering if our Republican Representatives and Senators who consistently push away gun reform laws would feel differently about supporting gun reform if it was their children and grandchildren being slaughtered while attending school.

Ron Johnson’s “Thoughts and Prayers” do not do ANYTHING for dead children.

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“Condolences and Prayers” because he really has no thoughts about it as long as he’s doing Russia’s work.

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Great and accurate point, Sharon.

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There will be no address for a civilized order in this land. It was founded on exploitation and remains to this day. The gun industry owns Congress as much as any other industry owns Congress. We are an industry-owned nation. We, the People was a platitude that never existed in the real realm. Sorry to say. And I ask anyone to refute it.

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Except remember when the tobacco industry owned Congress. There’s a tipping point and I sure hope it comes soon.

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I’ll give it to you. Always an exception to the rule and tradition

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We still have too many industries that own them.

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We, The People have been deceived from the beginning.

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Congress was in thrall to the tobacco industry for decades. Why that changed I'm not sure. Maybe it was because smoking was finally associated in the public mind with premature death, and the tobacco companies accepted that message and moved on, with their vast fortunes, to invest in other commodities/industries.

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We the people have power still if we use it. Leaders, ill intentioned, divide us along partisan cultural lines and on hot button issues. “We the people” still inspires and is aspiring for some still.

“We the people” is what this country is based on and why the forces that have been pulling us apart have not yet succeeded. And Donald Trump will not succeed either. Just you wait and see.

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I wrote my first op-ed on gun control in my daily in 1982. How long ya think I should wait? The NRA has done its damage by repeating a lie about the 2nd amendment.

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I responded to your “We the people “ not our obsession with having guns.

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"We,the People" was founded not only by exploitation, but by the slaughter and mass murder of native peoples from coast to coast. The wealth of "We the People" is the stolen lands, waters, minerals and a former pristine envrionment, now raped, pillaged and destroyed.

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Don't waste our time with thoughts or condolences and prayers, hugs and kisses, whatever. Lawmakers don't get that whatever words are used, they represent *inaction* and therefore offer no help at all, maybe even painful insult.

The time would be better spent taking responsibility and apologizing; reading off the names of all the children who have been killed since Columbine (1999, that's 25 years of inaction). Explain to us where all that NRA money has been spent instead.

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If I had a family member killed by gun violence and was addressed by a politician with “thoughts and prayers”, I would make sure to publicly dress them down every day and make them as uncomfortable as I could. They are truly devoid of any morality.

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Bonnie, well said.

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Ron Johnson is an amoral opportunist. He'd rather be hated than give up the mother's milk of money in politics. Certainly including gun money.

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I don't blame him for repeating the "thoughts and prayers" meme of gun-enabling Republicans. I do blame him for his lies about Republican politics and the Russian influence on it.

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Per 7 reporters at CNN 2 of the 6 injured were taken to a local ER staffed with folks who do know what to do & that is NOT thoughts & prayers.

CNN reports that "Abundant Life Christian" has 420 students K-12. Per CNN records kept since 2008 this is the 83rd private or public shooting in 2024 - the highest number.

The "ATF", the under paid & outnumbered agency responsible in any way for gun violence's has only 2000 agents world wide is on the DOGE hit list. It is possible that Wreck will NOT appoint new ATF director unless private citizens insist on a dramatic change in life & grievous injury saving gun policy.

Professional investigation (not CNN) has just started in the pre-shooting behavior of the young female shooter much less parental or school district legal liability for same.

Caution with early babble.

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Joel, the sad thing for me is that I don't think it would matter. They would see it as a murder and want the murderer killed. I don't think a lot of contemporary Republicans can think deeply into an issue, even when it is personal. They seem to be drinking the Trump Kool-Ade which is filled with lies, deception, false loyalties, and more lies. I suspect even high-level Republicans don't know what to think any more. That inability to think puts us all at risk.

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My husband has been saying this for years.

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And those were his constituents whose kids died today.

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More importantly Ron Johnson's Thoughts and Prayers do not do anything for the children still alive to prevent them from joining the ones who are dead.

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"Thoughts and prayers" are offered by Republican politicians who favor more guns everywhere and who, if they were asked, might well say, as some have done already, that loss of life to guns is the price we pay for "freedom." Meaning, freedom for guns, not for people.

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Hey Joyce, next time you are away, try Face Timing the brood 😄

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I have never done that. I face time Bella, my Shep, though. I'll try the chickens next time, but since there will be no delivery of the snacky worms involved, they probably won't care!

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Yep, tend to be transactional like another foul critter we know.

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You mean another FOWL creature (sorry, chickens, didn't mean to insult you).

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Nope, foul is the word although he is a coward.

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Definitely a coward Dale but, still a felon 34 times over per " NPR 1/2 hour ago. Headline: "NY Judge [sitting on Manhattan Crminal Court] says Trump is NOT immune from the 34 Felony Convictions".

Hat Tip: "Ximena Bustillo, NPR.

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I had a sad moment today when I opened my adult son's chicken coop door to find a massacre (probably by a weasel.) One dead rooster (he was a good boy) and 2 dead hens. Two other hens managed to escape.

He had asked me to make sure they had water this morning, as my he and my daughter-in-law were with our grandson who had surgery this morning for a collapsed lung. If grandson had been the one to find them he'd have been a wreck.

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You ‘bore the burden’. Thank you for that, and for your description and sharing the ‘why’ behind the situation, too. Best wishes and speedy recovery to you and your family members, Doug.

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I am so sorry. I hope your grandson heals rapidly.

Poor little chickens ….

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Maybe next time your husband can play “Chicken Whisperer” and have that bag of snarky worms handy. I’ll betcha you can get the girls to “cluck” back atcha. That would be a conversation I would love to eavesdrop on 😁

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I just love their "expressions" and the head turning. Pretty soon we'll be seeing eye-rolling.

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Penelope's got the stink-eye down pat.

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Was going to say, I've never seen a chicken giving the side eye. Stink-eye is more fitting.

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We used to have a Pet Cube we’d chat with the cats. Unfortunately we could see them but they couldn’t see us. They always got a special toy when we came home or we’d be shunned for days.

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You know things are bad when chickens look that pissed.

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Don’t they always look pissed?

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Who knew chickens could be so judgy? 😂😂

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I think Joyce just informed us that chickens even pretty ones could be as picky/judgy as cats/kittens.

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Trump is only term-limited according to the 24th amendment. Since when he cares about the Constitution??

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Exactly. He keeps dropping hints that he'll stay if they want him. That might be a pretty heavy lift since prices are "so hard to get down!" all of a sudden!

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Personally, I think the God of Moses has him term limited, whether he wants to stay in office or not. Trump will propose bargains and settlements with the Deity, but ultimately will have to accept the limitations imposed on him. Lawsuits will not impress the Author of all things.

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He has a concept of a plan, right?

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"Trump is only term-limited according to the 24th amendment. Since when he cares about the Constitution?

Regarding the Constitution, Trump is the least of our problems.

It hardly matters what he does or doesn't care about the Constitution, as much as it matters that lifetime appointee Supreme Court justices do not care about the Constitution. Turning the Constitution on its head to drain it of justice has been and continues to be the Federalist Society project. Equality before the law? Out. Equal representation? Out. Separation of Church and State? Out. Freedom of the press? For decades, Clarence Thomas has been itching to overturn NY Times v Sullivan. The Federalist Society network might very well give the Roberts Court the opportunity. Perhaps on the shadow docket without oral arguments. The high court is now captured for decades (Thanks to every eligible American who did not vote for Hillary Clinton or Kamala Harris.)

Now with the immunity decision heralding predations of the Heritage Society's Project 2025 and super charging the Federalist Society's specious and unprecedented 'unitary executive' theory, Republicans may give the United States its first tyrant. Keep in mind Charles Koch (through bagman Leonard Leo) is a primary mover funding this wrecking crew.

And it doesn't end with perverting the law and corrupting government - it is a 'whole society' Teneo Network scheme to repurpose our democratic republic as a corporate clerical fascist state - and to get Americans to welcome it. Which has been the goal since Ronald Reagan jumped in bed with Ralph Reed. Movement Conservatism with religious extremism. Unconscionable greed with unmitigated bigotry. From Murdoch to Musk. (Thanks to everyone who voted for and made excuses for any GOP president since Ronald Reagan.)

And keep in mind, Nixon won in part because Kissinger held up the Viet Nam peace negotiations. Reagan won in part because his campaign representatives - most probably and prominently William Casey, later Reagan's CIA director - bribed Iran to stall releasing the hostages. And then there is Bibi Netanyahu extending and expanding the Gaza crisis putting Democrats between those who cry antisemitism at any criticism of Israeli policy and those who cry genocide at any support for Israel. It is complicated and the talk of isolationism and fortress America is disinformation. Republicans are up to their necks in foreign intrigue.

And we have to see how much of SoftBank's $100 Billion finds its way into the coffers of Trump Inc et al. Much of SoftBank's earlier $50 Billion investment went into WeWork. Which filed for bankruptcy in 2023. Son seems a kindred spirit to Trump.

"WeWork's bankruptcy filing caps a year's long saga that revealed breathtaking flaws in the investment style of Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, damaging his professional reputation far beyond the money he lost. ... You can recover from mistakes, but how do you recover from the perception that you don’t know what you’re doing?” said Aswath Damodaran, a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business. "His actions say, ‘I am arrogant.’”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/11/08/companies/softbank-masayoshi-son-wework/

Re: SoftBank's earlier $50 Billion, even the Cato Institute didn't like it:

"Matthew Mitchell, a senior research fellow at the libertarian Mercatus Center, says it’s unclear what direct benefits SoftBank may receive from the Trump administration, if anything. But he added that the president shouldn’t be involved in the investment decisions of individual companies, because it risks making the U.S. government reliant on the support of companies to carry out its policies.

“I think we’re getting into this world now where there’s no longer a taboo about picking winners and losers. And to me, that’s a big concern, because institutionally that’s in some way what has set the U.S. apart from banana republics,” he said."

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/12/08/did-softbank-play-donald-trump-on-50-billion-investment-jobs-deal/

https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/softbank-donald-trump-masayoshi-son

https://progressive.org/magazine/billionaire-kingmaker-still-dividing-the-nation-maclean-graves/

https://www.propublica.org/article/leonard-leo-scotus-elections-nonprofits-discrimination

https://www.propublica.org/article/leonard-leo-teneo-videos-documents

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Thank you for this extensive explanation.

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Ditto. lin is one of my favorite commentators.

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Yes and I also thank you. Well thought out.

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We already have the felonious tyrant-elect, who is threatening the news media and individuals over accurate reporting of his status and his intentions and anything else that occurs to him.

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I still have concerns that the 2025 crowd will let him wreak as much havoc as possible for about 18 mos.- 2 yrs, call for the 25th Amendment to get rid of him and install JD for the remainder of the term. Then JD gets to run for 2 terms.

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Oh God, he is just the worst! Not sure the maggots will fall for him…..he is not a

TV “Star” that the sad people thought was a perfect example of an “intelligent

businessman”. HAHAHA!

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Why should we let them do so?

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He’s already said that he thinks he deserves yet another term because he was treated so “unfairly” during his first term!

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Trump owes us all an apology for being so focused on staying in power regardless of what the voters want.

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Ahhhhh, Joyce, I love you!

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It's so very mutual!

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Joyce is to be commended for all she provides, but you also deserve kudos for the hell tfg has made you live through. You make all women proud. Real women not the maga whores

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I was with you until you used the word'whores' Please DO NOT refer to women as whores. That word debases women. The truth is that it is men who are the real whores. They use women. They debase women. They hurt women. They cheat on their spouses. They carry out their sick fantasies on them. Women who resort to prostitution do so to survive, to house and feed themselves and their children. Don't ever think they like what they do to survive. They needed our protection, our help, but we gave them none.

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We love you and I wish we had a more concrete way to show you how much we care. Take care of yourself, and stay safe in the upcoming turbulent times.

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And we all love you, too. I hope you get the money.

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Joyce, you are a singular calm, rational and hopeful voice in the TIO (let’s get that trademarked) madness. I’ve seen you on television often enough that I read your pieces and “hear” them in your real voice.

Thank you for your informed thoughts and ideas. They make me feel like we ARE all in this together.

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Also, those chickens are real sassy!

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I didn't know chickens could look scornful or imperious; could you show me a face shot of a chicken who is happy or approving? ;)

It seems to me that Trump's lame-duck status will not inspire him to "do the right thing", even if he knows what that is. I think that status is his go-ahead to jump on whatever policies he doesn't like for himself and his businesses. He will rattle around until all the parts and works suit him, and everyone else be d*mned.

He doesn't care if the little people are shooting each other at schools or anywhere else. Not his wheelhouse.

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Do chickens gang up on lame ducks?

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You have a point! Trump has no moral compass to do the right thing. But, he could seize a transactional moment if gun sense were a part of his legacy. Also, he was tottering near dementia during the pre-election days. Dare I hope...?

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I see the disappointment the chickens are expressing. It was apparent, and then I saw Pickles's pic. Whoa, don't turn your back! Just kidding. They will warm up in no time because you are a chicken whisperer!

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God blessed the chickens for not having to deal with the horrors that our political world has. I take that back chickens want to live with room to grow just as humans.

This is one of the reasons I refuse to eat chicken. Now if I can just wean myself off beef and pork. Why are animals such good creatures and man is the dearth of our existence?

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Humans are usually my least-favorite species.

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Ron Johnson is full of all talk, no action. He has worked against gun control legislation consistently. He was also responsible for submitting fake electors. He should be exiled out of the US.

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RonJo should get down on his knees every day and thank whatever Deity he believes in that Tuberville has been elected to the Senate. Because now he (RonJo) is now no longer the stupidest Senator of all.

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If Lara Trump gets in, they both might be eclipsed...

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You mistake his pronouncements for some kind of truthful analysis. In reality he lies whenever it is convenient, especially regarding electoral politics.

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rj is a repulsive repub. Dante awaits.

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Not just a disingenuous purveyor of lies to the electorate, he actively attempted to overturn the 2020 election and throw away the voters' votes. Such attempts should result in a prison sentence, however I'm still waiting for any sitting member of Congress to feel any pain for their insurrectionary behavior.

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Notice the party formerly known as Republican is quick with the bullshit about kids coming home from school with a new gender, but not so quick about attempting to make sure they don't come home in body bags.

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Horrible thought ... but, sadly, spot on! I think it's call hypocrisy.

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Exactly, Dale of Green Gables. # of kids coming home after a hard day at school with a different gender? "0". Number of kids who have experienced gun violence since 1999 "390,000".

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One day when you have absolutely nothing to do, maybe in the next millennium, can you send us pictures of each of the chickens along with what kind of chicken they are. Penelope especially is intriguing looking. Do you ever worry about them getting stolen ?

.here in Los Angeles French bulldogs get stolen constantly. I would think your adorable chickens would be on the list.

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I would love to do that! A yearbook of chickens for y'all. I'm afraid I'd enjoy it far too much, but adding it to my mental list of fun things to do one day when life is overwhelming!

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How about an annual chicken calendar? Just kidding! Seems you have enough to do, and we're thankful for all of it 🙂

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Yes!!! A chicken calendar!

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A calendar could be a fundraiser for Civil Discourse. I’d buy it!

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Joyce, Did you mean when life isn't overwhelming? One day, this shall come to pass. Count on it. I look forward to much more on the secret life of chickens.

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The gun violence is tragic. This time in Wisconsin. So many innocent lives lost. It would be a very noble cause if don-old did something. At the very least we need to let our senators and representatives know that we think this cannot be ignored any longer.

The photos of the chickens are priceless. A picture is worth a thousand words. Each one tells a story with attitude.

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He won't do the right thing. EVER. He doesn't care about legacy. He likes rich people. Period.

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They really don’t look very happy with you. Hopefully they will be happy soon. I guess treats will help that along.

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The Chicken side eye is a sign of respect and love 😂❤️

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I'm pretty sure it's not. They were ver squawky with me!

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No eggs for you lady, at least not until we get your abject apology. You have one job and one job only, to keep us happy, and you blew it. You'll be buying your eggs for the foreseeable future unless you make with the worm snacks right quick. Your former friend Leeda.

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