cannabisnews.com: Candidate is Blunt about Marijuana-Laws Reform










  Candidate is Blunt about Marijuana-Laws Reform

Posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 11:11:25 PT
By Meredith Kruse, The Virginian-Pilot 
Source: Virginian-Pilot 

Running for lieutenant governor on a pro-marijuana platform, Gary Reams expects to take some ribbing, but he's not about to get beaten to the pun. ``This is really a grass-roots campaign,'' he said, deadpan. He and his supporters are holding ``pot-lucks'' all around the state. It'll be a referendum -- no, make that reeferendum -- on Virginia's drug policy. Reams, a Libertarian, freely admits he doesn't expect to beat his well-known, well-financed Democratic and Republican opponents. 
The best he's hoping for is to win more than 2 or 3 percent of the votes in the Nov. 6 election. So it helps to have a sense of humor to stay motivated on the campaign trail. But he's quite serious when it comes to reforming Virginia's drug laws. People with cancer and AIDS should be able to use marijuana to ease their suffering, he said. Virginia farmers should be allowed to grow industrial hemp, which lacks the intoxicating power of marijuana. And police should stop wasting resources by going after nonviolent marijuana users. Reams has been planning this campaign for two years, hoping to show politicians that there's more support out there for reform than they think. ``Neither of the major parties will deal with this,'' he said. Because Virginians can't put these questions to a vote in a referendum, Reams decided to run for a statewide office as a single-issue candidate. He chose lieutenant governor, he said, because the job has little power, so voters can feel free to vote their conscience. In the unlikely event he won and the governor became incapacitated, Reams said he would resign immediately. ``This campaign is not an appeal to users to come out and party,'' he said. ``What I am stating is that the marijuana prohibition has gone too far and it's time to reform the marijuana laws.'' Reams is short on money -- as of Sept. 30, he'd raised $15,414 to his opponents' combined $2.5 million. To spread his message, he's launched a Web site, www.reamsreeferendum.com. He's also spending a few days each week traveling the state stumping for votes, taking time off from his job as director of quality for the electronics company NEC in northern Virginia. Reams doesn't resort to euphemisms when talking about marijuana and his younger days. ``I didn't experiment -- I used,'' he said bluntly. He stopped, he said, after he lost interest in it. He was arrested once, as a teen-ager, but the charges were dropped. He said he feels lucky -- today, a teen-ager with a drug record risks losing financial aid for college, among other consequences. Now he's 45, a Navy veteran, the father of two grown sons. He figures there are a lot of guys like him out there. He wants them to ask themselves how their lives would be different if they'd become entangled with the law because they used pot in their youth. Reams said his views were also shaped by watching a close relative struggle with an addiction to crack cocaine. ``It ruined her life,'' he said, and the legal system only made it more difficult for family to help. Virginia police made 13,559 arrests on marijuana charges in 2000. That's 58 percent of all drug-related arrests -- more than any other drug, and twice as many as for cocaine. But few of those arrested for marijuana go to jail, said Rick Kern, director of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission. Most people charged with drug possession receive probation, especially if they're first-time offenders, he said. ``It's pretty much the case that our expensive prison beds are reserved for those who are selling,'' Kern said. The General Assembly has also begun to put more emphasis on drug treatment by screening all felons for drug problems and allowing some offenders to enter treatment programs instead of jail, he said. Reams' opponents, Democrat Timothy M. Kaine and Republican Jay Katzen, oppose any loosening of the laws on marijuana and hemp. But Reams notes that some mainstream organizations are also calling for reform. The Virginia Nurses Association supports medical marijuana. The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation supports the right to grow industrial hemp. Reams said if it takes someone like him to draw attention to the issue, that's fine. ``I don't mind being that lightning rod.'' Complete Title: Lt. Gov. Candidate is Blunt about Marijuana-Laws ReformNewshawk: puff_tuffSource: Virginian-Pilot (VA)Author: Meredith Kruse, The Virginian-PilotPublished: October 20, 2001 Copyright: 2001 The Virginian-PilotContact: letters pilotonline.comWebsite: http://www.pilotonline.com Related Article & Web Site:The Libertarian Partyhttp://www.lp.org/Libertarian Running To Make Marijuana Legal http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10046.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Libertarian http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=libertarian 

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Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 22, 2001 at 22:00:05 PT

New Mexican 
Yes I did get to see some of the concert. It was so peaceful. It reminded me of the way it was years ago. It was nice. I didn't recognize any of the musicians but I'm stuck in the 60s! LOL! Did you ever see Gallagher, Stuck in the 60s? It was good. I'd like to see it again. Thank you for call me Our Lady Peace. You have no idea how hard it is for me to stay peaceful. Being a peaceful person is very hard. I was like the tazmanian devil when I took legal prescription drugs and I like how I feel about life currently much better then when I was like the Prescription Lady that was on Saturday Night Live last season or the season before. You know STML makes me forget exactly when or it could be Alzeimers. Heck what did I just say? . LOL!
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Comment #26 posted by New Mexican on October 22, 2001 at 21:50:09 PT

Hi FOM!
Did you or anybody catch the Music without borders concert on MUCH tv (Canadian/dish) it was what I would've liked more of at the NY concert, a feeling of compassion for ALL suffering people, not just the victims and families of 911.
No talk of killing or 'getting' between artists' performances, and the ones I saw were great. But what a difference listening to Bruce Cockburn sing 'Lovers in Dangerous Times' with the singer from Bare Naked Ladies, another great band. Kinda like I remember the good ole USA being 25 years ago. By the way, they let on that they know we are being duped and they feel for the American people and our condition...congratulations on FOM #1, Here's to you and Our Lady Peace!
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Comment #24 posted by New Mexican on October 22, 2001 at 20:41:28 PT

I'm no fan of Lyndon LaRouche either!
but I thought the brain-washing statements applied and many other points as well. Glad you checked out the links! 
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Comment #23 posted by Lehder on October 21, 2001 at 12:02:44 PT

final quote of comment 22
is of course from New Mexican's link http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=76523&group=webcast which is what I was discussing, not the article above.

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Comment #22 posted by Lehder on October 21, 2001 at 11:57:53 PT

brainwashed
I agree with lookinside that the plane attacks could not have been carried out according to a plan by the federal government: such an operation would involve so many individuals that leaks would be unavoidable. So I disagree with the article on that point, and had my crap fully shielded for high intensity crap at the mention of Lyndon LaRouche. But I regard this as a minor point. One more minor point: I disagree with the article that Bush has behaved heroically like the president in "Independence Day": that president, a pilot like Bush, bravely got into an airplane and fought the alien enemy himself.I agree with the author that it is ridiculous to blame the market "crash" on the plane attacks. The Nasdaq had already dropped from over 5000 to below 2000 before the attack.But I agree with this convincing article on all its general points, and its arguments from strong circumstantial evidence - all one could expect to be available - are very good. Excepting I would argue that the government did not plan or execute the attacks. It didn't have to because there are plenty of organizations happy to attack us. It had only to allow the attacks, as argued by David Shippers in another article that was also originally linked by New Mexican:http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=12997&group=webcastThe media will have to do a lot of investigative reporting, and the government will have to come up with a lot of strong evidence to dispel my very strong suspicions over this entire affair.The present article completes the story, so far. Americans are as brainwashed about these attacks as they are over marijuana: you know how it was done. As for the future? The plotters and "avengers" who seek to control the world and to subjugate America will be foiled. Their ambitions can be foiled by the American people if they can overcome their brainwashing, or the work will eventually be carried out by foreigners using force. In the latter eventuality, America's own philosophy, which I quote from the article, will return to be used against us:On Sept. 17, O'Reilly demanded that, if the Taliban do not turn over bin Laden, "the U.S. should bomb Afghan infrastructure to rubble--the airport, the power plants, their water facilities, and the roads.... "This is a very primitive country. And taking out their ability to exist day to day will not be hard. Remember, the people of any country are responsible for the government that they have. The Germans were responsible for Hitler. The
Afghans are responsible for the Taliban. We should not target civilians. But if they don't rise up against their government, they starve, period." He went to advocate, in that broadcast and others, to make the "Iraqi population suffer another round of intense pain" and to blockade Libya from all food supplies: "Let them eat sand." 
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Comment #21 posted by lookinside on October 21, 2001 at 10:23:56 PT:

New Mexican...
thanks for the link...i've had similar suspicions since sept. 11...i really try not to get too wrapped up in the idea that this is all a giant conspiracy...the idea that a conspiracy like this, with THOUSANDS of people(with damning information) involved, and no leaks, seems a little too pat...i'm sure we are not hearing the truth...i'm uncertain what the conspirators'(short term) goals are....long term, the power elite wants a pliant workforce, with no dissent, unquestioned obedience...my belief is that half measures, passive resistance, will be ineffective against this onslaught...we will either submit, or find ourselves in the streets with our firearms...bad times are coming...and it will be gradual, until their power is consolidated...
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Comment #20 posted by freedom fighter on October 21, 2001 at 03:40:01 PT

Art of Propaganda
My thanks to New Mexican for the linkThoughts to ponderAfter reading the article, I stumbled upon other links that lead to an article of an interview with Dr. Nancy Snow, an author of Propanganda Inc., among few other articles about the "Art of Propanganda".Art of Propanganda is an ancient art dating back to Egyptian Book of the Dead. Years go by, countries around the world try to master the art of controlling the minds. George Orwell's book is an old news. The nazis did it. Our america governments done it for so many years. And we did it very well.One thing I can understand that in our society, our government will never delcare themself as totalitarian or a facist. This would be the last stupid thing our government would do because this is a simple two facts that many of americans are armed and deadly and if a totalitarian government tries to force/control your thoughts, we know what would happen. It is just not the way to control the population. In order to control the population's thoughts is to have plastic democracy and devious use of propaganda. In true free society, one should be able to decide what is best for him/herself. But that is not the case in our society.
Only the 10-20% of the elite who is under the control of the 1-3% of the elitest who are able to control the 10-20% that controls the mass that truly "rule" the World. I quote the "rule" because of this following statement from Dr. Nancy Snow,
"And then this comes a little later: 
In his book, The Phantom Public, Lippman said that "the public must be put in its place, so that it may exercise its own powers, but no less and perhaps even more, so that each of us may live free of the trampling and roar of a bewildered herd. Only the insider can make decisions, not because he is inherently a better man but because he is so placed that he can understand and can act. The outsider is necessarily ignorant, usually irrelevant, and often meddlesome." So! there you have it. Let's have hope for the bewildered herd in all of us. "I feel like I am the last of the dying breed of true patriot and a dissenter. I am not going to cuss or scream or rant. I can only but just hope.ffhttp://www.guerrillanews.com/counter_intel/propaganda_inc/index.html
http://www.guerrillanews.com/counter_intel/propaganda_inc/snow_trans.html
http://www.guerrillanews.com/counter_intel/propaganda_inc/snow_trans2.html
http://monkeyfist.com:8080/ChomskyArchive/interviews/prop_html
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 21:29:43 PT

New Mexican
Billy Chrystal said this is the first time he's ever seen musician run away from white powder. That was funny. Richard Greer got booed and I heard the bong comment. I'm listening to the song's message. It is making me feel better. This is the first time I have had the news off for this many hours and it feels really nice. Just escaping reality a little. Never could figure out why escaping reality was such a big no no. 
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Comment #18 posted by New Mexican on October 20, 2001 at 21:22:21 PT

Freekin! Nazi stadiums anyone! Not yet, but......
The music is the truly the message, ignore the rest as you are being duped! According to poster Ronnie Wolfe, 'Americans' target of largest brain-washing campaign in History!' Read:http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=76523&group=webcast
The intention is exploitative (easy money for a good cause with Music as a payoff), why haven't we had 'Big Name' concerts more recently like this one, (Paul, U2, Elton etc) in times of peace celebrating love and friendship, instead of 'we're gonna kick bin ladens'ass!!!(600-900 dead already and that's gotta be a low figure) and still no evidence. Likely, but not proven... what if they invaded our country to depose bush as illegitamate, would that be a crime, when the crime and criminal is in power?) I've been terrorized by our government every since the selection.....
The millions that people who need help most will probably not see it, regardless of statements made. (I don't beleive anything I hear from a television set FOM, jaded beyond beleif). They have to say that due to the sentiments expressed here, but wait for the scandals. They're sure to follow.......... 
So much for concerts AGAINST THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN......this is a pro-war concert,(not the musicians or the songs. but the tone of speakers I've heard so far, Were gonna kick bin ladens ass!!!!!Dude!!!!! Nationalistic attitudes are high now and should be tempered, not encouraged like a football game (were going to live our lives as AMERICANS!) Not 'fellow human beings' sharing the planet Earth, but Americans! The superior race has come out of the closet and it U.S.! Isn't that the feeling you get dddd? I recommend taping the show and editing out the Jerry Lewis Telethon scam and let the music speak, as it heals. 
Like we have an accountable administration, government whatever...how will we manage to keep these foundatons honest? Unlikely!
If the firefighters knew their fellow workers were the victims of an unfathomable lack of inaction by several agencies, people would not be so 'united', but calling for heads to fall. Our corrupt election process is held up to the world as the model for all to follow, while it's a sham, and now our flawed decision making process is responsible for more death and unbeleivable destruction (depleted Uranium bomb casings, scorched earth approach). While we weep for our dead, we cheer for theirs, I don't get it, please explain someone)
I keep hearing...Sports, Sports, Sports! And chants, those chants, what are they chanting? Go Yankees! get BL, Get BL....We now live in Orwells' World, thanks America! Of that we can be proud! Happy Now? You'd better be! We're Unified! (and 'Orified') Gotta go....Elton John is playing 'Mona Lisas' and Madhatters'...Good Concert, questionable choreography...let's hope the victims and relatives see Richard Greer just said some great stuff about aspiring to be more compassionate and that revenge was not the way (Awesome) to mild applause and loud boos and said 'obviously thats not popular right now, but thats' o.k.! Then went on to explain the firefighters and cops weren't concerned about the good guys and the bad guys, they were there to help save lives. Thanks Richard Greer! Jim Carrey just said 'pass the bong to a stunned audience!
Then he dove into the audience trying to loosen things up but to of no avail. Here's Paul! 
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 17:47:10 PT

lookinside
They should get a lot but amounts I'm not sure. The generosity of people giving like they have in this crisis proves to me that a Libertarian type government like what Harry Browne believes can work. Society can take care of itself. 
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Comment #16 posted by lookinside on October 20, 2001 at 17:23:46 PT:

my guess...
just from what i've heard is that actual fundraising could exceed $5 billion...i wonder how much the actual victims(families) will receive? 
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 17:12:29 PT

Just a Note
The concert event is very good. I know as far as needing more money it isn't really necessary but it is sure worth seeing. It's lifting my spirits too. 
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Comment #14 posted by qqqq on October 20, 2001 at 16:34:39 PT

I agree DankHank
There is no shortage of money,and it is now a sort of corporate showcase ......this whole fundraising thing has gone way overboard.......can you imagine them saying,"OK,,that's good,,we have enough money."....It certainly will be a star studded event,,I'd like it better,if it was a concert to protest this absurd "war"!
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Comment #13 posted by p4me on October 20, 2001 at 16:23:26 PT:

thanks for running for office
I would just like to thank Mr. Reams for running for office. It would benefit us all if there were more people that took the same approach. We have to enter into the political debate and the political process. Thank you Mr. Reams for running and if I could vote for you I would. 
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Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on October 20, 2001 at 15:26:15 PT:

Enough!!!!
enough already ... we have raised enough money for the WTC disaster.It's time to start taking care of the rest of the country ... and even the world.
HEMP n STUFF
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 15:11:03 PT

Dan, dddd and all
I just heard them say that they are also raising money for lower income people who were affected by the WTC Event. That's great news. The whole city has been shaken and many people hurt. The city could fall apart if something doesn't happen. They said this event could be very long like 5 hours. I've been to Madison Square Garden and it is quite a building. I pray they are safe because we need their music more the ever.
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Comment #10 posted by dddd on October 20, 2001 at 14:57:07 PT

Thank You for doin' the math Dan
...It sure does seem like they've raised alot of money,,but alot of it has a way of dissapearing ,,or not being accounted for....after all,,,who's keepin' track?.....You dont suppose that any of these charities are profiting off this?...dddd
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Comment #9 posted by dddd on October 20, 2001 at 14:49:25 PT

FoM
I agree,,music is extra special.It's a major part of my life.....I cant find VH-1 either....maybe I need a new antennae?...lol.....dddd
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Comment #8 posted by Dan B on October 20, 2001 at 14:49:12 PT

dddd
Last I heard, the figure was over a Billion Dollars!That means that $100,000 can be given for every single person who was killed in the attacks (NYC, Washington DC, Penn), and still there would be $400 Million left over.And many of those killed in the WTC were, quite frankly, richer than most of us would ever hope to be. Their families have been well provided for already. But all of this points to one fact: Americans believe that money heals all wounds. If they would only realize that money (actually, greed) is what got us into this disastrous mess to begin with!Dan B
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 14:40:46 PT

dddd
I want to watch the benefit tonight. Paul McCartney, The Who, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Mick Jagger all have brought us great music and now will do a benefit for the world to see and they did what they did at least sometimes under the influence. People love music and if you are drawn to a song more then likely many more are too. Society wouldn't have any art or music without people like them. That's why I want to watch it. I got to figure out what channel VH1 is on. You can tell I'm not an MTV kinda person! LOL!
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 14:24:51 PT

dddd
I think that raising any more money is not necessary now. The money that has been collected needs to be given to the people. When we know that that is being done then more benefits could be necessary. They can hold up giving the victims the money and spend plenty of the money trying to protect against fraud. Meanwhile the people suffer. Their lives are out of control and they don't need bureacracy to protect them. They need money now. There will be a few that do something under handed and try to get money and not be entitled but when someone does that the money is ill gotten gain and it won't give them any peace. That's not enough reason to hold up the money for the majority that need it so.
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Comment #5 posted by dddd on October 20, 2001 at 13:51:06 PT

I guess too much could never be enough...
.....Here's what I want to see most.......I'd really like to see the figures,on how much money has already been made availiable to "the victims families",up till now????I think what we got here is a black hole....to start with,,,the Freekin' government already suppoesedly set aside a few BILLION for "the victims"....OK,on top of that,,baffling millions have been donated and raised.......I just have this nagging suspicion,that there are lots of huge sums of money drifting about in corporate "charitable Foundations",,..... and I dont know about you,,but when my Mom died,,,there were no terrorists,or buildings involved..her death was just that,,it was tragic....but if she would have died on 9/11,,,she would be just as dead...but I dont really understand what the hell is going on.It's so big and blatant of a sham,and a charade to go completely unnoticed,,,yet,the general public Sheeple have been conditioned to trust the causes they donate money to....Billions are sucked up by "charities" through donation that are blindly given by people,who mainly do it to make themselve feel better,and subdue their guilt from being bogarts,,,,,they been conviced that their money goes,"only to help the children",,or to "the victims families".....they convince themselves that they have done their part to help those who are less fortunate........but alot of strange stuff happens to fresh cash,especially when it come suddenly,and in massive quanities...If people actually knew all the hands their donations pass thru,and what it was really paying for,they would be appalled,and pissed.......I dont do much donating,,I can barely afford to pay attention,,,,I suggest donating to MAP/DrugSense..at least you know your money is going into a trustworthy organization,that has results...I donated ten bucks,, why dont you? anyway,I hope tonites benifit concert is a success,,,,.. I think this whole media puppetshow war frenzy fake out,,is getting more frightening every day...ground troops is an absurd act of sheer idiocy,and stone cold lunacy.....ddd
d
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Comment #4 posted by freedom fighter on October 20, 2001 at 13:09:46 PT

greenfox, how does
crossbreeding works? Hope you can describe how it works. If not, that's kool. Do you use NL as male and SS as female producing seeds? Im just curious. Thanks for your time. Good luck with your FOM#1..ff
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 12:21:03 PT

Tonight on VH1
Thought I'd pass this on.
Fund-Raising Event Unites Stars to Benefit Victims of the World Trade Center Attack and Honors Heroic Rescue Workers.

Live on VH1: Saturday, October 20, 7 pm ET/PT, 6 pm CT
Live Webcast at 7 pm ET provided by AOL
Pre-show from 6-7 pm ET only on VH1
AOL Keyword: Concert for New York City 
  
 About the Show
The toughest of us rise during crisis situations, and the World Trade Center tragedy finds many hands helping to heal the wounds we all suffered on September 11. The music community has been conspicuous in its efforts, and on Saturday, October 20, at Madison Square Garden, Paul McCartney, The Who, Bon Jovi, Bono and Edge of U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Destiny's Child, Janet Jackson (remote from Pittsburgh), Backstreet Boys, Mick Jagger, John Mellencamp, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Melissa Etheridge, Macy Gray, Marc Anthony, Five For Fighting, Goo Goo Dolls, Jay-Z and many more will gather to perform a benefit and tribute to the victims in a show called the Concert for New York City. VH1, AOL, Miramax, and Cablevision are proud to host the live broadcast of the four-hour event, beginning at 7 pm ET/PT and are joined by AOL in presenting a live Webcast of the historical show. AOL members can go to keyword: Concert for New York City. http://www.vh1.com/thewire/features/america_united/
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 20, 2001 at 11:31:42 PT

greenfox
You just made me laugh! Thanks for the report!
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Comment #1 posted by greenfox on October 20, 2001 at 11:22:36 PT

FOM #1 is born
After crossing a NL with a SS we have birthed a very unstable hybrid, albiet, but very potent none the less. FOM #1 is born!-gf
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