World

Watch An Australian Reporter Confront the Chinese Gov’t Agents Spying on Him

Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:07am by Jonathon M. Seidl
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Australian TV reporter Stephen McDonnell recently went to Beijing to report on the underground church booming in China. But he wasn’t in the country long before he started noticing something: he was being followed. He suspected that his new friends who followed him everywhere were government agents that had uncovered his plans by tapping his phone and reading his e-mails.

And the cadre of suspected agents wasn’t shy about its presence. They would spy on him behind trees:

Follow his car:

And were even waiting for him in his hotel lobby every morning:

So, being a journalist, he decided to confront them. That’s when, as Business Insider says, “all hell breaks loose:”

If you’re interested in how this turns out, you can watch the full episode via Australia’s ABC News.

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Comments (183)

BlackCrow
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:58am
If that is as good as they can do they need to read a few Tom Clancy novels to figure out how to “shadow” somebody.
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- KickinBack
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:08am
  Did you catch the signs on their suits? “Government watchdog agent. Stay back 500 ft.”
  Report Post »
- teddrunk
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:54am
  (Kelly) Clark & Chavez, or Jack or his kid Jack Jr. or Jack Jr. cousins Brian & Dominic?
  Report Post »
Nick Pable with Buckshot
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:58am
The spirit of Crocodile Dundee. Got to admire him.
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Rayblue
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:55am
They knew that if the video came out, they would be finished in more ways than one.
They tried to salvage some respect by throwing a tantrum for the camera.
Kabuki theatre.
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RED-DAWN
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:54am
My Chinese is a bit rusty but, I think he was saying he works for The Department of Homeland Security!

I”m just saying…..
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Jeremiah 23
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:52am
Low life those chinese.
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- This_Individual
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:06am
  Is demonizing an entire population based on their government’s oppressive ideology a good idea? I am certain that there are Chinese who believe in the right of the individual, but who are deathly afraid of voicing it.
  Report Post »
- pompey
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 7:07pm
  …..what in the h–l are you talking about? Know one is accusing the Chineese people because of their leaders…….you need a reality check… this could easily be coming to America if we don’t ride ourselves of this evil socialist.
  Report Post »
love the kids
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:45am
Look at all the americans that say we need to be like china.
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christos
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:43am
……China is a reflection of it’s own demise,,,,,,Footnote: Book of Revelation,,,,,,Only a reflection that will soon fade.
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mutslie
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:40am
h’mmmm…..it‘s a wonder they could track him with all the pollution over there it’s hard to see 10ft. in front !………..ya’ face gets dirty just walking around.
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beckwill
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:31am
Did you hear the Chinese guy screeching like a little girl? And the guy peeking from behind the tree? Funny!
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Meyvn
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:31am
They sounded like small barking dogs when the spoke.
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- Meyvn
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:33am
  *they
  Report Post »
amero
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:31am
Worst spies ever.
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Coszeus
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:30am
This reporter is a VERY brave (or stupid) man. Does anyone know if he made it back to Australia?
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ares338
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:29am
China is a giant bee hive. If you don’t want to become a member of the hive stay away. This country has nothing that I want……wellllllll maybe the food. Just saying!
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John 3:16
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:27am
Well no wonder they are following these people, wouldn’t want them knowing how great Christians are treated there in China: This might cause a large influx of illegal Christians crossing their borders for spiritual freedom. Maybe Glenn can go there next: Now that would be true courage or simply stupidity. Carry on for freedom comrades.
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ThoreauHD
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:22am
So Communists don’t like Christians. He could have just come to America to see that.
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- searching for the Truth
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:24am
  Yep!
  Report Post »
- crackerone
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:41am
  Ditto yep!
  Report Post »
- old white guy
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:52am
  he could see it in his own country.
  Report Post »
searching for the Truth
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:22am
Some things just need not be reported on.
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Mapache
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:21am
I think he needs to write a stronry worded retter.
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cloudsofwar
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:19am
when in china do as the chines do. Don’t dare question the government. He could end up in jail. BO like the chines system we could be next.
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NOBALONEY
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:19am
Investigating the underground churches. Your lucky the agents didn’t lock you up.
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OLDBIKEFIXER
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:19am
Okay, that’s just plain creepy. I wonder why the Chinese spies were so interested in a reporter doing a story about an underground church? Maybe they wanted to find out what time services were being held, so they could attend?
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- Meyvn
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:28am
  Doubtful.
  Report Post »
jim
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:17am
Here’s what to do… don’t go to China.
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- IvanK
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:48am
  Unfortunately, we essentially go to China ever day by buying their slave labor products. Courtesy of course by large corporations – who had to go overseas to avoid oppressive US tax and EPA policies.
  Report Post »
- DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:57am
  @ Jim
  
  Not to be negative, but if you spell your name backwards MIJ, it is an acronym for Made In Japan.
  
  I too think it interesting when you spell china backwards ANIHC and then google it, you will find some very interesting items…
  
  As others have said to you, we do not have to go to china, they are coming to us and in many ways are already here.
  Report Post »
mom4times
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:17am
Maybe they just wanted to play hide and seek :D
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- teachermitch32
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:47am
  Yea…those guys are pretty stealthy, huh? NOT!
  Report Post »
capitalismrocks
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:17am
Ah… “State Capitalism” aka – National Socialism, aka NAZI’s…. China is NO friend to any country but itself, they are becoming more powerful and more bold and empowered….

Congress and the Senate should forget politics and look at video like this and realize … this is who holds our debt and we need to slash and burn and get out from under the Chinese IMMEDIATELY otherwise this is what we will be facing directly against us in the all too near future…

China is NOT anyone’s friend!!!
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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:27am
  China has no friends, only servants and those handful who hold power…that is it.
  Report Post »
- DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:12am
  @Capitalist
  
  I stand in agreement. My wife and I are small business owners – both of us were born into modest middle income families. In China, our station in life would be set, individual upward mobility would have little chance. Do as the government says or die. That would tend to smother individuals who have a heart of compassion, and promote individual who have no soul and swear blind allegiance to the state.
  
  God help our nation!
  Report Post »
- Mary M. Tebbe
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 12:02pm
  capitalismrocks: I was listening to Senator Tom Coburn (R- Oklahoma) on Fox News with Neil Cavuto this week and he said we have a small window of opportunity to turn things around in this country, and if we miss this small window, then America will be toast. He promotes the Paul Ryan plan for America also, but he thinks it does not go far enough. I keep promoting Senator Coburn on this website as someone that I think should be on the Republican ticket, because he has so many good ideas for getting this country back on track, and for cutting spending NOW. He has an accounting degree/was a business man/is a doctor/ and a senator. He is a brilliant man. I can‘t understand why we aren’t tapping into his knowledge and expertise. I believe he has the skill and intellect that would make a great President. But…we keep sticking to the same ole‘ same ole’ in the Republican party. It’s time to look outside of the box and stop trying to make those that have already run fit. We are looking for a Presidential candidate that can actually run a country and do what needs to be done fearlessly, and also one that can beat Obama at the polls. We aren’t looking for celebrity status…or are we…because that is sure to harm us further. WAKE UP AMERICANS. You were looking for a George Washington…I’m trying to give you one.
  Report Post »
travlman77
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:15am
I guess the reporter mistakenly thought he was in a free country.
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- Andrew from Down Under
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:00am
  Well, he is from the ABC (here in Australia, the ABC is our equivalent of the BBC, government owned station, thus very left-wing), so he must’ve thought he was among friends!
  Report Post »
- Robert-CA
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:15am
  You entered a communist country , do I need to say more ?
  Report Post »
- JoeySocal
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:28am
  Everyone that visits China has at least one person assigned to them to track their every move. Its been going on for years.
  Report Post »
- Nervous Investor
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:37am
  Guess it must have been an Oooops moment for the reporter then …… maybe his friends aren’t the friends he thought they were …… or something ……..
  Report Post »
- GONESURFING
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 2:32pm
  ANDREW, good point.
  Report Post »
NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:13am
Coming to a town near you soon.
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- Stuck_in_CA
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:24am
  @ NOTAMUSHROOM
  That was my first thought too. Seems like the demise of the manufacturing sector here, has spawned more government jobs. The make-work public sector is growing a bunch of “people-watcher” jobs.
  Report Post »
- TexasCommonSense
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:25am
  Big government sure is intimidating. Lets limit the power of the US government with say, I don’t know, the US Constitution.
  Report Post »
- biohazard23
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:25am
  Yep, courtesy of Obummer’s civilian “security” force, the TSA, and that Trumpka goon.
  Report Post »
- 13th Imam
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:27am
  I clearly heard the Chinese agent tell him to go cover the Mississippi River flooding. Groovy ,, Baby
  Report Post »
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:27am
  Sad but true; the administration already is using intimidation tactics against those states who have the guts to stand against them, and the TSA to impose even more pressure in the airports; so why not expect this to happen sooner than later…if it is already not occuring.
  
  After all, Gov Christie has declared he will not run for president, and they are digging up dirt – or hope to – with resources they have at their disposal to prevent a run that will never occur.
  Report Post »
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:32am
  In a way this reminds me of that movie of Rockie with Sylvester Stallon…one where he goes to fight the guy in Russia, and the KGB always followed him around, even cross country when he turned off the road to run in the snow…funny, yet could be here soon enough.
  Report Post »
- BIGJAYINPA
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:37am
  With the ChiComs holding so much of our debt and a person in the White House who hates Christians it won‘t be long until we let the UN impose the World’s will upon us. I pray every day for God to guide our leaders onto the proper path to lead us from the wilderness we have imposed upon ourselves by our greed, shortsightedness and sloth. If you think it can’t happen here try to question a Police officer or Federal agent when they ask for your ID(papers, please) or when they just want to know what you are doing. 13 yearolds get questioned by the SS but alledged actors can make comments about teaching their grandchildren to use “long range” firearms because of “You know who”….Just sayin’…oh by the way I’m not worried, the SS already know who I am.
  Report Post »
- Unix
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:40am
  Communism, isn’t it GREAT!?
  Report Post »
- IvanK
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:45am
  This story is relative to the US – El Duce made a campaign speech about establishing a civilian para-military force… Well folks, he got it! It called the TSA. Think about it – Ultimate power enough to fondle little girls, women, boys, babies all without reprise. Doesn’t allow people to film them just like the Chinese spy who went off… We are currently witnessing the birth of the new Brown shirts.
  Report Post »
- KickinBack
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:06am
  Remember Kronk from “Emperor’s New Groove” when he was doing his own theme music while trying to be inconspicuous? That’s the impression I got out these guys :)
  Report Post »
- 13th Imam
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:07am
  Have you been to DC lately. Almost every other person in the DC metro area is Law enforcement related (Not even including our Military ). When I attended the TEA party rally in regard to Obummercare, they had M-16 toting security with weapons at the ready , Imagine the nerve of Actual Taxpayers not wanting their hard earned money stolen by Barry, Harry and Nancy. At Gun Point
  Report Post »
- Obama Bin Lying
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:09am
  The Future of Obommunism
  Report Post »
- BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:29am
  Our Christian brothers and sisters in China have been oppressed since the worldwide communist takeover in the early 20th century. Lord bless them. KEEP JESUS CHRIST IN AMERICA, NOT ISLAMIC MARXISM UNDER OBAMA. Here’s a great song I wrote about it.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXvRDmM5Zx4
  Report Post »
- Sinista MACE
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:35am
  Already here.
  
  We’ve already found dozens of Chinese spies and dozens of Russian spies. Disgusting Americans also take bribes to give them our secrets.
  
  We need to arrest EVERY SINGLE HUMAN (and reptilian) IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
  
  Try them all for treasonous sabotage.
  Report Post »
- biohazard23
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:41am
  @KickinBack, I jut wonder if these guys also speak Squirrel. :)
  Report Post »
- thecrow
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:42am
  http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/are-you-afraid/
  Report Post »
- DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:50am
  I believe that certian signs follow the true believing Christians. So far, Jesus has not asked me to pick up serpents in the natural form (I have handled a few in the spiritual form inside of people who are led by the unclean spirit), and frankly I haven’t asked Him to lead me in this direction.
  
  But it would be an interesting service to have some chicoms visit one of those snake handling Churches and get a few rattlers thrown at them. Based on the high pitch voice, and the broken language, I would imagine there would be some forsure speaking in tongues (not from God of course).
  Report Post »
- See through it
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:58am
  Letter from China 2005: Knowthelies.com
  
  Only by using special means to ‘clean up’ America will we be able to lead the
  Chinese people there. Only by using non-destructive weapons that can kill many
  people will we be able to reserve America for ourselves. There has been rapid
  development of modern biological technology, and new bio weapons have been
  invented one after another. Of course we have not been idle; in the past years we
  have seized the opportunity to master weapons of this kind. We are capable of
  achieving our purpose of ‘cleaning up’ America all of a sudden. When Comrade
  Xiaoping was still with us, the Party Central Committee had the perspicacity to
  make the right decision not to develop aircraft carrier groups and focused instead
  on developing lethal weapons that can eliminate mass populations of the enemy
  country.
  
  Sneeky people.
  Report Post »
- DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:13am
  @Sinista MACE
  
  The more I read, the more I agree…keep it comin’.
  Report Post »
- lylee
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:30am
  There would have been real news if they had not been spied upon in China.
  Report Post »
- s-n-t
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:34am
  Well, I’ll make two observations. First, these spies weren’t that good at it, especially the guy behind the lobby fern. Second, they were driving a Japanese import. Lack of a true manufacturing base, or was that Honda part of their “cover”?
  Report Post »
- jb.kibs
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:41am
  stalking is a felony. in some states you can kill someone on the spot for commiting a felony. just saying…
  Report Post »
- jb.kibs
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:47am
  stalking, pure and simple. felony caught on camera. arrest them.
  Report Post »
- Sinista MACE
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:50am
  DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA … JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
  
  The Police State thugs aren’t going to arrest them on our behalf.
  
  It isn’t in their interest, The Police State thugs are under the delusion that they’re the beneficiaries of this tyranny, when in fact, the tyrants are going to use them as cannon fodder as well, and are currently robbing them for their retirement pensions.
  
  We have to take up arms and CITIZEN’S ARREST these sabotuers.
  
  But first, we have to ABOLISH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT and exercize YOUR RIGHTS as THE POLICE, because, as seen recently, the POLICE WILL POSITION THEMSELVES BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT.
  
  We ALL ARE the Police, not just them.
  
  We the People have Arms and Citizen’s Arrest Powers.
  
  WE’RE THE SOVEREIGNS!!
  
  WE’RE THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF THIS NATION!!!
  
  We have to use the rights we have before they come kick in our doors and haul us off to the Fema Civilian Labor Camps to pay off the national debt (that isn’t our debt, it‘s the bank’s debt).
  Report Post »
- Julie2010
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:02am
  Don’t forget the USDA force.
  
  http://bungalowbillscw.blogspot.com/2011/05/judy-dollarhite-addresses-stop-usda.html
  
  Think they are relatives of HSUS and PETA.
  Report Post »
- Patrick in AZ
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:07am
  That reporter is either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid
  Report Post »
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:16am
  Let me tell you something.
  Mr. Beck must have decided that he has been concentrating too much on the vilification of the Arab speaking world. The purpose of this story is to remind Mr. Beck’s followers of another of their enemies.
  The more chaos Mr. Beck can present to his followers the more willing they will be to accept the Iron-Fisted Dictatorship that he advocates.
  Report Post »
- TheLascone
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:35am
  The way it is in China …..
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630227@N06/4175315338/in/photostream/
  Report Post »
- mikem1969
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:38am
  comming soon from obama’s brown shirts ala gestapo stile.
  Report Post »
- LetUsReason
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:52am
  Marybeth,
  
  Help us escape Mr. Beck’s iron-fisted dictatorship. Can you please give us some evidence and factual representation of your claims so as to educate us about this evil man who seeks our demise?
  Report Post »
- Susan Harkins
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 12:11pm
  marybethelizabeth
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 11:16am
  Let me tell you something.
  Mr. Beck must have decided that he has been concentrating too much on the vilification of the Arab speaking world. The purpose of this story is to remind Mr. Beck’s followers of another of their enemies.
  The more chaos Mr. Beck can present to his followers the more willing they will be to accept the Iron-Fisted Dictatorship that he advocates.
  
  —-
  
  @marybethelizabeth
  
  Your untrue words and twisting thinking is EXACTLY why most of the conservatives in this country (which constitutes the majority of the pop.) call your disgusting kind: ‘useful idiots’.
  
  If we were iron-fisted communists at heart, like you might imply Beck is, then you would be typing words that actually praise us (and Beck). The very fact that you are not, means that you are doing your duty as a ‘useful idiot’ and coming into The Blaze to discredit those who are enemies of communism.
  
  Your very existence and actions give you away, my dear. Now go run along now. Pray that this country doesnt fail because of ‘your kind’ as your heads will be the first to drop off, given the first rule of a communist takeover: “Get rid of the useful idiots to silence opposition”.
  
  Go figure.
  Report Post »
- sdd757
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 12:16pm
  Interesting how a person, that would otherwise be considered a sissy, can get away with treating citizens the way he did. It’s only because he knows that he has government backing and can get away with it. This is why I carry a gun in the US. Some that has not identified themselves was to ever get close enough and strike me would have a bullet in them. I don’t know his intentions or if he has a weapon. We’re headed this way fast…
  Report Post »
- Rightsofman
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 12:25pm
  Amen brother!
  Report Post »
- red1
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 12:57pm
  HAHA that was funny, I applaud your courage Mr. McDonnell.
  Report Post »
- Rightsofman
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 1:45pm
  That confrontation took some guts. Too bad CNN had no reps with cajones in Iraq a few years ago.
  Report Post »
- GONESURFING
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 2:09pm
  MARYBETH are you dumb, or just stupid ?
  Report Post »
- ME
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 2:25pm
  We are there it is just a soft bondage you are tracked by your phone, email and just about every type of communication used to day. Where you surf what you buy and raped at the airport, for your safety, we are really ahead of China in many ways all we need is just a few more pushes and the bonds of slavery will be turned on full force, for your safety of course:):) Do you really think a vote will turn this back??? for real, show me in history where it has???? Show me someone with the balls and not a mouth full of manure!!
  Report Post »
- nomorpc4me
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 7:20pm
  Remember, Obama hired 14,000 IRS agents last summer. Who will they be watching?
  Report Post »
- fastfwd
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 7:23pm
  Be prepared ! Get a little food set aside, water, some basic medical supplies and a way to cook.. If every thing doesn‘t go to hell in a hand basket then you’ll have it in case power goes out or a storm hits :)
  Report Post »
- imreddog
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 8:26pm
  @ Marybethelizabeth.
  Have you had a psychiatric evaluation lately? If not, please check yourself into the psycho ward at the earliest convience.
  Report Post »
- Jim in Houston
  Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:44pm
  Already here.
  Report Post »

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