Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Good.

Ted Strickland is still acting like a whiny, partisan hack.
Outgoing Gov. Ted Strickland says he hasn't yet decided whether he'll continue a recent tradition for Ohio governors.

Starting with George V. Voinovich and continuing with Nancy Putnam Hollister and Bob Taft, Strickland's Republican predecessors have carved their names into the bottom of the top right-hand drawer of the 150-year-old desk in the governor's Statehouse office.

Strickland, a Democrat who leaves office Sunday, said last month that he hasn't decided whether he'll follow suit.

"It's on the right-hand side of the desk, so if I were to do it, I'd probably move over to the left-hand side," he quipped.
Oh you silly, silly, Governor. The LEFT! Ha! Still partisan 'til the last. Soooo funny.

No. Not really.

One of my favorite memories while living here in DC was sitting at the desk in the ceremonial office of the Vice President. The individual I was with told me to pull out one of the drawers of the desk. There before me were carved signatures of Vice Presidents going back to the 1940s. Republicans and Democrats alike. As one.

During the campaign, Ted Strickland said he "believed in Ohio". Not a left-wing Ohio, but Ohio. As one.

Voinovich began his tradition with the same idea - that Ohio's Governors will carve their names in the desk. Not Republican Governors. All Governors. As one.

Being Governor is about leading Ohio. It's not about just leading those that agree with you.

Strickland's quip, however insignificant it may seem, says a lot about the guy.

For him, being Governor was about getting re-elected. He was a partisan to the last.

And I don't mind if he doesn't sign the desk.

Why? Because it will be like he never existed.

Ted Strickland was Ohio's absent landlord.

When the state needed leadership and bold choices, he hid behind that old desk in hopes the bad stuff would go away.

Fortunately for Ohioans, that's about to change.

UPDATE: Strickland etched his name into the leftside drawer, thereby permanently ruining a state treasure.

We are one Ohio, Governor Strickland. Your effort to turn this historic desk into yet another symbol of partisan hackery is another example of the shameful way you have left office.

23 comments:

  1. Yes, such a rich... twelve year tradition for a desk that was first used over one hundred and fifty years ago. But at least it included Hollister who was Governor for a week and a half.

    http://www.plunderbund.com/2011/01/04/ted-strickland-carves-his-name-in-executive-desk/

    Ted Strickland brought unemployment down so that for the first time in eight years our unemployment rate didn't exceed the nation. He instituted regulatory reform that Kasich modeled and passed off as his own.

    Taxes are 17% lower than when he took office. He cut $2 billion from the budget. He was willing to make the politically unpopular choices to get the budget balanced even though the Senate Republicans were not.

    But you're right Bytor, Keeling is petty to the end.

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  2. Modern Esquire: "Ted Strickland brought unemployment down so that for the first time in eight years our unemployment rate didn't exceed the nation."

    What a remarkable feat! He brought it all the way "down" to 9.8%!!
    According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment (not seasonally adjusted) the rate for the country is also 9.8%

    Those Ohio voters are soooo picky! Good bye Ted and good riddance you conceited no-count! I feel great about the hours I worked to see you defeated Gov!! (<:

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  3. Let me get this straight... Strickland suggests he may not carve his name in a desk... shame on him.


    Strickland then decides to carve his name after all... he's now ruined a state treasurer?

    You're a shameless political hypocrite, Keeling.


    In other news, the Plain Dealer has the story about how your buddy Matt Borges is helping Kasich make it a "New Way" in Ohio... Sounds alot like Joe Deters ol' "pay to play" to me, though.

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  4. Wow... that is really petty and small. Goodbye Ted.

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  5. And in still other news Gov. Ted Strickland, the ole soft-on-crime Lucasville consular, went against the Adult Parole Board recommendations 26 times today in granting clemency to criminals in Ohio including some convicted of man slaughter and theft. Gee I'm glad we dumped that sad sack.

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  6. Sorry to be naiive, but is Ted Strickland right or left handed? If he's left-handed, it makes sense for him to sign on the left hand side of the desk. But honestly, how is where he carves his name partisian and when the entire Senate refuses to confirm a single appointee or Kasich appointing political hacks over substance not?

    It's going to be an absolute pleasure watching you morons fail miserably since it's been spectacular theater watching the previews.

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  7. JungDem: "It's going to be an absolute pleasure watching you morons fail miserably since it's been spectacular theater watching the previews."

    Really? Well I'd say that's a bit unlikely considering the fact that the voters of Ohio have just sent all the dimwits (i.e., dimocrates)home to mommy -- and that includes the blonde wonderboy from Lucasville. You won't be laughing long or hard I'm guessing!

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  8. You know what Fargo - you're right. I should have chosen my words carefully. Because I won't take great pleasure in watching you turn this great State into a privitized, pay-to-play, you-can't-know-what-we're-doing, muddled dumping ground for old financial executives, Taft rejects, and double dipping old white males.

    Practically every editorial board that endorsed Kasich has had some sort of buyer's remorse and the guy's not even sworn in yet.

    Keeling here chides Strickland for the exact same things Kasich is doing before he's actually the governor.

    More voters stayed home than those that ever turned out in modern history. All those people so "fed up" with promises not kept? HOw many has Kasich broken so far? All those people so "fed up" with wasteful government spending, including King John, yet he's making decisions that already cost the state unnecessary money. Four LONG days of celebration of a new day, with pay-to-play events closed to the press. Yeah, maybe new day but definitely not a new way.

    Your success will be short lived, count on it. The damage you will inflict on this state will be ongoing. Just don't take ANY credit for gains that are due to Strickland and Democrats' hard work. If we get the blame for everything, the we damned well better get the credit.

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  9. "More voters stayed home than those that ever turned out in modern history."

    Yes, and who/what caused that do ya think JungDem?

    All those people so "fed up" with promises not kept? How many has Kasich broken so far?

    Kind of a silly statement, JD, since his first day as governor has not happened yet eh? In case you did not understand the answer to you question is "none".

    "All those people so "fed up" with wasteful government spending..."

    "All" being yourself and Modern Esquire of course!

    "Your success will be short lived, count on it."

    I tremble JD really -- more mindless bravado coming from the same lips that predicted Strickland would win -- smile!

    "The damage you will inflict on this state will be ongoing."

    This is a joke, right? Following Strickland and the loss of 400,000 jobs Kasich will have to WORK HARD to breaking that record.

    "Just don't take ANY credit for gains that are due to Strickland and Democrats' hard work."

    Don't worry about that -- there aren't any credits I am aware of.

    "Practically every editorial board that endorsed Kasich has had some sort of buyer's remorse and the guy's not even sworn in yet."

    And in proof of that statement of you offer......??

    Get ready for 8 years of saying "Governor Kasich" -- or whatever you want to call him.

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  10. So you're proud that your party wins only when more voters stay home than vote?

    Dude, I feel sorry for you for one more reason.

    Kasich promised transparency, ideas, solutions. He has thwarted each of these so far. He's shutting out the press of the actual event he supposed worked so hard to achieve (becoming Governor). How is that transparent? He has yet to provide a clear solution to all the problems he claims suddenly materialized the moment Ted took office.

    Read a few of the Dispatch, Plain Dealer, and Akron Becon's editorials since November. Even the Dispatch doesn't put the blame entirely on Strickland

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  11. "So you're proud that your party wins only when more voters stay home than vote?
    Dude, I feel sorry for you for one more reason."

    You know "JUNG"Dem -- you write a bit like a young dunce.

    I merely agreed with YOUR statement about voter turn out -- what evidence leads you to suggest I am "proud" of it?

    And why would any logical person suggest that someone else might be "proud" of something they had absolutely nothing to do with. Ever think about THAT -- Dude!!

    Probably not. Its pretty plain that liberals do not generally THINK. They like to FEEL don't you know? As in "I feel your pain".
    LOL.

    And hey -- please don't waste your pity on me -- my side cleaned house in November. Did you forget already? Save it you'll need it more for yourself -- it will be a long time before "progressives" are every back in power in this state.

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  12. Kasich promised transparency, ideas, solutions. He has thwarted each of these so far.

    What a ridiculous, yet hilarious, statement to make, seeing as he isn't even governor yet.

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  13. Bytor and Fargo - you haven't addressed the point I made regarding transparency (though King John has and reversed his decision to be inaugurated in secret).

    Let's pretend for a moment if Ted, or Mary Jo Kilroy, or Sherrod Brown or even Obama decided that due to "security" and "space" concerns they were to be sworn in without any viewing by public or press. How ticked would you be? How ticked would Keeling be? Would you consider that transparency? WOuld you consider that keeping a promise of transparency?

    Doubtful.

    Done before he was sworn in. It's obvious that you're happy with the progress he has made so far with his appointments, picks, press releases, and general demeanor pre-inauguration. So if you can be pleased with him so far, how is it ridiculous or hilarious to call into question those very actions?

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  14. What is there to be happy or ticked about yet? Nothing has happened yet, Timmy. You really care whether the swearing in was a small private affair? Its not a grand decision on policy that affects us all, its a scripted 1 minute oath. Good Lord, using that as an attack about "transparency" is laughable.

    In any case, he admitted publicly that he made a wrong decision, didn't blame anyone else, and has changed his mind. So there ya go.

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  15. "What is there to be happy or ticked about yet? Nothing has happened yet"

    Today as reported on a blog that uses actual facts salaries have been released of how much King John's staff will make.

    Candidate John promised to keep down government spending - to shrink the government.

    He's created a new position that makes more than King John himself. For the King's staff alone, he has increased the salaries from $281,985 (under Strickland) to $645,000 for a total of 128.7% increase.

    I sure as hell hope you're outraged about that. Bigger government, biger paychecks, political favors all before he's sworn in.

    Again, I ask you - what would your reaction be if Strickland or Obama or Pelosi did something like this. You're not being honest if you say you wouldn't be screaming about it. Keep your own guys' feet to the fire.

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  16. King John? You're so bitter about things that haven't happened yet, that you make yourself look foolish.

    Again, I'll reserve my judgment until some time is past. Focusing on one data point alone doesn't always give you the whole story, either. What's your source? Plunderdumb? Sometimes, bringing in the best people costs more money. If after a year or two, the Ohio government hasn't shrunk, then you can go off and not look like such a sore loser.

    Some very hard decisions will have to be made, that's for sure. There will be some very unhappy people with some of the cuts that will have to happen. These will be the tough decisions that Ted Strickland hid from by kicking the can down the road and patching the budget hole with Obama-money. And the tough decisions that Kasich is willingly taking on.

    I'm willing to give the man some time to even do the job before calling names and criticizing the job he hasn't started yet.

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  17. JungDem claims:
    "He's [Kasich]created a new position that makes more than King John himself. For the King's staff alone, he has increased the salaries from $281,985 (under Strickland) to $645,000 for a total of 128.7% increase....[and]....Let's pretend for a moment if Ted, or Mary Jo Kilroy, or Sherrod Brown or even Obama decided that due to "security" and "space" concerns they were to be sworn in without any viewing by public or press. How ticked would you be? How ticked would Keeling be? Would you consider that transparency? Would you consider that keeping a promise of transparency?"

    I will wait as see what the new staff will do and if they are worth the money -- Kasich is a know budget hawk he earned that reputation -- not likely he will waste money. And he is not penny wise and pound foolish. If he is doing wrong -- when he is actually in office -- I will call him on it.

    This second point has to be a joke -- right? Now don't take anything I write as a personal OK -- its not.

    But no, JungDem, the answer is no. I don't care if I ever see Obama again! In ANY capacity. OK? I don't want to see him at another inaugural and doubt I will.

    And the good part is I am not alone. More and more Americans are realizing the electing an arrogant, narcissistic, ignoramus who is, at best, ambiguous as to his feelings for his country might not have been wise!

    That is why, JungDem, fewer and fewer individuals tune into his radioo addresses and speeches as time progresses. The energizer bunny battery in his halo has pooped out.

    Ditto on all counts for next statewide candidate to be defeated in Ohio, namely Sherrod Brown.

    And if there was/is a security issue then yes of course close, it off to the public. Would you like to take a chance? (I'm not saying any such security issue exists merely that if it did it would trump.)

    Whether Kasich opens his swearing in to the public or not who cares? Are you afraid that he will cross his fingers or something? LOL

    Answer to that is that I expect that not very many care about this. Except for those who are desperate for an "issue". For them any mud will do I guess even "artificial" mud. Is this close to home?

    The nuts and ideologues on the left need to get a life. E.g., Howard Dean (yesterday):" tea party members are racists" or Steny Hoyer (yesterday) "the tea "partiers" come from broken homes".

    So go ahead keep calling conservatives and the regular folk’s names. It will not endear you to them I think.

    Oh yes, maybe the tiny clique of leftists, progressives, socialists, union bosses, college professors, communists, broadcast "journalists" and trial lawyers will be appeased -- but how many votes do they account for? If their votes were gunpowder they couldn't blow their nose with it.

    Who do you think believes you about Kasich? This is no "broken promise". He is not in office yet to break any.

    This kind of nonsense and outrageous speech is exactly why the DONKEY took it in the butt in November -- in case you had not noticed.

    So keep it up...nuff said.

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  18. Bytor-

    While we reported the story, it was based on a public record we received from the Office of Budget Management. The AP has confirmed its authenticity and the Kasich transition office has not questioned it.

    Now that THAT nonsense is out of the way.... It's absolutely STUPIDITY for you to write this off as what Kasich needed to get these folks... ALL of whom worked on Kasich's campaign, not the private sector.

    Kasich's Chief-of-Staff will make as much as the White House Chief-of-Staff. Really.

    You gave Ted Strickland no credit even though he shrank the State's workforce to the smallest level its seen since the Gipper was President.

    Not even the CATO Institute says that Kasich deserves credit for the balanced budget. As we pointed out NUMEROUS times, federal spending grew $6 billion when Kasich was Chairman, despite staying relatively flat shortly before the GOP took over.

    The ONLY reason the budget got balanced was that stronger than expected economic growth caused by the simultaneous housing and IT bubbles lifted federal tax revenues at rates faster than federal spending. When the economy slowed down, the revenues tailed off and deficits came back, then Bush cut taxes depressing revenues further as spending grew... under all GOP rule.

    And John Kasich called Bush his ideological soul brother.

    John Kasich, the fiscal conservative, is an utter fraud.

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  19. I do not take anything you swill here personal. I DO take what any politician or person does to damage our state for the long term personal.

    The example I was using was for previous inaugurations (duh). And please, you know you'd be ticked off if it was done in secret.

    If everything Kasich does before he is literally sworn in is off the table for questioning and criticism simply because he's not sworn in, then he doesn't get to do anything. On this very blog you all are so proud of the appointments, nominations, hirings, ideas - er wait, no ideas or specifics yet - and planning that Kasich is doing BEFORE HE'S SWORN IN. Kasich promised he'd bring fiscal responsibility to the statehouse and that's what he's doing with Mr. [insert white male's name here] in the post of X.

    "For them any mud will do I guess even "artificial" mud. Is this close to home?"

    Artificial mud? What, like the post and outrage in this very post we're commenting on about the etching on a desk? Or the artificial mud about a manufactured scandal for political purpose sullying a good person's reputation accusing her of perjury when not a single criminal charge has been made?

    The ASSOCIATED PRESS and INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS and the VERY NEWSPAPERS AND AGENCIES who endorsed Kasich had a problem with this. If it's the PEOPLE'S house that Kasich is being sworn to protect and lead, the PEOPLE are to be able to witness it. Period.

    Just freakin' admit that it was a boneheaded call. Kasich has, why can't you?

    And for the record, I didn't not call anyone names. Tongue in cheek perhaps King John, but Keeling's done far worse to Ted Strickland WHILE HE WAS GOVERNOR whereas you keep pointing out Kasich is not even elected. And how many times has the word "union" been followed by "thug" on this very blog?

    I don't believe those who affiliate themselves with the "tea party" (Puh-lease stop hijacking our great country's storied past for soundbites) are racist. I think they're ill-informed, misaligned, do-as-I-say-hands-off-my-own-Government-handouts misanthropes. I do believe people like Reichert give you guys a bad, bad name though the legislation that your leaders drum up just clean up the language a bit but still smell just like Reichert's contempt when he tossed money at Mr. Letcher.

    Keep stomping around saying that terrible "s" word....ssssssocialism. Look it up, understand the history behind such a movement. If you're going to attempt to define an entire grassroots movement like progressivism or the Democratic party, try educating yourself about what we actually stand for. Or you can just pretend you know, since you're light on facts or enjoy ignoring them.

    No, I'm not bitter. Bitter would be me moving my family to a decent state. Bitter would be me taking my ball home since I didn't like how the other team looked on the field. I'm sure as hell pissed. I'm pissed that you think this is good leadereship. I'm pissed that too many people were beaten figuratively back into their homes with nonstop negativity from outside interests and millions of dollars spent by special interests away from the polls. I'm pissed that the guy leading our state wasn't even elected by the majority of voters in the state. I'm pissed that instead of growing new talent from Ohio he's appointing double dippers and out-of-staters with their fingers in the big business the department's they're going to run are supposed to protect our state from.

    Bitter goes home. Pissed comes here, keeps an eye on you guys and counts down the clock before we get to go at it again for the right to save this state.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I do not take anything you swill here personal. I DO take what any politician or person does to damage our state for the long term personal.

    The example I was using was for previous inaugurations (duh). And please, you know you'd be ticked off if it was done in secret.

    If everything Kasich does before he is literally sworn in is off the table for questioning and criticism simply because he's not sworn in, then he doesn't get to do anything. On this very blog you all are so proud of the appointments, nominations, hirings, ideas - er wait, no ideas or specifics yet - and planning that Kasich is doing BEFORE HE'S SWORN IN. Kasich promised he'd bring fiscal responsibility to the statehouse and that's what he's doing with Mr. [insert white male's name here] in the post of X.

    "For them any mud will do I guess even "artificial" mud. Is this close to home?"

    Artificial mud? What, like the post and outrage in this very post we're commenting on about the etching on a desk? Or the artificial mud about a manufactured scandal for political purpose sullying a good person's reputation accusing her of perjury when not a single criminal charge has been made?

    The ASSOCIATED PRESS and INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS and the VERY NEWSPAPERS AND AGENCIES who endorsed Kasich had a problem with this. If it's the PEOPLE'S house that Kasich is being sworn to protect and lead, the PEOPLE are to be able to witness it. Period.

    Just freakin' admit that it was a boneheaded call. Kasich has, why can't you?

    And for the record, I didn't not call anyone names. Tongue in cheek perhaps King John, but Keeling's done far worse to Ted Strickland WHILE HE WAS GOVERNOR whereas you keep pointing out Kasich is not even elected. And how many times has the word "union" been followed by "thug" on this very blog?

    I don't believe those who affiliate themselves with the "tea party" (Puh-lease stop hijacking our great country's storied past for soundbites) are racist. I think they're ill-informed, misaligned, do-as-I-say-hands-off-my-own-Government-handouts misanthropes. I do believe people like Reichert give you guys a bad, bad name though the legislation that your leaders drum up just clean up the language a bit but still smell just like Reichert's contempt when he tossed money at Mr. Letcher.

    Keep stomping around saying that terrible "s" word....ssssssocialism. Look it up, understand the history behind such a movement. If you're going to attempt to define an entire grassroots movement like progressivism or the Democratic party, try educating yourself about what we actually stand for. Or you can just pretend you know, since you're light on facts or enjoy ignoring them.

    No, I'm not bitter. Bitter would be me moving my family to a decent state. Bitter would be me taking my ball home since I didn't like how the other team looked on the field. I'm sure as hell pissed. I'm pissed that you think this is good leadereship. I'm pissed that too many people were beaten figuratively back into their homes with nonstop negativity from outside interests and millions of dollars spent by special interests away from the polls. I'm pissed that the guy leading our state wasn't even elected by the majority of voters in the state. I'm pissed that instead of growing new talent from Ohio he's appointing double dippers and out-of-staters with their fingers in the big business the department's they're going to run are supposed to protect our state from.

    Bitter goes home. Pissed comes here, keeps an eye on you guys and counts down the clock before we get to go at it again for the right to save this state.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I do not take anything you swill here personal. I DO take what any politician or person does to damage our state for the long term personal.

    The example I was using was for previous inaugurations (duh). And please, you know you'd be ticked off if it was done in secret.

    If everything Kasich does before he is literally sworn in is off the table for questioning and criticism simply because he's not sworn in, then he doesn't get to do anything. On this very blog you all are so proud of the appointments, nominations, hirings, ideas - er wait, no ideas or specifics yet - and planning that Kasich is doing BEFORE HE'S SWORN IN. Kasich promised he'd bring fiscal responsibility to the statehouse and that's what he's doing with Mr. [insert white male's name here] in the post of X.

    "For them any mud will do I guess even "artificial" mud. Is this close to home?"

    Artificial mud? What, like the post and outrage in this very post we're commenting on about the etching on a desk? Or the artificial mud about a manufactured scandal for political purpose sullying a good person's reputation accusing her of perjury when not a single criminal charge has been made?

    The ASSOCIATED PRESS and INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS and the VERY NEWSPAPERS AND AGENCIES who endorsed Kasich had a problem with this. If it's the PEOPLE'S house that Kasich is being sworn to protect and lead, the PEOPLE are to be able to witness it. Period.

    Just freakin' admit that it was a boneheaded call. Kasich has, why can't you?

    And for the record, I didn't not call anyone names. Tongue in cheek perhaps King John, but Keeling's done far worse to Ted Strickland WHILE HE WAS GOVERNOR whereas you keep pointing out Kasich is not even elected. And how many times has the word "union" been followed by "thug" on this very blog?

    I don't believe those who affiliate themselves with the "tea party" (Puh-lease stop hijacking our great country's storied past for soundbites) are racist. I think they're ill-informed, misaligned, do-as-I-say-hands-off-my-own-Government-handouts misanthropes. I do believe people like Reichert give you guys a bad, bad name though the legislation that your leaders drum up just clean up the language a bit but still smell just like Reichert's contempt when he tossed money at Mr. Letcher.

    Keep stomping around saying that terrible "s" word....ssssssocialism. Look it up, understand the history behind such a movement. If you're going to attempt to define an entire grassroots movement like progressivism or the Democratic party, try educating yourself about what we actually stand for. Or you can just pretend you know, since you're light on facts or enjoy ignoring them.

    No, I'm not bitter. Bitter would be me moving my family to a decent state. Bitter would be me taking my ball home since I didn't like how the other team looked on the field. I'm sure as hell pissed. I'm pissed that you think this is good leadereship. I'm pissed that too many people were beaten figuratively back into their homes with nonstop negativity from outside interests and millions of dollars spent by special interests away from the polls. I'm pissed that the guy leading our state wasn't even elected by the majority of voters in the state. I'm pissed that instead of growing new talent from Ohio he's appointing double dippers and out-of-staters with their fingers in the big business the department's they're going to run are supposed to protect our state from.

    Bitter goes home. Pissed comes here, keeps an eye on you guys and counts down the clock before we get to go at it again for the right to save this state.

    ReplyDelete
  22. In all seriousness - while I am annoyed and in general pissed off, I in no way meant to somehow post that 3 times!

    ReplyDelete

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