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John McCain offers backing to 'inspiring' running mate Sarah Palin

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John McCain chats to Jay Leno on the Tonight Show
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Published Date: 12 November 2008
DEFEATED US presidential candidate John McCain defended his running mate Sarah Palin today, denying that she damaged his White House bid and dismissing criticism of her as campaign sniping.
"I'm so proud of her and I'm very grateful she agreed to run with me. She inspired people, she still does," Mr McCain told TV host Jay Leno during a Tonight Show interview. "I couldn't be happier with Sarah Palin."

Questioned by Leno on griping about Mrs Palin from unidentified McCain operatives in the days following the election, the Arizona senator said: "These things happen in campaigns.

"I think I have at least a thousand, quote, top advisers," he scoffed. "A top adviser said? I've never even heard of ... a top adviser or high-ranking Republican official."

But Mr McCain never directly addressed the embarrassing controversy over Mrs Palin's expensive campaign wardrobe purchased by the Republican National Committee, or statements by unidentified McCain aides who have reportedly said she was not prepared on foreign policy.

The 44-year-old Alaska governor has said in interviews that she did not ask for or want the £93,700-plus wardrobe for her and her family.

Mr McCain disputed that a different vice presidential pick would have changed the outcome against Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

At campaign rallies "the people were very excited and inspired by her. That's what really mattered, I think", Mr McCain said. "She's a great reformer."

Mr McCain's appearance at Leno's Burbank, California, studio was scheduled to coincide with Veterans Day. It was the former naval aviator's 14th appearance on The Tonight Show but his first TV interview as a vanquished presidential candidate.

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1

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 11:26:36

McCain said. "She's a great reformer."

Please help Mr. McCain find his slippers. . . . .
2

,

12/11/2008 11:44:00
Comment Removed By Administrator
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3

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 11:59:57

Who said it ?

"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."

"I have made good judgements in the Past. I have made good judgements in the Future."

"People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history."

"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child."

The Pit-Poodle with lipstick ?

Sound all too familiar ?

The original laughing-stock, Dan Quayle !


Following the same moose-trail into infamy !

Comedy we can DEPEND ON !


4

Nellie,

Liverpool 12/11/2008 12:17:03
The World can breathe a sigh of relief that she is not President-in-waiting. Indeed, with comments as those from McCain, it's clear she wouldn't have had to wait too long...

But the election is over and the risk has gone ... for now. It would be healthier to concentrate on what the new administration does, or not, that dwell on the past .... unless you're one of the poor saps living in Alaska. To them I offer my heart-felt condolences.
5

Postmark-55,

China, 12/11/2008 12:26:09
McCain knows that he screwed up big time after he realized what a bimbo Palin turned out to be and he's backing her now only because he doesn't want to lose face, but it's too late for that since he already lost both the election and face.
6

,

12/11/2008 12:59:07
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7

Lynne,

Palm Beach Gardens 12/11/2008 13:32:43
As far as Hitler "inspiring people".. take a look at the faces of the kids, and cross section of America "carried away" by Obama. Mass hysteria..
THAT'S FRIGHTENING!!!
8

Nellie,

Liverpool 12/11/2008 13:42:43
#7 Lynn. Yeah, you're right. It's not (necessarily) Obama that's frightening, it's the way people seem to worship the man's very bones. The same, of course, is true of many a McCain and Palin supporters. (Indeed, those Republican and Democrat election rallies bare a scary resemblance to those at Nuremberg!)
9

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 14:01:45

Obama's elevated status is at least partly due to the fact that we have been under such a dark cloud of
mismanagement and ignorance under Bush. The cloud suddenly lifted for many of us !

Certainly Obama benefits, by contrast, with such
an inept administration. Most Americans appear to be hungry for an intelligent leader. Obama is the man for the time, seen possibly as "too good to be true," which time will prove out. He has all of the basic requirements of an intelligent, thoughtful leader, but lacks much of the so-called "experience" that got us all into such recent trouble. The "experience" issue is
illusory, at best, particularly if such experience has been wrong, outmoded and ill-advised.

Of course, the "messiah" frenzy will setttle down to a more realistic level, but the fact remains that Obama DOES inspire what many of us consider our higher virtues and serves as a catalyst for a much-needed
change of direction.

The ones who are hurting, I am afraid to say, are those stuck in the past, unwilling to keep up with the times, unable to see current realities that require new vision and direction. The current path leads to
the mess we are all now just starting to experience
fully.

Hopefully, we will re-group, gather our wits about us and forge aheads towards a stronger, smarter USA.



10

Matt there,

Somewhere 12/11/2008 15:20:13
He is supporting her because he is a gentlean and is hitting back at his officials who dissed her. He thinks THEY cost him the election...
11

scuirle,

Derry 12/11/2008 15:49:49
#7 Lynne has said exactly what I have been thinking. Obama might have been the better choice, but the way the WORLD is accepting him as their leader... Well, sounds like something from Revelations... I say, save the accolades for when he's actually accomplished something note worthy. That he beat McCain, just about any fool could have done that.
12

scuirle,

Derry 12/11/2008 15:51:54
And number 9 - D.Feste - You're the kind of fool that's going to help usher us right into a socialist state. Take the rose colored glasses off mate.
13

First Virginian,

USA 12/11/2008 16:01:48
Watching Foxnews.com's Greta interviews of Sarah Palin reveal an incredibly intelligent and articulate woman.

It was a definite advantage for Governor Palin that she and Senator McCain did not win the election.

The Democrats need the opportunity to try to extricate themselves from the mess they created with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

After Obama and the Democrats have repeated their usual demagogue routines, the opposition party can come in and pick up the pieces like we always have to do.

The Republican party was rife with Democrat-leaning "advisors" who showed themselves for what they are. President Bush was surrounded with Democrats in Republican's clothing.

There is still work to be done to get the US back to middle-of-the-road thinking where all citizens are treated fairly and equally "before the law."

There is a huge voter base already in place for a new political party that will follow this thinking.

And this group does not consist of welfare clients, illegal immigrants or the "something-for-nothing" crowd.

With Senator McCain back at his desk in Congress and Governor Palin back at her desk in Alaska, the loyal opposition can now go to work to hold Obama's feet to the fire on all of his promises.

Stay tuned...this should be quite a show!
14

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 16:18:53
#12-scuirle

Regardless of my political views, our government is buying into company after company, thus "socializing" or "nationalizing" these entities to a greater or lesser degree. We stand by as helpless citizens as the money is distributed to profiteers. We become owners of failed companies. . . while hoping to wear your "rose colored glasses" some day.

Your outrage is misplaced; "socialist" ideas appear to be the only ones that everyone is considewring to balance the sins ofrecent rampant, ungoverned capitalism.

This is not an ideological choice, but a pragnmatic, practical direction. We seem to have no other viable options that will work soon enough to forstall actual world depression.

We cannot let EVERYTHING fail now, can we ?

What is the assurance that better, stronger companies emerge as a result ? There IS no guarantee and the pain involved in massive unemployment may not be remedied for many years to come.

I, for one, do not wish to eat grass or drink water from streams. . . how about you ?

So. .. we go down the "socialist-buyout" path and hope for the best, very much against my own personal views.

Does this sound foolish to you ?

15

Yeah1,

12/11/2008 16:52:09
#13

"The Democrats need the opportunity to try to extricate themselves from the mess they created with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."

"The Republican party was rife with Democrat-leaning "advisors" who showed themselves for what they are. President Bush was surrounded with Democrats in Republican's clothing."

So in other words you think the Democrats are to blame for everything, and everything that goes wrong in the US is the fault of the Democrats, even something that is actually caused by the Republicans?

Grow up - are you really trying to suggest that everything wrong with the Bush administration was down to the so-called "Democrats in Republican's clothing" that apparently surrounded him?

You are completely warped and illogical - your opinions and points of view cannot be taken seriously until you are prepared to be at least slightly impartial and actually admit that the Republicans can and do go wrong - as they did with the Bush administration - and not everything in the US is the fault of the Democracts.
16

scuirle,

Derry 12/11/2008 17:31:32
#14 - D.Feste - Yes, it does (sound foolish). Just falling for the same old rhetoric. And only a fool would put that much confidence in someone with so little experience. I'm not saying Obama was the wrong choice, I'm saying that everyone is falling all over themselves saying here's the Great Leader of the New World Order - The proof will be in the pudding.
17

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 17:37:09

A premonition of things to come A YEAR-ON for the USA; note the date of publication and the explanation of what lead to the difficulties:

The Irish Times - Ireland | Wednesday, November 21, 2007

THE CELTIC TIGER IS WELL AND TRULY DEAD -

Fintan O'Toole notes the demise of the 'Celtic Tiger', i.e. the IRISH ECONOMIC BOOM.

"Ever since the slump that followed the attacks on the US in September 2001, the classic Irish boom has been a thing of the past. If most of us haven't noticed, it's because the money has been flowing in regardless. The boom in exports was replaced by two related booms -in PROPERTY PRICES and construction, and in consumer spending. ...

This has created an American-style economy in which people borrow money to buy more stuff and economic growth becomes dependent on the insatiable appetites of consumers.

If the real boom of the 1990s and early 2000s was about us importing American capital and exporting American products, the second boom has been, logically enough, about us becoming American consumers. We've replaced the public debt of the 1980s with private debt."

***********************************************

Here is a link to their own "bailout," approximately
400 Billion Euros ( $600 billion American, more or less )

******************************************

Same problem. . .same solution.

******************************************

Friday, OCTOBER 24, 2008

Irish bailout cheapest in world, says Lenihan

CARSWELL, Finance CorrespondentMINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has said the bank guarantee scheme was "a necessary first step" and "the cheapest bailout in the world so far".

Mr Lenihan said the guarantee was "the cheapest bailout" compared with bank rescues in other countries, including the UK and the US, where "billions and billions of taxpayers' money are being poured into financial institutions".

"Look at what happened in Iceland - if we have no viable banking system in this countr
18

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 17:37:58

"Look at what happened in Iceland - if we have no viable banking system in this country or we allow the banking system to fail, we won't have an economy," he said.





19

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 17:54:34

#16-

It appears to me that you, yourself, are one of many who choose to make Obama into some "demi-god."
You are seeing what you wish to see, which would be nothing new to any of us.

I see only your own negative over-enthusiasm for this man, which is always a give-away. Watch out. . . this usually indicates that you are about to experience an epiphany, a moment of clarity and transformation in your beliefs. If not. . . . it doesn't really matter;
he's the next president of the USA.

The "left" in this country is somewhat wary of this guy, thinking that he is far too "right." Time will tell. See www.alternet.org for ideas that may surprise you.

I prefer a person of intelligence and pragmatism at this time in the evolution of our country.

Outdated dogma got us into this trouble and a new vision is required to get us back on track. This is new, uncharted territory, as any economist or foreign leader will tell you.

The fact that I do not hear a rigid listing of sure-fire remedies for our problems from the Obama camp is music to my ears.

Anyone who presents quick and easy answers for extremely complex problems is either a moron or a liar. Bush is such a man, but will be shown the door
in short order.

And you are already becoming more perceptive than you may realize. In calling me a "fool," you are literally correct. "Feste" is the name of the fool in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Nice Goin' !
However, I seriously doubt that you've heard of it, based on your postings.
20

A Clamper,

Edinburgh 12/11/2008 18:06:12
Don't panic Rednecks.....
21

A Clamper,

Edinburgh 12/11/2008 18:07:06
Sarah says....

"I just want to say to everyone who is a little disappointed that we lost the election, that there's always next year – maybe I'll run again for Vice President in 2009! Oh! My phone's going ringy!"
22

Axl,

Edinburgh 12/11/2008 18:08:40
#4

Well said.

We should be all very grateful that this hugely ignorant and ill-informed woman did not make the position of vice president.

She may well be a very nice, clever person and a good 'mom', but she knows F**K ALL about world affairs and quite frankly should just stay in Alaska, get her telescope out and sit in the starry night looking for evidence of Vladamir Putin 'rearing his head' head over the horizon..
23

scuirle,

Derry 12/11/2008 18:13:47
#16 - Same old, same old - can't win the argument, start slinging the mud. Land slides = mud slides! Good luck. Only trouble, the rest of the world pays for these mistakes.
24

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 18:25:31

#23-

No argument to win or lose - by the way are you in Derry/No.Irelend or Derry NH ?

If UK. . . . why do you think that our problems here are any different from the ones mentioned above in
posting #17 / above ? You appear to blame the USA for these difficulties ( "Only trouble, the rest of the world pays for these mistakes.")

Are not Irish problems. . . . Irish ?
25

Patrick O'Reilly,

Coatbridge 12/11/2008 18:44:46
As Alex Salmond was overheard to say "she's free to inspire me at any time".
26

D. Feste - Illyria, OH,

12/11/2008 18:49:35

She's very inspiring to many, I have no doubt !

Greetings to all of my Inishowen relations !
27

ScotLJM,

Richmond 12/11/2008 19:03:52
To compare Sarah Palin With Adolf Hitler is sheer nonsense. Compare that monster with Barack Obama, now we have some similarities inasmuch that both surrounded themselves with criminal types. Other flags to heed, the euphoria of the young, what will be next, another Obama Jugend? He will be one President worth keeping a watchful eye on, for any further similarities.
28

Madbagpypr,

STEORNABHAGH,LEODHAS,NA h-EILEAN SIAR 12/11/2008 20:00:45
America is like Rome in many ways and we have just seen eight years of it being ruled by Caligula and Nero combined. The world has suffered and yet no matter how bad it gets there will ALWAYS be people who think that THEIR leaders were ordained by the Almighty Himself. I wish Obama all the luck in the world. He'll need it especially since racists like FirstViginian are allowed to own firearms. I feel in my bones that the worst is yet to come.
I'll say one thing about Obama. He has captured the hopes and dreams of alot of people. It is high time that the blacks have someone to show them that nothing is impossible.
29

Euan,

Edinburgh 12/11/2008 20:18:27
#27

Slightly paranoid statements there I would say.

Sounds like you've been brainwashed by all those slanderous and downright disgraceful commercials McCain and Palin were airing pre-election..



30

Taz,

The Land of the Free. 12/11/2008 21:07:07
"2 Let's have the truth,Queensland 12/11/2008 11:44:00
"She inspired people"

So did Hitler."

Ahh, input from the colonies......

31

Taz,

The Land of the Free. 12/11/2008 21:11:03
And now Ladies and Gentlemen, comments from that great bastion of freedom and democracy.


"5 Postmark-55,China, 12/11/2008 12:26:09
McCain knows that he screwed up big time after he realized what a bimbo Palin turned out to be and he's backing her now only because he doesn't want to lose face, but it's too late for that since he already lost both the election and face."
32

Taz,

The Land of the Free. 12/11/2008 21:17:03
"20 A Clamper,Edinburgh 12/11/2008 18:06:12
Don't panic Rednecks....."

Rednecks never panic. They kick a@@. Brits and their chups in skirts should surely be aware of that.
33

Taz,

12/11/2008 21:20:02
"24 D. Feste - Illyria, OH,12/11/2008 18:25:31
Are not Irish problems. . . . Irish ?"

Then why is part of Ireland still occupied by the Brits.
34

Sandi,

San Diego 12/11/2008 21:38:17
#29 Euan,

Not slanderous and not disgraceful.

The disgrace goes to the person who called people like Ayres, Wright, Farrakhan, Rezko "friends", until it became embarrassing politically to continue to recognise them at all. Of course, now that he's been elected, they have all re-surfaced. And the disgrace goes to the people who ignored all the multitude of warnings and red flags and voted for him anyway. It also goes to all the Obama followers who cared more about their guy being the Demcoratic nominee, than the Democratic party abiding by its own rules and holding a democratic primary and roll call vote.

There is going to be little significant change with Obama. You just have to look at the people he is surrounding himself with in the White House. Rahm Emanuel was the biggest Democratic proponent for invading Iraq.

The Republican Party members of Congress are to blame for failing to fulfill the it constitutional role of being a check and balance to the president, but for the last two years, the Democrats have hardly distinguished themselves. Both parties are pretty worthless, but we're stuck with them.
35

,

12/11/2008 23:35:38
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36

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 12/11/2008 23:42:44
"She inspired people"

Only those with small minds who can't think for themselves.

Her supporters wielding pitchforks and chanting "Death to Obama" said it all.


37

,

12/11/2008 23:50:36
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38

Rob Bennett,

Point Piper Australia 13/11/2008 02:02:41
#7 Lynne
"America "carried away" by Obama. Mass hysteria..
THAT'S FRIGHTENING!!!"
It would have been OK of course if it were Palin mass hysteria, now that would be a different scenario

Louis Armstrong should have renamed his song 'Wonderful World', 'Frightening World' just for Lynne

Everything is sooooo frightening in Lynne's world

Living her life in perpetual fear, how very very sad indeed

Go and see the world Lynne, go and travel....

Get out of your little prison and do something!
39

Rob Bennett,

Point Piper Australia 13/11/2008 02:10:01
Welcome back the new Virginian with the brand new name. It's good to see you crawled out of the closet to face the music

In Virginia the former governor Mark Warner easily won the senate seat against the republican loser Jim Gilmore

How good is that?

President Obama your new leader rules your Virginian A$$e
40

Lynne,

Palm Beach Gardens 13/11/2008 02:34:28
It's amazing.. the election is over.. 8 days have passed and you are still talking about Sarah Palin .. Why? She is no longer a threat to anyone!!!
She doesn't breathe your air, she is in Alaska, away from all of the lying media.. She is still governor of that state. If she runs for another office, it won't be for 2 years. So why in G-d's name are you still talking about her?

and Rob Bennett is he Presient Elect.. he is not President yet!! Grow up!!
41

,

13/11/2008 03:45:27
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42

Lynne,

Palm Beach Gardens 13/11/2008 03:48:49
Mysoginist Bob..#38.. I don't live in perpetual fear.. you do.. You are afraid of a woman.. who has respect from the people she works for,(her constituency) has gotten to a high position, without a family name to fall back on or push her forward.
While Biden was getting maybe a 1000 people where he spoke, Palin was speaking to 5000-10,000 and more.
It's a brand new day.. There will be a new president..
Jan 20th, not before.. and then we will see what happens. And when he does make a mistake by going in a direction YOU don't like, YOU, I am sure, will be the first person on here to denounce him..
43

Finlang,

Switzerland 13/11/2008 04:15:41
At least the religiously blinkered 57Nomad and CombatVet68, whose presence formerly blighted these threads, have had the good grace to drift into anonymity, presumably over the fact that their proclaimed "Satan" Obama is now their P-in-waiting. Oh the joy.

Lynne, and fellow extremists, learn to live with the reality that the majority chose the better option. We all hope.
44

,

13/11/2008 04:57:21
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45

P. Lee,

13/11/2008 06:08:40
Sarah Palin is very stupid woman. In China a poll by Horizon research in Beijing found Mr Obama supported by 68% and Mrs Palin only 22%
46

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 13/11/2008 06:33:55
#41 Edmond's comment

"You seem to have an endless supply of ignorant comments"

Only for the ignorant. I believe you may qualify.
47

drunken proffet,

Tassy 13/11/2008 07:13:38
Look on the positive things in life. Maybe twenty years from now the American public will plead her to run for President. Or maybe not, that is the way the cookie crumbles.
48

Leftie,

UK 13/11/2008 11:35:59
If Palin has indeed been endorsed by McCain then she has no hope at all of being elected in 2012. The woman is a space cadet devoid of any qualifications whatsoever

@ 44 VD
Have you booked an appointment with a psychiatrist yet?
You really are a total fruit cake nut job
49

,

13/11/2008 12:20:02
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50

,

13/11/2008 12:25:20
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51

oder,

Scotland 13/11/2008 14:12:21
45 P. Lee,13/

"Sarah Palin is very stupid woman. In China a poll by Horizon research in Beijing found Mr Obama supported by 68% and Mrs Palin only 22%"


a democratic poll taken in China that makes me feel much better! any chance of a democratic poll to see how popular Chinese leaders are in China? leaders that don't make the majority of the poll we can classify as stupid. is it any wonder they dont support democratic polls in China with this type logic?
52

Carolyn 1,

13/11/2008 14:48:26
Good Morning Lynne,

I agree with you, I find the widespread groupthink worrisome for the future of the country.

At least you and I are still clear thinking independents.
But I have to wonder about the mental balance of all those who continue to support, with great fervor, a congress that has the lowest rating in history.

A 9% approval rating?

That's 20% LOWER than GWB's approval rating!!

This groupthink bunch rants and raves and rants and raves about the presidents' 30% approval rating, but never talks about their own dismal 9% ??

The country voted in even more of them, all lock and step in the same thinking? What clear thinking person would verify a 9% congress and vote in more of the same?

To me, the worst in this groupthink tragedy, is the downfall of the press.

The Press is supposed to act as a checks and balances on government- they have not done their job.

Wall Street and the Financial market is raping the American people while the media sits by and hums a tune.




53

Carolyn 1,

13/11/2008 16:02:58
@22 Axl, Edinburgh

People often moan that Americans don't know their geography, but yours is not so good either: as for your comment: "but she knows F**K ALL about world affairs and quite frankly should just stay in Alaska, get her telescope out and sit in the starry night looking for evidence of Vladamir Putin 'rearing his head' head over the horizon.."

Russia is miles away from Alaska.
Yes, Russia is visible with a telescope.
Russia planted Russian flags on the Arctic floor trying to claim mineral rights.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6927395.stm
(With a map shows how close our countries are.)

Considering that the US Geological Survey estimates that 25% of the world's undiscovered oil and gas reserves lie beneath the Arctic Ocean-
and Russia is up there planting flags everywhere-
do you honestly believe Russia wants the Eurasia-America Transport Link, to be built between Russia and Alaska to transport people?


I was at a news conference a few weeks ago, a writer who lived and worked in Alaska, said it is true that the Russians are everywhere in Alaska on business. She says many times there are no hotels for lodging so they stay with Alaskan families. She joked, "you invite them home for beer and pizza, but they bring out their vodka and expect you to drink shots."

Maybe the stories we hear about drunk Alaskans is really about the drunk Russians:)

54

Lynne,

Palm Beach Gardens 13/11/2008 17:38:20
Good afternoon Carolyn 1.
We fought the good fight.. now we sit back and watch what happens. All these appointments of Washington insiders.. my, my, I thought that this was going to be a new regime.. instead we have the Clinton Administration with Obama at the head.
Now it's wait and see.
Will the group still be mesmerized by these old policies?
55

mike - across the pond,

have to go with Dennis Miller on this one.... 13/11/2008 18:18:49
personally I hope BO does so well that I cant wait to cast a vote for him in 4 years....

but I'm not holding my breath either....
56

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 14/11/2008 00:20:41
Those so critical of Obama's achievements when George W. Bush is still the president are showing their true colours. As he's done nothing yet, there can be only one explanation and that is racial prejudice.

One would have hoped the US had progressed beyond that stage of its development.

 

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