Obama Defends Health Care Law: ‘Granny is Safe’
- Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:50pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Despite widespread opposition to his health care overhaul, the president doubled-down today and said opponents’ characterizations of the law “just doesn’t match up to the reality.” But recent developments may suggest the exact opposite.
The president delivered his remarks on Friday at the Families USA annual conference in Washington, D.C., a pro-health care reform event.
“You may have heard once or twice this is a job-crushing, granny-threatening, budget-busting monstrosity,” Obama said. “That just doesn’t match up to the reality.”
“I can report that Granny is safe,” he quipped:
Obama argued that since he signed the bill 10 months ago, the economy has grown and small businesses are offering health care to employees, many for the first time, because of tax credits offered in the law. He also claimed that repealing the law would add to the deficit — though if that happened it would be only because the many taxes, fees and Medicare cuts in the law would be lost.
The defiant defense of the law comes on the heels of the House repealing the legislation. It also comes only days after Medicare‘s chief actuary Rick Foster admitted that two of the president’s cornerstone promises — that people could keep their insurance plans and that the law would reduce costs — are false:
Obama’s statements are odd considering the Department of Health and Human Services has tripled the number of waivers given to groups seeking to opt out of elements of the law. That number now totals 733, affecting over 2 million Americans. Republicans have vowed to investigate the waivers, as many of those receiving them include unions and special interests.
The massive requests for waivers come three years before the the law even goes into full effect, a sign that the reality of the health care situation — and the effects of the law — may be much different from the president’s talking points.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.



















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Comments (203)
Mackerel
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:22pmHis Granny doesn’t live in this country, so I guess technically he’s telling the truth.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:20pmIf this jerk ever tells the truth one time he will be struck by lightening!
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:20pm80 million grannies disagree…………you lie, you always have lied and will continue to lie.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:12pmWell at least 80 million grannies have health insurance. I do not more does 5 of my girlfriends.
Report Post »RobR
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:18pmI don’t know how he does it. He’ actually talking out of his ass, yet his mouth moves in perfect time.
Report Post »Gita
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:28pmLol
Report Post »Country
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:15pmHe reminds me of Joel Osteen when he does that. Oh look Jarrett Barrios who is on the board of Families USA also is President of GLAAD and he is the former President of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, and also a former member of both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. Birds of a feather. And there is Kathy Bonk who is also on the board who worked for “population and development, for the Open Society Institute” All sweet a cozy bunch.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:17pmMuch to my surprise I AM a “granny” already, and let me tell you, as long as that man is in charge we are NOT “safe”, ever.
Report Post »blanco
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:14pmNot HIS granny who suddenly died the day before he became prez…..did she know something?
Report Post »RobR
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:20pmActually, she knew way too much!
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:59pm@robar, thank you for saying that i also thought that was pretty dern fishy that she passed away so quickly sure made me wonder
Report Post »JohnQTaxpayer
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:13pmAn end of life conversation, with your government
Hello Mr. Smith you are xx old and you have a terminal disease. You have also used up your allotted “public health care dollars” You know everyone has a maximum amount of money for the care that the government pays for.
Good news for you Mr. Smith you still own your house and a savings account, if you were sign over the house to ACORN and you savings to the public health care agency, we would try to keep you alive for a longer time period. If you have no money we show you have a life insurance policy, you could just list ACORN as the beneficiary.
Now you do realize no one lives forever, but with the money and your home we will help you live as long as we possibly can. If you do not wish to make these gifts, we have had some success with pain killers to help you transition into the great beyond. Here is the number for hospice.
ACORN will place the poor in your house to help the diversity of the neighborhood after you are gone. Any left over money will be used to help others to make good end of life decisions just like you.
Reader prove this wrong
John Q Taxpayer
Report Post »momsense
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:13pmAnyone who thinks that Obama is telling the truth doesn’t cook very much. If you add more potaotes to the stew, you have less gravy. If you cut the amount of gravy in the stew—the stew burns( dies)–sp it is with Obama care and grannies every where. OH————– for a President with a little common sense !
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:11pm–or one who could cook! Great analogy, Mom!
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:13pmIn the words of Joe Wilson—-YOU LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That bill is almost a total disaster just as Obama is. You can count the good parts on the fingers of 1 hand. They could be put in a new bill and passed on their own merits. The rest of the bill is crap and will destroy this economy if it ever goes into full effect.
Report Post »nothenews
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:12pmHigher Taxes Are Inevitable and allready here:
Republicans are not the mean-spirited rubes that so many sneering progressive intellectuals make them out to be. They understand this math perfectly, and they do not want any part of the massive tax increases that this inexorable, demographically induced march implies.
Republicans were therefore not exactly big fans of the Obama administration wanting to expand coverage to the poor and middle class through government subsidies (albeit that the administration plans are in part financed by provider rate cuts in Medicare). Plus, all of the Democratic legislation expands Medicaid by 16 million enrollees. Medicaid is another publicly financed program, not particularly near and dear to the core Republican voter (or, as the polls show, it is not particularly popular with Independents
Report Post »So the demographic inevitability of higher taxes for health care motivates Republicans to fight any health care coverage expansion that is funded through public financing.
ksagpilot
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:10pmOne more year and I will be joining Granny on Medicare, I’m getting worried about my healthcare options. We have to kill the Obamacare monster before it gets more of a hold on America.
Is it my imgination, or are the lies turning Obama’s lips more purple.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:14pmIts from all the grape Kool Aid hes been drinking lately.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:54pmMaybe from, the cold shoulders of his Democratic base?
You know, I got to thinking. If Obama is Muslim (which he is), do you think there are even 72 non-virgins who would believe a word he says in the hereafter?
Report Post »martinrnelson
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:07pmObama…you’re not cute. Quit playing down the size and scope of Obama Care by referrencing grandma. You insult our intelligence so PLEASE STOP IT!!
Report Post »YouGottaProblemWithThat
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:06pmAm I supposed to be shocked that the things this president says seem not to be true or at best partially true? I am not shocked; it is just more of the same.
Report Post »Mobilize conservatives…. your service is needed more than ever. Stop with your complacency and get involved. Get to know your neighbor and get them involved too.
ObamaCare is the hook in your nose, once it is implemented fully every aspect of your life will be viewed through its prism and you can be lead (forced) to do whatever the government sees fit.
Say goodbye to ObamaCare or say goodbye to you freedom and liberty in America, soon to be Americastan.
Cincinnatus Dogood
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:05pmWhen all TRUTHS are LIES. God help us.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:02pmMy “Granny” thinks you’re an idiot, Mr. Obama, and she (along with a vast majority of Americans) is working hard to make sure that you do not get a second term.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:46pmBacon, there are already 10 states who are ensuring that Obama does not get on the ballot in 2012. One of them is Texcas, with a chunk of electoral votes. Others are Georgia, Arizona, Montana, and I’ve forgotten which others are following suit. The story is at World Net Daily (WND.com, I think).
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:54pmHere it is–
Report Post »http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=255965
NancyBee
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:22amMy Mother is finally…finally waking up…but I had to do alot of talking…to get her to see the truth..she is in her 80′s….don’t give up the fight …..America is slowly waking up…I just hope we all wake up before it’s too late…
Report Post »HonorNTruth
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:00pmBS the bill reduces cost. My fiance’s rate just tripled. Obamacare will wreck the economy.
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:23pmObamacare is starting to wreck the economy
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:59pmShow me the jobs. Unemployment is still at 9.4% As far as granny. Granny will have to explain to a panel why she deserves to still live and cost the government money to replace that broken hip of hers. Its called rationing Mr Obama. And thats what YOUR law put in place. This guy is on a neverending Kool Aid buzz that it seems hell never snap out of the lie hes telling.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:59pmwhat a dang LIAR that moron fuhrer obama is. he thinks breaking us is so funny. here at home, we have had 3 huge insurance increases since August 2010 and we have lost 4 Drs to “early retirement” and now 2 Drs more have notices up on their windows they will no longer accept Medicare too.
dang. Psalm 109, Lord, and quickly..
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:57pmAnother Big Lie from Professor O’Barry.
Just to recap:
I will take public funds for my campaign.
Iran is a tiny country. How can they pose a threat to the US?
I will not allow lobbyists to run my administration.
I will put all bills online for 72 hours before a vote.
Granny is safe.
I could go on, by my fingers are getting tired.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:57pmrepeat the lie…repeat the lie….repeat the lie…..
Report Post »cece959
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:56pmI would love for the White House to answer our questions as to WHY over 733 waivers, most of them unions who supported Obamacare, have been issued. My husband and I are small business owners and there’s no way in hell we can afford this. My sister works as an insurance underwriter and she’s seeing a mass exodus of doctors leaving their practices because they can no longer afford to do business under Obamacare. This administration is SO out of touch with reality that it’s scary.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:02pmI don’t care about his “Granny is safe” BS. Granny should be able to count on her family for that. Meanwhile citizens are being stripped of there constitutional rights and getting trampled by laws that are illegal according to the constitution. He doesn’t care what the people want, he is going to force us to have what he deems we need.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:02pmWhy would you listen to the tyrant’s answer? It would either be untrue or irrevalant! Either way a waste of your time. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:06pmwe have a family elder who is retired from a huge Chicago constr. union after 50 yrs and they have lost 12% of their monthly pension to healthcare insurance increases already since Aug ‘10. ..the union rep said it is directly because of obamacare… and as long as there is money in that monthly pension, it can be siphoned off toward paying for incresaing health insurance.
the Chicago local is not on the waiver list yet, but it would be “too late” for it as far as this monthly pension check goes, our elder is now living with us because of it being so depleted; but 4 more locals out of the union already are waivered…. so, obama is trying to ensure he gets the Trades vote. the Chicago union gave 76% support Money to obama… and that was union dues..and we are in the NOT for obama %. makes us sick and disgusted.
Report Post »Intellectual Honesty
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:54pmJesus hates universal healthcare insurance :)
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:01pmWell, who are you gonna believe…..Jesus or Obama……tough choice for you, isn’t it?
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:58pmSoros is the Anti-Christ and Obama is his prophet… his pre-cursor before he goes before the world body of the UN and declares himself Ruler of The World. Where is that cat when you need her. Did Beck steal Soro’s fluffy white cat??
Report Post »waggie
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 3:38pmObama thinks he is some sort of deity anyway!
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:52pmI feel better already…
Report Post »Hondaman
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:52pmYou know what? . . . . I don’t believe ANYTHING that man says anymore.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:10pm@ Hondaman
Report Post »Now if you had watched all the lengthy debates on the Obama-scare medical rationing law, which were telecast on C-Span, you would know that he is telling the truth….oh wait…..
Showtime
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:38pmRep. Joe Wilson (SC-2) got it right at last year’s SOTU: “You lie!”
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:16pmYep! You know what? I never believed anything he said, but all those other folks seemed to be mesmerized by his words. Joe Wilson was right when he said, “you lie” but me-thinks they are beginning to catch on to the conflicts in his words and actions. Yup. that‘s what I’ma thinkin
Report Post »101
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:49pmMaybe if Obama read THE BILL – HB3200
Page 50/section 152: The bill will provide insurance to all non-U.S.
residents, even if they are here illegally.
Page 58 and 59: The government will have real-time access to an
individual’s bank account and will have the authority to make electronic
fund transfers from those accounts.
Page 65/section 164: The plan will be subsidized (by the government)
for all union members, union retirees and for community organizations (such
as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – ACORN).
Page 203/line 14-15: The tax imposed under this section will not be
treated as a tax. (How could anybody in their right mind come up with
that?)
Page 241 and 253: Doctors will all be paid the same regardless of
specialty, and the government will set all doctors’ fees.
Page 272. section 1145: Cancer hospitals will ration care according to
the patient’s age.
Page 317 and 321: The government will impose a prohibition on hospital
expansion; however, communities may petition for an exception.
Page 425, line 4-12: The government mandates advance-care planning
consultations. Those on Social Security will be required to attend an
“end-of-life planning” seminar every five years. (Death counseling..)
Page 429, line 13-25: The government will specify which doctors can
write an end-of-life order.
HAD ENOUGH???? Judge Kithil then goes on:
“Finally, it is specifically stated that this bill will not apply to
Report Post »members of Congress. Members of Congress are already exempt from the
Social Security system, and have a well-funded private plan that covers
their retirement needs. If they were on our Social Security plan, I believe
they would find a very quick ‘fix’ to make the plan financially sound for
their future.”
Avidmonkey
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 1:51pmYou can tell he’s lying because his lips are moving.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:01pmOnly because of the teleprompter…..
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:02pmI am starting to feel better, now that everyone is saying what I was saying two years ago. The man is a pathological liar. He even lied to his own base. Could he be the Great Deceiver the Bible talks about? Never mind, I think that is the Anti-Christ, and Obama is too dumb to be the Anti-Christ.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:03pmGranny is safe
Report Post »but for how long ?
taxed
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:04pmIs he going to give us his explanation on QALY?
http://conservativepoliticalforum.com
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:10pmThis is all smoke and mirrors for the end goal.. single payer. He said it when he spoke at a SEIU event few years ago. Even pointing out it will be difficult to get there. He knows Obamacare will become a massive disaster and then they will say hey we’re just going to have to go to single payer.
Do not beleive one word coming from this snake oil salesman. When I see BHO speak I think of that confrontation in the movie Armageddon between Bruce Willis ‘Stamper’ and William Fichtner “Col Sharp’ characters when Sharp says “You and your men are the biggest mistake in the history of NASA” in our case BHO and his ilk are the biggest mistake in US history!
56 men(will be turning in their graves tonight), our Founding Fathers, had the courage to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for freedom, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness. What are you prepared to do? http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »BJC
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:11pmIf he‘s breathing he’s lying!
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:21pmYou got that right about the lies, and nobody is safe as long as these people are in charge.
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:26pm/sarcasm mode on
Report Post »How many grandmothers will demand an apology from his obvious age discrimination? Say “grandmother” not “granny. ”
/sarcasm mode off
Showtime
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:37pmUh-oh! His lips are moving!
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:43pmMy Granny is dead and safe with Jesus thank you…………………
Report Post »what4
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:48pmShe’s safe when Obamacare puts her in the ground!
Report Post »True American66
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:53pmYea, granny‘s safe as long as she’s in one of the unions that got a waiver. The rest of us…..well……we’re screwed.
Report Post »jbl8199
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:55pmUntil they get rid of the mandate that forces us to buy this crap they can try and defend this stupid law all they want. They’re not getting a cent from me. They can fine me, send me to jail, but I‘m still not going to be forced to pay for something I don’t want to pay for.
Report Post »ltb
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 2:55pm“I’m sorry Granny Smith, but Obama’s Nazicare system has run out of money and it’s going to cost too much to treat your cancer, please take two aspirin and call a mortuary in the morning… yes, your old insurance would have paid for this treatment, but you are forced to use Nazicare now… What’s that? Well, of course Obama lied.”
Death Panel = Accounting Bureaucrats in DC who will dictate to doctors what treatments they can administer based on budgets passed by Congress.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:02pmObastalinmao, there is no excuse for the HC destruction bill that was passed. The massive rationing of care that will ensue if it is not repealed will cause many many deaths.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:03pm“Granny is safe….(whisper) until we say she isn’t…”
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:11pmThose words, coming out of Obama’s mouth, send chills up my spine. I don‘t really want Obama’s definition of safe, thank you. Rework the health bill so the parts that need tweaking a taken care of and get the heck out of the way and let the free market do its thing.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 3:32pmGranny is safe…he healthcare via government will kill he though…
Report Post »Sevens
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:21pmThats right HE is a Liar and if he doesn’t resign or step down soon we will soon have the same problem as Egypt is having !!!!
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:39pmc/o Lantern
Report Post »Have to agree with you. I’ve had the same thoughts from the git-go about who this man really is and have decided, like you, without the teleprompter telling him what to say, he’d be lost. Perhaps not that bright or quick on his feet without the prompter laying it out first. He doesn’t even have to think. But with so many things he’s said 1st one way, then another, he is a pathological liar.
CatB
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:17pmThe world is blowing up around us and HE is STILL pushing his failed OBAMACARE! What a JOKE … REPEAL and REPLACE (Obama).
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 5:28pmMy granny, what big eyes you have, “The better to google you with, my dear”
My granny what big ears you have, “The better to listen for devisive comments and hate speech, my dear”
My granny what big teeth you have, “The better to chew away your rights, my dear”
The doctors report came back on granny, she was suffering from giantitis, the healthcare expenses exceeded her healthcare ceiling, therefore, Sebelius pulled the plug on her, i wonder who will be next.
Report Post »Czar Kasim
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:02pmGranny will be just fine. Obama’s such a nice guy to look after her. Getting her that great government controlled health care. what could go wrong with that?
Report Post »Her care will be delivered on time….hmmm Amtrak…..ok forget that one…but
She will get the finest medicine with no paper work or hassel….hmmm IRS… ok forget that one…but
She will have great medical records delivered to her doctor all in digital format….hmmm Post office…ok forget that one…but
Granny will get most of her care payed for by the tax payer so she will not end up homeless on the street…..hmmm Congress…ok forget that one…but
Granny will be long gone before the program fully kicks in…shovel ready… hey I got one.. haa haa see Granny will be just fine…
nomnomnom
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:11pmThere are no WMDs!
Report Post »MOVETERAN
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:34pmOk I have been waiting to talk about my latest experience with the VA medical system. You want to know what obamacare will be like ask a vet who uses the VA. I have what we believe is bursitis in my shoulder. I get about 4 hrs sleep a night. The pain wakes me up every 30 to 45 minutes. I have been dealing with this problem for 2 months now. My second trip to my VA doctor was last week and they had told me I would be in to see the surgeon this week but due to the huge numbers of people now using the VA system I can’t get in to see the surgeon until Feb 18th. So by the time I do see the doctor it will be just around 3 months dealing with this and getting little sleep. This is what obamacare has to offer. Long lines, being put off again and again. Sad thing about it all is that until obamacare I didn’t have to wait weeks and months for treatment because those people that could afford private medical insurance were not using the VA system. Now I believe that there has been a huge inflow into the VA system because things just got really expensive. So thanks Barry for all the Commi ideas you have forced on us. Thanks Scary Harry for not listening to true Americans, you go along to get along, wants to be one of the cool kids, moron. And most of all thanks Perma-smile Pelosi for being beyond a dumb blonde and such a stuck up goodie goodie my feces doesn’t stink, botox rules, got to use and abuse the people and there money power monger.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 6:44pmObama is F.O.S.
Report Post »Full of s___
DisillusionedDaily
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 9:59pmMy mother was a committed democrat right up to the day she died. She never got to see Obama but if she had seen his SOTA speech I know she would have said, “This guy’s a first class schmuck!”
Report Post »kindling
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 12:19amIs he talking about the granny that was at his birth in Kenya, because I worry for her? She seems to have stronger ethics than her step grand son. I will never believe another word he says even if it is true because I’m sure it is just the beginning of a major lie to come.
Report Post »ENDOFSANITY
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 12:59amHe’s not lying, his granny is safe. Like his illegal alien aunt who should have been sent back to Africa. That’s his social justice, just not yours.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 1:54amGranny *was* safe. Until the vote on Nazicare. Now granny is safe insofar as she is money in the safe for this junta.
Report Post »nptden
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 5:24amYeah…like he took care of his moma and aunt.
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 9:29am“Granny is Safe” ,,,,, “Until my policy takes full effect”
Report Post »waggie
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 12:58pmNobody is safe with this guy in the white house. And another thing: If I see one more commercial on Disney Channel with his lard butt wife telling kids how to eat, I’m going to lose my cookies. Yes I did say cookies.
Report Post »*************************
Posted on January 30, 2011 at 1:24am“Granny is Safe”?
Too bad Obama‘s own grandmother can’t say the same:
“Obama deception-did he Murder Toot His Grandmother?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-P3ZouVFr0
“Barack Obama grandmother’s death, Madelyn Dunham died on October 21, 2008?, Death announced on November 3, 2008, Hawaii officials falsify?, Funeral home records sought, Barack Obama and Maya Ng lie?, Coroner’s office sources”
http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2008/12/25/barack-obama-grandmothers-death-madelyn-dunham-died-on-october-21-2008-death-announced-on-novemver-3-2008-hawaii-officials-falsify-funeral-home-records-sought-barack-obama-and-maya-ng-lie/
“Go do … that voodoo … that you do … so well!” -Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles
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