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July 22, 2007 at 11:03:20
Time to Censure Bush and Cheney by Russ Feingold Page 1 of 1 page(s) 
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On 'Meet the Press' this morning, I announced that I will introduce two censure resolutions aimed at holding President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other administration officials responsible for the destructive path down which they've taken our country. It's clear to me, and millions of Americans, that the time has come for accountability – on everything from the disastrous war in Iraq, to refusing, time and time again, to follow the rule of law. Members of Congress can no longer stand by and allow the White House to shred the Constitution, and thumb their noses at the American people. Over recent months and years, we've learned that this President, and his administration, have used mistruths, spin, lofty-rhetoric, hyped-up intelligence reports, and scare tactics to drag this country into a war that can only be described as the worst foreign policy mistake in our nation's history. In addition, the administration, in an attempt to justify this mistake, has repeatedly distorted the situation on the ground in Iraq. As a result, the administration has dangerously weakened us in our efforts to fight those who attacked us on 9/11. What's equally dangerous is the blatant disregard President Bush has shown for the rule of law on which our country was founded. Last year I introduced a resolution to censure President Bush for his failure to abide by the Constitution when he implemented his illegal domestic wiretapping program and for misleading the public about whether his administration was following the law. With your help, public scrutiny in this program was raised and the administration couldn't ignore it any longer. Earlier this year, the program was finally terminated and brought under the jurisdiction of the FISA statute. Unfortunately, failing to abide by the law is a pattern for this President. From illegal domestic wiretapping, to the President's dubious signing statements, to redefining torture, to the current U.S. Attorney scandal, the list goes on and on. There are so many good reasons for the deep frustration so many of you and I feel about the direction of our country.
As I have said before, I believe the President and Vice President have likely committed what our Founding Fathers would have thought of as "high crimes and misdemeanors." However, at this time I do not believe it is in our nation's best interest to put important issues facing our country on the back burner to go through months and months of a divisive impeachment process. Some may disagree with that, but at a minimum we can agree that censure resolutions, holding the President and his administration accountable for the actions I've outlined above, are needed.
History must show that when confronted with an administration which does not recognize the separation of powers, which continually acts as if the executive branch is above the laws of our land, the American people and their elected officials stood up, in one voice, and demanded accountability.
I've heard from people in Wisconsin and across the country in recent months on what we can do to hold this administration accountable for its actions surrounding the Iraq war and its deliberate disregard for the law. Please click here to read more about my two censure proposals, tackling both issues, and give me feedback on both topics. I need your help to develop these resolutions so all of our voices are heard. I look forward to reading your thoughts and I'll be sure to keep everyone posted in the coming days. I'm going to be looking to each and every one of you for help in developing these resolutions and in pushing them forward.
Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
Censure Bush and Cheney
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| 47 comments |
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Censure Bush and Cheney
Censure? f*ck that! Let's dump the bastards off!! But you have to have people with guts to do this. America's pretty short on bravery presently. tedbohne by tedbohne (87 articles, 103 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 119 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 11:39:34 AM  (0+)
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Reply: Smart Aleck comment on Censure Bush and Cheney
Profane language and canned response to a reasonable suggestion. Sen. Feingold has consistently stood up to the Bush/Cheney bully pulpit in spite being slimed by sleese-bag GOP operatives. Looks like an auto reply from the RNC. Senator Feingold is willing to tell the truth to power. We sure could use more like him. by Disillusionist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 2:18:24 PM (0+)
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Reply: Senate cannot impeach
The US Senate cannot start the impeachment process. That can only be done in the House of Representatives. Once impeached, the Senate votes to convict and remove from office. However, the US Senate can censure on its own, even though that censure is not enough to remove from office. by Bleeding Heart Liberal (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 48 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 5:53:21 PM (0+)
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More games from the Democrats
I had alot of respect for Feingold but this is not about accountability. Russ is a hypocrite. Russ opposes Impeachment and then sponsors a couple of resolutions and claims it will hold the Administration "accountable". The founding fathers gave us the power of impeachment to hold Bush and othes accountable. Rather than waste time on meaningless resoultions Russ should be over at the House twisting Democrat leadership to get the Impeachment process going. by tginmn (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 69 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 11:40:00 AM (0+)
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An incredibly cowardly position. This is a textbook
illustration of what it means to lack the courage of one's convictions. Feingold is saying that Bush & Cheney are flagrantly violating the Constitution -- but that it's still somehow "not in the national interest" to remove them from office. How is that even possible? Who cares if impeaching the gangsters would be "divisive?" By definition, it would have to be divisive. ANY time you have criminals in the White House,you can't expect that they would pleasantly agree to be removed from office, or that their supporters, on whose behalf they are looting the public till, would allow their figureheads to be removed without a struggle. Feingold is just trying to have it both ways. It's pathetic. by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 11:43:12 AM (0+)
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Impeachment, not censure
Censuring the Bush Administration is equivilant to slapping a criminal on the wrist for mass murder. Failure to impeach is complicity in the crimes being committed, and if we are unable to impeach, I fear for those of us who continue to live in a country where impeachment is too troublesome a response to the most egregious violations of the law. Why are we afraid of dissent? Impeachment would be an immensely educational and healing process for this country, and it would teach future presidents that they cannot get away with criminal acts without consequence. by D. L. Corvin (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 11:56:14 AM (0+)
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Feingold is History
Mr. Feingold, get used to the name. Your days as a Senator are numbered. You had the audacious temerity to declare that impeachment should remain off the table and now you suggest that "censure" is what is necessary! What constitution are you reading from. You are in violation of your oath of office to the Constitution of the United States of America. Your oath, above all considerations--party, personal, ideological--requires you to protect and defend the Constitution, but, no, you are smarter than two centuries worth of statesman. Be gone, Feingold! You are wasting our time and imperiling our constitional government. Be gone for all the good you have done us! Be gone for your rank hypocrisy and mealy-mouthed centrist, triangulating, cowardice! Just get the hell out of here, sir; your days in office are done! James R. Brett, Ph.D. The American Liberalism Project by James Brett (130 articles, 96 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 189 comments [17 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 11:59:57 AM (0+)
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Feingold's Folly
In the Senate, Feingold was our only hope. Now he's shown himself the true cautious, careful, cowardly politician we had once thought he might not be. Can you believe he was once talked about as a presidential candidate for '08? We had thought he might be the one to lead the charge, to carry the flag of democracy, but he is no different than any of the other schmucks in the "world's greatest deliberative body". There is no other Senator, with the possible though very unlikely exception of Chuck Hagel, to pick up the standard. To whom do we look now? The answer: in the House, John Conyers. We must barrage the good congressman and his fellow judicial committee members with faxes and phone calls in order to persuade three more of them to join the fight for impeachment: FAX Numbers for House Judiciary Committee Members (**Denotes co-sponsor of HR 333) Tammy Baldwin Howard L. Berman Rick Boucher John Conyers, Jr. Artur Davis William D. Delahunt Keith Ellison** Luis V. Gutierrez Sheila Jackson-Lee Hank Johnson** Zoe Lofgren Martin “Marty” T. Meehan Jerrold Nadler Linda T. Sanchez Adam Schiff Robert “Bobby” C. Scott Brad Sherman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Maxine Waters** Melvin L. Watt Anthony Weiner Robert Wexler by Todd Huffman, M.D. (80 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 109 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 12:16:42 PM (0+)
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OK, Russ
Remind everyone that impeachment starts in the House and you're just one of 100 Senators, and a lonely one at that. I'm working with blogdom, online newspapers and everyone I can think of to say the I-word. But I also commend you for sticking your neck out. This is what I wrote CultureKitchen, and so far I am getting worse than you. Silence is so deadly, wouldn't you agree? We’ve got ourselves a problem. To use Bruce Fein’s word, let’s don’t be “invertebrate” about it. by Margaret Bassett (45 articles, 2909 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 1851 comments [99 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 12:41:03 PM (0+)
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OK, RUSS - ONE MORE TIME - DE JA VUE
Pardon this Independent for being a bit "gun shy" (pun intended) BUT..... WE'VE BEEN SCREAMING FOR THE DEMOCRATIC ENABLERS TO STOP IT. If they did just that - if we could TRUST THE FACT that THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL isn't burning that candle at both ends. THEN PERHAPS...JUST PERHAPS....this would have a validation at the grassroots level. INCOMPETENCE IS REWARDED BY THEIR PASSIVE-AGRESSIVE POSITIONS ON TRADE AND FOREIGN POLICY. THEY ARE THE PROBLEM. NOT THE SOLUTION. THEY ARE CAUSING GRAVE DAMAGE TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FAMILIES. The SHEER INEPTITUDE shown by Bush et al would be certain ground for dismissal and possible criminal charges IN THE BUSINESS WORLD. WHY is the "People's Business" LESS IMPORTANT FOR QUALITY SERVICE? There ya go.....here's what the "public masses" want: NO MORE 'BUSINESS AS USUAL'. by mommadona (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 12:47:05 PM (0+)
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CENSURE? HELL, NO. IMPEACHMENT? HELL, YES!!
It is waaaayyyy past time for censure. What the hell is that? Another symbolic gesture, another opportunity for grandstanding on both sides of the aisle? by bruce jones (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 12:51:33 PM (0+)
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CENSURE??? WTF??
Ummm, I hate to be the one to bring this up, but it's not about impeachment, it's certainly not about the civilized gesture of 'censure'.. Do you really think criminals worry about 'censure'? These people were behind or the stooges in front of 9-11, the anthrax attacks, lying about the reasons for war, too many violations of the Constitution to mention, and the murder of Paul Wellstone and JFK, Jr. They'll get rid of anyone who will stand up and oppose them and make it look like an 'accident' or terrorism. They need to be put in leg irons and marched out of the West Wing. Now. It's time for the military to do it's duty and protect this country from domestic enemies.. by Dawn Owens (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 1:19:29 PM (0+)
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Censure
What good would censure do? Just another meaningless chest pounding that Bush and Cheney will ignore like they do the Constitution, Rule of Law and the will of the people. Impeachment is the only thing that will stop these two criminals. “Whomever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony It is beyond question that laws have been broken and felonies committed. By not acting Congress is, in itself, breaking the law. One would that starting impeachment proceedings would be considered reporting Bush and Cheney’ criminal acts to the proper authority. by walley (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 108 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 1:46:39 PM (0+)
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Reply: Thank you & PLEASE
Thank you and Please can you point us toward a more complete citation RE this: (?) "Under Section Four of U.S.18....." US Congress now stands guilty of misprision of a felony by doing nothing to file charges against Bush and Chaney for their illegal acts“ We the People HAVE to begin holding some feet to the fire. The law IS on our side. We have to DEMAND it be recognized AND enforced exactly as written. It is all written down in black and white, codified and unequivocal. I continue to contend that if a government, whose very duty is IS to make and enforce the laws of the land, not only ignores but breaks the law, then that government de facto forfeits all claim to legitimacy. The government that does not observe and enforce the law by which it derives its legitimacy is no government at all. by mrk * (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 311 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 2:50:43 PM (0+)
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Reply: Citation
That is the complete citation. You can easily find it using any search engine. It is written in very plain language that even the mental defectives on Capitol Hill should understand. I also found reference to misprision of treason and as time allows I will do my best to research it. by walley (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 108 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 3:20:35 PM (0+)
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Reply: Misprision of treason
This is also part of U.S. 18 USC and should be considered when addressing our useless members of Congress TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 115 > § 2382 § 2382. Misprision of Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States and having knowledge of the commission of any treason against them, conceals and does not, as soon as may be, disclose and make known the same to the President or to some judge of the United States, or to the governor or to some judge or justice of a particular State, is guilty of misprision of treason and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both. by walley (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 108 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 3:51:32 PM (0+)
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Executive Orders
There seems to be no limit to the Bush power grabs. What he can’t get legislatively he’s seizing by Executive Order. Goggle the White House website for particulars, but be aware that what George W. Bush says, and what he does is the difference between democracy and tyranny. Most of these Executive Orders are so disingenuous, complicated and convoluted, it takes a Chinese Lawyer to decypher what they mean. Google: Executive Orders Issued by President George W. Bush Executive Orders Issued by President George W. Bush Date Executive Order 2007 Jul. 18 Executive Order: Establishing An Interagency Working Group on Import Safety Jul. 17 Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq Jun. 29 Jun. 29 Executive Order: Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 with Respect to Turkmenistan Jun. 20 Executive Order: Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways May 17 May 16 Executive Order: Protecting American Taxpayers From Payment of Contingency Fees May 14 Fact Sheet: Twenty in Ten: Strengthening Energy Security and Addressing Climate Change May 14 May 9 Apr. 18 Executive Order: 2007 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States Apr. 4 Apr. 2 Executive Order: Renaming a National Forest in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Mar. 7 Mar. 6 Feb. 14 Executive Order Trial of Alien Unlawful Enemy Combatants by Military Commission Jan. 26 Jan. 24 Executive Order: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management Jan. 18 Executive Order: Further Amendment to Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review 2006 Dec. 28 Executive Order: Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on January 2, 2007 Dec. 21 Dec. 20 Executive Order: National Aeronautics Research and Development Dec. 14 Executive Order: Amendment to Executive Order 13317, Volunteers for Prosperity Dec. 6 Dec. 5 Executive Order: Strengthening Surface Transportation Security Dec. 1 Executive Order: Assignment of Certain Pay-Related Functions Nov. 3 Oct. 31 Oct. 13 Executive Order: Blocking Property of and Prohibiting Transactions with the Government of Sudan Aug. 29 Aug. 22 Jul. 3 Jun. 29 Executive Order Amending Executive Order 13381, as Amended, to Extend Its Duration by One Year Jun. 26 Jun. 23 Executive Order: Protecting the Property Rights of the American People Jun. 19 Jun. 7 May 12 May 10 Executive Order: Strengthening Federal Efforts to Protect Against Identity Theft Apr. 27 Apr. 27 Apr. 26 Apr. 18 Mar. 7 Feb. 8 Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Côte D'Ivoire Jan. 13 2005 Dec. 22 Executive Order: Providing An Order of Succession Within the Department of Defense Dec. 22 Dec. 14 Nov. 23 Nov. 1 Executive Order: Creation of the Gulf Coast Recovery and Rebuilding Council Nov. 1 Oct. 25 Executive Order: Further Strengthening the Sharing of Terrorism Information to Protect Americans Oct. 14 Executive Order: 2005 Amendments to the Manual for Courts Martial, United States Sept. 30 Sept. 30 Jul. 27 Jul. 15 Jun. 29 Executive Order: Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters Jun. 28 Jun. 17 Jun. 16 May 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 13 Apr. 1 Mar. 14 Mar. 10 Executive Order: Amendments to Executive Order 11926 Relating to the Vice Presidential Service Badge Feb. 16 Jan. 27 Jan. 13 Executive Order: Providing An Order of Succession in the Office of Management and Budget Jan. 7 Jan. 7 Executive Order: President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform 2004 Dec. 30 Dec. 21 Executive Order: United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Dec. 17 Dec. 3 Executive Order: 2004 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States Nov. 29 Nov. 29 Executive Order: Establishing the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals Nov. 29 Oct. 21 Oct. 21 Oct. 19 Sept. 28 Sept. 20 Sept. 20 Aug. 27 Executive Order: Strengthened Management of the Intelligence Community Aug. 27 Aug. 27 Executive Order Strengthening the Sharing of Terrorism Information to Protect Americans Aug. 27 Executive Order Establishing the President's Board on Safeguarding Americans' Civil Liberties Aug. 26 Jul. 29 Jul. 23 Jul. 23 Jul. 22 Executive Order: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness Jul. 15 Jul. 8 Jul. 8 Jul. 7 Jun. 24 Notice Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans Jun. 6 Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on June 11, 2004 Jun. 1 May 20 May 18 May 13 May 11 Apr. 30 Apr. 30 Executive Order: American Indian and Alaska Native Education Apr. 27 Mar. 18 Mar. 3 Feb. 27 Feb. 24 Feb. 24 Feb. 6 Feb. 4 Jan. 30 Executive Order: President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy Jan. 23 Executive Order: Amendment to Executive Order 12293, the Foreign Service of the United States Jan. 16 Executive Order: Termination of Emergency with Respect to Sierra Leone and Liberia 2003 Dec. 30 Dec. 30 Dec. 17 Dec. 9 Dec. 5 Nov. 21 Sept. 25 Sept. 17 Sept. 17 Aug. 29 Aug. 22 Aug. 8 Jul. 31 Jul. 29 Jul. 29 Jul. 28 Jul. 25 Jun. 20 May 29 May 29 May 29 Executive Order Establishing the Bob Hope American Patriot Award May 22 May 16 Executive Order Amending Executive Order 13212, Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects May 14 May 9 Executive Order: Facilitating the Administration of Justice in the Federal Courts May 8 May 7 Apr. 23 Apr. 18 Mar. 28 Mar. 28 Mar. 25 Mar. 24 Mar. 20 Executive Order: Confiscating and Vesting Certain Iraqi Property Mar. 12 Mar. 7 Mar. 4 Feb. 28 Jan. 30 Executive Order: President's Council on Service and Civic Participation Jan. 24 Jan. 21 Executive Order: Establishing the Office of Global Communications 2002 Dec. 31 Dec. 19 Dec. 12 Executive Order: Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-based and Community Organizations Dec. 12 Dec. 11 Executive Order: President's Commission on the United States Postal Service Nov. 20 Nov. 15 Executive Order Regarding Undocumented Aliens in the Caribbean Region Oct. 7 Sept. 18 Executive Order: Environmental Stewardship and Transportation Infrastructure Project Reviews Aug. 29 Aug. 13 Executive Order: Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking Jul. 9 Executive Order Establishment of the Corporate Fraud Task Force Jul. 3 Jul. 3 Jun. 20 Jun. 20 Executive Order: President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Jun. 20 Jun. 6 Executive Order Amendment to Executive Order 13180, Air Traffic Performance-Based Organization Apr. 29 Executive Order: President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Apr. 12 Executive Order -- 2002 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States Mar. 21 Mar. 19 Feb. 12 Feb. 7 Jan. 30 Jan. 17 Jan. 7 Exclusions from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program 2001 Dec. 29 Executive Order on Succession in the Department of Veterans Affairs Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Executive Order on Succession at the Department of Housing and Urban Development Dec. 29 Executive Order on Succession at the Department of Health and Human Services Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 28 Dec. 27 Dec. 21 Council of Europe in Respect of the Group of States Against Corruption Dec. 20 Dec. 14 Dec. 6 Nov. 28 Executive Order: Creation of the President's Council on Bioethics Nov. 27 Nov. 16 Nov. 13 Nov. 9 Nov. 1 Oct. 22 Oct. 16 Oct. 12 Oct. 8 Oct. 3 Oct. 1 Oct. 1 Sept. 24 Sept. 14 President Orders Ready Reserves of Armed Forces to Active Duty Aug. 17 Jul. 31 Jul. 2 Jun. 20 President Bush Issues Executive Order Regarding 21st Century Workforce Initiative Jun. 19 Jun. 6 Jun. 1 May 29 President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans May 23 May 18 May 18 Executive Order: Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects May 2 Executive Order: President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security Apr. 30 Executive Order: Establishment of the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status Apr. 6 Apr. 5 Apr. 4 Executive Order: Termination of Emergency Authority For Certain Export Controls Mar. 9 Feb. 21 Feb. 21 Executive Order on Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees Feb. 21 Feb. 21 Executive Order and Presidential Memorandum Concerning Labor-Management Partnerships by
rabblerowzer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 227 comments) on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 at 2:37:03 PM
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