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Politics

Gibson Guitar CEO to Attend Obama‘s Jobs Speech as Marsha Blackburn’s Guest

Sep. 8, 2011 1:42am Madeleine Morgenstern

Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz discusses the federal raids on his factories. (AP Photo)

Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz will attend President Barack Obama’s Thursday address to Congress on jobs as Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s guest.

Federal agents raided the legendary guitar factories last week in Memphis and Nashville in a probe of Gibson’s alleged importation of illegal wood, seizing property and sending workers home.

In a statement, Blackburn, a Republican, called the Gibson raids “an example of exactly why President Obama has it wrong when it comes to getting our economy back on track.”

Maybe if the President spent more time finding real solutions to empowering small business owners and less time hindering businesses like Gibson, we’d see more new jobs created.

[...]

While the President is busy delivering speeches, small business leaders like Henry are busy trying to deliver results. The best thing President Obama could do is seek their advice, then get out of the way. Big government doesn’t create jobs, small businesses like Gibson Guitar do.

Gibson Guitar has also drawn the support of Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, the guitar-playing Michigan congressman, who declared last week that the Gibson raids were “one more reason big government doesn’t rock.”

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Comments (118)

kickagrandma
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:51am
PRAY ON, AMERICA.

Start again today right now, on our knees (spiritually if not physically) begging GOD for AMERICA, for HIS people in leadership. Pray for their courage to “come out and be separate”, as all of HIS kids are called to do. May GOD shine through this day in each of our lives as we stand for HIM. We can say, “God bless you!” again when someone sneezes or simply does something nice. When asked how we are today, let us respond with, “Blessed, thank you.” Or, something like that. Let’s get GOD’s WORD and HIS words out there breaking the darkness that threatens to engulf us. Darkness flees THE LIGHT. Rebuke satan at every opportunity in JESUS’ name.

I will not watch nor listen to that imposter “acting” like a total and complete puppet of satan. I will pray through the entire charade. I will pray for courage for GOD’s kids and REAL AMERICANS to either stay seated when everyone else stands, or to stand when everyone else is seated, to carry small AMERICAN flags and wave them continually. Ah, now there’s an idea: we all carry or wear small AMERICAN flags from now on until our country is “free at last”, or we are called HOME, whichever comes first.

“Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your GOD hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you…” Deut.5:33

GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD BLESS each of you BLAZERS!

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- Morris
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 8:38am
  Dictator Barack Hussein Obama our Muslim-in-Chief,Don,t want job for our America!
  Dictator Obama is working with his “BANK”, George Soros,and the Muslim Brotherhood,They
  are out to destroy the United States Of America,George Soros is spending BILLIONS OF
  DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY TO DESTROY OUR AMERICA.
  Dictator Barack Hussein Obama our Muslim-in-Chief is sleeping with the Union bosses, Trumka and now James Hoffa Jr., These Bastards are pushing more jobs out of the United States Of America
  every day!
  Dictator Barack Hussein Obama our Muslim-in-Chief is Signing more of his Executive Orders to
  keep bringing more of his Chosen people,Muslims from all 3-rd world Countries,Last Order
  was to bring 60 to 80,0000 Muslims from Somolia,”WE THE PEOPLE” Cannot afford to keep all of Dictator Obamas chosen people!
  Dictator Barack hussein Obama our Muslim-in-Chief,just signed another one of his Executive Orders to start giving “AMNESTY” to 12-20 Million’ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS”,Mexicans and Muslims
  that are sneaking into our America every day,Obama has opened the “FLOOD GATES” into
  the United States Of America,”FREE EVERYTHING”, WELFARE, SOCIAL SECURITY,
  FOOD STAMPS, HUD HOUSING,(FREE COLLEGE FOR ALL “ILLEGALS” THAT HAVE A BABY
  ON OUR AMERICAN SOIL) and “FREE” HEALTH CARE!
  
  American citizens that have worked all of their life,and payed in SSI,Have not had a Raise for
  the last 2 years, And we will not get a raise in 2012,Obama needs our SSI MONEY
  TO KEEP H
  
  Report this comment
- Secret Squirrel
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 10:28am
  .
  Hey Henry!
  Ask Obama for the Gibson guitar he got at the “Rock the Vote” Campaign.
  2009…..Hmmm, that’s about time you were raided and guitars taken, wasn’t it?
  At least ask Michelle to get back the Gibson she gave to Carla Bruni.
  Hell, they probably both had wood from Madagascar, but they took them.
  
  Report this comment
- avgconservative
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 10:43am
  I believe in prayer. But, I also believe that godless people will do everything they can to turn this country into a “sit on your **** and let someone else work” socialist country. God gives us all free will. And if they take their free will and lack of respect for anything/everything but self, God will not stand in the way.
  
  I’m praying… help us Lord… We who believe in You… have failed. We need You!
  
  For the latest liberal druel, flipped on its head, come to:
  
  http://FlipTheLib.com
  
  Report this comment
- knockered
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 12:16pm
  Maybe this will incourage the owner to support oblamer in 2012. just saying
  
  Report this comment
- Carl McPherson
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 12:36pm
  Amen KickaGrandma…. hit the nail right on the head.
  
  Report this comment
- Susan Harkins
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:05pm
  I will leave the prayers, and bended knees with you guys.
  
  I will be throwing my apron in the trash and locking and loading, thank you very much.
  
  Enough is enough with this LlBTARD garbage, and unAmerican global elites, who are trashing our American Dreams.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:56pm
  Fascism: when companies decide which laws they should and should not follow.
  This story smells bad.
  Something tells me that Gibson Guitars is not a victim of prosecutorial abuse.
  
  Report this comment
- OhMyGosh
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:27pm
  Thank you Kickagrandma, There are many reference in the bible to the righteous saving the United States from falling to utter destruction in these the last days. We know we are the chosen land of the Lord he speaks about in the bible. We must all join together to fight the evil (obama and others) who are purposely destroying our Consistitution and our American way of life. Each prayer uttered strenghtens the bonds of the righteous fight against evil. In these last days that is what we are down to the final fight of good and evil. All our prayers are needed, prayers that our leaders who are good will do good, our armies will be protected, the righeous will rise against and defeat the evil in this The United States of America. I join you in prayer Kickagrandma thank you for yours.
  
  Report this comment
- Suzee
  Posted on September 9, 2011 at 1:45am
  Yes, our economy will take care of its self once people turn back to and stand up for GOD’s presence in this precious country HE allowed us to have. We have a responsibility for keeping it free. We must stand up to those who try to make any feel guilty for building wealth, because wealth in the God fearing person’s hands transfers to those who need a hand up and not humiliated by a hand out.
  A faltering economy is not the problem it is a bi-product of allowing evil to infiltrate and destroy the human spirit.
  
  Report this comment
00gabooga
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:42am
They can have my Les Paul when they take it from my cold dead hands.

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- lillymckim
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:36am
  I love this story OI love that Obama will be talking about JOBS with this CEO Henry Juszkiewicz in the audience staring at him!
  
  This is the “same story” a hundred FORMER GM Dealership Owners could tell!!!
  
  It was ALL ABOUT POLITICS!!!
  Who voted for Obama and who did not… AG Holder/Obama are guilty as sin..
  just like they are with Fast and Furious…. guilty!
  
  Report this comment
- TRUTHandFREEDOM
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:36am
  Second!
  
  Report this comment
- Stuck_in_CA
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:59am
  @00gabooga
  LOL! Love it. Great line.
  I’m gonna watch, just to see Marsha Blackburn sitting next to Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. It’s good to see the Repubs doing this. Seems more like something Demoncraps would do.
  
  Report this comment
- IAMMADDOG
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 8:53am
  They can have MY SG when they pry it from their bleeding skulls.
  
  Report this comment
nuclearnavymom
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:35am
That’s our Marsha. So proud of her!

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Secessionista
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:26am
It would be unpatriotic of me to watch the speech. The speech itself kills jobs – there are no commercial breaks. No capitalism at work, no jobs.

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- loriann12
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 9:17am
  It’s just campaign rhetoric. He’s not really planning on adding jobs…..it wouldn’t be in the Cloward and Piven strategy.
  
  Report this comment
- The Meem
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 9:41am
  The only jobs he is interested in creating are Union jobs. I have not a doubt about that.
  And we stupid private sector types will be stuck with more of their cushy pensions and health care cost until they all die.
  
  Report this comment
- Brad Wesselmann
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 11:56am
  I concur…watching it gives it ratings and a false sense of importance/power. I will show my opinion of what I think is important when I go to the ballot box.
  
  I have been pushed beyond the “fear factor” and look boldly to our future…hitting me, shooting me or blowing me up makes no difference to me anymore, only freedom, mine and yours.
  
  Report this comment
AJAYW
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:54am
If the SOB says anything negative towards congress or blames anyone other than himself tonight, all should either get up and leave or turn their backs toward him. And I will continue to Ref to him as the SOB until he objects to the union thug calling us SOB’s

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- Fina Biscotti
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:13am
  or throw their shoes
  
  Report this comment
- Tony
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:35am
  Hey, I kinda like the new title for us, “SOB Tea Party Barbarians” — has a ring to it.
  
  Report this comment
- Rayblue
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:00am
  “Sons of Anar-Tea”
  
  Report this comment
- 4truth2all
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 10:17am
  Barbaric SOB Tea Party isn’t bad either…and if you don’t like it, I’m gonna punch your face in !
  
  Report this comment
- Brad Wesselmann
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 11:58am
  I want my own avatar in that silly zombies video game! ;-)
  
  Report this comment
MississippiBlackMan
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:53am
This is just proof that it’s the Democrat party who has been sending jobs overseas since Clinton was president. He helped China to grow as a nation that it is today by helping Wal-Mart get all of it’s goods from China. Democrats policies is what ships jobs overseas not Republicans

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- 100 Million Patriots Standing
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:05am
  yes and also progressive policies from both sides republican and democrat.
  
  Report this comment
lbk
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:51am
The Gibson CEO will be attending but do you actually think he will be allowed to speak?

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- Fina Biscotti
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:21am
  What is one man’s trash is another man’s Treasure!
  
  Inviting the CEO of Gibson – to Obama’s speech on JOBS – is a show of hand – to Obama -
  
  destroying JOBS – trashing another US industry – destroying another US company – under FALSE pretenses -
  
  just as Obama did to the Oil drilling industry – and related businesses.
  
  Report this comment
- streetrodder
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:30am
  Even if he does’nt say anything, Henry and Marsha will still be getting the word out.
  
  Report this comment
GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:13am
Is anyone really going to listen to Obutthead give another meaningless speech?

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EP46
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:11am
This is the second raid on Gibson…the Feds first raided them in Nov. 2009 .

The Federal Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India. (If the same wood from the same tree was finished by Indian workers, the material would be legal.)
This simply means: The JUSTICE DEPT WILL STOP “MADE IN THE USA”
This is another way of wealth redistribution (to India) and destruction of American jobs…jobs that are NON UNION…keep in mind that the Tennessee jobs are non-union…Tennessee is a Right To Work State….same as South Carolina where the Labor Board is preventing the Boeing Plant. Keep watch for other businesses being attacked for being ‘non union’ jobs.

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TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:11am
I’ve seen & heard enough. It’s amazing to see that people still buy into what he says; from his class warfare to his big government growth & spending ideas to his manipulative political strategies that blame others when he had 2 years of Democratic Party dominance to focus on jobs & all he gave us was spending, debt & government run health care. Clearly, when we see how Gibson (Republican CEO) is being leveled down, while other American guitar companies using the same wood are left alone it is easy to see federal healthcare medical treatments approved or denied using the same political scale. It’s unfortunate for our country & freedom. He was most accurate when he was campaigning & talking about redistribution of wealth & leveling the playing field. Of course, most news media didn’t make those comments the big story that it is. When you look at the record at this point, it’s easy to see that those have been his stated & followed goals. Our country is being burdened & slowed while we watch & increase debt to aid in the success of other countries. We see success diminished in companies like Gibson by over regulation with an official call to send some of their American Jobs overseas! Oil drilling is banned & called harmful here while assistance is given to foreign oil development. Obama’s jobs program is foreign, not American. I see Leveling of the playing field, It’s unfortunately gone on for years (oil, steel, light bulbs etc.), but it’s clearly stated & very aggres

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- 100 Million Patriots Standing
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:15am
  Eventually, the goal is the whole world, plain vanilla……
  
  I’ve seen parents do this and I’ve done it myself, you’re at the store and need to buy 3 sodas for the kids at home….but can’t remember what they wanted right then, so you buy 3 of the same flavor….everybody gets the same opportunity to drink the same kind….less whinning that the brother got something different than the sister…so of the three, one of them got what they liked, one of them didn’t and one of them didn’t really want that- but drank it anyway, (a little less satisfied). None felt special.
  
  Report this comment
VoteJoel
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:51am
I’m a SOB clinging on to my .357 and my Les Paul and SG.

Did you know that ALL Gibson guitars are made in America? They do import guitars but under a different name, such as Epiphone. If it says Gibson on the headstock — it from the U.S.

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- 100 Million Patriots Standing
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:18am
  My next guitar purchase – Gibson -
  
  and I will find other American business items as well- so long as they are not in bed with the socialist/communist government.
  
  Report this comment
- Badler
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:27am
  My Gibson purchase has been delayed in shipping for months, probably because of this political, union-based interference in the running of a fine American business.
  
  Report this comment
Dustyluv
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:38am
I’m glad it’s not me she is taking…They would have to tape my mouth shut. “YOU LIE” would be the nicest thing I would yell at the lying Marxist…

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- PATRIOTMAMA
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 8:01am
  Amen!! I want congress to yell “YOU LIE” everytime this “SOB” lies about something!!! Time to start being honest and tough love instead of the American and Capitalist killing PC!!! Let’s see if congress has balls or not!
  
  Report this comment
Banned on the Blaze
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:21am
Wow I can talk again, or they have fixed the glitch either way, blah, who cares what odummy is going to say in his speech. Are you ready for some football?

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Gypsy123
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:25am
I have grown weary of watching weasels talk

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Captain Crunch
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:02am
I’m going to watch Obamas lie to the American people…again….but only because the CEO is going to be there. This is going to be good. Someone please yell out YOU LIE!

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- RabidPatriot
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:25am
  I’m going to do something more important like getting the Buffalo wings nice and spicy. I also have to chill the beer so I can watch some football. After the game, if I’m bored, I will watch the coverage of Obama’s speech. I figure it will be one of his typical cut and paste campaign and blame speeches.
  
  Report this comment
- davis51
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 11:36am
  Hey Captain, also to say you lying SOB!
  
  Report this comment
welovetheUSA
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:01am
Union’s days are numbered, they will be gone within 15 years.

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- Sharlene
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:08am
  From your mouth to god’s ear.
  
  Report this comment
- Sharlene
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:10am
  From your mouth to god’s ear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Wildblue3
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:37am
  Let’s hope so. They were needed once but not any more.
  
  Report this comment
- Thatsitivehadenough
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:31am
  “Trade unions are the school of communism” Lenin
  
  Spread the word.
  
  Report this comment
- 100 Million Patriots Standing
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:22am
  If you know a union worker, please help them see the light – so that we may ALL save this great nation.
  
  Report this comment
- momsense
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:57am
  One can only hope–that’s why they’re so violent–they smell their end.
  
  Report this comment
mrbuff1959
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:59am
I wonder how maney more stories just like this one are out there, This CEO and tenn,REP. have my greatest admeration.

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Randyrocker
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:41am
I wonder if Obama’s TelePrompTers were Union Made and produced in the United States of America?
Certainly Obama wasn’t.

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- sissykatz
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:00am
  Randy
  
  I love it…… He certainly was not “Made In America” lol
  
  I love that Marsha is bringing The CEO to the speech… I love love love it. I wish Congress would give HIM a standing ovation. Wouldn’t that be funny. If they stood for Henry and not the President. lol
  
  Report this comment
blownaway
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:34am
Thank you Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn for having the courage to stand behind Henry and Gibson… having Henry in attendance at President Obamas speech is priceless! That ought to inject a little reality into the affair. If a crime has been commited by Gibson, charge them. If not, return their property immediatly and stop the harrassment. This is still America… right?

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JohnofOregon
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:31am
Right wingers play gibsons, some lefty’s play gibsons when a relitive buys them one, women play gibsons, libertarians play gibsons, green party members play gibsons, blacks play gibsons, japanese play gibsons, bluesmen play gibsons, punkers play gibsons, republicans play gibsons, jazz players play gibsons, the chinese are always nocking them off, …….ect.

It seems to me that henry is a uniter not a divider. Why isn’t he running for president?

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- teebubba
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:17am
  And everyone has forgotten that the Obama’s gave Sarkozy’s wife a $ 7,000 Gibson as her official gift.
  
  Report this comment
KickinBack
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:22am
Bullying and intimidation. That’s the union way!

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JohnofOregon
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:14am
If people cannot understand that we are being mastered by a totalitarian regeme and a roman do nothing senate, they really have been lulled in a sense of gas chamber safety. Hitler went after the musicians along with others of his type. It is only a matter of time before the fairness doctrine will take down this web site.
All liberals see is their savior in Obama. Just as the owellian horse used to say “it must be true because nepolian said so”. Remember what the pigs did to him.

Its only a matter of time until the anointed one tells us we must all wear black nike running shoes.

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NotAsheeple
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:07am
Can I say…Put Guitar Strings to good use. Tar & Feathers are old hat and inadequate .

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Yosemitegal
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:04am
Amen!

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confederacyofdunces
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:50am
I can only hope for a confrontation on camera.

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- pschlentz
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:07am
  You go Henry, the public needs to hear from successful business men, not unsuccessful Presidents. The hard working Americans have had it and guys like you need to spread the truth. Hope the Liberal Media isn’t there to spread the truth, their lies will be THE STORY!
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:23am
  If one does come, and I expect it will be from either Biden or Mr Obama, then the left falling-to-the-ground media will spin it in such a matter to make Obama the hero, and the business owner as the “true eco-terrorist of the right wing tea party.”
  http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (cat folk art)
  
  Report this comment
- ecurbyy
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:14am
  Wont happen. Henry will be ignored just like Ron Paul was ignored at the GOP debates last night.
  
  Report this comment
- gr8photoman
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:43am
  Ron Paul isn’t taken seriously because he’s never going to sit in the Oval Office unless it’s by invitation.
  
  Little things like a foreign policy that says “Oh heck why should we care if a brutal islamo-facist regime like Iran builds an atomic bomb? Who are we to say they can’t have one?” make him not only completely unelectable, but also confirm the suspicion that he’s a loony.
  
  Report this comment
- thinkinghuman
  Posted on September 8, 2011 at 5:38pm
  @LOUSYPHOTOMAN
  Ron Paul is great. He says all the right things. He is not given a fair shake by the MSM, because you see, they are all complicit in directing people towards their own ends. End of story.
  
  We have no right to meddle in other countries. 911 was a scam, an inside job, to make people like YOU think that we need to be over there fighting the arabs and killing millions of them. How is that any different than what Hitler did, especially of the people didn’t do anything to us? Remember, remember, they never found the supposed WMD from Saddam, the whole POINT of all that war war and war. You are a loon to think that we go to war for WMD, they are not there, and we just continue that war and say Saddam did it anyway because of??
  
  Report this comment

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