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Rules of Engagement Prevent Firing Gen. McChrystal

by Scott Ott for ScrappleFace · 59 Comments · · Print This Story Print This Story

(2010-06-22) — Despite Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s apparently insubordinate remarks about President Obama in the recent issue of Rolling Stone magazine, the Pentagon announced today that the president cannot fire the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan under current “rules of engagement.”

“We have to be very careful about collateral damage,” said an unnamed Pentagon spokesman. “If the commander in chief were to axe Gen. McChrystal, some his family members and even his friends might also be hurt. President Obama is committed to winning the hearts and minds of the U.S. military, and you don’t do that through aggression, kicking down doors and canning people.”

The Pentagon source said the Obama administration has “very restrictive rules of engagement that prevent harm to non-combatants even if that means allowing bad actors to go free, and to continue their attacks. Even stern rebukes can cause widespread damage, so the president must take care to not make the general uncomfortable when he meets with him at the White House.”

In addition to retaining Gen. McChrystal, the president has reportedly let him know that no matter what he does in the future, his job, rank and retirement account are safe.

“Ultimately, President Obama believes that you don’t win battles by defeating your rivals,” the source said, “but by persuading bystanders that you have the best of intentions and then announcing very publicly that you’ll soon put an end to hostilities.”

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Tags: Global News · U.S. News

59 responses so far ↓

  • 1 ScrappleFace // Jun 22, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    Buy Laughing at Obama: Volume I, ScrappleFace editor Scott Ott's new book, at MacMenamin Press, Amazon, Kindle, iPad. Learn more…

  • 2 boberin // Jun 22, 2010 at 11:39 am

    I'm thinking that this will be one uncomfortable conversation… rules or no "rules"

    Good stuff Scott!

  • 3 survivalsupplies4u // Jun 22, 2010 at 6:37 pm

    Its the Muslim in the white house who needs to be fired!
    Its the poisoneous (sp) gases be emitted into the atmosphere by BP and the Muslim in the White house who need to be tarred and feathered and has someone have a match.

    Sorry if I offend a muslim! LOL

  • 4 survivalsupplies4u // Jun 22, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    Roses are Red
    Violets are blue
    If you voted for obama
    Your an idiot too.

  • 5 camojack // Jun 23, 2010 at 12:28 am

    "In addition to retaining Gen. McChrystal, the president has reportedly let him know that no matter what he does in the future, his job, rank and retirement account are safe."

    All well and good….but what about his health care benefits? That "quality" VA health care is what we're afraid of…

  • 6 ChileSerrano // Jun 23, 2010 at 12:50 am

    It’s time – actually, it is way past time – for Malia and Sasha to do an intervention with their parents, in particular with their formerly-Hip father.

    Wasn’t yukking it up with Sir Paul McCartney the other night bad enough? Now Barack is going to base a significant Presidential decision on the contents of an article in Rolling Stone magazine!?!?? Oh, B.O. – say it ain’t so!!

    The girls need to make something clear to Huff-n-Puff Daddy : Rolling Stone used to be cool – 50 !!! years !!! ago !!!

    Keep it up, Barack, and by the time the 2012 election rolls around, the only “youth vote” that you can expect to have supporting you is gonna be the Helen Thomas “You’re Only As Pretty As You Feel” Glee Club!

  • 7 boberin // Jun 23, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    Agreed, I'll be stunned and amazed (and actually saddened) if he isn't fired today. I can't imagine that there is any other acceptable course or the military will become a joke.

    And, believe it or not I also agree that he's right, it's a stupid, unwinnable war. He's just not allowed to say those things in public, period.

  • 8 Hawkeye_R // Jun 23, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    Excellent as always Scott. Another "classic" if I do say so… and I do.

    (:D)

  • 9 Tinman // Jun 23, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    Hmmm, it all sounds so familiar

  • 10 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 23, 2010 at 5:39 pm

    Meanwhile, they've taken the cap off of the gusher so that it can spew unimpeded. Thank you, BHO.

  • 11 boberin // Jun 23, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    The deed is done as it had to be…

    JL3, you are indeed one tough man to agree with…we must meet sometime

  • 12 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 23, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Heh.
    The idolatry of this Democrat party-hearty hero will now become rampant worldwide.

  • 13 boberin // Jun 23, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Brad tells Angie "I don't love you anymore" ? That is shocking

  • 14 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 23, 2010 at 6:43 pm

    Yes. I can see where I should have specified which Democrat party-hearty hero I was referencing; there are so many adorning that cover. A virtual potpourri of Kool-Aid drinkers, even.

    Updated: Need some talking points?

  • 15 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 23, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    National Enquirer. Rolling Stone. The new age of journalistic excellence. How weird is that!?! But, if that's what BHO likes to read, who am I to judge.

    It's been hitting 100 degrees here for the last few days with no let-up in sight. I can't wait for summer to kick in. Wasn't that long ago we had one foot of snow. I saw a time machine on Craig's List…..

    General Petraeus is going to have to go in there and kick some buttocks. The enemy will try to take advantage of the turnover with a swiftness. He needs to be swifter. God Bless America.

  • 16 boberin // Jun 24, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    But still, do you think it's true…that Brad and Angie are through? Please tell me it isn't so…please!

  • 17 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 24, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    "Oh, Mr. Pitt!" (as obsequious Democrat party-hearty insiders are known to loudly address him), should have been awarded every possible award available for his portrayal of Jeffrey Goines in Twelve Monkeys (1995).
    Meanwhile, 24/7, thousands of satellite trucks, Klieg lights and armed Police surround the Hotel where Gore is alleged to have committed dastardly deeds. Stealth helicopters are implied.
    Conspicuous by its absence is the (D-Tenn) after his name, but that's how the Politburo operates.
    BHO bears the blame—he knew his campaign administration was a sham from Day 0. Remember the Greek Columns? The "President-Elect 'Seal'"? I mentioned this during the "campaign," thus it's worth mentioning that the "blowing smoke" euphemism has an interesting origin. It's all sleight of hand, so-to-speak.

    Look into to my eye. Yes, that one peeping through the little square, and follow me @JamesonLewis3rd for the latest updates from the far reaches of the as-yet unknown.

  • 18 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 25, 2010 at 12:18 am

    Heh. Code Pink, MoveOn.org, Hollywood, the MSM, Cindy Sheehan, et al are all apoplectic at the reemergence of General Betray-Us.

  • 19 RAM1 // Jun 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    Having just had a heart cath and two stints put in my heart at Richard L. Roudebush VA hospital here on Monday, I feel I had EXCEPTIONAL, QUALITY care, and am very grateful to ALL the doctors, nurses, and staff there, so I have to digress.

    PS: It didn't cost me one dime as a Veteran!

  • 20 ChileSerrano // Jun 25, 2010 at 7:17 pm

    I swear to God, bob – I cannot understand why you insist on pestering us with this unimportant, irrelevant crap – especially at such a momentous time in our nation’s history. Do you not realize that this is the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s untimely death? Haven’t you heard of the special coverage being planned by all the major TV networks?

    The way you go on, one would conclude that you don’t think we have a serious concern in the world!

  • 21 RAM1 // Jun 25, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    Apparently Scott has "blackballed" me from posting.

    Thank GOD I still have a Savior who FORGIVES 70 times 7 AND HE is ALL I need!!!!

  • 22 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 25, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Oh thee faithfull scrapplers,
    Remember the great old days of Scrappleface when Scott had to laboriously scan and expiate every post that was non family material from surfacing on these pages? When dissenting views were allowed so long as they were not profane and/or deliberately evil. No human being, even the great Scott, could keep up with volumes of posts in the tens of thousands with such high standards and remain sane. He took the correct step and used an automated service to stop the repeat offenders. This had the unfortunate effect of stifling most of the debate which occurred here. While it had the obvious effect of making the site more family friendly and palatable to our Christian senses, It also reduced the conflict which most humans seek and, therefore, caused a decrease in the number of posts.

    Deus est Semper Fidelis
    SGT USMC 1ea

  • 23 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 2:54 am

    I refer you back to a post I made to a fellow Scrappler in 2004 :
    "Thank you for your kind words and Gods Grace be upon you and yours. You can read scrappleface and see the various personalities leap off of the page in an almost predictable manner. Hankmeister usually combative with a rapier wit and vast store of learning, Ms RightWing reserved, sweet and keenly sharp. LibsWurstnightmare bludgeoning trolls with a heavy satirical hand. Santini the infinetely creative one that avoids conflict etc….Truly a great bunch of folks that have learning and ability far beyond mine in most ways etc…

    Oh my, my, where are you Great Santini, libswurst, Upnorth, so many other greats?

    God Bless
    Deus est Semper Fidelis
    SGT USMC 1ea

  • 24 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 3:13 am

    If anybody is interested, There was once a troll here named "ignint". I took him offline of the site and had a massive correspondence with him and he stopped trolling. There were others as well. Christians know: 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

    Most of you know where to e-mail me if you like for transcriptions of that virtual conversation.

    Deus est Semper Fidelis
    SGT USMC 1ea

  • 25 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 3:45 am

    JL3
    I am not sure the National enquirer is the most reliable news source. I read this rag when I was in my grandmothers house and remember the cover page of "Bat boy may just eat you? , or something to that effect.
    God Bless
    Deus est Semper Fidelis

  • 26 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 3:57 am

    Camo,
    I once had access to that "quality" VA/military health care. They told me that my foot could not possibly be broken since I had managed to walk into sick call. I wound up running 3 miles on a broken foot the next day for our semi annual Physical Fitneess Test (PFT). I went to a civilian (emergency) faciliity the next day and the x-ray showed it was broken. Oh well, the doctors get paid the same in socialized medicine regardless of how well they do, how many patients they see, or how many permanent disabities/deaths they cause.

    Deus est Semper Fidelis
    SGT USMC 1ea

  • 27 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 12:16 am

    I am buying 36 copies (+/-35 copies margin of error). I thank you sir for your dedication to GOD. I love your Trifecta episodes and all of your work here.
    Thank You
    God Bless
    Deus est Semper Fidelis
    SGT USMC 1ea

  • 28 camojack // Jun 26, 2010 at 4:42 am

    Indeed. Thank you for illustrating my point.

    Unfortunately, those who haven't experienced such "quality" health care (as we have) could be in for a rude awakening…

  • 29 ChileSerrano // Jun 26, 2010 at 5:02 am

    SGT USMC 1ea: Nice to see you drop by. Where've you been?

    Quite a few of the old-time Scrapplers are still around, though they post far less frequently. Some others I'm planning on trying to contact via email if I don't see them soon; a number of the most persistent trolls have been driven out like money-changers from the Temple, & I can't say I miss 'em that much. Santini, rest his soul, passed away not so very long ago. Did you not get an e-mail regarding that?

    Anyway … don't be a stranger …

  • 30 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 5:12 am

    Camo,
    Get a life. What the heck are you doing up at 1am PA time. It is 10pm here in Californication. Just kidding, life is variable. I hope the nation will elect conservative congresscritters and this national health care will be repealed soon. You done been there and done that. Tell me how that OV-22 contract is commencing!

    God Bless
    SGT USMC 1ea
    Deus est Semper Fidelis

  • 31 SGT_USMC_1ea // Jun 26, 2010 at 6:13 am

    Redpepper,
    Great to hear from you! I have been in country x,y and z and of course backwoods Japan prior to that. Santa Barbara and Bosten in the interim, Sorry I cannot elaborate further. Nuke missile defense and all.
    I am so sorry to hear about the Great Santini. Please repost or send to rtoddjohnson1@yahoo.normallythesuffix any really heavy news I may have missed. The man was such a talent that even at blank+years you expected him to live forever. GOD makes time and the times of all are GODS. He was truly a creative legend upon whos feet I hope to kneel as a man of God when I make my exit. If you have his families contact please extend my condolences, humble as they may be.
    Deus est Semper Fidelis
    SGT USMC 1ea

  • 32 ScrappleFace // Jun 26, 2010 at 10:43 am

    Thank you.

    Scott Ott
    Sent from iPhone

  • 33 camojack // Jun 26, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    Silly wabbit…I'm a 3rd shifter, consequently I am usually up at 1 AM. The V-22 program is accelerating; they're looking to ramp up the schedule to where we're putting out one per week, but right now it's about halfway there. As in, one every two weeks. It pays the bills though, to be sure.

    I'm with you in the hope that Americans will elect actual conservatives, because the course we're presently on is unsustainable:-(

  • 34 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 27, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    The R.O.E. for The Giant Oil Slick which is about to devour Grand Isle are to just not.

    It is so sad. BHO has decided to not only destroy America in the constitutional sense but—lest there be any doubt as to his utter contempt for all humanity—will now follow up with a variation on the Scorched Earth Theme. And the Democrat party-hearty continues to applaud the empty skin in the empty suit.

    I've seen comments elsewhere to the effect that Nero was a better man than BHO. "Nero did it but….. Clinton did it but….." They cite a myth[?] of Nero, a personification of evil, actually participating in the front line fighting of the infamous fire.

    "If _____ [satan is the default] could do it, why can't I?"

    Why aren't the environmentalists suing [and/or the FBI arresting] the Federal Government for Criminal Negligence!?! Military Tribunals for all of them—the prison industry will flourish.

  • 35 boberin // Jun 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    I stand chastised…and rightly so. I had finally forgotten but now that you heartlessly bring it up…I'm crying…on the inside…sniff!

  • 36 boberin // Jun 28, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    But how did I manage to squeak through? Explain that!

  • 37 JamesonLewis3rd // Jun 28, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    My hope is built on nothing less
    Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness:
    I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
    But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

  • 38 ChileSerrano // Jun 29, 2010 at 6:46 am

    "I am disappointed that President Obama's first appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Sotomayor, joined the dissent in trampling this important right today, after previously claiming to understand the right the court upheld in the Heller case.

    ~~ House Republican Whip Eric Cantor, R-VA

    … and I wouldn't hope for anything better from Elana Kagan if I were you, Eric …

  • 39 Libby_Gone // Jun 29, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    Scott Sir,
    And all my friends,
    off topic.
    missy Kagan (gaygen???)
    no go jo.
    I wish we could vote 4 Justice.
    Originalist…………..
    where?

  • 40 KGalat // Jun 29, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    What is ACORN up to now? Watch the video at http://www.ACUACORNAction.org to find out what ACORN has become. Track former leaders to ensure that we know when ACORN attempts to create new groups using fake names to continue their work.

  • 41 SanFranNan // Jun 29, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    I have always had the nicest things to say about General baby killer!

    I love ALL the troops!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkilMeELBwk

  • 42 SanFranNan // Jun 30, 2010 at 1:21 am

    I cannot believe YouTube would allow such a vulgar video of our beloved Prez, (and my "main squeeze")!

    Disgusting!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYFBx40YRTU

    When it is removed, then I will burst into spontaneous jumping up and down and clapping, as ONLY I can do!

    My family hates it because we have "The Clapper" at home and it makes it look like we have a strobe light on.

  • 43 Upnorthlurkin // Jun 30, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Is it true that is a creation of the master satirist, Paul Shanklin?
    Seriously, that's his excuse for a golf swing?! I think he should go back to hanging curtains!

  • 44 SanFranNan // Jun 30, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    I am not sure but the part of his last name "SHANK" seems to fit here.

    Speaking of curtains, I really love that gold one "Bamie" stands in front when he is "In The House". He bought it at the Saddam Hussein "going out of business" sale!

  • 45 SanFranNan // Jun 30, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    ALL of us Congress Critters are getting nervous because it Seems that since we will not impose term limits, GOD is forcing the issue and imposing them though some of them leaving this life.

    That is why I am talking so much now about "The WORD":
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKDSw5gaNSE

  • 46 Libby_Gone // Jul 1, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    Hey all,
    I am just fried now.
    Talk of NUKING the Oil well in the Gulf.
    If Obamamma ok's this, He is anti…….
    Nuke eran or da nort whorea.
    Does anyone know what a nuke in the gulf would do?????????????
    Day Heus Los Angles……
    my way of swearing!

  • 47 JamesonLewis3rd // Jul 1, 2010 at 10:28 am

    ??Off-Topic Warning??

    Kagan: But I think that the question of whether it’s a dumb law is different from whether the question of whether it’s constitutional and I think that courts would be wrong to strike down laws that they think are senseless just because they’re senseless.

    What a genius! A Constitutional Genius! Just like BHO! I'm like so overwhelmed even.

    I am far, far less whelmed by the defeatist attitude of the Republicans; how pathetic. We need some adults! Boehner called BHO childish. Well, DUH! But look around at yourself, politicians-who-claim-to-be-Conservative, and you'll be saying, whoa.

    ??On-Topic Warning??
    BHO has rather puerile R.O.E. For example, POTUS's burger-scarffing episode with Medvedevededv wherein he looks the Bolshevik in the eye and thinks, "Go ahead and smile, you Stalinist-pig."

    If it had been me, I would have met him in a private room and given him the scoop personally, after which I would have told him to shut up. I would then have done an about-face and briskly exited the room, slamming the door behind me.

  • 48 SanFranNan // Jul 1, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    I wonder if you neocons would mind cutting my good friend, Ken Saladbar some slack?

    In my opinion, he is the best Inferior Secretary these 57 United States has ever seen!

  • 49 SanFranNan // Jul 1, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    Well, we have to pass bills to see what is in them, so this is similar. We will "nuke the well" and then see what happens.

    I LOVE surprises. I have been told I will get one early in November, whatever that means.

  • 50 ChileSerrano // Jul 2, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    JL3: What did you expect the Republicans to do about Kagan? Disagree with the Democrats' and the MSM's cheerleading?

    What a disagreeable idea!

  • 51 SanFranNan // Jul 2, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    Has anyone seen my good friend RAM1 lately?

    He is to humor what my main squeeze Obama is to bowling!

  • 52 SanFranNan // Jul 2, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    That big hunka-hunka burnin' love, Bubba Clinton said today that the late Senator Robert KKK Byrd ALWAYS put his constituents first.

    This was even true years ago when he put the black ones first in the "hanging line".
    http://video.theweek.com/video/Robert-Byrd-pays-t...

  • 53 JamesonLewis3rd // Jul 2, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Yes, exactly, it is disagreeable to disagree.
    For cowards.
    They don't want to raise the ire of BHO's diabolical henchmen.

    It's all about the PC R.O.E such as has allowed that inept loser Michael Steele to portray himself as a Republican, let alone Conservative, and stage an echoing, puerile gaffe-fest for an interminable it-seems-so-long.

    The imminent arrival of November is driving the Democrat party-hearty to spontaneous hissy fits. Watch and see if BHO isn't waving his finger into the camera at the white folk Tea Party Movement before his only term is over. The fun has just begun and may very well get ugly. After the election BHO needs to tone down his rhetoric, lest it become full scale anarchy with people burning down their own neighborhoods and running amok and stuff. I predict the real deal, far surpassing the bloodshed of the days preceding May 4, 1970.

    I think it's just out of control, just like Europe, and the entire planet is going to have to hit its absolute "bottom" before it even begins to show any sign of recovery.

  • 54 ChileSerrano // Jul 3, 2010 at 4:29 am

    I'm confused.

    Aren't we supposed to be judging things by whether or not the underlying intentions are good, rather than the actual results? Isn't that the standard that the "advanced thinkers" have been pushing for decades now?

    I ask because this does not seem to be the standard by which the new Arizona "illegal immigrant" law is being judged. I mean, they seem to have bent over backward to make it explicit that they don't want "racial profiling" to occur, regardless of what potential problems could result from actual enforcement. How come their good intentions don't make it all OK? Did we go back to the old standard and nobody sent me the memo? 'Cause if we did go back, there are a few things that I would like to revisit & re-evaluate, too! Things like the billions we spent on the War On Poverty, for one. And one or two other matters …

  • 55 JamesonLewis3rd // Jul 3, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    Ah, yes, "advanced thinkers." Like the ones who decided that there should be dozens of Valedictorians at the local high school.

    Here's what George Orwell said on his blog today (03July1940):

    Everywhere a feeling of something near despair among thinking people because of the failure of the government to act and the continuance of dead minds and pro-Fascists in positions of command. Growing recognition that the only thing that would certainly right the situation is an unsuccessful invasion; and coupled with this a growing fear that Hitler won’t after all attempt the invasion but will go for Africa and the Near East.

  • 56 JamesonLewis3rd // Jul 3, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    I ran across an interesting parallel in the Appendix to the Minutes of 03July1940’s War Cabinet meeting today that is so very On Topic I am impelled to share a somewhat lengthy excerpt:
    ON what may be the eve of an attempted invasion or battle for our native land, the Prime Minister desires to impress upon all persons holding responsible positions in the Government, in the Fighting Services, or in the Civil Depart­ments, their duty to maintain a spirit of alert and confident energy. While every precaution must be taken that time and means afford, there are no grounds for supposing that more German troops can be landed in this country, either from the air or across the sea, than can be destroyed or captured by the strong forces at present under arms. The Royal Air Force is in excellent order and at the highest strength it has yet attained. The German Navy was never so weak, nor the British army at home so strong as now. The Prime Minister expects all His Majesty’s servants in high places to set an example of steadiness and resolution. They should check and rebuke expressions of loose and ill-digested opinion in their circles, or by their subordinates. They should not hesitate to report, or if necessary remove, any officers or officials who are found to be consciously exercising a disturbing or depressing influence, and whose talk is calculated to spread alarm and despondency. Thus alone will they be worthy of the fighting men, who, in the air, on the sea, and on land, have already met the enemy without any sense of being outmatched in martial qualities.

  • 57 ChileSerrano // Jul 4, 2010 at 7:24 am

    Happy Birthday, America!

    Y'all feelin' OK? You don't look so good … like you ate somethin' didn't agree with you.

    Maybe you should just skip the cake and the fireworks and lie down for a spell.

  • 58 onlineanalyst // Jul 5, 2010 at 12:13 am

    Great 4th of July rallying speech by Lt. Col. Allen West: http://www.therightscoop.com/lt-col-allen-west-gi...

  • 59 JamesonLewis3rd // Jul 6, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    06July1940, Berlin: Hitler’s return from the Western Front is greeted by vast enthusiastic crowds.

    The Nazis have decided that when they have conquered Britain all men aged between 17 and 45 will be deported to Germany. Himmler’s SS has also prepared a Black Book with the names of 2,820 people who are to be rounded up as dangerous subversives. They include Noel Coward, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley, E. M. Forster, J. B. Priestley, H. G. Wells, Bertrand Russell and Beatrice Webb.

    The Irish writer George Bernard Shaw, who Hitler admires greatly, is absent from the list.

    That was then, here's an article from American Thinker for the now.

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