There aren’t many people who can stand the sound of a crying baby (it’s probably why baby’s were created that way — if so many could ignore it, the baby’s cry would be pointless). And the local IBEW union in Philadelphia is using that to its advantage to stage a protest at local apartment complex. But the tactic may now be backfiring, as the union’s choice to blast a crying baby over loud speakers outside the residence for seven hours a day is driving the inhabitants nuts.
“I know everybody says they’ve got their rights,” Jean Smith told WTXF-TV, “and that’s fine. But don’t we have rights too, that we have to hear this constantly — every day?”
Yes, every day. According to the station, the union sets up shop outside the complex like clockwork to protest the building using non-union workers to make some renovations. It then plays this message, followed by a crying baby, from 8 a.m. until mid-afternoon: “Your community is crying for jobs, participation and fair wages.”
But resident David Dickson captures what seems to be the sentiment of the residents: “The crying of the baby- it doesn’t give them no sympathy. It’s not helping them.”
“They don’t seem to care,” another woman added, explaining that residents approached the union nicely about the soundtrack but workers ignored their pleas.
WTXF-TV has the report:
Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29
“It’s well within the law,” union boss John Dougherty told the station. “It’s within the first amendment. I’m not apologizing.”
But with public sentiment turning against the union, he has agreed to alter the message — slightly. Now he said he will play Christmas carols, not the crying baby, until after the holidays.
As for the reason they are protesting: the building says it gave the union the option to bid on the job, but the union lost to a private contractor.
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Comments (204)
AZgirl9000
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:37amSee, the unions get it. It’s not fair that average people in the private sector get to work, too. That’s what food stamps and welfare are for. All the real money needs to flow into the unions and public sector leaches’ wallets. It’s only fair that those who have the most and do the least should get even more.
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poorrichard09
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:45amThe real cry babies are the union goons!
There has to be some noise ordinance against this crap.
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turkey13
Dec. 12, 2012 at 9:42amMy 3 sons have their own construction company and use all the same standards as the unions – time& half after 8 hours and double time on Sunday & holidays. They are keeping their business under the 25 that requires them provide insurence. The employees they have would rather have $18.00 an hour and use their wives insurence. This way they don’t have to pay 2 insurence companys and $100.00 a month in union dues.
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decendentof56
Dec. 12, 2012 at 10:40amYes…its the unions who are the babies here.
Checked another source and…..SURPRISE……..its Local 98. Who would have thought?
Know their thug tactics well from a first-hand perspective.
Philly is a rust belt city for a good reason, and that reason is a hard-headed union mentality. All the city worker’s have the same attitude.
The PPA (Phila Parking Authority) is especially ruthless. TWO tickets on my phone company van when I walked out to leave a building in an area where there was NO parking for utility/service workers.
The entire city has a hard azz attitude to go along with their corruption. They get the filth they deserve, and Loc 98 is filth!
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MIBUGNU2
Dec. 12, 2012 at 10:52amNothing New here, acctual IBEW member recorded the sound
track..all they do is snivel and whine anyway..Merry Christmas..
Spot on, AZGIRL !!!
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decendentof56
Dec. 12, 2012 at 11:07amAZgirl…..yes, you are correct that unions cannot allow the private sector to reset. Unfortunately, we have signed trade agreements with third-world nations that have driven jobs away and wages have to go down to compete. That’s another argument, however.
Those tennants do not make wages that, with benefits, total $75-85 per hr like the unions. Consequently, landlords cannot afford to charge the rent to cover the cost of union contractors.
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JRook
Dec. 12, 2012 at 12:29pm@decendentof56 Well actually it is all about the trade agreements and the failure of them to require minimum wage standards and decent employment benefits in the developing countries. At the end of the day who benefits from the use of workers who are getting $1 and hour. On the other hand if trade agreements included a reasonable minimum wage the workers in China and other Asian countries could afford to actually buy stuff which would raise all economic boats. Under the current agreements which benefit only the wealthy and corporate interests, the US will continue the race to the bottom in terms of standard of living and quality of life. Take the time to research the working and living conditions of the cheap labor of the world and then try and say with a straight face that it is a good thing. That is of course if your ideology allows you to be honest with yourself.
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jhrusky
Dec. 12, 2012 at 12:58pmAnd this is exactly why the far left kooks and unions will eventually win — because WE THE PEOPLE don’t have what it takes to fight fire with fire. All we hear is, “Be better than them. Don’t resort to their tactics”. Well, how’s that been working out for ya?
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hatchetjob
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:00pmI have to agree with you, JHRUSKY. Being polite isn’t cutting it.
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integrican
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:25pmRusky, I’m thinkin’ that a nice line of flag flyin’ Harleys with their pipes pointed at the cry-babies, may be just the ticket.
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decendentof56
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:41pmJROOK…
I’m not arguing that we made the correct move by signing on to free-trade agreements with third-world country’s. That was playing down to the competition. Stupid move. But….that was done for the ulterior motive of bringing us down so we would more-easily fit into the NWO agenda.
What I meant when I said we need to reset was that we must control spending by controlling our borders and the massive entitlements that brings with it, and that if we fail to let American Enterprise compete equally, we will find it hard to reset.
The union’ism that worked in the post WW2 era and until we made those ill-advised TA’s will no longer work. I fully believe that American free-markets will still win out if allowed the freedom to operate unfettered. It will be painful for many, but eventually, we will regain our place as the freeist, most wealthy nation.
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oldguy199
Dec. 12, 2012 at 3:52pmIt appears these thugs need to be “serinated” by the same sounds at THEIR HOMES, after all they say it is their right so it should be other’s rights to do the same to them.
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BarryHusseinOsama
Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:19pmAs if we need any more proof that there is no level too low for these dirt bags to stoop. I would be in jail by now for blowing those speakers apart with my shotgun.
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old white guy
Dec. 13, 2012 at 6:07amtime to go out and smash every piece of equipment they are using to irritate people. they do not have a constitutional right to disrupt the peace and quiet of someone’s home. the apartments are someone’s home. the people have the right to put a stop to it.
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PATTY HENRY
Dec. 13, 2012 at 2:11pmAren’t there sound level laws in that area? IF it’s loud enough to disturb people, it’s too loud. Fine them. In the mean time, these Union thugs need to be beaten – people, put in ear plugs, ignore them as you would any brat. Contact your City Council people etc. This manic tactic exposes their immaturity.
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Lothmar
Dec. 13, 2012 at 3:27pmDoesn’t this violate noise ordinances or something?
Do they have the permits to set up such an obstruction or did they use union workers to set up, maintain and run that electronics/audio station?
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jacques.daspy
Dec. 31, 2012 at 3:08pmA baby crying, how appropriate. The union should have the same rights as a baby for the same reason.
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AintLIBSjuzGreat
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:37amWell the damagecrats are not all stupid.They seen this comming that is why there is an explosion of PUBLIC unions.The numbers are approaching 3 to 1 public to private union membership.Tell me true how did you like that last interaction you had w/ TSA?Now imagine that the TSA is at EVERY bus and train station which is what the union is pushing thier bought and payed for politicians to do.
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DenverKitty
Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:15pmThat’s why I drive my own car wherever I choose to go…no groping, and I can CCW.
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dadsrootbeer
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:36amUnions have been doing this for years. They used to show up at my work place in Conshohocken every three years and try and unionize us. They would park a truck in the parking lot and blast noise all day long. Eventually our management grew tired of union tactics and did something smart. They layed off the entire shipping and receiving department and hired it out to a third party.
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TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:51amDamn Democrat “Rednecks!!”
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NC-Roy
Dec. 12, 2012 at 6:09pmVery simple solution, IF they start playing christmas music.. Report them to ASCAP and BMI. The recording industry will sweep in with a herd of lawyers that will make the Union folk cry. (All those performances require performance fees that will make their heads spin.)
Perhaps electronic counter measures as well if the baby starts crying again… The wires to the speakers make effective antennas…
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wearesheep
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:34amMaybe its time to pay John Dougherty’s neighborhood a visit. Perhaps some “I wanna Hippopotumus for Christmas” would be in order.
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AintLIBSjuzGreat
Dec. 12, 2012 at 9:25amWhats his address???
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FeliciaJewel
Dec. 12, 2012 at 9:31amI love that song!!!
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Lee_in_PA
Dec. 12, 2012 at 11:51amI might suggest the barking dogs do Christmas and Grandma got run over by a reindeer be added to the play list.
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armyofnibiru
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:48pmfather Cristmas [give us your money) by the kinks
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brother_ed
Dec. 12, 2012 at 3:18pmI’m thinking, “Please Daddy, Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas” by John Denver.
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pugczar
Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:20pmNo, no, no…play ‘Making Bacon Pancakes’. They won’t be able to get that little song out of their heads for weeks after the ipod is turned off. There is even a 10 hr loop version on YouTube. Drives you crazy! Oh no…now I am singing it again :(
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ares338
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:28amWhy not find the home of the union boss and play the theme to Star Trek at top volume for 5 hrs very day. You have your rights too.
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DougHuffman
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:39amPerhaps you mean to say Star Wars and its Dies Irae – Days of Wrath – leitmotif.
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BornGreen
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:27amTired of these Unions! Anyone, any org., any establishment can hire who ever they want to do the work that needs to be done. What kind of country do you want to live in? One that says you can make your own choices about who you pay to do contracted work or one that says you have only one choice…Unions! We had them up here in Rochester NY crying about a Walgreens hiring outside construction crews ( crews that Walgreens actually uses to build all their new locations). F off Unions! Its a free country! electricians charge too much anyway! Add on the Union fees on top of that, no wonder they went with a cheaper bid.
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Houkster
Dec. 12, 2012 at 9:27amI make sure not to use any union services or buy union make products. If this was in the south a nice 12 gauge would take care of the speakers and the chickens would fly away quick!!! NO movies, union products/services, no blue state vacations hit them in the pocketbook…
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decendentof56
Dec. 12, 2012 at 10:53amBorngreen…..
I have to apologize here. I thought all Eagles fans were hard-hat union thugs with no brains. Now I know that there is at least one with functioning gray-matter inside their cranium.
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Keatonc33
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:21pmThe problem is that a lot of union jobs are factory jobs.. and the “establishment can hire who ever they want to do the work that needs to be done.” often means that those jobs are outsourced to china, india, etc etc. Unions are the main thing that is keeping factory jobs in America. for now at least. but look into the direct correlation between right to work laws starting in the 80s and outsourcing. and if you still support right to work laws and hate union then I have to ask you guys to quit calling democrats communists.
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Fubared
Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:30pmLil Keatie
Democrats are communist, and you are a teenage girl.
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nocommie
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:27amWaaaa,Waaaa,Waaa,Waaaa.These meanies wont use union workers.Waaa,Waaa,Waaa,Bo Ho,Bo Ho.We are just going to act like Barry Obama and run and cry.Waaa,Waaa,Waaa.Boycott all unions!!!!
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:24amOnce again the unions are allowed to employ tactics of intimidation to annoy and disrupt the lives of people who have nothing to do with the unions. Get rid of the unions once and for all.
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ranepowel
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:25pmWe should just get rid of the weekend and minimum wage while we’re at it! That way we can just entirely trust corporations to pay people a decent wage, instead of the bare minimum in order to turn a higher profit. Yeah! That will surely work! No way that greedy CEOs will cut wages just to save money to line their pockets with.
This plan is foolproof.
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armyofnibiru
Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:57pmwhen the unions make a company loose 1,000 dollars a car like GM was .your not going to have a job at that company very long ,so how is that good policy.aye
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fixmfast
Dec. 13, 2012 at 6:21am@ranepowel; Jugding by your post, you are obviously a union worker or are related to one. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but with all the worker laws and government offices that are geared to protect the workers like; OSHA, Dept of Labor, etc. unions are just no longer needed. They haven’t been needed for almost 100 years. They are a waste of resources and money on an astronomical level. If a company doesn’t pay well, guess what, no one will work there. That’s what this whole capitalism thing is all about. This isn’t about “fair share” or they owe us, its about “legal” organizations using intimidation and fear to further their agenda. Pretty similar to the Taliban wouldn’t you say?
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rickbob
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:23amWhat ever happened to disturbing the peace??
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WarMunger_Al
Dec. 12, 2012 at 10:45amdoesn’t apply to unions demonstrations; depending on the state, they can legally riot. This is why they need to be subjected to force of arms.
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Silversmith
Dec. 12, 2012 at 12:18pmI was thinking the same thing Rickbob. Aren’t they creating a public nuisance? And wouldn’t you need a permit for something like that? I know a rock band can’t just set up shop and play – they always get shut down.
Silversmith
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Ballot_Box_Revolution
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:22amI wonder why they used the baby crying sound track…Did they ever stop and think that is what they (the union) are doing…crying like babies…
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Yushud_Givaschitt
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:21amThe crying baby is sorta Ironic, considering they’re whining about not being able to bid competitively……
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termyt
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:19amOh, that was a recording? I just assumed it was union members taking turns at the microphone because the building decided to get he best work for the best price instead of “four people to operate a light switch” unions.
How many union members does it take to screw in a light bulb? 4. The laborer to screw it in, the electrician to tell him how, a supervisor, and a foreman. That would be a silly joke if it weren’t true in many shops around the country.
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DZ-015
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:19amIsn’t disturbing the peace a crime in Philly?
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338lapua
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:54amIf the entire police force is union, then no.
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decendentof56
Dec. 12, 2012 at 10:48am338LAPUA has it right, but…..the entire public-sector work force in Philthy is corrupt to a large degree. What a lousy town!
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SonOfThunder
Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:57pmI got a business in Philly and you can’t put a wall without union thugs coming in a protesting and intimidating people. It is a very corrupt city. Police look the other way when it comes to this harassment. Demorats run this city and it is a filthy place. It is going in the direction of Detroit.
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mikem1969
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:17amA baseball bat to the speakers would take care of the issue. Even better, play the national anthem at a higher volume from 8 AM till NOON.
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armyofnibiru
Dec. 12, 2012 at 3:03pmwatch out you’ll get beating from the local union gang THE BLUES
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SREGN
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:17amIt’s a proven fact that Union Thugs hate opera, especially sopranos. It’s like Thug kryptonite. Fight fire with fire.
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TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:13amThat Obama….. he every damn where…. now he’s doing voice-overs as a crying baby. I wonder if it will make him a star?
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Fubared
Dec. 12, 2012 at 12:52pmYou may be right, on first listening I thought it was encinom upon hearing RTW was passed. Whaaaaaa.
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randy
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:13amHow about some of these people protest the local IBEW in PHilly with their version of the Crying UNion Babies 8 hours a day, or find out where the local communists live and do it outside their homes…..
Payback’s a Bltch.
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Thatsitivehadenough
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:13amI guess disturbing the peace in no longer illegal there too.
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armyofnibiru
Dec. 12, 2012 at 3:14pmtry protesting these guys .the men in blue would show up immediatly to haul your arse to jail. nonunion =no rights.
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Stelex
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:13amUnions blaring a crying baby………they can’t even see the irony of it.
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RIGHT_WHERE_IT_HURTS
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:30am…ding, ding, ding…
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RIGHT_WHERE_IT_HURTS
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:12amThat is disturbing the peace. Arrest them, Officer.
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randy
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:10amKeep it up Unions…….
Of course the Union lost to the private sector….. They always do…..
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AnotherLiberalDouche
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:08amReason # 393 unions are a joke.
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naughtycal
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:17amAren’tr there noise laws to protect citizens.
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RIGHT_WHERE_IT_HURTS
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:41amOh, gee. The Cops are union too. That explains everything.
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armyofnibiru
Dec. 12, 2012 at 3:07pmthe laws don’t aply to unions.wether their purple or blue.
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Gary_K
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:06amI forgot the link…
http://www.crimeandfederalism.com/hobbs_act/
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Gary_K
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:05amThe Hobbs Act needs to be repealed so arrests and prosecutions of these union thugs can take place. It is a crime that Federal law lets behavior like this go unpunished.
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The Catbird
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:05amA Mossberg 500 and some turkey shot could do wonders for those speakers.
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En Von
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:21amCatbird…My thoughts exactly.
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kaydeebeau
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:27amthat is what I was thinking
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JonSigMan
Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:46amYep, I’m fairly sure they’d have to purchase new speakers on a regular basis, if they pulled that crap within a 1/2 mile of my place.
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batmanroxus
Dec. 12, 2012 at 1:52pm:) LOL, perfect!
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