Information on my seven books
Romney Set to Dominate Tuesday’s Primaries: Turn out the lights, the Grand Old Party's just about over for Santorum in 2012.
Excerpt: Whatever the outcome of Tuesday’s primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia turns out to be, it’s time for Rick Santorum to call it quits. He’s had his day in the sun; he’s shown that he can compete on the national stage; and he’s rehabilitated his sagging political career. Now it’s time for him to fold up his tent and go home, or he risks losing the credibility and goodwill that he has created. Going into the April 3 primaries, Romney has 568 GOP delegates compared to Santorum’s 273.
Worth reading: The Invincible Dogma By Thomas Sowell
Excerpt: Federal Express was accused of both racial discrimination and sex discrimination. FedEx denied it. Why then did they pay the $3 million? Because it can cost a lot more than $3 million to fight a discrimination case. (So I guess Dr. Sowell won’t file an amicus brief in my suit demanding the NBA pay me to play? Okay, I’m 66, 5’8”, 50lbs over weight, on oxygen for pulmonary fibrosis and can’t recall ever sinking a basket (I lettered in chess in college). But statistically, the NBA discriminates against old white guys like me, and should have to pay, dearly. I’m hoping John Edwards will take my case, once he gets clear of a few problems. Or maybe Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Trail Lawyers. ~Bob)
Prosecutors: Mexican children being sacrificed to ‘Saint of Death’ Continue reading on Examiner.com Prosecutors: Mexican children being sacrificed to ‘Saint of Death’
Excerpt: The suspects, who are all related, are said to be followers of Santa Muerte and are reportedly responsible for the ritualistic murders of three people, including two 10-year-old boys. Two days earlier, police discovered the remains of 10-year-old Jesus Martinez, who had been missing since July 2010 as well as those of 10-year-old Martin Rios, who went missing about a month ago, according to the Associated Press.
Barack Obama Flexs Even More Executive Power
Excerpt: Barack Obama when he ran for President of the United States almost 4 years ago told us that he would not be like other presidents, specifically George W. Bush in using signing statements or executive orders in order to bypass Congress. Yet he continues to exercise more and more executive power by signing executive orders.
Rabbi-turned-lawyer pleads guilty to immigration fraud
Excerpt: A suspended attorney who became a rabbi pleaded guilty on Monday to running a New York law firm that made millions of dollars in an illegal immigration scheme. Earl David, 48, fled New York for Canada in 2006 when he heard his law firm and colleagues were being investigated. The dual Canadian-U.S. citizen was arrested in Canada in October and extradited to New York in January.
Ninth Circuit Upholds Ban on Race-Based Admissions Policies
Excerpt: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Monday upheld the 1996 amendment as it applies to university admissions, dealing affirmative action supporters a major blow. The ruling was the second time the Ninth Circuit flicked aside a lawsuit challenging the amendment, known as Proposition 209.
Supreme Court OKs routine jailhouse strip searches
Excerpt: Jailers may perform invasive strip searches on people arrested even for minor offenses, an ideologically divided Supreme Court ruled Monday, the conservative majority declaring that security trumps privacy in an often dangerous environment. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled against a New Jersey man who was strip searched in two county jails following his arrest on a warrant for an unpaid fine that he had, in reality, paid.
Wearing A Kilt To Prom? Illinois High School Declines Student's Request
Excerpt: A senior high school student in southwestern Illinois will be resigned to wearing pants to his prom, after a Tuesday decision by the school board banned him from wearing a kilt to the event. William Carruba would have preferred to wear a kilt to honor his family's Scottish-Irish roots, but the Granite City School Board, instead, argued that the garment is "nontraditional" and not in line with the district's dress code, the Associated Press reports. (I wrote to the Superintendent. ~Bob.)
The chickens are coming home to roost in the Middle East
Excerpt: The experts who supported the removal of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, e.g., The New York Times' Tom Friedman and many others, are perhaps now wondering if they were right to do so. ….At the same time, Mubarak was a loyal friend of the United States, a guarantor of the rights of minority Egyptians such as Coptic Christians, and a protector of the peace agreement negotiated by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin under the auspices of President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. (Some of us saw this from Day One. ~Bob.)
It Runs in the Family: Volt’s Cousin, Chevy Cruze, Investigated for Fires
Satire. I think. Ron P. Excerpt: The Chevy Cruze, which is the same car, right down to the lug nuts as the Chevy Volt- minus, you know, the voltage- is being investigated for engine fires that Reuters says “in many cases completely engulfed the vehicles in flames.” So, let me be the first to apologize to General Motors. I’ve been complaining about the negligible environmental benefits of the Volt, of the federal tax subsidies for the Volt and of the $23,000 difference in sticker price between the Cruze and the Volt. And I’m willing to state here and now: I was wrong.
Why biz fears Bam 2: Team O’s left-wing economics
Excerpt: If you think that inane statement (yes, prices may go up, but much less if we produce more oil at home) is coming from a college student still grappling with the law of supply and demand, you’d be wrong. It’s President Obama, as he veered off his teleprompter last Thursday to attack oil companies in order to make the case that he has done all he can to keep gas prices from rising.
Banking on Saudi-Parabia
Excerpt: Lulled by dreams of energy independence, the US thought it could slap sanctions on Iran without having to pay a price at the pump. ... Now, rather than abandoning its Iran policy, the US is relying on Saudi Arabia and the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) to bring down oil prices and prevent the world economy from going under. According to energy security specialist Matthew Hulbert, this is a highly risky policy which could seriously hurt the credibility of both Riyadh and Paris. (A view from Europe. I never cease to be amazed by the omnipresent anti-Americanism that holds sway in much of Europe. I can’t help wondering if they think the Iranians want to make nukes so they can hide them inside the mountains of Iran. I think the Iranians would be perfectly happy to share those nukes with most European countries for, oh, at least a few seconds. Right after they share them with us, of course. The article does have some good information and I urge the reading of the after-article comment by reader William Edwards. --Ron P. The Europeans hate us because we became dominate on the world scene after they faded, having mucked up Europe through wars. Rather like OWS hates the 1%, not because they are doing poorly, but because the successful are doing better. ~Bob.)
U.S. Offers $10 Million Reward for Pakistani Militant
Excerpt: The United States has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistani militant leader accused of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks, who in recent months has emerged at the vanguard of a prominent anti-American political movement. ($10M? If I had the chance, this critter is on the list of people I’d shoot, no charge. Kind of a long list, though, and I’m old and beat up. ~Bob.)
The Left's Callous Disinterest in Black Shooting Victims By Arnold Ahlert
Excerpt: While Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were continuing to stir up racial animosity in Sanford Florida, one of the worst mass shootings in Florida history was taking place in Miami. Last Friday, 14 people were shot and two men were killed during a funeral for 21-year-old Morvin Andre. A 5-year-old girl was wounded in the exchange as well. Why no outrage or calls for massive demonstrations? Because the shooters were allegedly black gang members attending the funeral. In other words, there's nothing that can be politically exploited here by those willing to ignore the harsh reality that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, black Americans are being victimized by other black Americans.
Rasmussen Employment Index Dips Following Recent High
Excerpt: After reaching a three-year high in February, the Rasmussen Employment Index slipped four points in March to 83.5 Twenty-two percent (22%) of working Americans in March reported that their firms are hiring while 20% report layoffs. The hiring number is down one point from February. Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be weaker than the prior months.
Long but Interesting: Muslims and Westerners: The Psychological Differences by Nicolai Sennels
Excerpt: I began to say what everybody already knew, but, what nobody either wanted or dared to say: that those who are referred to as foreign criminals, religious extremists, or terrorists in the making and who are the cause of lawless parallel societies (what the conference "Diversity and Safety in the City" was about) are all Muslim. I argued that we should stop talking about "criminal foreigners" and start using the more precise term, "criminal Muslims." As a psychologist, having had more than a hundred Muslim clients, I told them that politicians and professional social workers need to understand the cultural and religious backgrounds of criminal foreigners. That is, if we want to come up with, at least, somewhat effective and targeted plans on how to reduce the social unrest, anti-democratic religious movements, the violent and anti-social forces among foreigners. I was met with strong criticism from all sides and no support at all! … The title of the book is Among Criminal Muslims: A Psychologist's Experiences from the Copenhagen Municipality.
The Week That Was: 2012-03-31 (March 31, 2012)
Excerpt: EPA’s finding that carbon dioxide endangers public health and welfare is still being litigated. Among the issues are: 1) science does not support the finding; 2) EPA failed to make an independent analysis of the science; and 3) EPA failed to consult its Science Advisory Board. In a separate review, the Inspector General of the EPA concluded the EPA failed to meet the last two criteria and did not address the first. No doubt, the new proposed rule will be litigated. However, it demonstrates how potentially destructive the 2007 Supreme Court decision that CO2 is a pollutant that can be regulated by the EPA can become when such power is given to an aggressive, controlling agency. (As usual, the excerpt is from Ken Haapala’s summary. Especially interesting are numbered articles 4, 5, and 6. All three are from the WSJ, and all three are reprinted in full at the bottom of this week’s TWTW report. Ron P.)
Obama says once again that capitalism doesn't work
In another speech Obama says that capitalism didn't work before the New Deal, and it didn't work before his presidency -- I suppose Obama believes capitalism broke out again in 2000, and he had to beat it back down. This is complete ignorance or total deception, and both disqualify him as a President, especially when he thinks its his duty to create another New Deal. Read Murray Rothbard, Thomas E.Woods, Allan Metzer, Milton Friedman or any of the other non-progressives who've written about what really happened in the 1920s, then during the New Deal, then in the recent housing crash and you will see how far off Obama's comments are -- you will see why Obama is not fit to be President.
A Quiet Transformation in China’s Approach to Israel
Excerpt: In recent years, the world has witnessed China’s growing involvement in the international arena – whether through its veto in the UN Security Council, its military conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and contributing to peacekeeping missions in Africa and the Middle East, buying U.S. and EU debt, or its declaration that the South China Sea is an integral part of China.
Leftist War Chest on the Verge of Collapse?
Excerpt: A serious internal schism has developed that threatens to destroy the Democracy Alliance, George Soros’s financial clearinghouse that funds groups and projects aimed at turning America into a European-style socialist state. The preeminent funder of the Left in the United States, Soros favors American decline and has said that European-style socialism “is exactly what we need now.”
Zimmerman family member calls NAACP ‘racists,’ says ‘there will be blood on your hands’ if George is hurt
Excerpt: In a letter obtained exclusively by The Daily Caller on Monday, a family member of George Zimmerman ripped Seminole County, Fla. NAACP president Turner Clayton for a rush to judgment in the Trayvon Martin case. “It’s time for you to end the race issue in this matter and call for cooler heads to prevail,” the letter reads. “If something happens to George as a result of the race furor stirred up by this mischaracterization of George there will be blood on your hands as well as the rest of the racists that have rushed to judgment. You need to call off the dogs.
Senior citizens owe billions in student loans
Excerpt: When you think of student loans, you think of students and recent graduates -- younger people in their 20s and 30s working to pay off the thousands of dollars in debt from undergraduate and graduate schools. It's a good bet you don't think of people in their 60s, 70s and even 80s struggling to [pay off student debt. But new research shows that Americans 60 and older owe $36 billion in educational debt and account for 5 percent of delinquent student loans.
Israel drops leaflets into Gaza warning of 300 meter no-go zone
Excerpt: Israeli planes dropped pamphlets in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday morning, warning Palestinians not to enter a no-go zone on its southern border. The leaflets, signed by Israeli forces general command, include a map of the zone, a Ma'an correspondent said.
Uncle Obama on the roads again
Excerpt: Just a week after he copped a plea in a drunken-driving rap, President Obama’s illegal-alien uncle has landed a hardship driver’s license from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, making it perfectly legal for him to drive in Massachusetts — even though the feds say he doesn’t belong here. Onyango Obama, 67, who lost his regular license for 45 days last week, scored his limited license yesterday from the Registry’s Wilmington branch, after convincing a hearing officer that life without wheels would have posed an undue hardship on his livelihood as a liquor-store manager.
Morgan, three others charged in petition forgery case
Excerpt: A former St. Joseph County Democratic leader is among four people the prosecutor's office charged Monday following an investigation into allegedly fake petitions from the 2008 Indiana primary.
Quote of the Day: Narrative Destroying Edition
Zimmerman really bad at being a racist. ~Bob.
A nuclear Iran is too much to risk: The Islamist regime usually behaves rationally. But occasionally, it doesn't By Alan J. Kuperman
Excerpt: As calls mount, especially in Israel, for military action against Iran's nuclear program, the main counterargument has been seductively simple: Iran is rational. Indeed, our country's top military official, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, recently rejected the need for airstrikes because, as he put it, "We are of the opinion that the Iranian regime is a rational actor."
Excerpt: The Department of Justice has been forced to hand over $120,000 for bringing a meritless abortion clinic access lawsuit against a clinic protester. This loss is one of multiple lost cases by the Department of Justice against abortion clinic protesters. The Special Litigation Section is the unit bringing the meritless cases. It was profiled in the PJ Media Every Single One Series as being headed by and filled with Leftist ideologues. (Progressives believe that because their motives are pure, they don’t need no stinkin’ facts. Unfortunately, Holder and the other DOJ lawyers won’t have to pay it personally. Ron P.)
Education law signed by Walker focuses on reading, evaluations
Excerpt: Gov. Scott Walker on Monday signed into law an education bill that aims to increase reading achievement in the state and also establish a standard system for evaluating the performance of public-school teachers and principals. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers joined the governor at Franklin Elementary School in Wausau Monday morning for the signing of the legislation. He said in a statement that he was pleased to see the law create a system for evaluating educators that is based in part on the performance of their students.
Too funny: Dubious Donations Illustrated (Illegal Contributor Edition)
Excerpt: The Obama re-election campaign fundraising scandal deserves to be, and I think inevitably will be, a major news story. Earlier this morning I decided to find out how far an illegal donor could push the envelope and still have his contribution welcomed by the Obama campaign. So, like a number of our readers, I went to the Donate to Obama page and identified myself as Illegal Contributor. I entered my address as Cell Block 13, State Penitentiary, Stillwater MN. I identified my employer as Minnesota Penal System and my occupation as Inmate.
Out Of Touch
Immigration video on Elizabeth Warren (D-OWS). ~Bob.
Unions plan to train 100,000 Occupy protesters
Excerpt: Welcome to Occupy Spring. The Occupy Movement has become more sophisticated, how? It now officially has big name backers like the Teamsters, Moveon.org and other groups. Its 40 co-sponsors include big names the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Moveon.org, and UNITE, the hospitality industry union.
Two arrested in brutal hammer beating in Seminole
Excerpt: Julius Ricardo Bender, 18, and Yahaziel Isaac Israel, 19, face charges of attempted first-degree murder, burglary with assault or battery and armed burglary. The victim, a 50-year-old Winter Springs man whose name has not been released, is on life-support at Orlando Regional Medical Center. (Breathlessly waiting for condemnation from Jesse Jackson and statement from President Obama about who in this case would look like his son. Too bad the victim wasn’t carrying a gun. ~Bob.)
Egyptian Liberals Speak Out Against Brotherhood
Excerpt: Speaking out against religious extremism takes courage in today's Egypt, especially when extremists make up an absolute majority in Parliament. The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has translated the comments of two courageous Egyptian intellectuals who took to Arabic television to denounce the dominant Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafi parties.
Axelrod Wants to do the Time Warp Again
Excerpt: Obama’s brain is stepping up attacks on the presumptive Republican nominee: “Time warp” is a distracting phrase, just from a communications point of view. When I hear “time warp,” I don’t think of the slick Mad Men series or the mysterious Don Draper. I think of this. Barack Obama is a bit of a political cross-dresser, posing as a moderate to get the office and then governing like Jeremiah Wright is whispering in one ear while Bill Ayers is whispering in the other.
What Will Obama Give Putin? Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert! By Dick Morris
A very significant video by Dick Morris. Just one more reason why Obama is not only a danger to our way of life, but also willing to put Americans in harms way. --GBH
Does the West Have to Be So Weak on Syria … and Everywhere Else? by Barry Rubin
Excerpt: They’ve been saying it in Arabic, in public, for most of President Barack Obama’s term in office. The leader of the Muslim Brotherhood said it in August 2010: he pointed to Obama’s weakness as a reason for launching a revolution. But the American mass media has ignored it all. (This article has an absolutely wonderful picture of some Syrian school children rendering judgment on the quality of Obama’s leadership. Ron P.)
Debunking the ‘stand your ground’ myth ---Anti-gun advocates mislead on Trayvon case to erode right to self-defense
Excerpt: Whatever happened on the night that George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin, we know one thing for sure: The gun prohibition lobbies and their compliant media friends have been deceiving the public about Florida’s laws. Among the many deceits is the claim that Florida’s “stand your ground” law affects the legality of whatever Mr. Zimmerman did. The assertion that Florida law allows shooting whenever someone believes it to be necessary is a flat-out lie.
Media ‘Borderline Offensive’: Debbie Wasserman Schultz Left Nearly Speechless After Tough Interview
Excerpt: If those interviews by DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, where she does nothing but spew talking points and condescending quips, annoy you, then you will likely jump for joy over what you’re about to hear. Doug McIntyre, a radio host at 790 KABC-RADIO in Los Angeles, interviewed the chairwoman on Monday about the DNC’s decision to name LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to head the party’s convention. As McIntyre notes, Villaraigosa has his critics in Southern California (“Los Angeles can’t even pave the sidewalks”), and McIntryre was floored that he was chosen.
Barack Obama and the End of the Progressive Era By Steve McCann
Excerpt: The people of a nation that has experienced unprecedented peace and prosperity for an extended period of time are often lulled to sleep, believing there will never be an end to their good fortune. Many powerful countries throughout history have floundered and decayed as they gradually descended into chaos, not realizing the ultimate fate that awaited them. However, the United States has been granted an opportunity to escape this fate through what appears to be a long-term disaster potentially turning out to be its long-term salvation. That event is the election of Barack Obama as president.
Disrupting the Anti-Zimmerman Narrative
Excerpt: “Remember the original medialeft narrative about George Zimmerman — large adult white man who calls 9-11 nearly daily, hunts down innocent little black boy and kills him, vigilante style, in cold blood? Reality has intruded. Zimmerman is Hispanic, or HISpanic if you’re Geraldo Rivera, or a “white Hispanic” if you’re the New York Times; a registered Democrat; smaller than Trayvon Martin; who was not following Martin when the night turned deadly; who did not call 9-11 46 times in a year. … The medialeft have done their best/worst to turn Trayvon Martin’s sad end into a political tool with which to prize Americans’ rights to be armed and to defend ourselves, from our hands. But the facts just keep getting in the way.” (Interesting…the calls 911 46 times was bogus as well…. Surprise, surprise…. –Barb)
Obama’s Free Food Card: “Will Vote for Food”
Excerpt: The food stamp program is different. It is aimed at voters. Some of the voters are poor. Others are less poor. They favor programs where other voters pay taxes to provide food for poor people. They are very generous with other people’s money. Half of American adults pay no income tax. But they vote.
U.S. Investigates Possible Internet Threat To NYC
Excerpt: The graphic contained a picture of the Manhattan skyline superimposed with a Hollywood-style caption that says: "ALQAEDA - coming soon again in New York." It was posted on Monday by a site called the Ansar al Mujahiddin Arabic Forum, or AMAF, a militant web forum which allegedly has close connections to the Afghan Taliban and a key militant leader in Jordan. At the same time, two Internet forums authorities believe have official al Qaeda sanction have been down for nearly two weeks, said Evan Kohlmann, an expert who monitors militant websites for government entities and private businesses. (This could mean anything from “the web master has gone on vacation and left this inspirational graphic” to “set the bombs’ timers and run like hell.” We may never know. And, that might be a good thing. Intel without penetration agents to tell what things really mean is very chancy. Ron P.)
Despite Gas Prices, Hybrid Sales Stall
Excerpt: Car sales are up again, but despite rising gas prices, few consumers are buying hybrids. Instead, they’re choosing less fuel-efficient – and less costly — subcompacts and mid-size vehicles. (Watch for the Executive Order requiring people to buy hybrids. ~Bob.)
Must Read: Bringing It Home by Mark Steyn
Excerpt: Bangalore is also home to the Indian Institute of Management, wherein resides Professor R. Vaidyanathan. The professor has an arresting phrase he likes to use: "the nationalization of the family." I would doubt he's the chap responsible for the coinage, but he applies it brilliantly, as the defining fact about the decline of the West. He has a certain post-imperial chippiness and he's nobody's idea of a right-winger, but I think he's on to something.
Near-Bankrupt Italy Faces $60 Billion Solar Bill
Excerpt: Italy will move to reduce taxpayer subsidies to its renewable energy sector after last year's boom in solar power, Industry Minister Corrado Passera says. Some estimates contend the feed-in tariffs paid to photovoltaic user/generators will amount to $59 billion over the next 20 years.
No Global Warming For 15 Years
Excerpt: New UK Met Office global temperature data confirms that the world has not warmed in the past 15 years. Analysis by the GWPF of the newly released HadCRUT4 global temperature database shows that there has been no global warming in the past 15 years - a timescale that challenges current models of global warming.
EU Climate Policy In Freefall
Excerpt: Sagging carbon prices lost nearly 14% of their value yesterday (2 April) as recession and a warm winter sparked a predicted 2.6% drop in carbon emissions from the 10,000 installations covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) last year. The already-depressed carbon price dived from €7 to a record low of €6.14 by early afternoon.–EurActiv, 3 April 2012 An internal General Motors strategy paper reveals that the US automaker wants to close its plants in Western Europe and transfer production to low-cost countries.
Already the disciples of Saul Alinsky are preparing their onslaught against the nation's highest court, typical Chicago style...by Congressman Allen West
Excerpt: The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Already the disciples of Saul Alinsky are preparing their onslaught against the nation's highest court, typical Chicago style intimidation tactics. Whatever happened to the fundamental premise of co-equal branches of government?
Paul Ryan: President Failing Our Generation’s Defining Challenge
Excerpt: Following another disappointing partisan speech by President Barack Obama, in which he tried to substitute tired political attacks for the principled leadership he refuses to offer, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin issued the following statement: “History will not be kind to a President who, when it came time to confront our generation’s defining challenge, chose to duck and run. The President refuses to take responsibility for the economy and refuses to offer a credible plan to address the most predictable economic crisis in our history. Instead, he has chosen tired and cynical political attacks as he focuses on his own re-election…”
The Three Hyper-real Paradoxes of Global Warming’s Climatism By John O´Sullivan
Excerpt: How an anti-intellectual misuse of language and logic sought to turn a perfectly natural process into a man-made catastrophe. Scientists claim to have identified three fatal physical paradoxes in man-made global warming theory.
Report: Obama Blaming Israel for Rising Fuel Prices
Excerpt: The Obama administration is blaming Israel for the recent rise in global crude oil prices, says its "posturing" on Iran brought the rise. (Can’t blame Bush or Global Warming. Hummm…. I know! It was the Jews! ~Bob.)
Most embarrassing Biden Blooper since he said President Roosevelt went on TV when the stock market crashed in 1929. Before there was TV or FDR was President. ~Bob.
Worth Reading: Iran’s Win, Win, Win Bomb: Nuclear capability and feigned lunacy are a winning combo for a rogue regime. By Victor Davis Hanson
Excerpt: Iran, if not stopped, will join the nuclear club, probably within two or three years. It may be stupid to try to preempt Iran; it may be even stupider not to try. But the stupidest assumption of all is that either Iran is not enriching uranium in order to obtain a weapon, or it might through negotiations or sanctions be persuaded to give up trying.
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Robert A. Hall
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