The AM Glass Box.
Welcome to the AM Glass Box - your chance to help shape tonight's PM.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
Just as the PM Glass Box emulates the meeting we have AFTER the show, the AM Glass Box will be like the real meeting we have every day at 11.00, in that all ideas are welcome.
Just like the real meeting, most ideas that are suggested will not make it on air. But we would like to try this to see how it works. It's best that you make your suggestion before 10am.
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Good Morning, Eddie and the PM team!!!!
Story idea: Swine Flu.
~Dennis Junior~
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The return yesterday of fallen soldiers to the UK was notable for the absence of any Government or Royal.
Why is this, soldiers fight and die in the name of the Queen and are sent off by the Government so is there not least a moral duty on Politicians and Royals to honour the returning dead?
I wonder how did Margaret Thatcher acknowledge the lost lives of the Falklands War and why has society changed in their attitude to our fallen soldiers?
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JAW @ 2:
"Prince Edward, who is the Royal Colonel of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, attended the repatriation ceremony."
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My eyes are watering. Manchester City and others - current expenditure on - er - supposedly invaluable football players.
A particular Finance Investment group in the news and bonuses front and centre again. Formula One racing seemingly doesn't want to cut its cloth to suit these straitened times.
And lack of expenditure in other areas criticised? A forthcoming strike on Friday, retirement of the populace etc etc.
Green shoots of spring sought for and maybe spotted but it seems some people are harvesting a mythical crop of wheat already - allegedly.
"Green shoots are for WIMPS!"
Discuss. Whilst, as a particular eaterys advert would have "Taste our food! You will NEVER get better"! lol
Subject: you will never get better
Anagram: We volunteer - get Liberty
Where is the sense
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Eddie: Yesterday you held to account the man from Connectivity over their site failure. Do you feel like doing the same job on whoever is responsible for the NHS Direct website? Presumably because of the Swine Flu crisis, I've been unable to connect to their website - which is, in the circumstances, a tad worrying.
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Re 1: Dennis_Junior
Is this swine flu epidemic the means of getting the population fit and cutting future health implecations? See Bloomberg report link.
http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202&sid=aM.7Dg3Z_msI
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... mind you, I am being invited to diagnose 'connection probems'. ;o)
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I know it may be contentious, and we'd probably get the same spokespeole (e.g. Mark Regev for one) saying the same things as they always say, but I think the news that Israeli soldiers are reporting of incidences of the rules/laws or war being broken should be a part of the programme
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8149464.stm is the BBC report on this...
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More on this story
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8150992.stm
please, Eddie, if the schedule permits.
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Oh, Fearless, I was posting this at the same time - Two minds with but a single thought ...
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Big sis (7)
Try Contacting NHS direct and your told to try diagnosing the problem yourself!? Sounds to me they may think they have stumbled upon a money saver?
What happened to the days when the doctor prescribed a fortnight in the country?
The information on this flu thing is so confusing. I heard this morning, some people are getting it without even knowing it. The symptoms apparently can be that mild. Others get a bit sick. Still yet other get very sick. How are they going to diagnose you anyway? They probably tell you to take a couple of paracetamol and go see your doctor. Hiope you and your are not ill?
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Joe: Thank you for your concern - I am (as it happens) a bit under the weather, but not suspecting Swine Flu. My SO's work involves a lot of contact with others and he travels around, so I thought I should try to find out more specific information about the symptoms of this type of flu.
As it happens, I've now got through to the site, which seems to confirm my suspicion that it cannot cope with large numbers of hits, for example first thing in the morning. This could be worrying and I think it needs addressing. I had been trying to get onto their website for over an hour.
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Swine flu oddness: The Wife visited the doctor yesterday. Outside was a bloke on a mobile, who turned to her and asked if she was there about swine flu. She said 'no' and went in.
When she asked about him at reception, they said he was 'there for security', and he 'escorted' those with swine flu to the next-door chemist to get their medication. They also commented 'You wouldn't believe the paperwork on this one'.
Pick the bones out of that one.
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Eddie and Editor
Are independent candidates worthy of BBC coverage?
On the PM Blog and others during the 'drip-drip' MP expenses revelations: "change is overdue," "the party system is the problem," "MP's should be independent," "whips control the MP's," "professional politicians feathering their own nest," "more independent MP's should stand."
After the European elections, the analysis indicated it was the anger with the main parties which enabled the BNP candidates to get elected as MEPs.
I was therefore shocked last night to discover that Regional BBC News are excluding the independent candidate, Craig Murray, from their election coverage in the forthcoming Norwich by-election. Apparently, Martin Bell had to make a pointed remark to the presenter on BBC East Politics prog at the weekend: "you've not even got the independent candidate on your show." Newsnight's Michael Crick also appears to have focused only on the main party candidates in his coverage.
Perhaps you need to get a view from the independent candidate, Craig Murray: As an independent candidate in the first by-election since the expenses scandal, what's your experience of the coverage you're receiving from the media? Or an explanation from the BBC Regional Editor as why they don't think independent candidates are worthy of coverage.
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darkdesign (13) ethics of that one seem a bit odd. Would you want to discuss your reason for visiting the doctor with a total stranger outside the surgery? Sounds like the doctor was passing off the task of diagnosis to the local pharmacist. Wonder how she/he feels about that, especially in these litigious times.
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Anne P: Are you my doctor? Your screen-name is rather close.
The plot thickens.
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Addendum to my post #14
I should add that apparently Craig Murray was told by a BBC Editor he was told he was not a "significant candidate" and will not feature in BBC coverage, even though his odds of winning are much better than the Liberal Democrats.
It's quite obvious there has been a loud call from the public for more independent MPs, but this won't happen if BBC don't give them equal coverage.
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There's been a lot on the pharmacy blogs about the paperwork mountain to obtain Tamiflu - the paperwork seems to vary from PCT to PCT. Pharmacists had been briefed that we would be the front line triage service in the community for advice about Swine Flu and would need to be identifying those who could self manage at home or those who needed referral - this is in line with what we'd normally do for seasonal influenza so isn't that far outside our normal tasks.
I do have to say that this weekend has prompted a lot more calls/queries to me about the details of flu/vaccination/Tamiflu. I've just been chatting with our Occ Health Nurse - in a normal year I wouldn't be vaccinated with the seasonal flu jab (I do unpredictable things with vaccines) but she has said that with the swine flu jab she probably would make sure I was vaccinated. There is also some confusion regarding the vaccination as seasonal flu is normally a single jab but pandemic flu is likely to be two injections a month apart. Interesting times.....
And thinking about times - what is the difficulty that the Today team have with telling the time?!
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Richard_SM,
You seem to be singling out the BBC here. I did a quick trawl of the "quality" papers online, and can find only one reference to Mr Murray standing in the by-election.
Please provide a source for your comment in #17 "even though his odds of winning are much better than the Liberal Democrats."
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Iain Dale seems to be making enough of a 'song and dance' about Craig Murray to completely compensate for the mainstream media vacuum.
Maybe for Friday we can have some 'Plinth Coverage' to cheer things up ?
News elsewhere is awful, but interesting that when people are chosen 'at random' [or random-ish..] the people chosen are generally cheerful and uplifting, and sticking up for good causes, art [making a man out of bread], knowledge [mushroom ma'am and her 'fungi'], music, and creativity.
A bit of a change from Celebrity's Got Big Bother with the Apprentice aggressive bullying, sexual overtones and general vapidity. And many of the Plinthians give out chocolates for those demonstrating knowledge or, as yesterday, linguistic skill.
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It seems that Eddie isn't alone in his rubber fetish.
In fact, he may have now, met his mattch...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/matt/
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FF 19, Google PMU for the odds.
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Achoo!
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Sorry, David (22), but I get no useful results from G**gle, even when I include Crag Murray's name. Do you have a link?
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Mrs Effingham, I hope you used your sleeve. Perhaps you should adjourn to Effingham Hall for a few days? ;o)
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Ref 19. Fearless Fred
Please provide a source for your comment in #17 "even though his odds of winning are much better than the Liberal Democrats."
I read it in Guardian or Independent last week: Tories were favorite, followed by Labour, Greens, Craig Murray was 25/1, LibDems were 33/1 and UKIP way down.
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FF 24, PMU are betting shops in France for horse racing.
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RSM 26, That's what PMU said.
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Ladbrokes today:
Conservatives 1/12
Labour 10/1
Greens 20/1
Craig Murray 25/1
Liberal Democrats 25/1
UKIP 100/1
Anne Fryatt 200/1
BNP 200/1
Libertarian Party 500/1
Bill Holden 1000/1
Official Monster Raving Loony 1000/1
Peter Baggs 1000/1
25/1 of course is much better than 25/1.
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William Hill today:
Conservatives: 1/12
Labour: 7/1
Lib Dems: 20/1
Green: 20/1
Murray: 33/1
UKIP: 100/1
Others not listed
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Brief encounter..
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8151167.stm
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29
And what is the rate of profit at Ladbrookes, please?
And more generally:
Oh, dear:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8151017.stm
With these unemployment figures another rate of profit is going up, too:
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q?s=^FTSE
(Stock prices go up as profits rise as finance capital equalises the rates of return. Alternatively the market makers think up a number and declare their stocks worth exactly that)
Why hold government stock during this stock boom?
Goodness, that unemployment news makes bad reading all the way down. Which is it for Vicky Redwood, I wonder?
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TR @ 33
No idea, mac.
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Sid, I agree.
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Fearless, Sid:
Your data shows that Mr C Murray is in the top five (or four) front runners for this election - are you supporting the call for his inclusion in broadcast discussions on a regional show?
Do you think he is a "significant candidate" ?
What is the BBC East Politics programme for ?
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Ref 29. Sid
Ref 30. Fearless Fred
Ha - clearly I've ruffled your feathers. The point in my post has gone right over your heads; instead you scratch over a morsel of detail, unable to accept the essence of my post was correct. Today's Guardian site has P.Power showing Craig Murray at 20/1 over Lib Dems at 25/1 for you to peck over.
Meanwhile, for others able to appreciate the more important issue, the BBC should not be 'short-listing' candidates for the electorate. People have been outraged by the expenses scandal involving the main parties. They are quite capable of making up their own minds where to put their X after equal coverage of the available candidates by the state broadcaster. Anything else undermines confidence in a democracy.
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I think independent candidates should be given air time, if only so that the electorate can sort out the wheat from the chaff. And there will be chaff.
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To be honest, n_n @ 36, I don't think bookies' odds are particularly relevant to how a broadcaster chooses which candidates to focus on. I provided my data to counteract casual anti-Lib Demism.
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Never mind the candidates...I bet the polices are still the same old rubbish. And if they say they are all for cleaning up politics it's still rubbish cause the whips won't let them...Independent seems the way to go...but then he might be a dork? But we won't know if we don't hear from him...Monster raving loony then...at least you know what you'll be getting.
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RX Karen (18)
I would much rather consult my pharmacist on many things as in my experience, they seem to know what they are talking about. But, perhaps more importantly they seem to know what I'm talking about...I've met some bungling GPs I'm afraid when it comes to explanations. However, my pharmacist has always been truly helpful and confident in their own abilities. Thank God!
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34, 35
Yes, sorry.
The
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q?s=^FTSE
link in that boxhas not picked up the FTSE parameter.
Either use it as a link as it is and click on FTSE (after 'Hot topics') or cut and paste the whole thing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8151017.stm
is working well, though.
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Sid (39)
Would that be 'antiliberalisticdemoctraticleestablishmentarianism'
I'm all against it!
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fjd @ 43
Could be. Difficult to say, really.
As a matter of interest, many of Murray's policies are straight from the Lib Dem manifesto.
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Richard (37) So which of the online betting shops is more valid? Are they valid at all? All this shows is the way people are betting. It has nothing to do with even a scientific poll of the electorate of the constituency in question. Even polls aren't always trusted, so why should the betting patterns of people who could be from anywhere in the UK (or even abroad)? The only views that matter are those of the people in that constituency.
Also, why should a local by-election be major national news? Would this affect the lives of someone in, say, Carlisle? How about Margate? Or what about Durham? Or Plymouth? Absolutely NOT. Coverage for this should only be in the local news.
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Earlier on this week,(Monday maybe)there was a serious scientific report produced which found; kids mimic their parent's eating behaviour when it comes to being obese (fat). Amazing what science can do these days.
Who'd have thought children would ever eat the same food as their fat parents. After all they probably only eat at the same time. Wouldn't you have thought the kids might have said no thanks mum...I think I'll have a leafy salad you have my chocolate moosey fooly thingy...oh you can have mi crisps too.
I wonder how long it will take for them to work out they watch the same crap on the tele too!?
Hey dad, there's program on renaissance immunosuppressive therapy in the new millennium on BBC 4...oh ok dad...big brother it is then...
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fjd - the point of that research was that kids follow their same-sex parent - i.e. fat boys copy their fat dads, not their skinny mums (for example).
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Ref 45. Fearless Fred
As I said, the point in post #14 has gone right over your head. Do you have someone who could help you with reading?
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Richard (48) There is no need to be offensive to someone who is disagreeing with you. Your 14 is clear. I just happen to disagree completely with the premise you are basing it on.
Why does Craig Murray deserve any more air time than any of the other independents such as BNP, UKIP, or even Monster Raving Looney Party? There are clear guidelines as I understand it regarding the amount of airtime given to candidates during elections, national or local. This is derived from the percentage share of support. Quoting odds from online betting doesn't in any way show that Mr Murray is going to get a certain share of the votes cast.
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Sid (47)
Like I said, amazing what they can discover these days.
Girls mimic there mums, boys mimic there dads...mmm...then I guess...it would take a brave lad to where a dress to school...!?
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Before the thread disappears into the 'Also Appearing:' area have you caught TheOtherDaughter's post 63 on 'Is it time?'
She says:
Re the aims for being there - is this the classic example of 'we have no plans, therefore nothing can go wrong'?
Just a thought.
tod
Marvellous!
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With all the doom and gloom in the news, how about reserving the 40 seconds or so before the bongs to a round-up of some of the more interesting "Plinthers"? After all, why should The Grauniad have a monopoly on coverage of the people seeking 60 minutes of fame?
Amongst others we've had a bassoonist, numerous artists, a jazz singer (who opened by ritually slaughtering "My Favourite Things"), a woman teaching the crowd "The Timewarp", a university lecturer reading children's stories, a bread sculptor, a chap playing "Catch" with the crowd - with the aid of at least 4 tennis balls, a chap having a Skype phone-in, a poet, a singer-songwriter, a chap playing (and explaining) chess, numerous charity campaigners, and at least 150 others I've missed due to being at work or asleep!
And one of the best things about it is that they're alone - so you don't get the continual bickering and backstabbing of Big Bother, and if the current Plinther's boring, you can safely tune in at 5 minutes past the hour to see who's next. But for the best experience, launch a Twitter search for #oneandother - and possibly join in the heckling Tweeple :)
And before you ask, those froggers daft enough to follow me have already been subjected to my frequent contributions to the Tweckles...
(Must start promoting that portmanteau...)
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how about this summer's must read list... world at 1 touched on it would be great for a little more detail and analysis
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RSM @ 48
Actually, you didn't specify post #14 - you just said 'my post'.
Interesting that when anyone else gets it wrong you pick them up relelntlessly, but when you get it wrong it's because the rest of us are 'unable to accept the essence of my post was correct'.
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Eddie and Editor,
Re: Iranian Plane Crash - around 160 passengers dead.
The US/UK led sanctions against Iran significantly include the ban on selling replacement aircraft and repair parts. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has specifically warned these sanctions are placing civilian lives in danger by forcing Iranian airlines to manage with an ageing fleet.
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Eddie and Editor
If you're covering the conduct of Israel during the recent Gaza assault, you might wish to include the UN sponsored Human Rights report on Palestinian women in detention, which has just been released today:
The report alleges the pregnant prisoners are being held in men's prisons which do not meet the pregnant women's needs. "Pregnant prisoners are also chained to their beds until they enter delivery rooms and shackled once again after giving birth. Inappropriate diet and lack of movement are also listed as problems. Complaints include beatings, insults, threats, sexual harassment and humiliation techniques.
The report, out today, was conducted jointly by the 'Human Rights Association' and the 'Addameer Prisoner Support' for the UN.
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Ref 54. Sid
But I haven't got anything wrong.
You said you were trying to "counteract casual anti-Lib Demism." You'll have to take your complaint up with The Guardian.
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Richard @ 57
I think you have got it wrong. I don't think bookies' odds should affect which candidates the BBC chooses to interview. You appear to think they should. I think you're wrong.
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Afternoon Eddie
So Tony Blair is to be supported for EU president!
Forgive me, but supported by a discredited government for a former prime minister who mislead the British people into a disastrous war. The man has no shame and also has responsibility for the disgraceful way the Armed forces have been treated in the last few years. Poorly funded and supported, expected to do a job there were ill equipped for.
My son has recently joined the TA and has to get blisters before they will be treated by a medic! A definition of stupidity if ever there was one. It costs too much money to have preventative policies be it blisters or unnecessary killing of soldiers by roadside bombs.
He doesn't have my vote!
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Ref 58. Sid
"I think ........ I don't think....... You appear to......... I think ....."
What goes on inside your head is no concern of mine?
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Re:56 Richard_SM
"Pregnant prisoners are also chained to their beds until they enter delivery rooms and shackled once again after giving birth.
I remember the same treatment of women prisoners in UK prisons under the Tories. From memory Ann Widdecombe defended the policy with vigour because they may escape. So don't expect any sympathy from the Tory supporters here.
Re: # 39. Sid
"I provided my data to counteract casual anti-Lib Demism." You are having a laugh. The BBC is so biased towards the Lib-Dums I cannot beleive anyone could think otherwise. They are never properly quizzed on there ideas.
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RSM - why on earth do you respond, then?
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Richard_SM/Sid -- 'Children, children..'. The PM blog is for people who can 'play nicely'*, in case you hadn't noticed. If you want aggro, or a bit of a punch-up, best 'take it outside' in my opinion..
* - Yes, I'm aware I might not always practise what I preach...
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lBG 63, You beat me to it. And Sid looks like a very nice Lib Dem. Probably been to a real ale festival.
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Boys! Boys! You seem to be getting off the point of this thread...
Now, you don't want me to complain, do you......
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