Row as Paisley MSP 'insults' area
Eric Baxter • Published 28 Jun 2011 12:00
50 Comments
A PAISLEY MSP has been accused of insulting Greenock after posting comments about the town on his Facebook page.
Political opponents are up in arms over remarks made by George Adam, pictured, on the social networking website suggesting people need 'jabs' to leave Inverclyde.
The comment was posted by Mr Adam, who was elected in May, following a day of campaigning in Inverclyde.
The SNP man wrote: "That's me back at the centre of the universe after an afternoon canvassing in Greenock and Inverclyde by-election."
A friend replied: "What's it like for a buddie to have to be nice to people from Greenock?"
Mr Adam answered: "I was in the Port."
Another friend responded: "A buddie in Greenock. You brave man. Do you know they need passports to come out of there?"
And Mr Adam replied: "And jabs."
This enraged Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil, who claimed the SNP's campaign has been 'characterised by saying one thing in public and another in private'.
He said: "This by-election has been a great showcase for Inverclyde and all the changes and progress that has been made over the years.
"It seems the SNP can't help but talk this area down. It's clear they don't share people's ambitions for Inverclyde.
"This will cause a lot of red faces at SNP HQ. I think he should be a lot more careful about what he says about people here and stop insulting us."
But football fan Mr Adam - who supports Paisley side St Mirren - was defended by his colleague, SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, who lives in Greenock.
He said: "This is desperate stuff. Most folk would recognise this for the light-hearted football banter and rivalry that takes place between Greenock and Paisley.
"As a lifelong supporter of Morton, SNP candidate Anne McLaughlin regularly puts George in his place."
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 28 Jun 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Teamnipper
79 posts
Jun 28, 12:19
Report commentThe best retort to an insult is to throw it back in good jest not chuck the dummy out the pram. Stop being so serious.
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Yes 30
No 3
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Tiddles
1077 posts
Jun 28, 12:21
Report commentWhat next, Alex Salmond eats baby moneys?
Recommend? Yes 22
No 3
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askelvis
456 posts
Jun 28, 12:21
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GordieJ
6 posts
Jun 28, 12:22
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askelvis
456 posts
Jun 28, 12:29
Report commentI need a good wash after coming out of port glasgow not as far as a jab even know there are plenty of needles lying about to get jabbed.
Recommend? Yes 22
No 4
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yvoynix
114 posts
Jun 28, 12:30
Report commentMcNeill must lead a very sheltered life! :D
Recommend? Yes 25
No 5
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Tiddles
1077 posts
Jun 28, 12:37
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maccaboy
15 posts
Jun 28, 12:47
Report commentMcNeil is daft to complain about this - but I have to say that George Adam is one of the shiftiest-looking guys I've seen in a long time, going by that photo.......
Recommend? Yes 13
No 7
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missday1
67 posts
Jun 28, 12:48
Report commentPAISLEY!! , centre of the Universe , you need to get out more George
Recommend? Yes 23
No 3
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rangers
7 posts
Jun 28, 12:54
Report commentWhat a load of rubbish if that is all our MP'S have to worry about it's a sad day. In stead off fussing about this matter maybe they should asked themeselves why people think this way and impove the area and it's surrondings
Recommend? Yes 21
No 3
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scullerypress
4 posts
Jun 28, 13:02
Report commentGet over yourself McNeil. It's banter and everyone knows you need a gas mask to visit Paisley.
Recommend? Yes 27
No 2
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clissh
1 post
Jun 28, 13:06
Report commentMr McNeil needs to go back and read the posts...it implies anyone coming from Greenock needs a passport to travel elsewhere, and Mr Adam's response is the Greenockian would also need jabs before travel. Which would indicate, actually, that a Greenockian would need innoculation against the rest of the world. Not that the rest of the world needs protected from Greenock. Simply read the context, Mr McNeil..and tut tut Greenock Telegraph! :-)
Recommend? Yes 29
No 1
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Maxi67
18 posts
Jun 28, 13:07
Report commentSurely we have more important things to worry about than this. Clearly a bit of a pot and kettle situation. ;)
Recommend? Yes 18
No 1
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Selkie
21 posts
Jun 28, 13:07
Report commentAnd they say that the Nats don't have a sense of humour! It's a pity that labour's LOCAL candidate didn't pick up on this and point out that making a big issue out of something we ALL know was tongue in cheek, makes them look like a horse's arse..... a DESPERATE horse's arse!
Honestly you'd think they would have something better to do..like talking to the people of Inverclyde, instead of just assuming they know what people think. Way to run a "positive" campaign guys!
Recommend? Yes 26
No 1
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Argyll1854
61 posts
Jun 28, 13:19
Report commentI just happen to work in Paisley every day, i go through a decontamination shelter when leaving for my home in the PORT or any other destination !!!!
Recommend? Yes 7
No 1
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Tiddles
1077 posts
Jun 28, 13:28
Report commentI wonder if anyone else picked up on the, ‘doctoring’ of that picture??? It has been, ‘adjusted’ to make Mr Adam look sleazy with acne and a red face. Dear God, has the Tele got nothing better to do that fiddle about with Photoshop in an effort to save the neck of the Undertaker?
I am constantly amazed that Duncan can manage phrases like, “characterised by saying one thing in public and another in private”. Does Inverclyde Labour actually believe that anyone in this area gives a rat’s buttock about what he thinks?
Has anyone noticed that Duncan has been moved from his spot behind Iain Gray in the Parliament? His nodding dog mannerisms were always a joy to behold especially when he got all confused (more or less all the time actually) and nodded at the SNP’s comments. He has been moved up to the dark benches rather like the way one deals with mushrooms.
There was a very strong rumour that Duncan begged to get the Westminster candidacy but a ripple of horror ran through the Labour group when they realised that not only would they lose the Westminster seat, they’d lose the Scottish Parliamentary one as well!
Keep babbling Duncan, another few millimeters and your foot is full of bullet holes!
Recommend? Yes 27
No 2
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ronnie cowan
88 posts
Jun 28, 13:53
Report commentThe Greenock Telegraph is a Labour rag. It is an insult to rational arguement or discussion. It will say anything it can to scupper the SNP. We all know that. Shame is it actually has an effect on the democratic process. So much for accuracy accuracy and accuracy.
Recommend? Yes 25
No 3
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DUKEUK64
4 posts
Jun 28, 14:01
Report commentGeorge Adam please stay away from Greenock you and the rest of you Paisley Scum can stay in your Paisley slums,you are not welcome in inverclyde ! we are trying to better our area and dont need your negative Paisley input.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 22
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newtonboy
34 posts
Jun 28, 14:05
Report comment"This will cause a lot of red faces at SNP HQ." Judging by the picture it already has!
Recommend? Yes 8
No 18
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mark265987
2 posts
Jun 28, 14:21
Report commenthe should be knighted for that comment. always in paisleys shadow - what does your postcodes all start with??? :))))))))))
Recommend? Yes 2
No 7
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jimwatson
16 posts
Jun 28, 14:23
Report commentNo more desperate than the labour candidate claiming to have led the demo against Thatcher and collected food during the miners strike. I was chatting with a labour party member who was involved in the miners struggle who readily confirmed that their candidate never took part. He was even more incredulous at the thatcher claim - I know this one to be flase for I was actually one of the main organisers....
Recommend? Yes 21
No 1
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Tiddles
1077 posts
Jun 28, 14:50
Report commentBut Jim, didn't you know that he also negotiated the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, won the Korean War, saved small puppies from drowning and found a cure for piles?
Recommend? Yes 19
No 1
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BrianHill2011
13 posts
Jun 28, 15:04
Report commentLabour & Unionist personnel rarely do well when confronted with the facts. Thank you Jim Watson for shedding a few facts on Mr McKenzie's latest 'claims to fame' .
When your Party has ruled over an area of joblessness for 5 decades or more you tend to jump on anything which might deflect attention away from that fact.
Mr McKenzie is a past master at muddying the waters to prevent the truth from being seen either about his party's lack of action over the years or the opposition's efforts to improve the lives of Inverclyde residents.
All of Scotland is looking to Inverclyde to give us a lead.
Vote for Change on Thursday......
VOTE SNP
Recommend? Yes 31
No 2
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puddinheid
10 posts
Jun 28, 18:30
Report commentget a life McNeil and do something worthwhile for the area and stop looking at the internet
Recommend? Yes 12
No 1
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stuiys
5 posts
Jun 28, 18:47
Report commentThere's nowhere more beautiful in the world than the port, Greenock and Gourock.
Recommend? Yes 15
No 7
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cazajay
19 posts
Jun 28, 20:33
Report commentNo offence but why is the majority on the SNPs side when clearly the candidate they have running for this area isn't even FROM this area! That's just a load of crap she has spouted everytime she campaignes funny how she did the same thing up in Glasgow and then in Edinburgh.
Also judging by the snippets of insults, whether in jest or not given by this snp twat, it's obvious to me that they have no intention of making our area any better.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 16
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Elicitor
2 posts
Jun 28, 20:39
Report commentDont see why a Paisley man would be down here anyway - the only good thing to leave Paisley is a Greenock bus :-)
Recommend? Yes 8
No 2
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CardyTeam
2 posts
Jun 28, 20:43
Report commentI read that comment when it was posted last week, why wait til this week to print this "nothing" story? Is this a pathetic, last minute attempt to try and swing a few cow-shed votes your way Labour? Well I'll tell ye what McNeil, tell yer undertaker Tory lovin' pal he's still no' getting our votes, you can think yerself lucky you're in a job, there should've been a steward's enquiry on your count!
These tactics tell you that extra supervision for this electoral campaign was a shrewd move because foul play was the only way these "Red Tories" were going to regain this seat.
Recommend? Yes 15
No 2
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titofuentes
8 posts
Jun 28, 20:58
Report commentAs always McNeil (mckneel before the zeitgeist) is jumping on irrelevant confidence shaking recognisable only to those with obscured view of regional politics, the exact same sleaze that the labour party has become known for. People seem to forget his hatchet tactics when “working” as a shop steward in the shipyards and the way he sold out the workers in return for the pieces of silver (used to buy his second home in Edinburgh I may add). You should also keep in mind his claim that all drug addicts should be sterilised and the shaky shaky way he presented it to parliament (seriously it looked like he’d just swallowed a full pack of pro plus) but when you’re regurgitating proper academic research (conducted by Neil McKegany) and getting your facts wrong then your bound to be a little nervous. Get ready for the new drunken monkey to be hitting your pockets after the 30th June. This town will change to right minded political thinking as the posts on this board demonstrate but unfortunately there are way too many people who think ogling monkeys at the zoo is a good way to run the country.
Recommend? Yes 14
No 2
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mickybhoy55
5 posts
Jun 28, 21:00
Report commentSame old, Same old! I'm an ex inhabitant of Greenock...Stereotypically brought up to "Vote Labour" It's the only party who will stand up for the working class...What a load of Whitney White! Look around you, people of Inverclyde, and observe the legacy of slavishly voting for Labour, both in General and Council elections...It's a damned disgrace what has happened to the area over a few generations...Now we have the little pipsqueak, intellectual bastion of politics (sic) Mr McNeill bristling with false indignation over a flippant remark...I urge you all, vote on Thursday and throw Duncan, Iain and all their cohorts on the Scrapheap....It's the only way forward....Honestly....
Recommend? Yes 25
No 1
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echosounder
130 posts
Jun 28, 22:16
Report commentI watched all the candidates on TV last Sunday and was absolutely appalled at the behavior of the Labour candidate. If that is the best Inverclyde has to offer the electorate then the Labour Party really have scraped the backside out of the bottom of the barrel. Leader of the Council? He couldn't lead a dog! He was embarrassing to say the least and all he could come up with was " more apprenticeships". Did he not know that the SNP led Parliament had increased the number of apprenticeships by, not hundreds but thousands!!Come on Inverclyde, show the whole country what you are made of and vote for the only party that is making Whitehall sit up and take notice - vote SNP.
Recommend? Yes 22
No 2
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roberto123
9 posts
Jun 28, 22:56
Report commentone wonders is this the official or unoffial SNP site?
Recommend? Yes 4
No 10
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kittycat240
8 posts
Jun 28, 23:46
Report commentGood comments guys its giving the level of bias labour drivel a balanced view. I cannot believe how the telegraph get away with such obvious propeganda. Would like to see a new newspaper in the area who arent led by these labour cons
Recommend? Yes 16
No 1
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simcar
1 post
Jun 29, 00:21
Report commentHaving lived in inverclyde my whole life i was disapointed to read these comments made. I am a supporter of the snp party and i have to point out that i am sure that this is the opinion of one man and noto the snp party members in general all i can say is thankfully the people of inverclyde are obviously smarter than our neighbours in paisley who elected this idiot in the first place (must be all those extra jabs we get) dont be fooled by labours last ditch attempts to come back and finish destroying our town be smart and vote snp this Thursday
Recommend? Yes 14
No 1
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Argyll1854
61 posts
Jun 29, 08:58
Report comment@ Echo Sounder
I would like to know where all these so called Apprenticeships for Inverclyde are !
My lad done very well through school and there isnt anything within Inverclyde for youngsters who put a shift in at School.
Places at Universities are limited also with courses being scrapped all over the place due to funding.
Recommend? Yes 7
No 4
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pickledoeuf
4 posts
Jun 29, 12:44
Report commentAn MSP should know better than to make stupid comments in public, but really, it is just banter, not remotely important and I can't believe this is headline news.... oh hang on, wait a minute. Is there an election coming up or something?
Recommend? Yes 8
No 1
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Caltonfan
1 post
Jun 29, 13:10
Report commenthas our MSP nothing better to do with his time than comment on a non story, this was nothing but a bit of banter
Recommend? Yes 7
No 1
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dazednconfused
1 post
Jun 29, 14:28
Report commentTypical comment from Mr Mc Neill, nothing positive to say or offer, just an attempt to creat a scandal that just is not there, why did he not raise it at the time of posting, why did he wait! his reasons are pathetic and his comments are petty and pointless, Hang your head in shame Mr Mc Neill! why wasnt the "local" candidate defending us from these terrible comments coming from Paisley?
All it was is banter nothing more, I urge all voters in Inverclyde to give mr Mc Neill and the "local" candidate what they deserve tomorrow - a defeat!
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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echosounder
130 posts
Jun 29, 20:01
Report commentIn response to Argyll1884.
I did not for one minute intend to give the impression that I thought all the apprenticeships were given to Inverclyde. I understand and appreciate the difficulty young ppeople have at the moment. I was merely pointing out that the SNP have created in the region of 25 thousand apprenticeships. We must remember the size of Scotland and try not to be so insular. If Inverclyde have not gained any yet then I am sure it eventually will. So far it is certainly a much better record than the crowd in charge of Inverclyde at present can boast and I am sure a lot of people would agree with that. Perhaps even Argyll1884!
Recommend? Yes 6
No 2
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RATON1874
5 posts
Jun 29, 20:16
Report commentYet again we see that you can't say a thing about anything on the web without some politician (Yes you Mr McNeil) trying to score a political point, but then again you are renowned for such cheap politics just like the time you spoke at the "SAVE THE 'TON rally and tried to score political points with the 'TON faithful on the Stop The Rankin closing campaign by telling us "that if they manage to close the Rankin the area will be full of Paisley Buddies" so lets remember one thing about Morton Fans and the SOAP DODGERS from up the road is that it's all mostly good friendly rivalry as shown by the Saint fans at Cappielow last year when they stood in absolute silence to show respect for our own local hero Stephen Monkhouse. So grow up and remember one thing before you criticise others for "BANTER" you're no saint or come to think of it being a "New Labour" MSP you're not much of a SOCIALIST either!!!!!!!! C'MON THE TON!!!!!!!!!
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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myfindhorn
278 posts
Jun 30, 18:29
Report commentKittycat 240 If memory serves me well Greenock did get another newspaper who proceeded to highlight the sale of the WATERFRONT and the abuse of our council by selling the land belonging to the people 1772 Fue contract, they inverted the trust selling to Clydeport, Clydeport Ltd and so on so that the titles would be lost in a paper trail. They had their grant ( sure it was a council one )removed to close them down, I,m sure if I look through my fathers old papers I will come across the name.
However, as for Mr McNeil at anyime I tried to approach him, his wee male secretary would ask for your question and he would give the bold Duncan the answers, guess he was the man behind the face.
As for a shop steward, well the waterfront tells all but the arrogant man has not even the brains to see that respect is earned and even Judus has the decency to hang himself ( swiftly ) however the bold Duncan will only leave screaming, the man lives in cookoo land and has delusions of grandeur.........to Dunrod with him
Recommend? Yes 4
No 0
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Tiddles
1077 posts
Jun 30, 20:41
Report commentI amazes me that almost everyone knows that McNeil is a waste of space yet a majority, albeit a small one, went out and voted for him. I sometimes wonder if there is something of the lemming in us all that leaves us with a desire to throw ourselves off cliffs like we do when we put morons like Duncan and the Undertaker in power. He has done actually LESS than nothing for Inverclyde, his presence as an MSP detracts from the prestige of the town. In short, he is a fool but a fool who takes BIG bucks from us all each year so I suppose that makes us all fools too. Please God we are less foolish tomorrow but somehow I doubt it and no doubt we'll have put another fatuous idiot in power.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 0
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maccaboy
15 posts
Jul 1, 14:31
Report commentWell the comment above this one was correct unfortunately, and we are now represented at Holyrood and Westminster by Dumb and Dumber....... Gawd help us!
Recommend? Yes 5
No 0
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TommyT
25 posts
Jul 1, 19:34
Report commentIt appears that the Paisley gene pool is contaminated.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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WeeJockW
676 posts
Jul 1, 22:01
Report commentBloody hell jabs needed to leave Greenock, god almighty I need a daily one just to stay here.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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Violets49
41 posts
Jul 2, 00:05
Report commentWELL! Since I have spent a lifetime insulting Paisley I can't complain when one of them repays the complement! Can anybody remember
(A) the Renfrewshire councellor who compared Paisley to Paris as a cultural centre (I think she was a woman!) and
(B) the Renfrewshire council representative on the SPT board who killed the Glasgow Airport Rail Link by insisting that it went through Gilmore Street? I know they were both Laybore! Both of these instances indicate the intelectual level of the average buddy and the calibre of the average labour councillor!
PS,Tommy T I think its more than the Paisley GHene pool thats conaminated! I think there must be something in the water there!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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WeeJockW
676 posts
Jul 2, 20:11
Report commentI went to Paisley today and boy are those customs and imigration officers at the station on the ball. As soon as they found out I was from Greenock it was on the next train back down the road with Scot rail being fined for allowing me to travel.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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Alex Cochrane
2 posts
Jul 9, 08:04
Report commentThis is only football type banter and should be treated as such. I am a Greenockian who lives in Paisley (call this living?) and can tell you from experience that it is all very light-hearted. I certainly do not take it seriously and dish it out with the same size dollops as I recieve it. They wanted to re-name Paisly St James station so I suggested 'Soap dodgers get aff here'. When my St Mirren pals in the pub said that they were taking their own sannies to Cappilow I asked if they had enough deed rats for filling. Insulting each other is part of the fun. I went to Cappilow on the St Mirren bus and they all stood and clapped when I went into the Morton end, of course I gave them the finger. Instead of moaning about it get yourselves up to Paisley for the Renfrewshire cup final and give them a bit of good old Greenock stick. They really hate losing to us so give them some welly and enjoy yourselves.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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jimmackie
14 posts
Jul 12, 11:47
Report commenthis mug shot says it all got a face like smackd a--e the man is an idot
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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beerzo
1 post
Jul 15, 20:13
Report comment
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