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Former GE CEO Unleashed: Before You Go All ‘Soviet Russia’ on Me, Here’s Why I Was Right About That Jobs Report

Oct. 10, 2012 7:47am Becket Adams

After being harshly criticized for questioning the veracity of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest jobs report, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch on Tuesday evening responded to his detractors in a lengthy and unapologetic op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.

“Imagine a country where challenging the ruling authorities — questioning, say, a piece of data released by central headquarters — would result in mobs of administration sympathizers claiming you should feel ‘embarrassed’ and labeling you a fool, or worse,” writes Welch.

“Soviet Russia perhaps? Communist China? Nope, that would be the United States right now, when a person (like me, for instance) suggests that a certain government datum (like the September unemployment rate of 7.8%) doesn’t make sense,” he adds.

Welch goes on to reiterate his point, that is, that recent BLS data is not just faulty, but “implausible.”

“Unfortunately for those who would like me to pipe down, the 7.8% unemployment figure released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) last week is downright implausible. And that’s why I made a stink about it,” he writes.

The former CEO continues, reminding readers that a) he is not working for the Romney campaign and b) BLS data is hardly free of error.

“The unemployment data reported each month are gathered over a one-week period by census workers, by phone in 70% of the cases, and the rest through home visits. In sum, they try to contact 60,000 households, asking a list of questions and recording the responses,” he writes, adding that the BLS even has an entire page in its “Handbook of Methods” dedicated to explaining the limitation of its data.

“Bottom line: To suggest that the input to the BLS data-collection system is precise and bias-free is — well, let’s just say, overstated,” he adds.

Later on, Welch directly addresses the tweet that got everyone in a twist:

Now, I realize my tweets about this matter have been somewhat incendiary. In my first tweet, sent the night before the unemployment figure was released, I wrote: “Tomorrow unemployment numbers for Sept. with all the assumptions Labor Department can make..wonder about participation assumption??” The response was a big yawn.

My next tweet, on Oct. 5, the one that got the attention of the Obama campaign and its supporters, read: “Unbelievable jobs numbers..these Chicago guys will do anything..can’t debate so change numbers.”

And here’s the controversial Oct. 5 tweet:

Unbelievable jobs numbers..these Chicago guys will do anything..can’t debate so change numbers

— Jack Welch (@jack_welch) October 5, 2012

As he did when attacked by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, Welch maintains that he was simply trying to raise a question, adding that, were he to do it all over again, he would definitely add question marks at the end of the Oct. 5 message.

“But I’m not sorry for the heated debate that ensued. I’m not the first person to question government numbers, and hopefully I won’t be the last,” Welch writes.

“The coming election is too important to be decided on a number. Especially when that number seems so wrong.”

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Click here to read the full op-ed.

–

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Front page photo courtesy the AP.

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Comments (79)

sbenard
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 2:07pm
That jobs report didn’t make any sense! Even Wall St didn’t believe it! After the initial bullish reaction, the market spent the rest of the day selling off! The BLS’ cred is dead!

Just more lies from the Deceiver in Chief!

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- Anamah
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 4:01pm
  Well… it doesn’t matter what if we are talking about the State Department or the Labor and Statistical Department… if we are referring to this Administration lies are on the table…for political purposes.
  
  Report this comment
- ArmedAndReallyPissed
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 9:18pm
  Glen Beck : No doubt these words will never make it to you personally to read but, i would like to thank you for bringing TRUTH and FACTS to Americans all across this country. No other Network is willing to stand up for what is right. No other Network is willing to dig for facts and answers. Most of all, thank you for bringing to light the Infiltration of America by Muslim Terrorists. “The Project” has changed my entire life and my goals. What we Americans have seen on our T.V.’s in Iraq and Afghanistan since 911, the suicide bombings, the IED’s and so on, i expect to see the same in all of our major cities all across America one day when these Evil Diaper Heads are called to “Civilization Jihad”.
  God help US to remove that Muslim Terrorist loving poor excuse for a President from OUR White House in January. Thanks again Mr. Beck for all you do for all of US.
  Signed AARP ( ArmedAndReallyPissed ).
  
  Report this comment
siobhan3270
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 1:53pm
If you want to know the real unemployment number just watch 10 houses in your neighborhood and see what percentage go to work everyday. Unemployment is clearly over 10% and then there are those like myself who took a 50% cut in salary, just to have a job to go to, and happy to have it.

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- IowanativeER
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 2:38pm
  With so many out of work, and presumably more people staying home, maybe Obama should argue this is a way to keep crime such as empty-home invasion down. Bizarre connection, I know, but it is how I think of this regime’s thought processes.
  
  Report this comment
- TEARS FOR AMERICA
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 8:22am
  Exactly SIOBHAN…I know of people personally who are losing their jobs…they are marched in and told “bye-bye”…how about all the businesses that ARE CLOSING or have closed? Something is just not lining up, it is all bogus. I believe it is much worse than we know.
  
  Report this comment
Craftsman
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:58pm
Sheesh we all know the numbers dont add up. And it was expected that someone would make it look good for Obama…since it is known to be worse in the real world than they have reported.

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sgtstubbs
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:44pm
I have checked the past years for a incident of such a quick, and big move in the jobless figure but nowhere have I found anything like it.

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shorelineliz
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:30pm
The Current Unemployment rate of 8. something is itself a fiction! Don’t blow smoke up my dress and tell me it’s snowing okay? If you add ALL the people who have stopped looking for a job it is up somewhere in the 13 percent and in detroit the unemployment rate is almost 20% so get your facts and figures straight liars!

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- Verceofreason
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 3:34pm
  If you say so,
  
  Report this comment
term limits for congress
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 11:22am
The media are enemies of the American people. They enable the criminal behavior of the current administration.

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- kenboo1
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:11pm
  Not all media is complicit – the American citizenry can see through these lies and the less accurate the “media” is the more credibility each outlet loses… With the number of outlets for news there is, secrets can not be kept…
  
  Report this comment
liljoe62
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 10:48am
Add your comments

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- bucklywheat
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:15pm
  Now he’ll probably get audited as many others have been who buck the Obama system. If he does I hope he broadcasts it to the whole country.
  
  Report this comment
liljoe62
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 10:40am
As an OBJECTIVE observer, it brings a smirk to my face EVERY time the regime states ANYTHING! This is simple math! assuming the numbers are even close to being correct! If as in august, the country employed 144,000 people, and the unemployment number went down 1% from 8.3% to 8.2%! Then how in the HELL, could 114,00 job increase make the number go down 3%?! Lucy, u got splannin to do!! But of coarse, that will NOT happen, as long as these Fecal Blizzard Spewing Idealogs are in control! Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who votes for a Dem, is just voting for the END of the American Way! Its OVER if these ANTI American, UNPATRIOTIC imbeciles,get control again!

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- cbrown
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 12:06pm
  @liljoe62
  
  The monthly Jobs numbers are based on Current Employment Statistics and the Unemployment rate is based on Current Population Survey. Over time both of these numbers converge. Even the former Bush-Appointed BLS Head said “It’s Impossible To Manipulate Labor Survey Data”. Really surprised how ignorant of the facts many of you are.
  
  Welch is a stupid to carry this old baggage around and say silly things. Even Republicans are distancing themselves from him. If the Republicans feel strongly then they should open a congressional inquiry on this. I bet they won’t.
  
  Report this comment
- AZfreeman
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 1:36pm
  @cbrown
  
  What is it about Saul Alensky progressives/communists that sicken us as they do?
  
  Never let the facts or logic interfere with the progressive agenda.
  
  Try to demean and discredit your opponent.(even if he had 400,000 employees)
  
  Always spin “new facts” and don’t worry about truthfulness.
  
  Tell your lies over and over until they are believed.
  
  Silence the truth with character assassination and ridicule.
  
  Rally other progressive Alenskites to join in the attack to give credence to your lie.
  
  Silence the truth by any means possible…the ends justify the means.
  …rf
  
  Report this comment
- cbrown
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 3:08pm
  @AZfreeman
  
  Say something coherent.
  
  I admired Jack Welch as a CEO but his income and assets came under scrutiny during when he retired. He had to renounce his retention package and I am sure he blames the elite to this day for it. His bitterness shows and it has been on display for any one who has watched him over the years. It isn’t good for his health.
  
  Again, former Bush head of BLS said “Impossible to Manipulate Labor Survey Data”. It time for Jack to shut-up and not look stupid anymore.
  
  Please let me know if you have any counter arguments, I would like to debate you or anyone on this.
  
  Report this comment
- AZfreeman
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 3:45pm
  Other than giving you an excuse to spout your pitifully sophomoric positions, why would I debate a progressive who is unable to understand the coherency of what I say?
  No thanks. …rf
  
  Report this comment
- Benjamin Jarvis
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 4:13pm
  Saying “Even the former Bush-Appointed BLS Head said “It’s Impossible To Manipulate Labor Survey Data”. – just doesn’t do anything for me. So what. Even Bush…you can stop right there. The unemployment number for September, even though useless when considering Labor Force Participation (for able bodied citizens), seems a little crazy doesn’t it? Given the unprecidented nature of such a big leap and no one(I’ve heard) even predicting the direction of the trend.
  
  Report this comment
- cbrown
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 5:00pm
  @Benjamin Jarvis
  BLS had a detailed explanation on this:
  
  The 0.3 percentage point drop in this month’s unemployment is the fact that people in the 20-24 age group (including college students and people who are often working temporary summer jobs) left the job market this summer earlier than expected.”In August you had an unusually large decline in employment” among that demographic,
  
  As I said before you will see more data in the future months to corroborate this information. It’s a 0.3% change, most statistical data it is in the margin of error.
  
  Report this comment
johnjoe
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 10:07am
It is a sad state when you find yourself attacked for quitly speaking your mind. Mr Welch did not curse, call names of disfame anyone. Why is you disagree can you not do it with some tast

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- StarkeRaving
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 6:48pm
  well said.
  
  Report this comment
UNALIEN
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 9:55am
In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
George Orwell

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- fraumj
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 10:47am
  There is certainly good reason for Welch to question the numbers. We should all be questioning it, too. A 3 point drop in one month, when job growth is smaller than it was last year? It’s amazing that the mainstream media would rather vilify him for raising the question instead of journalists actually investigating the matter.
  
  If there’s anything that Welch’s statement has done… it is to seek the truth!
  
  Report this comment
nothinghere
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 9:37am
the one commenter stated,their blind and can’t see the obvious,i wish this was true,the co-consparitors in the press,the hard-core socialist politicians,and the cronies,know whats going on, but in the solialist agenda,any means justifies the end.
i’m just hoping that 50%of that,47% thats always talked about,the families that the mom,and dads are working 3-4 part-time jobs between them to survive,that don’t meet the minimum income, to pay federal taxes,are seeing in o’bama’s world you are now considered fully employed,your in o’bama’s sweet spot,your working,but need govt. assitance,and qualify for it,and as long as he can keep people on the borderline of self reliance,and complete govt.assitance,his agenda is working perfectly.
i’ve never seen anything like this,the last 4yrs.,anyone questioning anything o’bama,or his administration,states,or does,is put on public trial,by the administration,and the co-conspirators in the american press,to try to nulify their 1rst amendment right to free speech.
the hell with all o’bama’s campaign,and policy lies,just the actions of this president,and his administration,for the last 4yrs. should disqualify him from even running for re-election in america,for any job.

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BlackCrow
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 9:33am
Anyone who believes that number has already drank the Koolaid or is such an idiot that there is nothing that can be done for them….. I GOT MY OBAMA PHONE!!!!!

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crusaderx9
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:57am
This is just like the obama regime LYING about the Libya terrorist attack – EVERYONE knew the obama regime was lying, it just took time to pull the evidence out of the hands of the perpetrators…

There is a huge disconnect in the numbers and it is absurd to think they can all be right.

God Bless Jack Welch for speaking up – he shouldn’t remain silent.

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grickm
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:53am
It’s well known that the government unemployment number is based on their count of “those unemployed but actively seeking work.” Therefore, by changing downward the count of job seekers, the unemployment rate can be reduced as well.

Just because someone has given up looking for work does not mean (a) that that person is now employed or (b) that that person would refuse a job if one were available.

Thus, why believe the unemployment number (or anything else) coming from an administration that has repeatedly voiced demonstrable lies and that appears increasingly desperate regarding its re-election chances?

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texasderek
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:51am
I agree with Mr. Welch.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:37am
This regime should be questioned on everything it does and all the data it puts out since it’s the most corrupt regime we’ve ever had the misfortune of putting in power. Look at the case of Mr.Root an outspoken critic of the Marxist heathen,the IRS has been used a blunt force object on him in retaliation for his criticism of Barry. We’re dealing with a Marxist regime and deceit is the hallmark of every Marxist regime.

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:56am
  Look at the intimidation routine done on Gibson Guitars as well. There is no end to the corruption of this administration, and I imagine for decades after they are ousted there will be more coming into the light for all to see.
  
  All of them must be held to account for their crimes.
  
  Report this comment
Voice of Reason
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:33am
we have been told for months that it takes ~250K to “break even”…..or hold the number static.

NOW……..144K causes the number to drop .3%

Even if you are poor at math you can certainly see why Welch and others call this nonsense.

I wonder if Joe the Dumber will be called upon to explain this inconsistency tomorrow night?

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:47am
  Logic has no place in modern day America,how dare you. This concept you pointed out is simple to understand but try explaining it to simpletons blinded by their idiocy and a complicit ‘media’.
  
  Report this comment
noslave
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:29am
like chavez,putin, and a fixed election?? expect in spite of romney gaining ground,somehow obama and his suck-up media,will make obama the winner??hope not,because it will be tougher to evict the squatter in chief??

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Verceofreason
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:15am
Welsh is apparently too dumb to admit he made a mistake.
Now he’s doubling down and then will say he misspoke – just like Mittens
and his 47% comment.

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- blaze2453
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:29am
  The GDP would have had to go up 5% in one week for that figure to be correct. Welch is exactly on target. Wait til the investigations start on illegal foreign campaign solicitations, crony capitalism deals and more. The Libya debacle is just starting to shed light on Obama’s incompetent foreign policy. A that empty chair still sits there.
  
  Report this comment
- dublinthewagons
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:32am
  Can you even make change for a dollar? We see you can’t think for yourself
  
  Report this comment
- Voice of Reason
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:35am
  I hope you have a job at Westgate Resorts…….
  
  Report this comment
- mike551
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:36am
  I’m sure with your many years of running a world wide company, you are infinitely qualified to call him dumb. Get out of mommy’s basement and get a job. IMPEACH THE MUSLIM OBAMA NOW!!!
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:39am
  VERCEOFINCOHERENCE –
  
  You know that you might be termed an impudent fool for coming on to this website and slamming the opinion of ALL who may disagree with you, without ONCE putting forth a plausible alternative. It doesn’t matter who it is, SnowLeopard or Jack Welch.
  
  But the man you droll and have the hots for has been in the WH for almost 4years, and could have gotten ANYTHING he wanted in 2 of those years just by asking for it -
  
  1. What is it that Welch said you disagree with, and what is the alternative (fact) to disprove it?
  2. What has Obama accomplished in 4yrs that has you wishing you could be his Monica Lewinsky
  for 4 more?
  
  Report this comment
- dfissell
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 9:23am
  .1% would make scene not not .3% you sir need to learn math or pull your head out
  
  Report this comment
- Joel Knows
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 10:10am
  @Doublethewagons: Yeah give me your dollar, now here’s your Obama change – here’s your EBT card for food, share of health care, allowance for public transportation, government subsidized housing, obamaphone, and if you want anything else just ask…we’ll consider it, maybe. The line starts over there, and you are now officially employed begging the government for hand outs!
  
  Report this comment
- UNALIEN
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 10:29am
  VERCE OF TREASON.
  
  Everyone knows Welch is correct.. your intellectual dishonesty is not something to be proud of..
  
  The real question is why do you hate individual Liberty, Freedom and America… NEVER MIND, we know…
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 3:33pm
  Welch said the administrations number were false. That statement was false.
  And utter nonsense from a CEO who cooked the books for years.
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on October 11, 2012 at 12:11am
  The GOP cut millions in additional funds for more security in these countries,
  
  The GOP won’t approve JOBS bills – even for veterans.
  
  I know, it’s all Obama’s fault.
  
  Report this comment
diverdan
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:08am
There are two important issues which span much more than the unemployment rate. The first is the propaganda (lies) which are constantly released by the President and his minions (which sadly include most of the media). As bad as that is, the second is more significant. That is the way this government and the media viciously attack anyone who has the audacity to question the propaganda. In one important way this is worse than the old Soviet system: there the media was State controlled. Here, a purportedly independent media is complicit. How close we are to losing the Republic.

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Cajun83
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:07am
The citizens of this country, believe it or not, are supposed to question the government.

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right
or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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- Landon410
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:36am
  tell that to public school teachers…. did some kid just get in trouble for wearing a romeny tshirt? did some kid get in trouble for saying something bad about obama, the teacher said its against the law….
  
  haha we’ve really got some taards out there
  
  Report this comment
HKS
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:04am
A lot of people predicted what would happen to that number as the administration didn’t want the stigma that goes with it during an election. This is so obvious to everyone and comical the way the Democrats are backing it. More proof, we don’t need democrats in government, vote them all out. Jack welsh and Rick Santelli are two notables that literally came unglued with this lie and it’s justified.

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cliKKer
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:01am
This is classic Alinsky tactics. Act, Vilify and marginalize the person saying it. So when after the election they revise it up AS THEY HAVE DONE EVERY TIME FOR LAST 40 weeks! I assume he will be issued an apology. The emperor has no clothes and the press, the public and the politicians are realizing this notice the rats as they jump the ship… then turn around and say “we knew it all the time”

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rabblechat
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:00am
It a shame that these O-bobble heads are so blind that they cannot see the obvious which Jack pointed out. When will the media finally admit that they are not journalist, but propagandist for the Democratic party.

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- CatB
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:15am
  Admit it or not … they certainly are no longer hiding it. And yes these numbers are bogus .. just like all the numbers they have been using regarding the “recovery”.
  
  R & R 2012!
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 10, 2012 at 7:57am
Under Obama we are becoming more and more akin to Russia. What else could be expected from a communist who wishes to be a true dictator as he stated in China.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 7:59am
  Spot on SNOW, spot on!
  
  Report this comment
- randy
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:07am
  Don’t forget this one Snow.
  
  President Obama to La Raza: I wish I could change the laws on my own.
  He told the National Council of La Raza that if he had his way, he would “bypass Congress and change the laws on my own.” “Believe me, the idea of doing things on my own is very tempting. I promise you,” the President said. Those in the La Raza group applauded and started a chant of “Yes, you can” (become a dictator)
  
  So, how many times has BOZO already bypassed Congress with Executive Orders?
  
  Report this comment
- Joel Knows
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 8:40am
  @Randy well over 900 times BO has used the Executive Order to do as pleases. G.W. Bush 92 times, which was too many, and less than 50 times for all 42 presidents before 43 and 44.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on October 10, 2012 at 9:02am
  @Randy:
  
  As I have stated often, Obama is a narcissist, who wants to be a god-king on earth; his defeat at the hands of his ultimate nightmare – Romney – in the first debate has pushed his growing insanity to new heights.
  
  Consider the assault via ‘Big Bird’ Obama has been doing, many assume he is desperate – true – but look who is hit hardest first of all – KIDS.
  
  Propaganda aimed at the youngest of our nation, children, who fear what will happen to Big Bird and them; not understanding why ‘mean old Romney’ will do such and thus Obama tries to influence their parents via the most vulnerable.
  
  God will not be denied, for in such attacks via the kids, Obama shows his true evil and corruption and thus judgement is upon the House of Obama.
  
  Report this comment

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