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  • I think that it’s now safe to say that we Texans now live in a failed state.  30 years of GOP rule, setting our own standard, living the “Texas Dream,” which they’ve bragged about relentlessly…and let’s see where we are:

    A majority of the state in complete failure, unable to deliver the most BASIC of services (things that are called “utilities,” not “luxuries,” for a reason).  No power.  No water.  No means of clearing roads (that one, I can’t fault the state so much….but it wouldn’t be as big a crisis if people weren’t stuck in their homes with no power and water).  So citizens are stuck in their homes, some of them dying there. 

    Water resource planning?  After pretending for decades that a drought would never happen again, and not doing ANYTHING to develop resources in the state water plan (a document actually developed using science and mathematical projections), we had several locations, including actual cities, down to a few days of water supply.  We’ve finally gotten on our horse a bit, but it may be too late if the next drought comes anytime soon.  

    State rank in key categories:

    Education – 34

    Health Care - 37

    Infrastructure - 33

    Opportunity - 39

    Environment - 44

    Infrastructure - 33 

    In overall quality of life ranking by US News, we are now #38, down from #36 just two years ago.  At that rate, we’ll be in the bottom 3 within ten years.

    We are SUPER independent, and FUCK the feds….but we have requested federal disaster assistance more than any other state in the past decade or so.

    But hey, our economy is ranked #15!

    That’s right, we have a “roaring economy” and the “Texas Miracle!”  But we can’t deliver the basics for our citizens.  The economy is VERY efficient at funneling bazillions to the very few…..with little of it “trickling down” to most Texans.  Yeah, the people on this board generally do fine, but face the facts – we’re the top 10% or so.  We are educated, older, and fortunate.

    Our federal system allows for state-by-state experiments.  Texas is the poster child for near anarcho-capitalism and zero regulation or oversight.  We have tested that approach, for over a generation now (30 years of Republican rule).  That approach is a failure.  The evidence is undeniable, and overwhelming.  It doesn’t matter how many River Oaks millionaires you produce if the rest of your people are dying in their homes.  Shit, some of those River Oaks millionaires might be freezing to death today, too.

    The kids of a middle class family can hardly afford to go to a good state school.  Their prospects for employment are mediocre.  Their prospects of suffering crippling medical debt at some point are significant.  Their chances of not having basic utilities needed for life safety at some point – all but certain.  Their chances of becoming ill or dying from a pollution-caused illness are material.

    What’s the result?  Our leaders have sold Texas as a paradise – move here!  Bring your business here!  And some businesses have done so, adding opportunity…..but providing little to no tax support for the infrastructure we all depend on.  To the contrary, over the past few years, I know more and more people – educated people, people who can do their jobs elsewhere, who are looking to bail on this state.  It’s people with young kids, who want them to grow up in a better place.  It’s people in their working years, who simply want a better path.  It’s retirees, who want a safe and secure place to live.

    We have consumed our seed stock.  We have burned through our reserves.  We are now consuming ourselves.  The ability to pitch Texas as the land of opportunity is done.  Seeing what we have become, the tentative thought/plan my wife and I had of wrapping up our careers here and then getting the hell out of Dodge is becoming much more concrete.  My children are already unlikely to make their future in this state.  Now we are, too.

    But the response from the Republican leadership and their sycophants – “how are you gonna pay for it?  Taxes?  That’s socialism!  You want that stuff, you have to pay for it!”

    Fuck yes I do, and I’m okay with that.  I want groceries…so I have to pay HEB.  I want a car…so I have to pay Ford.  I want clothes…..so I have to pay Dillards.  I want my population educated….so I have to pay the school district.  I want electricity, with enough capacity to keep us running when we need it…..so I have to pay my bill, maybe with a capacity surcharge.  I want water to come out of the taps….so I have to pay for development of resources and maintenance of infrastructure.  I want roads….so I pay taxes to build and maintain them.  YES, I have to pay for all of those things, and “nothing is free” – no fucking shit.  So, let’s pay for it.  We have the #15 economy….we HAVE the funds in this state.  An economy with the flow of funds that ours has can produce and maintain all of those results.  But we have chosen a different path; funnel all the dollars to the top, and spend next to nothing for the public good.  We have privatized profit….we have socialized the costs.  And we are dying because of it.

    My fellow Texans are dying in their homes….and there’s nothing I can do about it today.  And I am enraged.

    I love Texas.  I am 6th generation here.  My ancestors have Texas historical markers on their graves.  We helped make this state, and this state helped make us.  It educated us (back when college was affordable).  But it’s time to face the fact – this state is a failure, and on its current path, with its current leadership and philosophy, it will only get worse.  This state has a terrible future, unless we dramatically change our path.   Chances of that happening?  0.0% -- because we’ll continue to vote for the guys who make our leadership priorities bathroom bills, and transgender sports, and requiring the national anthem be played at certain events.  Any bill that has been proposed to improve emergency preparedness of gov’t entities has been crushed by the Republicans controlling the lege….but we will definitely stick with those guys.  No taxes.  No government functionality.

    What we are seeing happening right now is our system working EXACTLY AS IT WAS DESIGNED AND INTENDED TO WORK.  And we will, I guarantee it, collectively decide to stick with that.  This state is in free-fall, and anyone with eyes can see it.  And anyone with a brain is starting to think of ways to make their life elsewhere.  It breaks my goddamned heart to see us commit collective suicide, but here we are.

     

     


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    Jive Turkey

    Posted (edited)

    Good news. At least for now.

     

    Edited by Jive Turkey
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    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    Fucking nauseating.

    • Like 2
    staboner

    Posted

    On 10/17/2024 at 7:06 AM, tx 3 putt said:

    figured he was black. does abbott know he’s a white guy ?

    black guy making it to death row?

    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    35 minutes ago, Jive Turkey said:

    Good news. At least for now.

     

    they just made abbott’s hit list !

    Ghost of LL

    Posted

    38 minutes ago, Jive Turkey said:

    Good news. At least for now.

     

    If you see Judge Jessica Mangrum around town, you ought to buy her a beer.

    • Hook 'Em 3
    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Ghost of LL said:

    If you see Judge Jessica Mangrum around town, you ought to buy her a beer.

    college gameday sport GIF

     

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    Ghost of LL

    Posted

    8 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

    college gameday sport GIF

     

    Yeah—I don’t think the CCA has jurisdiction. 
     

    Not that law and shit should get in the way of killing a man.

    atomheartbevo

    Posted

    Abbot and Paxton gonna have to primary some Supreme Court Justices

     

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    TwiceHorn

    Posted (edited)

    Stunning that the Texas lege and SCOTX have to be relied upon to do the right thing here.

    Really kind of a brilliant move by the lege to issue a subpoena to him.  This state needs an enema.

    Thank God.

    Edited by TwiceHorn
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    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    That's fun, but because Elmo and X have no presence in the ND Tex, or Tarrant County, to speak of, the likelihood of that being enforced is pretty slim.

    I don't know anything about waivers of the right to participate in class actions.  I'd tend to think those are unenforceable, as well.

    Too clever by half.

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    Brisketexan

    Posted

    9 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

    Abbot and Paxton gonna have to primary some Supreme Court Justices

     

    They will 100% do that.  And it will succeed.  Ken Paxton is the most powerful state official Texas has had in my lifetime, and there's not even a close second.  Once the Texas GQP went full-on fascist extremist, then the party is his, lock stock and barrel.

    7 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

    That's fun, but because Elmo and X have no presence in the ND Tex, or Tarrant County, to speak of, the likelihood of that being enforced is pretty slim.

    I don't know anything about waivers of the right to participate in class actions.  I'd tend to think those are unenforceable, as well.

    Too clever by half.

    The corruption being put right out there in broad daylight is the most horrifying part of all of this.  They don't even bother to try and hide it.  That tells you how untouchable they are.

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    atomheartbevo

    Posted

    https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-death-row-inmate-robert-roberson-to-testify-at-capitol-after-dramatic-stay-of-execution/
     

    Quote

    After a dramatic, last-hour legal battle and an unprecedented stay of execution, Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson is set to testify to his innocence in front of House lawmakers in person at the Capitol on Monday.

    In a last-hour ruling Thursday night, the Texas Supreme Court halted Roberson’s execution scheduled for that evening. Lawmakers subpoenaed Roberson to testify in front of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee at a date after his execution in an effort to delay his death. The Court ruled the Texas Department of Criminal Justice must honor that subpoena.

    Quote

    Roberson was convicted in 2003 of murdering his two-year-old daughter. He has maintained his innocence ever since, and a bipartisan majority of the Texas House is demanding a new trial in light of new medical evidence that could exonerate him.

    Abbot upon hearing about the delayed execution

    governor-abbott.gif

     

    Captainant

    Posted

    But these fuckers will pardon Daniel Perry, patron saint of @fattyflattie and fascist street fighters everywhere 

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    fattyflattie

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Captainant said:

    But these fuckers will pardon Daniel Perry, patron saint of @fattyflattie and fascist street fighters everywhere 

    Lulz. Not my saint.  Sorry your boy thought wielding an AK was worth getting some speed holes installed. 

    atomheartbevo

    Posted

    Greg Abbott on the podium eith the Formula 1 folks was just sad.

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    atomheartbevo

    Posted

    So twice in three days I've had the Travis County Democratic Party drop off the same batch of flyers (anti-Cruz, vote early, George Soros will pay you, etc.) and they dropped them off at other houses I saw.  I wouldn't be surprised if we are talking a buck or two's worth of flyers (it's like 4-5 flyers stapled together). Probably 3-4 minutes of a volunteer's time to stick it on our doorknob and move on to the next house.

    It's possible this is because there are two of us in the house who voted in the Democratic primaries, so for some reason they see the need to remind two people.

    But if that's the case, is that happening elsewhere in the city?  Because that could run into thousands of dollars of wasted funds, and wasting the time of half-a-dozen volunteers who each put in 10 hours.

    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    one party rule is just wonderful ….

     

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    Beantown Express 2.0

    Posted

    Posted this shit in the presidential election thread but it probably belongs here.  Some cunt just knocked on my door and put these flyers on it.  I don’t get a chance to get to the door in time but saw her walking down the street by the time I got to the door.  These fucking republicans have no shame with the lies they put out there.  I am now enraged on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when I should be relaxing watching football. 
     

    IMG_4291.thumb.jpeg.95b44185b22d15bf04f2d814ef502fdf.jpegIMG_4292.thumb.jpeg.067bf5bc0b3c444b866f56225fe27763.jpeg

    NeverMarryAStripper

    Posted

    Yes, you must vote Republican to secure our electric grid because clearly 30 years in power in Texas is just not enough time for them to have done anything about it

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    SydneyCarton

    Posted

    On 10/26/2024 at 2:57 PM, Beantown Express 2.0 said:

    Posted this shit in the presidential election thread but it probably belongs here.  Some cunt just knocked on my door and put these flyers on it.  I don’t get a chance to get to the door in time but saw her walking down the street by the time I got to the door.  These fucking republicans have no shame with the lies they put out there.  I am now enraged on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when I should be relaxing watching football. 
     

    IMG_4291.thumb.jpeg.95b44185b22d15bf04f2d814ef502fdf.jpegIMG_4292.thumb.jpeg.067bf5bc0b3c444b866f56225fe27763.jpeg

    You should follow behind every door and trash them or confront them when someone answers the door. 

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    Willfully Horn

    Posted

    The last few cycles I voted R in the preliminaries. Twice, R canvassers knocked on my door. Haranguing them off my property proved satisfying, 

    Haven’t had the pleasure this go around.

     

     

     

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    South Austin

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Willfully Horn said:

    The last few cycles I voted R in the preliminaries. Twice, R canvassers knocked on my door. Haranguing them off my property proved satisfying, 

    Haven’t had the pleasure this go around.

    image.gif.f1cb0427d8f43fb565feaa50f1e9bfba.gif

    PenelopeWitherspoon

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Willfully Horn said:

    The last few cycles I voted R in the preliminaries. Twice, R canvassers knocked on my door. Haranguing them off my property proved satisfying, 

    Haven’t had the pleasure this go around.

     

     

     

    Maybe because the Rs have no ground game this year.

    • Hook 'Em 2
    CooterBrown

    Posted

    On 10/27/2024 at 4:17 PM, tx 3 putt said:

     

    TLDW:  The system was catching GQP double votes so it was scrapped so those votes would count.

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    Nivek

    Posted

    governor hot wheels is campaigning for cruz, I guess they are scared.  Apparently children who cannot receive an advil from the school nurse are getting their tallywackers altered during the 8 hour day, run by a school district controlled by republicans with a republican majority.   

    Their war on education has no limit and no bottom.   

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    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    after harris wins, musk will be pushing for texas succession 

    • Rage+1 5
    Brisketexan

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

    after harris wins, musk will be pushing for texas succession 

    WHY THE FUCK HAS EVERY FUCKING GIANT ASSHOLE IN AMERICA DECIDED TO MOVE TO TEXAS, PARTICULARLY AUSTIN?  We have Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Tony Hinchcliffe.....for fuck's sake, I live here, and I would fully support a nuclear strike on this town because wiping out those fucking assholes would be such a giant net gain for humanity.

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    UTCzech III

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

    WHY THE FUCK HAS EVERY FUCKING GIANT ASSHOLE IN AMERICA DECIDED TO MOVE TO TEXAS, PARTICULARLY AUSTIN?  We have Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Tony Hinchcliffe.....for fuck's sake, I live here, and I would fully support a nuclear strike on this town because wiping out those fucking assholes would be such a giant net gain for humanity.

    Iron sharpens iron.  Shit attracts shit.  This town needs an enema.

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    CTC2

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

    WHY THE FUCK HAS EVERY FUCKING GIANT ASSHOLE IN AMERICA DECIDED TO MOVE TO TEXAS, PARTICULARLY AUSTIN?  We have Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Tony Hinchcliffe.....for fuck's sake, I live here, and I would fully support a nuclear strike on this town because wiping out those fucking assholes would be such a giant net gain for humanity.

    People want to move to Austin because it’s great. But, I’ve noticed that the first thing they want to do after they get here is to change it. 

    • Like 2
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    Shaddie

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, CTC2 said:

    People want to move to Austin because it’s great. But, I’ve noticed that the first thing they want to do after they get here is to change it. 

    I moved to Austin in 1983. I moved to DFW in 2003.

    I blame “you people” for the demise. And by you people, I mean “you people” 

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    StassneyHorn

    Posted

    To be fair, Alex Jones has been here way longer. And apparently makes chili so good it makes him forget his kids names.

    Chad Fuck

    Posted

    I moved to Austin in 1983. I moved to DFW in 2003.
    I blame “you people” for the demise. And by you people, I mean “you people” 

    92 and 2000.

    Nice meeting you you peeple!
    • Haha 1
    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    9 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

    WHY THE FUCK HAS EVERY FUCKING GIANT ASSHOLE IN AMERICA DECIDED TO MOVE TO TEXAS, PARTICULARLY AUSTIN?  We have Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Tony Hinchcliffe.....for fuck's sake, I live here, and I would fully support a nuclear strike on this town because wiping out those fucking assholes would be such a giant net gain for humanity.

     

    i blame torchys tacos

    f that place 

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    Dnaguy

    Posted

    1 minute ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    i blame torchys tacos

    Truth GIF

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    Shaddie

    Posted (edited)

    22 minutes ago, Dnaguy said:

    Truth GIF

    Goddamn it I’m trying to post Alonzo mourning gif and I’m an old so can’t get it 

     

    Edited by Shaddie
    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, Shaddie said:

    Goddamn it I’m trying to post Alonzo mourning gif and I’m an old so can’t get it 

     

     

    that place is the epitome of suck and all that is wrong with austin !

     

    *tasty queso 

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    Shaddie

    Posted (edited)

    3 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    that place is the epitome of suck and all that is wrong with austin !

     

    *tasty queso 

    Edited by Shaddie
    HenryJames

    Posted

    https://www.propublica.org/article/josseli-barnica-death-miscarriage-texas-abortion-ban

    Quote

    Reporting Highlights

    • She Died After a Miscarriage: Doctors said it was “inevitable” that Josseli Barnica would miscarry. Yet they waited 40 hours for the fetal heartbeat to stop. She died of an infection three days later.
    • Two Texas Women Died: Barnica is one of at least two Texas women who died after doctors delayed treating miscarriages, ProPublica found.
    • Death Was “Preventable”: More than a dozen doctors who reviewed the case at ProPublica’s request said Barnica’s death was “preventable.” They called it “horrific,” “astounding” and “egregious.”

     

    • Rage+1 7
    Brisketexan

    Posted

    14 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    i blame torchys tacos

    f that place 

    F torchy's.  Always and forever.

    4 hours ago, HenryJames said:

    The cruelty is the point.  Bitches, you best know your place.  And what is that place?  At the fucking bottom -- you bitches best understand that the state can kill you now.  So shut the fuck up, or we'll make it even worse for you.

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    Longhorn_Fan68

    Posted

    20 hours ago, UTCzech III said:

    Iron sharpens iron.  Shit attracts shit.  This town needs an enema.

     

    PenelopeWitherspoon

    Posted

    On 10/30/2024 at 7:05 AM, HenryJames said:

    When I read this story a couple of days ago, it infuriated me.

    Nevermind that women's healthcare, even before the Texas abortion law and the fall of Roe, was light years behind, but this is just cruel and heartless. 

    Republicans are not pro-life. They are pro-control for WASP, straight men.

    Remember when Johnny Sack of Shit made fun of me for saying I would step foot in Texas to even visit family? This and this article from the New Yorker is why.

    https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-southwest/the-conservative-strategy-to-ban-abortion-nationwide

    • Hook 'Em 6
    HenryJames

    Posted

    Nevaeh Crain Died During a Miscarriage After Trying to Get Care in Texas Hospitals — ProPublica

    Reporting Highlights

    • Three Trips to the ER: At 6 months pregnant, Nevaeh Crain visited two Texas ERs a total of three times in 20 hours, seeking care for troubling symptoms.
    • Fetal Tests Cost Time: On her third trip, a doctor insisted on two ultrasounds to “confirm fetal demise” before moving her to intensive care. Hours later, Crain died.
    • One of at Least Two Deaths: Crain is one of at least two Texas women who died under the state abortion ban. Josseli Barnica died after a miscarriage in 2021.
    • Like 1
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    PenelopeWitherspoon

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

    Nevaeh Crain Died During a Miscarriage After Trying to Get Care in Texas Hospitals — ProPublica

    Reporting Highlights

    • Three Trips to the ER: At 6 months pregnant, Nevaeh Crain visited two Texas ERs a total of three times in 20 hours, seeking care for troubling symptoms.
    • Fetal Tests Cost Time: On her third trip, a doctor insisted on two ultrasounds to “confirm fetal demise” before moving her to intensive care. Hours later, Crain died.
    • One of at Least Two Deaths: Crain is one of at least two Texas women who died under the state abortion ban. Josseli Barnica died after a miscarriage in 2021.

    How is this not front page news?  This is infurating! Though, I think a lot of women in Texas are just assholes.  That is all I can come up with.

    • Hook 'Em 4
    Player

    Posted

    The Nevaeh Crain story is as outrageous as it is tragic. The fact that Texas voters are bringing this misery upon themselves by supporting Abbott/Paxton/Patrick, et. al., defies all logic. As Penelope observes, a lot of these people are just assholes. But they also utterly lack empathy, and absolutely none of these horror stories will bother them until it involves someone that they personally care about. 

    And I think there's another aspect of this story that is potentially being overlooked, - a plaintiff with a wrongful death claim cannot find representation in Jefferson County. Some of the other barristers here who handle personal injury claims can weigh in, and I realize that Jefferson County is not nearly the plaintiff-friendly venue that it once was, but that seems to be a warning sign that should not be ignored.  

    But what scares me the most about that story is how hospital administrations will review the facts of the case with their physicians, staff, legal departments, and insurers to essentially develop a roadmap to avoid not only criminal, but also civil liability in the future.  I get that doctors are rightfully scared that they could go to prison if Paxton decides to scrutinize their actions in these situations. But with each incident, I fear that their focus shifts more and more from providing treatment that meets the standard of care, to simply covering their asses to avoid liability. I suppose it may be academic to some extent, as more and more OB/GYNs will surely be leaving the state. 

    Brisketexan

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, Player said:

    I suppose it may be academic to some extent, as more and more OB/GYNs will surely be leaving the state. 

    That's the part that matters.

    Because here's how it breaks down for a doc in Texas who might provide such care: make Choice A, and Ken Paxton decides you got it wrong and you go to prison for the rest of your life.  OR, make Choice B, the woman dies, and a jury decides you got it wrong and you get a ruinous malpractice judgment against you.

    OR....choice C - GTFO Texas, and go practice someplace sane that won't subject you to such idiotic choices.

    Any doc who DOESN'T pick choice C really doesn't have good decisionmaking skills.

    Med students are already opting out of OB-GN calls to Texas.  It's going to get worse, much worse.  I literally thought about this over the past week.  If/when my adult daughter becomes pregnant, I do not want her to visit us in Texas at any time during her pregnancy. I do not want to take the risk that while she is here, even if for just a few days, a life-threatening complication develops, and she dies because of our stupid laws.  Texas (and every other state with similar laws) is a no-go zone during pregnancy for any woman who wants to stay alive.  Again, it's the only rational decision.

    • Rage+1 2



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