What Will Bill O'Brien Do About This Disgraceful Behavior?

It didn't go unnoticed!!! (4.00 / 1)

I got this in an Obama Campaign email just now:

It's no surprise that professional conspiracy theorists are still on the birth-certificate warpath -- but now elected officials are getting their backs.

Yesterday, four Republicans in the New Hampshire State House supported a hearing requested by a group of birthers who want President Obama officially removed from the state's primary ballot.

It's not clear whether all this is a smokescreen or whether these dead-enders actually believe this stuff. But they aren't letting the facts get in their way -- one group in Arizona has even demanded that the President "release the microfiche" of his birth certificate.

What an embarrassment these nutjobs are to the citizens of this state.

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by: mevansnh @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 17:30:11 PM CST

And for a $20 donation (4.00 / 3)

...the Campaign will send you a mug with the birth certificate printed on it!

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 17:36:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's taken an ugly turn (4.00 / 3)

What happened on Friday went beyond the weird ideas of a few crazy people. A state rep threatened a member of the BLC. Another state rep was screaming in the face of an assistant AG. This behavior brings dishonor on the institution of the legislature, as well as crosses the bounds of acceptable behavior by elected officials in a democracy. When elected officials try to intimidate and bully public employees and administrative officials, they need to be held accountable.

 



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 20:00:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

We have a mechanism. We un-elect them. n/t (4.00 / 2)

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by: hannah @ Sun Nov 20, 2011 at 05:48:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Once Again, Kathy... (0.00 / 0)

...you're leading on an issue vital for New Hampshire and our quality of government.  Thanks for your attention to this.  While we disagree on some matters now and then, this again shows why you're a true gem.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sun Nov 20, 2011 at 14:09:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Is there video??? (0.00 / 0)

Their constituents need to see this.

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by: The Money Magician @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 19:56:16 PM CST

Brad Cook is a mensch (4.00 / 2)

How dare these thugs and savages attack him like that?

Are any of there actions criminal?

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by: Putney Swope @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 19:58:14 PM CST

Does anyone know if Orly Taitz's description is accurate? n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: The Money Magician @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 20:11:11 PM CST

Concord Monitor link enclosed; can't find video from after decision. (0.00 / 0)

http://www.concordmonitor.com/...

There's lots of youtube video, but it's all from the birthers; they leave off the party afterward.

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by: The Money Magician @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 20:45:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yes (4.00 / 3)

Her description is more accurate in setting the scene than the Monitor (which is factually accurate but understates the threatening nature of the republican legislator riot).  Granite state progress has video.  

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Sun Nov 20, 2011 at 08:14:41 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I Hope You And Kathy... (0.00 / 0)

...can do something about this.  It's an important issue, and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this treatment and intimidation.  Let us know the troops you need and many of us will help.  Democracy has to be fought on many levels in addition to the ballot box.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sun Nov 20, 2011 at 14:07:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Aaaaaand... (4.00 / 5)

Once again, the NH's shame goes national:

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo....

Is it next November yet?

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 21:14:03 PM CST

A. Launch a legislative investigation of (4.00 / 2)

the Ballot Law Commission.

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by: elwood @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 21:30:16 PM CST

Dumb and Dumber get caught (4.00 / 2)

Clearly threats were made.

There has to be an investigation on this mess.

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by: Chaz Proulx @ Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 22:57:02 PM CST

The conservative lodestar is obedience. (4.00 / 1)

People lacking in competence and unable to provide for themselves, have to rely on others being obedient to their demands. Which tells us that obedience, contrary to what we might think, is not a virtue.  Indeed, obedience is the handmaiden of abuse, if not abuse itself. So, threatening behavior is entirely consistent, if only rarely displayed.
Not being obeyed drives some people mad.  We've seen it in spades on the streets of New York. The whole occupy movement is an exercise in sending the message that abuse will no longer be tolerated and the claim to obedience will be denied.

FREEDOM IS OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW is a fraud--wishful thinking, if one wants to be kind.

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by: hannah @ Sun Nov 20, 2011 at 06:00:04 AM CST

I accept that my legislature is full of people with zany, far-out-of-mainstream views, (4.00 / 3)

But these people have got to stop abusing their positions, disrespecting the institution, and embarrassing the state.

The constant outpour of inanity from Bill O'Brien's Facepalm Factory is hurting New Hampshire, and not just because they're making cigarettes cheaper, making college more expensive, and defunding primary and secondary ed.

--
Hope > Anarch-tea
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 01:18:42 AM CST

Doug -- In Just Two Paragraphs... (3.50 / 2)

...you sum up the problem, and the embarrassment, of this Legislature better than ever.

I think the voters will consider your message in November's election, which is only 350 days from today (it would be one day less but we have a Leap Year coming up).

I do think you're a bit too gentle by calling some of those characters "zany."  I'd prefer "crazy," because I think that word would stand up upon mental examination.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 03:47:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I want so badly to be able to respect the other side. (4.00 / 1)

Having birthers in elected office makes that difficult.

--
Hope > Anarch-tea
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 12:59:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well I'm Agreeing With You... (0.00 / 0)

...I just think they're "crazy," not just "zany."  They deserve no respect at all, either.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 13:14:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I LOVE (4.00 / 1)

"Facepalm Factory!"

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 08:26:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Pass it on (0.00 / 0)

--
Hope > Anarch-tea
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 12:57:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ballot Law Commission--The Continuing Saga (4.00 / 2)

For those of you who do not get the ongoing soap opera delivered, unbidden, into your inboxes, here is the next phase, which arrived this morning.  

Note:  I tried to copy the email I received in its entirety.  The host site informed me that Ms. Taitz's html address was one which was disallowed, so I have omitted the links.  Anyone wishing to visit her web site may enter www.orlytaitzesq.com directly into their web browser.

The email I received is from someone identified only as Buena Vista Mall--there is never any signature.  Here is what Mr. or Ms. Mall has to say:

My response to the corrupt, treasonous RINO Republican majority leader of NH House of Representatives, D. J. Bettencourt

Mr. Bettencourt, my appearance before the committee was not an outburst, but a testimony with an undeniable proof of Barack Obama using a stolen Social Security number, forged birth certificate, committing elections fraud and treason. Your answer shows that you are another corrupt and dirty politician, who is maliciously disregarding the truth and the Constitution of this nation, who needs to be removed from the position of the Republican majority leader and who should be and will be tried for treason against this nation together with other corrupt politicians who put a complete fraud and a criminal wthout any valid US identification papers in the White House.

Below that statement was the email from DJ Bettencourt:

On Sun, Nov 20, 2011 at 6:18 PM, D.J. Bettencourt  wrote:

Dr. Taitz,

It takes an extraordinary circumstance for me to bother taking time to respond to the gobbledygook that is the "birther" movement. However, your call on House leadership to begin the process of removing Secretary of State Bill Gardner calls for such response.

First, I would like to address your conduct at the Ballot Law Commission hearing on Friday (11/18). Your outburst was unbecoming of any legitimate political dialogue, never mind one as ridiculous as the continued obsession over President Obama's birth place. I have spoken to the Representatives who were present and expressed to them my strong desire that they immediately disassociate themselves from you and this folly. This country has an opportunity in less than a year to replace this President and it is my fervent hope that we will do so. However, I wholeheartedly reject your request to remove Secretary Gardner or any attempt to bring a criminal complaint of elections fraud or treason.

Bill Gardner is a New Hampshire treasure who has worked tirelessly for Granite Staters and the preservative of our special political culture. The fact that he has drawn this ire establishes his good judgment. Were Secretary Gardner to even entertain your request he would be putting New Hampshire's "First in the Nation" Primary in grave danger. Please, Dr. Taitz, go away and leave New Hampshire alone.

Sincerely,

D.J. Bettencourt
Majority Leader
New Hampshire House of Representatives

One can only wonder what the next episode will bring.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 08:06:52 AM CST

Bettencouirt's response - not good enough (4.00 / 6)

 

I have spoken to the Representatives who were present and expressed to them my strong desire that they immediately disassociate themselves from you and this folly.

He is willing to send a strongly worded e mail to a person we all know is crazy, and to call her behavior, unbecoming of any legitimate political dialogue, never mind one as ridiculous as the continued obsession over President Obama's birth place.   What about the behavior of the members of his caucus? Are they getting a pass? Wasn;'t their behavior "unbecoming", and their obsession ridiculous?



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 08:53:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Dean has it all wrong (0.00 / 0)

There is no shame in this America. We should be proud that New Hampshire is the first in the nation home of political theater of the absurd. Welcome to reality. Thank you John Anderson for ushering in a new era of American life. The Reagan era.

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 08:57:09 AM CST

If we are thanking people, (4.00 / 3)

my thanks go to Ralph Nader in 2000  for the Bush II years.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 09:18:55 AM CST

[ Parent ]

because (1.75 / 4)

Nader is responsible for everything that happened in Florida. The purging of the voter list, Katharine Harris, butterfly ballots, hanging chads, Jeb Bush, the actual theft of the election, and Al Gore's response, which was to fold up and disappear. Nader is also, apparently, responsible for the fact that Al Gore was a terrible candidate - and above all, Ralph Nader is responsible for the fact that millions of US voters stayed home all over the country on election day in 2000.

The Blame Nader meme isn't just lazy - it's outright dishonest.  

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by: susanthe @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 18:44:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Disagreement is not dishonesty. (4.00 / 2)

I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are entitled to disagree with it.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 21:05:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

you're right about your opinion Lucy (2.00 / 2)

I have a lot of respect for you and your opinions, but I would also gently suggest that you don't have a right to create your own facts. In order to blame Nader, one has to completely disregard everything that was in my post above.

The Nader meme is perpetuated, and supported by knee jerk  Democratic Party loyalists (as you can see by who is downrating my  comments). They can't admit to themselves that Al Gore was a bad candidate, or that he was so weak that he folded when he should have fought back. It's also a tool used by the DP to attempt to corral dissenters by saying, "SEE! IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR OUR CRAPPY CANDIDATES, YOU'LL BE SORRY!"

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by: susanthe @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 09:25:01 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Wow. (4.00 / 1)

If that is a gentle suggestion, I fervently hope I never provoke an actual attack.

I am going to reiterate that an opinion belongs to she who holds it, and, as such, cannot be dishonest.  It may be uninformed, or ignorant, or unfounded, or, in the opinion of another, it may be just plain wrong--but not dishonest, unless I am lying to you about my opinion, which I am not.

In this case, I will certainly stipulate that I have not given the matter the depth of analysis that others here have.  Perhaps it would not stand up to deep scrutiny, if I had any interest in pursuing the issue, which I don't.  None of us have any idea what the outcome would have been if Nader were not in the mix.

In point of fact, I missed most of the 2000 campaign because I was taking care of my husband, who was in the last stages of his four-year battle with prostate cancer--a battle that ended on election day of 2000.  That event necessarily colors my view of all that happened that fall, so my opinion may be entirely visceral.  It remains, nevertheless, my opinion.

If you are gently suggesting that I am a knee-jerk Democratic Party loyalist, I can only say that you, too, are entitled to your opinion.  From my perspective, it seems to me I spend an awful lot of energy   arguing with my fellow Democrats when I cannot agree with them.  These knees are just way too old to jerk for anyone.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 14:50:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Lucy (0.00 / 0)

I'm sorry about your husband. I can understand how that would color an event for you. Oddly, I was in Florida on election day 2000, an experience that I'm sure colors my view of the whole situation.

I'm aware that you aren't lying to me. This is your opinion. The thing is - it's not always expressed as an opinion by everyone who uses the meme. There are many who use it intentionally and dishonestly. Some of them are posting on this thread. They're the folks I branded as knee-jerk Democrats. I'd never include you in that category.

The comment ratings tell the story. They'd troll rate me if they could.  

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by: susanthe @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 17:11:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The original comment was aimed at me. (0.00 / 0)

And it used the word dishonest.  

With respect to facts, I have now looked up the numbers from the presidential election in NH from 2000.

Bush   273,559
Gore   266,348
Nader   22,198
Gore lost NH by 7211 votes.  

I certainly respect the right of every person to vote for the candidate of his or her choice.  I have no idea what those who voted for Nader would have done if he were not in the race.  My assumption is that few of them would have voted for Bush.  Some of them would have refrained from voting.  But if even one third of those who voted for Nader in NH had voted for Gore, NH's four electoral votes would have been removed from the Bush column and added to the Gore column, and it would have made no difference what happened in Florida, Tennessee, or Arkansas.

So I see nothing dishonest in either my facts or my opinion.  Nor do I have a problem with anyone disagreeing with my conclusion.

Whatever his flaws, my opinion is that Gore would have been a darn sight better president than Bush.  

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 18:14:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Blame NH (0.00 / 0)

It is interesting to note that Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washingon, and Wisconsin all had a much higher percentage of Nader votes than NH.

Yet somehow, it is all New Hampshire's fault.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/...

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by: susanthe @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 18:58:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Susan.... (0.00 / 0)

Polling in the Fall of 2000 showed Nader as significant in Vermont, Maine, Oregon and other states. Not NH.  The Gore campaign expended significant resources successfully pushing back on Nader in those states. The Nader surge in NH occurred in the closing days, it was too late to effectively counter the effort especially since Humphrey was surging against Governor Shaheen and decisions had to be made to support her against Humphrey's vile attacks. I live with the constant nagging reality that if Gore had won NH, nearly 200,000 people would still be alive in this world, our economy would not have been destroyed and Roberts would not be chief justice of the supreme court. Nobody personally attacks you when you state your opinions on 2000, please display that same respect to those of us who believe in the facts as experienced by us.

Have you told a stranger today about Bill O'Brien and his Tea Party agenda? The people of NH deserve to hear about O'Brien  and his majority committed to destroying New Hampshire and remaking it into a armed survivalist preserve.  

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by: Ray Buckley @ Wed Nov 23, 2011 at 07:32:42 AM CST

[ Parent ]

2000 election-from a 2011 perch (0.00 / 0)

Wow! take a week off from NH politics and see what you miss!

I was a registered Independent for many years before moving to NH 6 years ago.  It was a no brain-er decision.  Like the gingham dog and the calico cat, Independents watched the political parties, especially the Democrats, "eat each other up."  My daughter was a Nader supporter while her brother, her father and I did not share her enthusiasm.  We agreed early on that rehashing the 2000 election was a non-productive use of our limited family time.  I recommend to my respected colleagues that with all the craziness facing NH we need to adopt that same philosophy.  

I became a Democrat in order to run for the NH House as a representative from Keene (Cheshire 3) and one of the proudest moments of my life was when I was elected in 2010.  I have met some of the finest public servants you could ever imagine in the Democratic women I have come to know and respect.  Please, lets pull together for the good of New Hampshire.  There is much work to do and we need all the help we can get.  Re-fighting an election from almost 12 years ago drains our energy and sews discontent where we don't need any.  As Bill Clinton's campaign song used to say, "don't stop thinking about tomorrow."  

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by: cyndychase @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 19:35:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This has all been debunked, (2.00 / 3)

and it is dishonest to continue to blame Nader.

Gore lost Tennessee - his home state.  Nader's vote total made no difference here.

Gore lost Arkansas, home of Bill Clinton, Nevada, NH, and Arizona, which were very winnable for him, and in each of those states, he spent virtually no resources.  His campaign strategy was inept, and he continued to distance himself from a very popular president.

But most of all, this was the first election where a large segment of progressive voters began to understand how the game is rigged.  Gore has only himself to blame.

And let's not even began to talk about Democrats who rolled over for Bush during the early years.  There's never any responsibility there.  What a crock.  

In the immediate aftermath of Since the start of the financial crisis, the Fed/Treasury lent, spent, or guaranteed $28 $29 trillion to save the banking system.

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by: StraffordDem @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 09:35:08 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The continued use of the word 'dishonest' on BH in reference to people who hold different opinons is truly unfortunate. (4.00 / 2)

Look, I voted for Ralph Nader and I supported him. I don't feel any 'blame' for what ensued and share the criticisms voiced about the Dem party and the Gore campaign to a large extent.

Nevertheless, it is a simple fact that the Nader vote was a significant part of the process that led to the result and if others want to assign responsibility to Nader (and me) , that is in no way dishonest-- we just disagree, which is an OK thing in a democracy and should be an OK thing on a progressive blog.


"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 13:22:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Besides... (4.00 / 4)

It's in the past.
Long past.
Lets look forward to the future and how to win the next election.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 14:39:02 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Obama chose (0.00 / 0)

to consign the criminal activities of the Bush administration to the past. We see how well that's worked out.

It's not the past when Democrats invoke Blame Nader at every opportunity. What you're REALLY asking,  is for me to shut up about it.

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by: susanthe @ Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 17:07:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Um, no (0.00 / 0)

I'm also telling myself to let it go. It's in the past. Debating 2000 isn't going to help win in 2012,  why expend the energy?



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Wed Nov 23, 2011 at 06:10:41 AM CST

[ Parent ]