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blackegg
...has left the building.



Registered: 01/25/06
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The mentality of thinking America is #1.
#8063315 - 02/24/08 04:22 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Okay, a few years ago I was taking a US Government class and the very first day of class the professor asks, "Who here DOES NOT think America is THE BEST country in the WORLD?"
Out of a class of perhaps 20 students (community college ) ...NO ONE raised a hand or appeared ready to even question: #1 in what? #1 to who? what does being #1 mean? So I raised my hand. (people turn and look) Professor says, "Oh? and who do you think is #1 then?" Stupidly I replied, "...uh...I don't know." (murmurs) Teacher looks satisfied and starts to go on and I say "...maybe Sweden or Denmark or someone..." Classroom erupts! Someone actually said later, "People who think that don't even deserve to be in this class." I'm not kidding. I felt like a leper for even questioning America's role as Big Boss Man of the world.
 That's supposed to be a Mountie BTW.
Now, it doesn't matter to me if you think Denmark or Sweden or even Socialism is the right path ...but doesn't *thinking* we're number one put us at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to actually becoming number one...or at least maintaining our number one status?
Please listen, I want America to be #1 as much as anyone, I live here too and have zero desire to move.
but can anyone show me evidence that America is statistically the best country in SOMEthing?
Here's my rancid commie, doesn't deserve to get financial aid link to evidence that we may not be El Numero Uno ...http://www.bloomu.edu/departments/philosophy/pages/content/hales/articlepdf/bestcountry.pdf
-------------------- 'Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain and leave the Shroomery.' ~ Jim Morrison
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Arp
roving mycophagist



Registered: 04/20/98
Posts: 2,191
Loc: in a van by the river
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8063345 - 02/24/08 04:49 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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imho Scandinavia is heading more towards a neo-liberal path, rather than a socialistic. It's a dual system with a little of both. Calling it Socialism would be misleading.
US make the best pizza (Dominos).
All-American pressure cookers are also #1
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Redstorm
Prince of Bugs




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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8063530 - 02/24/08 07:51 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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The US has been the most influential country in the world for the past 60 years and still is today. I'm not sure what you mean by the #1 country in the world, but the US certainly is a lone hegemony.
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Majawala
Stranger
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: Redstorm]
#8063612 - 02/24/08 08:40 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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that sounds like the worst history teacher ever. what the hell kind of broad stupid question is that. i hope you were in 3rd grade.
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Ferris
PsychedelicJourneyman



Registered: 03/12/06
Posts: 11,529
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: Majawala]
#8064268 - 02/24/08 12:15 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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It's number one in total GNP. As far as living standards go, no, not really.
-------------------- Discuss Politics
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unbeliever
Yo Daddy!


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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8065538 - 02/24/08 06:18 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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We've got a lock on inbred hill billies. Fuck yeah, America is #1!
-------------------- Happiness is a warm gun...
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wilshire
free radical


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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8065998 - 02/24/08 07:57 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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#1 in what?
in terms of economic strength, military power, and cultural influence, the united states is #1. in terms of countries that historians will care about in 400 years when looking at this time period, the US is #1. i can think of a lot of indices that matter more to me personally, in my own life, than those, but i think those are usually what people mean when they ask that.
was your professor trying to start a discussion about patriotism/nationalism, or was it something else?
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Virus_with_Shoes
Pastor of Muppets



Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 3,707
Loc: Zuid-Holland, Nederland
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: wilshire]
#8066059 - 02/24/08 08:08 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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It always strikes me as funny that many people who say America is #1 have never been beyond its borders.
*So I don't get flamed- I have, in fact, been outside the country and am currently right now and would put the US in the top 10
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SlashOZ
:D



Registered: 10/20/06
Posts: 3,557
Loc: Following the water cycle
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: Virus_with_Shoes]
#8066528 - 02/24/08 09:50 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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america is number one because most americans can get what they want when they want. in fact we have too much of it, look at all the damn fat people we have lol. we all have ps2, xboxs, xbox 360s, awesome computers, we all have a myspace, text each other, a car, most of us go to college, we all got vaccinated before we went to public school against diseases that are ravaging the third world today, clean water, houses, and pets. basically Americas have pretty much everything modern society has to offer and the lowest prices via wal-mart on top of it.
this mentality makes us apathetic towards government imo. assuming that we are the best allows us to think that change isn't needed and it makes looking into the future and prepairing for it seem unnecessary.
-------------------- "Life sucks but in this really beautiful way" - Axl Rose "Life's a bitch and then you die that's why we get high cuz you never know when you're gonna go." - NAS "When people don't know what you're about they put you down and shut you out" - Black Sabbath "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" - Gandhi "Look up at me I am God, look down on me and I am evil, look at me I am you." - Charles Manson. "Don't question my reality." - Me (as far as I know)
Edited by SlashOZ (02/24/08 09:52 PM)
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Virus_with_Shoes
Pastor of Muppets



Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 3,707
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: SlashOZ]
#8066593 - 02/24/08 10:07 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
assuming that we are the best allows us to think that change isn't needed and it makes looking into the future and prepairing for it seem unnecessary.
I agree. Complacency will not keep the US as number one for long, especially when you consider the surging economies of China and India and the plummeting US dollar along with standards of health and education.
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Disco Cat
iS A PoiNdexteR

Registered: 09/15/00
Posts: 2,601
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: SlashOZ]
#8066836 - 02/24/08 10:57 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
SlashOZ said: america is number one because most americans can get what they want when they want. in fact we have too much of it, look at all the damn fat people we have lol. we all have ps2, xboxs, xbox 360s, awesome computers, we all have a myspace, text each other, a car, most of us go to college, we all got vaccinated before we went to public school against diseases that are ravaging the third world today, clean water, houses, and pets. basically Americas have pretty much everything modern society has to offer and the lowest prices via wal-mart on top of it.
this mentality makes us apathetic towards government imo. assuming that we are the best allows us to think that change isn't needed and it makes looking into the future and prepairing for it seem unnecessary.
You just described Canada, Australia, and several European countries - aside from maybe the obese part (tho Canada is growing in its amount of those too), and Wal Mart (except for Canada, which also has Wal Mart).
Nothing you just mentioned is specific to the US.
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Ferris said: It's number one in total GNP.
But what would matter is GNP per capita, which the US is not #1 in, or 2, or 3... (I think Norway is #1).
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wilshire said: #1 in what?
in terms of economic strength, military power, and cultural influence, the united states is #1. in terms of countries that historians will care about in 400 years when looking at this time period, the US is #1.
I doubt that 100%. First of all, cultural influence??? Not to offend, but that comment reveals you really have not travelled. The US has one of the most stale cultures worldwide, and it isn't something that's sought internationally, regardless of what Hollywood movies might imply. The US has taken immesurably more from other cultures than other cultures have from the US. Secondly, the US has not been a sole superpower for any great period of time, and it is already losing its sole superpower status. Now it steadily loses prestige woldwide in the face of rapid power growth of all kinds in various parts of the world. US perceived prominence was loud, but blundering and extremely short. In 400 years I believe the messes that were made will be what's featured when the subject of the US in this time period is raised.
Edited by Disco Cat (02/24/08 11:48 PM)
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Disco Cat
iS A PoiNdexteR

Registered: 09/15/00
Posts: 2,601
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8067022 - 02/24/08 11:42 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
blackegg said: Okay, a few years ago I was taking a US Government class and the very first day of class the professor asks, "Who here DOES NOT think America is THE BEST country in the WORLD?"
Out of a class of perhaps 20 students (community college ) ...NO ONE raised a hand or appeared ready to even question: #1 in what? #1 to who? what does being #1 mean? So I raised my hand. (people turn and look) Professor says, "Oh? and who do you think is #1 then?" Stupidly I replied, "...uh...I don't know." (murmurs) Teacher looks satisfied and starts to go on and I say "...maybe Sweden or Denmark or someone..." Classroom erupts! Someone actually said later, "People who think that don't even deserve to be in this class." I'm not kidding. I felt like a leper for even questioning America's role as Big Boss Man of the world.
Wow. It's funny that you say everyone laughed when he suggested Denmark because, humourously, Denmark is #6 on the human development index, while the US is #12 and dropping. The country must be absolutely rotting its brains out.
Norway, Australia, and Canada rank highest on the HDI, which takes into account longetivity, education, and GDP per capita.
Pretend, tho, that his idea of the US being the best country was actually true... wouldn't it take a heavily deranged and narcistic mind to say what he said (or to feel what he expressed), or to respond like the class did (most notably the "don't even deserve to be in this class" remark)?
Usually characteristics like arrogance, smugness, self-righteousness, and stupidity are taught and known to be negative and undesirable, but these traits somehow appear to be key aspects of the identities of a portion of US'ers.
And this man is teaching a younger generation, "educating" them to be stupid? Yikes.
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Please listen, I want America to be #1 as much as anyone.
Why? Wouldn't it be better if the US was as good as it could be, and every other country was equally so? Would you be in favour of holding down others just to be perceived as #1 (something the US already attempts)? Why would being "#1" matter even a little? Vain pride?
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but can anyone show me evidence that America is statistically the best country in SOMEthing?
I think it houses the largest population of US'ers worldwide.
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Disco Cat
iS A PoiNdexteR

Registered: 09/15/00
Posts: 2,601
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8067187 - 02/25/08 12:25 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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This might be of interest to people:
Democracy Index
"The Economist has in a study examined the state of democracy in 167 countries and attempted to quantify this with an Economist Intelligence Unit Index of Democracy which focused on five general categories; free and fair election process, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture."
Here is the report
Top 10 democracies in the world:
1. Sweden 2. Iceland 3. Netherlands 4. Norway 5. Denmark 6. Finland 7. Luxembourg 8. Australia 9. Canada 10. Switzerland . . . 17. USA
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For education: PISA
"The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a triennial world-wide test of 15-year-old schoolchildren's scholastic performance, the implementation of which is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)."
Here is an article from 2004

The most recent report is from 2006 (which can be viewed here), and again, Finland tops the list.
In the next highest scoring group were: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taipei, Estonia.
Next, were: Australia, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Macao.
I don't know where the US scored, but it was reportedly among the last.
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Best healthcare systems worldwide (original source is WHO's World Health Report):
1. France 2. Italy 3. San Marino 4. Andorra 5. Malta 6. Singapore 7. Spain 8. Oman 9. Austria 10. Japan 11. Norway 12. Portugal 13. Monaco 14. Greece 15. Iceland 16. Luxembourg 17. Netherlands 18. United Kingdom 19. Ireland 20. Switzerland 21. Belgium 22. Colombia . . . 37. United States of America
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Technology:
According to the UN's 2001 Technology Achievement Index, Finland was the most technologically advanced country, with the US being second, followed by Sweden, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, the U.K., Canada, Australia and Singapore. However, 7 years brings huge changes in the world of technology, and I can't find a newer report.
I don't think the US has ever actually been the "best" country. I think that's just homegrown propaganda. The country with the highest quality of life for 2007 is Iceland, with Norway holding that designation for the previous 6 years, and Canada holding it for 10 years since 1985, with Japan gaining that recognition for the odd year here and there during Canada's 10.
Edited by Disco Cat (02/25/08 01:25 AM)
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Redstorm
Prince of Bugs




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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: Disco Cat]
#8067643 - 02/25/08 05:16 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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While the US does have its problems, I believe it gives me the best opportunity to be successful in a career and to make money. This may not apply to everyone, but it does to me.
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blackegg
...has left the building.



Registered: 01/25/06
Posts: 1,021
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: Disco Cat]
#8067703 - 02/25/08 06:05 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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BEGIN: rant
Well, first off, as I said, this was a community college class, not third grade as someone suggested...but it was in Texas so...
This was in San Antonio, BTW, which (as of 2004!) made it illegal to own a bong or pipe!

Quote:
And this man is teaching a younger generation, "educating" them to be stupid? Yikes.
This was the same college where we were told that peyote was something "you smoked...like pot." and my fellow students all sat there squinting their eyes and nodding their heads!
But I'm quiet and I don't say anything.
Then the prof. went on to say how pot is illegal and isn't likely to ever be legalized because of our culture and Judeo Christian values and etc etc and after listening to as much of this as I could I finally said, "well...in California and Oregon and some other states it's actually becoming DEcriminalized"......and he's saying the laws aren't important and aren't really used much and I'm like, (addressing the class) "No really, you can get on the Internet and find out for yourselves."
It wasn't like a blow-out argument and I didn't elaborate too much because I didn't want to be 'the drug guy' in the class.
Anyway, I came in a little late the next day and this professor says, "OH! Now the class can begin!"

Then there's Professor Fitzgerald, I'll never forget him, he's the History teacher I had who said, "Now a lot of people question, are the Spanish white? and I have to say: look at the conquistadors, look at the Inquisition... I think they are."
Now the class and really the whole college is 95% black and Latino and I'm white...so keep that in mind.
Anyway everyone just sits there murmuring agreement and I'm like "Wait a minute now... you're saying... that the Spanish are white *because* they tortured people?"
...and someone yells an insult at me from the back of the room and there's general chaos and the prof says, "Well perhaps.. yes. This is a whole line of study, What Is White..." but he had already made his point I guess... because I got cold-shouldered from that day forward. (wow. that rhymed.)
He's the same one who thought all white people were priveleged. He once even specifically pointed out a girl in class saying, "It's people like Ms.______ who live in Alamo Heights coming in and buying up the properties" when we were talking about gentrification.
...and when I walked into the class looking kinda crummy one day he says loudly, "you all know what I like? When rich people PRETEND to be poor!"
and he did it in such a way that I couldn't even respond but had to sit there looking around at all these eyes looking directly at me.
I could go on and on. really I could.
Suffice it to say: I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut.
and
St.Philip's College in San Antonio Texas has to be THE shittiest community college on the face of the Earth.
END: rant
Quote:
Please listen, I want America to be #1 as much as anyone.
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Why? Wouldn't it be better if the US was as good as it could be, and every other country was equally so? Would you be in favour of holding down others just to be perceived as #1 (something the US already attempts)? Why would being "#1" matter even a little? Vain pride?
nooooo..... I want the U.S. to be #1 because as I stated *I live here* and I have zero desire to move. I want the best health care, to breathe the freshest air, to be robbed the least amount of times, etc.
Quote:
but can anyone show me evidence that America is statistically the best country in SOMEthing?
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I think it houses the largest population of US'ers worldwide.
US'ers???
-------------------- 'Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain and leave the Shroomery.' ~ Jim Morrison
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xFrockx



Registered: 09/17/06
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: blackegg]
#8068370 - 02/25/08 12:10 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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We spend more on our military than every other country combined, so then, why are we number one? Because we say so, thats why. :p
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Virus_with_Shoes
Pastor of Muppets



Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 3,707
Loc: Zuid-Holland, Nederland
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: xFrockx]
#8068727 - 02/25/08 02:23 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
xFrockx said: so then, why are we number one? Because we say so, thats why. :p
And if you don't we'll come over there, overthrow your government and give you someone who will say we are
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole


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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: unbeliever]
#8068764 - 02/25/08 02:39 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
unbeliever said: We've got a lock on inbred hill billies. Fuck yeah, America is #1!
I think that might actually go to the Irish.
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afoaf
CEO DBK?



Registered: 11/08/02
Posts: 32,665
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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: zappaisgod]
#8068821 - 02/25/08 02:52 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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whatever...have you ever met an Australian before?
apparently they are ALL inbred hillbillies.
-------------------- All I know is The Growery is a place where losers who get banned here go.
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole


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Re: The mentality of thinking America is #1. [Re: afoaf]
#8068826 - 02/25/08 02:54 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Ya know, I have met a few. You might well be correct. Is there really a difference, anyway?
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