Fri Oct 30, 2020, 08:19 AM
BeyondGeography (38,561 posts)
Unions discussing general strike if Trump refuses to accept Biden victory
Source: The Guardian
US unions have begun discussing the idea of a general strike if Donald Trump refuses to accept an election results showing a Joe Biden victory. Such a move would be unprecedented in the modern era. There has not been a general strike in the United States since 1946 – and that was restricted to Oakland, California. The local labor federation in Rochester, New York, was the first union group to officially support the idea. Union federations in Seattle and in western Massachusetts have followed suit, approving resolutions saying a general strike should be considered if Trump seeks to subvert the election outcome. Dan Maloney, president of the Rochester-Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, said his 100,000-member group adopted the resolution to get people discussing the idea – from local unions to the AFL-CIO, the nation’s main labor federation which represents more than 12.5 million people. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/30/us-unions-general-strike-election-trump-biden-victory?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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62 replies, 6664 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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BeyondGeography | Oct 2020 | OP |
soothsayer | Oct 2020 | #1 | |
sandensea | Oct 2020 | #9 | |
Pacifist Patriot | Oct 2020 | #27 | |
beachbumbob | Oct 2020 | #2 | |
dixiechiken1 | Oct 2020 | #3 | |
soothsayer | Oct 2020 | #13 | |
jmowreader | Oct 2020 | #33 | |
beachbumbob | Oct 2020 | #34 | |
orangecrush | Oct 2020 | #46 | |
DBoon | Oct 2020 | #48 | |
onetexan | Oct 2020 | #36 | |
Roisin Ni Fiachra | Oct 2020 | #4 | |
UrbanProspector | Oct 2020 | #6 | |
jaxexpat | Oct 2020 | #15 | |
pandr32 | Oct 2020 | #35 | |
RicROC | Oct 2020 | #5 | |
jaxexpat | Oct 2020 | #16 | |
wnylib | Oct 2020 | #19 | |
lagomorph777 | Oct 2020 | #21 | |
Mickju | Oct 2020 | #32 | |
IronLionZion | Oct 2020 | #43 | |
RicROC | Oct 2020 | #44 | |
eilen | Oct 2020 | #45 | |
EarthFirst | Oct 2020 | #47 | |
Habibi | Oct 2020 | #56 | |
Tommymac | Oct 2020 | #7 | |
not_the_one | Oct 2020 | #30 | |
duhneece | Oct 2020 | #42 | |
bucolic_frolic | Oct 2020 | #8 | |
sandensea | Oct 2020 | #18 | |
Richard D | Oct 2020 | #10 | |
PatSeg | Oct 2020 | #12 | |
luvtheGWN | Oct 2020 | #14 | |
Fritz Walter | Oct 2020 | #20 | |
Richard D | Oct 2020 | #28 | |
judesedit | Oct 2020 | #11 | |
NoRoadUntravelled | Oct 2020 | #17 | |
Javaman | Oct 2020 | #22 | |
roamer65 | Oct 2020 | #23 | |
Silver Gaia | Oct 2020 | #24 | |
barbtries | Oct 2020 | #25 | |
olddad65 | Oct 2020 | #26 | |
Roisin Ni Fiachra | Oct 2020 | #55 | |
ForgoTheConsequence | Nov 2020 | #59 | |
Paladin | Oct 2020 | #29 | |
not_the_one | Oct 2020 | #31 | |
DENVERPOPS | Oct 2020 | #37 | |
niyad | Oct 2020 | #38 | |
denbot | Oct 2020 | #39 | |
JustABozoOnThisBus | Oct 2020 | #40 | |
Judi Lynn | Oct 2020 | #41 | |
Dark n Stormy Knight | Oct 2020 | #49 | |
Dark n Stormy Knight | Oct 2020 | #50 | |
Cha | Oct 2020 | #51 | |
Turin_C3PO | Nov 2020 | #61 | |
nitpicker | Oct 2020 | #52 | |
Roisin Ni Fiachra | Oct 2020 | #54 | |
ForgoTheConsequence | Nov 2020 | #60 | |
NorthOf270 | Oct 2020 | #53 | |
ck4829 | Nov 2020 | #57 | |
Maxheader | Nov 2020 | #58 | |
Brainfodder | Nov 2020 | #62 |
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 08:20 AM
soothsayer (38,601 posts)
1. He can't refuse. That's not how this works.
Does it? Asking for a friend
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Response to soothsayer (Reply #1)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:47 AM
sandensea (18,882 posts)
9. Cheeto and the idea of a self-coup, are like PEADs in a pod
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/trumps-emergency-powers-worry-senators-legal-experts-70718059
I don't think could get away with it - but he's certainly mulling his options, I promise you that. |
Response to soothsayer (Reply #1)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:59 AM
Pacifist Patriot (24,340 posts)
27. Yes, he could refuse to accept the results.
Does that affect the results, the legality of the certified vote, or the transfer of power on Inauguration Day 2021? Nope.
Whatever temper tantrum he throws when he loses doesn't mean he's going to dig in and cling desperately to his Twitter Toilet Throne as the secret service drags his orange ass out of the White House. His refusal to accept the results would most likely be demonstrated by the filing of law suits that could make for a frustrating transition period that makes 2000 look quaint. But ultimately are unlikely to have any lasting impact. If the results are a landslide, it would be extremely difficult to litigate, especially in the court of public opinion. |
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 08:57 AM
beachbumbob (9,263 posts)
2. the teamsters union can shutdown this country in a matter of days
Response to beachbumbob (Reply #2)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:18 AM
dixiechiken1 (2,113 posts)
3. This ☝️☝️☝️
I had that same thought. Trucks stop rolling, this entire country is paralyzed. Billions of $$ would be lost. Talk about "essential workers"...
Hell, wouldn't take more than a couple days before the CEOs of every major corporation in this country would personally go drag his ass out of the WH. ![]() |
Response to beachbumbob (Reply #2)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:00 AM
soothsayer (38,601 posts)
13. I was a teamster! And a United Mine Worker. And an APWU member
Yes they could
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Response to beachbumbob (Reply #2)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:59 AM
jmowreader (48,963 posts)
33. Don't be so sure about that
There are many non-union trucking companies.
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Response to jmowreader (Reply #33)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 12:12 PM
beachbumbob (9,263 posts)
34. sure but how many thousands of rigs are needed to shutdown interstate and highways?
or impact deliveries?
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Response to jmowreader (Reply #33)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 04:38 PM
orangecrush (16,428 posts)
46. Scabs
Are called scabs for a reason.
They cross the line at their own risk. |
Response to jmowreader (Reply #33)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:24 PM
DBoon (20,850 posts)
48. and do non-union truckers know how to park their trucks properly?
Something I noticed during a grocery store strike a while back. Scab truck drivers did not do a very good job.
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Response to beachbumbob (Reply #2)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 12:15 PM
onetexan (11,721 posts)
36. Yes! This is a critical time in the country where their future is dependent upon, so certainly
justifies the fearsome Teamsters' right to strike.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:21 AM
Roisin Ni Fiachra (2,459 posts)
4. The best strategy, but also needs a mass boycott that targets
Republican owned businesses to fully get the message across.
Without violence. Sign me up. ![]() |
Response to Roisin Ni Fiachra (Reply #4)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:28 AM
UrbanProspector (41 posts)
6. This!!
And include the horse-racing MSM too.
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Response to Roisin Ni Fiachra (Reply #4)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:08 AM
jaxexpat (5,157 posts)
15. Boycott all things Republican
Has a nice ring to it.
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Response to Roisin Ni Fiachra (Reply #4)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 12:14 PM
pandr32 (9,962 posts)
35. Agreed 100%
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:22 AM
RicROC (1,137 posts)
5. Progressive Rochester NY
Living in Rochester I hear all the time how conservative Rochester is. Well, it never was. This city has always been a center, maybe not the center of the universe, of progressive politics and creative thinking.
Susan B. Anthony lived here, who was a friend of Frederick Douglas. Rochester City Councilman Tim Mains was the first openly gay elected official in New York State Other creative people include the inventors of the Kodak Camera, Otis elevator, the mail drop chute, Western Union, the first patent in the US for gas engines, pipe cleaners and even Jello. People who did not think like anyone else. So, it was NOT surprising for me to read about the Rochester Labor Unions initiating calls for a general strike if Trump doesn't behave. And we're not as cold or windy as Chicago, Minneapolis, or Iowa- we just receive more snow. (100 inches per year, but we don't get that all on one day LOL) |
Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:12 AM
jaxexpat (5,157 posts)
16. I have thought I was going to die in the cold.....
from the January wind off the lake. Land surveyors don't like cold.
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Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:28 AM
wnylib (17,291 posts)
19. We'll send you some of our excess snow
from Buffalo, where we can get 7 feet in 48 hours.
And our wind chill from lake "breezes." |
Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:41 AM
lagomorph777 (30,613 posts)
21. Also Xerox
I love Rochester. I want to retire there.
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Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:47 AM
Mickju (1,626 posts)
32. I graduated from the Eastman School of Music in the 60s.
I still have friends there and have a lot of affection for the city.
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Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 02:07 PM
IronLionZion (42,003 posts)
43. I graduated from RIT and lived there 4 years
Rochester is a fine city and I would have stayed there if Xerox or someone similar had hired me. Their economy could use some new investment and more jobs.
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Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 02:20 PM
RicROC (1,137 posts)
44. Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, CooperVision, Paychex, Garbage Plate
along with whoever invented the first automatic voting machines.
oh yeah, and boondoggle (from your summer camping days). |
Response to RicROC (Reply #44)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 03:37 PM
eilen (4,950 posts)
45. I'm in Syracuse and love our sister (Erie Canal) cities-- Roch, Buffalo, Utica and Albany
The farmers/rural people surrounding these cities are definitely more conservative but we have places here that are always Blue, (don't forget to count Ithaca, Hamilton, Lily Dale) all in upstate NY.
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Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 05:07 PM
EarthFirst (2,604 posts)
47. Fellow 585'er here...
Everything you mention is extraordinarily spot on.
Rochester (WNY/CNY) is certainly not without it’s demons; however we have an extremely active progressive community as advocates & allies. Be well; RicRoc! |
Response to RicROC (Reply #5)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 11:40 AM
Habibi (3,576 posts)
56. Lol, no, not all in one day
it just feels like it when you're shoveling it.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:31 AM
Tommymac (7,258 posts)
7. Solidarity.
Just announcing this is going to be a HUGE deterrent to the Rethugs who still may be thinking of supporting any quasi legal actions by the Killer Clown.
Especially those who control the REAL purse strings. Standing Strong with my Union Sisters and Brothers. ![]() |
Response to Tommymac (Reply #7)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:14 AM
not_the_one (2,227 posts)
30. Hopefully it will give the unions solidarity, and the people sufficient solidarity to support them.
It will just re-energize the republicans desire to destroy ALL unions. (Except those that support them, like police unions.)
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Response to Tommymac (Reply #7)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 02:00 PM
duhneece (3,876 posts)
42. I have endorsements from multiple unions...and I'd be out there with them
I'd heard of other (non-union) groups of people ready to be out in the streets if Trump attempts to pull shenanigans...I'm so glad to hear this general strike being considered.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:36 AM
bucolic_frolic (36,094 posts)
8. Common during political upheaval
Once the Kerensky government lost labor unions, state workers, and soldiers and sailors followed.
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Response to bucolic_frolic (Reply #8)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:27 AM
sandensea (18,882 posts)
18. And labor has also been known to foil plans to deny the top vote-getter his electoral win
The best-known such case is perhaps that of Juan Perón in Argentina.
The dictatorship at the time (1945) knew the time had come for elections - but there was a hitch: the most popular contender by far was Vice President Juan Perón, who had earned renown for his Bernie Sanders-like campaign for workers' rights as well as for his record as former Labor Minister. Under pressure from elites and other conservatives, Perón was jailed in an attempt to bar him from running - much as Brazil's Lula da Silva was more recently in 2018. You probably know the rest of the story: labor unions, joined (some say, led) by Perón's 26 year-old lover Evita, converged on downtown Buenos Aires - demanding Perón be released and allowed to run. Right-wingers called them a "zoological flood." They pressed the dictator (Farrell) to declare a state of siege, and mow protesters down if need be. But the moderate Farrell refused to attack the massive - and largely peaceful - crowds, and instead yielded to their demands. Right or wrong, he was the people's choice - and it took a ham-handed attempt to deny them that to compel them to assert themselves. Ham-handed, as you know, is Trump's middle name. |
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:51 AM
Richard D (8,188 posts)
10. I have been thinking . . .
. . . that such a general strike, extending to much of the population and virtually shutting down the country might be needed.
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Response to Richard D (Reply #10)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:59 AM
PatSeg (44,897 posts)
12. And it would slow the spread of the virus down too
Two birds with one stone!
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Response to Richard D (Reply #10)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:02 AM
luvtheGWN (1,330 posts)
14. Guess I'd better stock up on fruits and veggies
because now most of them are coming across the border.
A US general strike will do more than just cripple the US -- it would have a devastating effect on Canada and Mexico too. But I'd put up with ANYTHING that will get that monster out of the White House. |
Response to Richard D (Reply #10)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:36 AM
Fritz Walter (4,143 posts)
20. I like the Mahatma's idea
A nationwide days of "prayer and fasting."
And the evangelicals would see that someone else has much greater nationwide influence than they do. |
Response to Fritz Walter (Reply #20)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:00 AM
Richard D (8,188 posts)
28. Yes . . .
Or deep religious practices until he concedes.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 09:59 AM
judesedit (3,773 posts)
11. Awesome idea
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:17 AM
NoRoadUntravelled (2,626 posts)
17. Excellent idea. This eases my mind a great deal.
Solidarity is the only thing that will get us through a situation like that.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:48 AM
Javaman (60,941 posts)
22. as a former member of the 600 Cameramans Union, I whole heartily support them! :) nt
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:56 AM
roamer65 (33,993 posts)
23. Yeah, baby!
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:56 AM
Silver Gaia (4,268 posts)
24. I love it.
Great way to start my day on a positive note!
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:56 AM
barbtries (27,265 posts)
25. I think a general strike
would be the proper response to a republican theft of the election.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 10:56 AM
olddad65 (599 posts)
26. Wouldn't that be exactly what Trump wants?
Response to olddad65 (Reply #26)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 10:54 AM
Roisin Ni Fiachra (2,459 posts)
55. Maybe, but it would not be what Wall St. wants.
I imagine they would fix the "Trump problem" immediately, and permanently, before the Market began to seriously tank.
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Response to olddad65 (Reply #26)
Mon Nov 2, 2020, 07:19 AM
ForgoTheConsequence (4,758 posts)
59. What do you suggest?
Really curious.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:14 AM
Paladin (26,563 posts)
29. Excellent idea.
I hope it's not necessary---but I'm glad it's being announced in advance. Whatever it takes....
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 11:17 AM
not_the_one (2,227 posts)
31. THIS is a reason to have hope.
To the unions!!!
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 12:32 PM
DENVERPOPS (7,580 posts)
37. Beware of the
Law of Un-intended Consequences......
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 12:52 PM
niyad (98,725 posts)
38. Supermarkets have around three days worth of goods. Those of us who live in snow country KNOW
what the shelves look like when blizzards or just really heavy snow close the roads.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 01:08 PM
denbot (9,859 posts)
39. I'm a trucker, I'll strike.
My country before my job!
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 01:14 PM
JustABozoOnThisBus (22,785 posts)
40. Maybe labor unions, teachers, government workers, but ...
... not police unions. Those are a whole 'nuther type of mob.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Fri Oct 30, 2020, 01:45 PM
Judi Lynn (156,092 posts)
41. Good news. Thanks, BeyondGeography. n/t
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 08:06 AM
Dark n Stormy Knight (9,643 posts)
49. Good for them.
More patriotic than anything Hissolini I has ever done.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 08:11 AM
Dark n Stormy Knight (9,643 posts)
50. Good for them.
More patriotic than anything Hissolini I has ever done.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 09:10 AM
Cha (283,899 posts)
51. Why trump can't just refuse to leave office - encouraging
Response to Cha (Reply #51)
Mon Nov 2, 2020, 11:46 AM
Turin_C3PO (10,626 posts)
61. The only way Trump could
steal the election is if the unthinkable happens and the Supreme Court invalidates all mail-in ballots or early votes, something like that. But I really dont think that's going to happen. Trump will be dragged out, in handcuffs if necessary, on Jan 21st. Then Biden will begin the long process of rebuilding our government.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 09:57 AM
nitpicker (7,153 posts)
52. DO you understand what this could do???
More people traveling from store to store hunting stuff.
Suddenly, the six-county Walmart becomes the 12- county Walmart. And Remote County imports it into its churches and joins the 200-case club. |
Response to nitpicker (Reply #52)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 10:47 AM
Roisin Ni Fiachra (2,459 posts)
54. I'd rather sacrifice in a struggle against fascism, than accept the illegitimate fascist takeover of
our country and the end of American democracy.
I will not accept an illegitimate Trump dictatorship under any circumstances. "Give me liberty, or give me death." No doubts, no questions asked. |
Response to nitpicker (Reply #52)
Mon Nov 2, 2020, 08:52 AM
ForgoTheConsequence (4,758 posts)
60. Do you understand what letting Trump get his way could do?
Suck it up.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Sat Oct 31, 2020, 09:59 AM
NorthOf270 (290 posts)
53. His refusal should be ignored
If need be, he will be dragged from the WH.
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Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Mon Nov 2, 2020, 07:17 AM
Maxheader (4,325 posts)
58. If it begins to cost stumpys handlers too much...
They'll heave the fucker out the door... ![]() |
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
Mon Nov 2, 2020, 04:20 PM
Brainfodder (5,456 posts)
62. I like the unity.
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