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“Sixteen Tons”

“You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt”

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“Voice of Freedom”

There's a bit of a story behind this one.

Back in 1980, somebody brought me a record from the National Association for Broadcasters convention. It was the audio track for a film presentation that a company called Tomorrow Media had put together. It had a decent science fiction story. But it also had one remarkable music track. I wasn't the only one who thought so, the song made the Billboard Hot 100 that year.


Voice of Freedom

Jim Kirk and the TM Singers
I want a world
Where kids can play
And there’s plenty of food to eat

I want a world
Where I can speak
And know that I’ll be free

I want a world
That’s full of love
Where kids are taught that God’s above

I want a world
That doesn’t waste
So when we’re moms and dads it’s still a beautiful place

I want a world
Just like America
Like the USA
Cause even though
Perfect it’s not
It’s the best thing this world’s got

Oh we’re the voice of Freedom
We’re the voice of America
And we’re only people
But we’re united again
Then you can say
We’re conceited
You can say
We’re too proud
But a lot of our friends have died
For what we have

I want a land
American pride
American side
American
I want to be All American
I want to eat
American
I want to sleep
American
I want to be American
I want to be All American

Oh we’re the voice of Freedom
We’re the voice of America
And we’re only people
But we’re united again
Then you can say
We’re conceited
You can say
We’re too proud
But a lot of our friends have died
For what we have

I want a world
Where kids can play
And there’s plenty of food to eat

I want a world
Where I can speak
And know that I’ll be free

I want a world
That’s full of love
Where kids are taught that God’s above

I want a world
That doesn’t waste
So when we’re moms and dads it's still a beautiful place

I want a world
Just like America
Like the USA
Cause even though
Perfect it’s not
It’s the best thing this world’s got

Cause even though
Perfect it’s not
It’s the best thing this world’s
Got

So technically it's monotheistic and not supporting of religious pluralism. I still like the song.

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Evil and good

Our enemies are never as evil as we think they are and maybe we are never quite as good.

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“Almost Every Major Franchise is Compromised”

It's not about abuse of power. It's not about moral failings.

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NeoNote — Princess Leia was a badass

Just going to point this out. Princess Leia was a badass.

When we first see her, her ship has been captured by the much larger star destroyer. What does she do? She hides the secret plans where nobody will find them and records a message. After that she grabs a blaster and holds off stormtroopers. When she's finally captured, she faces down Tarkin and Vader telling them both off and giving a "the reason you suck" speech. When Luke and Han break her out of her cell, she grabs a gun and breaks all of them out of the detention level.

All while never using her sexuality to get what she wants or letting anyone forget she is a woman.

Leia turned the whole damsel in distress thing on it's head. And arguably has the least character development of any of the "face" characters in the first trilogy.

But she's the one who impacts the heroes. The formula isn't damsel in distress. It's catalyst for change.

Going back to Casablanca, Ilsa wouldn't be Ilsa if she didn't have to choose between two men she loved. Yes, part of it was the cause and the circumstances, but it is Ilsa's struggle that defines the film, even as it changes Rick because he can't have her.

Back to the original Terminator, Sarah Connor started as a wimp defined by her victimhood. By the end of the film, she's gone beyond mere survival to drawing a line in the sand and dedicating herself to a higher cause.

Scarlett O'Hara is perpetual victim who ends the story hoping that another man will come along and rescue her.

There's a way to do a strong woman character, and they don't have to be over sexualized or a kick-ass commando. If they start as a victim, they don't end up as a victim. And their impact on the people around them is all out of proportion to their ability.



*nods*

The problem with Rey isn't that she is a strong character. The problem is that she is not a hero because she doesn't change. Other than having magic force powers literally given to her, how is she different in at the end of her second movie than she was in the beginning of the first? We don't know anything about her other than she breaks all the rules for force manipulation and Jedi training.

Why the blazes are we supposed to care about her?

The story is not about Rey's journey to be a hero, it's about establishing that women as a class can be heroes too. It's a collective benchmark instead of an individual achievement. It's not Rey that is successful, it's about all women through Rey.

And it's as boring as stale nachos and flat beer.



The thing is, we saw the roots of change in Luke. We saw him "trust his feelings" to blow up the Death Star. The scenes where he met Yoda, he and the audience learned not to take things at face value. The bit where he saw under Vader's mask in the tree. And the climax of the second film when he discovered just how outclassed he was.

When have we seen Rey struggle?

I agree that Finn and Poe have changed. But they aren't the viewpoint characters. Part of me can't help but wonder if the films would be better if Finn was the viewpoint and Rey was just the catalyst like Leia was.
NeoNotes are the selected comments that I made on other boards, in email, or in response to articles where I could not respond directly.

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Between you and paradise

Everywhere she goes, evil men die, and we cheer her for it. And she grows more sure that she is good and right. She believes that her destiny is to build a better world for everyone. If you believed it; if you truly believed it, would you not kill anyone who came between you and paradise?
tip of the hat to Panam Post

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Thermosecurity

The first law is that the desire of authorities in charge of security for information will continue in a straight line with no limits in time and space short of the heat death of the universe. The second law is that the willingness of their authorities to supply them with the budget they need to do that has very definite limits, both in time and space. Hence the third law, which is the one we are now operating under. The information assembled by security authorities invariably overwhelms their ability to analyze the information. They are, in effect, suffocated by their own insecurity.
— David Weber, Cauldron of Ghosts

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What would Walt think?

There's a part of me that can't help but wonder what ol' Walt would have thought about a bunch of stormtroopers marching around the Disney parks. Even if it is May the Fourth.
— NeoWayland
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“I Built a City Of Lawless Anarchy and This Happened - Citystate”

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“Blowback”

tip of the hat to Wendy McElroy
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But faith manages

The pragmatic survive, and the determined thrive, but faith manages.
     — Babylon 5

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The most important phrases in human history

Let me help.
     — as explained in The City on the Edge of Forever, Star Trek The Original Series


I can do better than that!
     — some anonymous hominid far back in time

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“Yep, a Trump Pet.”

People can do most things on their own without government help, direction, or control.

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Conditions

There's a vast difference between a character who happens to be X and a X character.

The emphasis should be on character, not the label. Character is about the human condition, the label is about the labeled condition.

Next, it's acting. Fictional. If the actor is good enough, they can play the heavy and the hero. They can play the pauper and the prince. And they can play whatever sexual orientation is necessary.
     — NeoWayland
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“The TRUTH Why Modern Music Is Awful”

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“The Strange Death of Comedy”

“Tell a joke now and who knows who you might offend? Identity politics is taking the fun out of just about everything. This is – no fooling – a very serious problem. Actor/Comedian Owen Benjamin explains why and what needs to be done about it”

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Thursday supersized roundup

Survey Says: Politicized Sports, Entertainment Driving Viewers Away

But some progressives have been saying it doesn't make a make a significant difference

Digitalships and Double-Standards



Document drop: Another fatal FBI fumble in Florida

What happens when diversity is more important than public safety

The Schooling of David Hogg

Public spectacle doesn't mean you'll get respect. See also Dear David Hogg, You’re a Lying, Opportunistic, Insufferable Little Toe Rag


California judge holds climate change ‘tutorial’ ahead of landmark case against oil companies

This alone should be enough to show the judge's bias

NOAA Data Tampering Approaching 2.5 Degrees

Completely rewriting climate history

EU reveals a digital tax plan that could penalize Google, Amazon and Facebook

The important thing is NOT that the EU is going after these companies. The important thing is that "traditional businesses" pay 23.2% in taxes.

Why Trump Is Right to Reject the Paris Climate Agreement

It was never about reducing CO2. It was about the United States paying through the nose.

The Problem With Social Justice Today -- Dividing Rather than Unifying

Labels, pronouns, and power over speech.

Trump is right: The special counsel should never have been appointed

I still think the Obama and Clinton Russian connections should be investigated.

Congress Is Still Ignoring Its Spending Problem as Deadline Looms for $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill

“Four out of five voters agree that Washington has a spending problem, but a new omnibus spending bill will add yet more to the national debt.”

Freedom-Loving Parents, Rejoice: Utah Approves Free-Range Kids Bill

Let kids be kids

The sad hysteria of the Southern Poverty Law Center

Targeting conservative people and groups

Elizabeth Warren’s Unaccountable Federal Agency Backfires on Her: New at Reason

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is unconstitutional. All government agencies should answer to Congress.

More California Cities Seek to Defy ‘Sanctuary State’ as Revolt Spreads

This could make the succession movement very interesting

France: Toward Total Submission to Islam, Destruction of Free Speech

All other things being equal, the side that can't stand dissent is usually wrong.

Syrup Smugglers Take on the Maple Mafia

The free market is economic activity between consenting adults. Funny how governments don't like that, "for your own good" of course.

CalPERS retirees are suddenly worried about their pensions. What happened?

Government took too much power and mismanaged the assets

Fired FBI official authorized criminal probe of Sessions, sources say

I'm not even sure this is legal against a sitting Attorney General

FOSTA Passes Senate, Making Prostitution Ads a Federal Crime Against Objections from DOJ and Trafficking Victims

Another headline grab for politicos

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Dolly Parton is a class act

I’m not addressing that. I do not get into that. Of course I have my opinion about everybody and everything. But I learned a long time ago, keep your damn mouth shut if you want to stay in show business. I’m not in politics. I am an entertainer.
     — Dolly Parton
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Measure of happiness and well-being

First, there is nothing either intrinsically right or intrinsically wrong about liberty or slavery, democracy or autocracy, freedom of action or complete regimentation. It seems to us, however, that the greatest measure of happiness and of well-being for the greatest number of entities, and therefore the optimum advancement toward whatever sublime Goal it is toward which this cycle of existence is trending in the vast and unknowable Scheme of Things, is to be obtained by securing for each and every individual the greatest amount of mental and physical freedom compatible with the public welfare.
     — E. E. Smith, First Lensman
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Point a gun

Hello, everyone. Guess who. Please, point a gun at me if it helps you relax.
     — The Doctor, A Good Man Goes to War
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Monday roundup

I remind you that no American political fact for the last two years has been easily ascertained. Or static.

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Too afraid

This long, solemn wake is an over-reaction that’s led to boredom and disinterest from the general public who actually pay to watch movies. People still love sex, sizzle and controversy — but the entertainment industry is too afraid to serve it up right now.
     — Johnny Oleksinski, The woke police have ruined entertainment
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Wednesday roundup

Bill Nye Does Not Speak for Us and He Does Not Speak for Science

Silliness

Democrats And Leftists Will Be Giving At Least Six Separate Responses To Trump’s State Of The Union Address

This disunity shows that the Democrats still don't know what to do about Trump

'Booze Equality' Bill Inches Forward for Virginia Craft Distilleries

“ The Virginia wine tax is $1.51 per gallon and the tax on beer is $0.26 per gallon. The ABC Board marks up the price for liquor sold on-site at distilleries by 69 percent. Once ABC takes its 54 percent cut of the purchase price, it ends up effectively taxing spirits at a rate of $30.88 per gallon.”

Man Incarcerated for 6 Years Without a Trial Because He Demanded a Speedy Trial

Yes, it happened. In America.

Second Trump-Russia dossier being assessed by FBI

“Shearer does not have a background in espionage, and his memo was initially viewed with scepticism, not least because he had shared it with select media organisations before the election.” First, the misspellings are straight from the article. Second, the only reason that this "dossier" is even being considered is because nothing in the original panned out.

FCC chair opposes nationalizing 5G network

The other commission members don't like it either

Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase to tackle employee health care costs, delivery

The single biggest problem in healthcare is government, but this article doesn't admit that

Nope, Trump Doesn't Get Credit for Low Black Unemployment

It started before Trump was sworn in

National I.D. By Any Other Name Still Stinks

Americans didn't want it but we're stuck with it

How Trump is Retooling Politics for the 21st Century

The press and the politicos aren't coping with him

Kelly: White House to Release Nunes Memo ‘Pretty Quick’

This is the fork in the road

“Dreamers” vs. demons

Worth considering

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director RESIGNS after her purchase of tobacco stocks is exposed

The CDC is not a regulatory agency

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“We All Knew”

“Street Artist Trolls Golden Globes with ‘We All Knew’ Artwork”

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Monday roundup

Headlines that don't merit their own entry

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A good man

Good men don’t need rules. Today is not the day to find out why I have so many.
     — The Doctor, A Good Man Goes to War
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“STOP. SEXUALIZING. CHILDREN.”

“This video looks at the concerning trend toward the sexualization of children through shows like Big Mouth, provocative toys like Bratz, and the dangers of advocating acceptance of attraction to children.”

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Taken stands

I've taken stands for gun rights, alternative sexual practices, the value of the family with men and women role models, religious choice, the free market, and good movies.
     — NeoWayland
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Folly

You haven't lived until you have an evangelical Christian and a radical atheist both trying to save you from your “folly” at the same time. After a bit they forget about you and argue with each other.

Great entertainment.
     — NeoWayland
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Institutional churches

I think it has a lot to do with how connected someone feels to their church/temple/circle/whatever. I think that big institutional churches appear more interested in putting butts in pews than any genuine mission. The church members just give a little time every week and put some cash in the offering. Easy peasy. I really don't understand how those “megachurches” work. To me, if a normally-sighted person can't see the pulpit clearly from the back row without a huge television screen, then it's not really a church. It's an entertainment palace.

What can I say? My own practice demands personal involvement. Even without that, I've got a bunch of preacher ancestors who would disapprove.
     — NeoWayland
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❝What I do is not up to you.❞

What I do is not up to you.
     — Wonder Woman (2017 film)
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“1970s Cartoon Music Video Black White”


tip of the hat to Maggie McNeill
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Monday roundup

Molina Healthcare Exits Obamacare Exchanges in Two States, Experiences $230 Million Loss

Remember, the exchanges were never meant to last. And this is another mess that Obama chose to have his successor fix.


Coast Guard Chief Will Disregard Trump’s Ban on Transgenders in Military

He can't, not legally. If the code changes and Trump gives the order, it's a court martial offense.


FBI monitored social media on Election Day for 'fake news' about Hillary Clinton: Report

So who gave the order? And did this really happen?


Venezuela says crushes anti-government attack on military base



BOM scandal: “smart cards” filter out coldest temperatures. Full audit needed ASAP!

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology apparently gooses the numbers before they become Official™.


Immigration Brings Out the Social Engineers

“If we Americans value freedom, we will dismiss the social engineers, open the borders, and liberate ourselves.”


Republican Shadow Campaign for 2020 Takes Shape as Trump Doubts Grow

I don't think it will happen, but you can practically feel the NY Times drool


Dunkirk: A contrary view about a movie everyone else loves

Something I never considered but well worth thinking about.


U.S. job growth surges in July

I'm not sure the growth is stable, but yes, the numbers did surge. And yes, Obama would have killed for those numbers.


1.8 million California acres were set aside for frogs.

Environmentalism is a crusade, ecology is a science studying interconnections and tradeoffs.

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Token doctor? - revised

Our heroes are defined by what they have done and how they inspire us.

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Winning?

Winning? Is that what you think this is about? I’m not trying to win. I’m not doing this because I want to beat someone, because I hate someone, or because, because I want to blame someone. It’s not because it’s fun. God knows it’s not because it’s easy. It’s not even because it works because it hardly ever does. I do what I do because it’s right! Because it’s decent! And above all, it’s kind! It’s just that… Just kind.

If I run away today, good people will die. If I stand and fight, some of them might live. Maybe not many, maybe not for long. Hey, you know, maybe there’s no point in any of this at all. But it’s the best I can do. So I’m going to do it. And I’m going to stand here doing it until it kills me. You’re going to die too! Some day… How will that be? Have you thought about it? What would you die for?

Who I am is where I stand. Where I stand is where I fall.
     — the Doctor, The Doctor Falls

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And a pony

“In Congress, July 4, 1776”

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“The Drunken, Pagan History of Christmas” by Adam Ruins Everything

It's not what you think it is

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Wrong lizard

There was a good piece at Wendy McElroy’s blog. It's from Douglas Adam's So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.

...On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."

"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."

"I did," said Ford. "It is."

"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't people get rid of the lizards?"

"It honestly doesn't occur to them," said Ford. "They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates to the government they want."

"You mean they actually vote for the lizards?"

"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."

"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"

"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard," said Ford, "the wrong lizard might get in."

Sort of sums it all up, doesn't it?

When both choices are bad, and the system locks out any other choice, then why participate? The system is fixed.

It's fixed against you.

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The Peanuts Movie

The Imperious Leader has is trying to phase out coal

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John Oliver speaks on encryption

The FBI and the DoJ don't believe the U.S. Constitution applies

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Disarming

Does that person threaten you or yours?

Does that person take or damage your property?

Then why are you trying to control them?
     — NeoWayland
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Military honor

Our military is mostly honorable people who want to do the right thing.

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Colbert was the distraction

The FCC sneaks in the back door on the cable companies

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Response to my Ebert entry

Roundup of the headline links

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Rogert Ebert wants critics of Obama to "Put up or shut up"

This is a page from the original version of Pagan Vigil. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.paganvigil.com/C127135145/E20100903114934

Rogert Ebert wants critics of Obama to "Put up or shut up"

Funny how that only works if there is a liberal President

Roger Ebert stepped over the line.

Here's the thing. Just because someone happens to be President doesn't mean that he shouldn't be criticized. He should be. Loudly. Publicly.

But for pity's sake pick the battles.

The fact is that there are those who lambast both Glenn Beck and Barak Obama (all hail the Imperious Leader, may his toenails never shrink!).

If it were a Republican President, Ebert would be at the head of the pack criticizing him. Oh wait, that already happened. Numerous times.

Sometimes I really hate being proven right again and again.

Now that it's "their guy," liberals like Ebert don't want anyone criticizing the President. And they will go out of their way to paint the most public opposition as "nuts."

Just like happened with conservatives and Bush.

Me, I say that the problems start because government tries to control too much of your life.

Yes, elected officials should be criticized. Loudly. Especially if they break their own rules and promises.

And if that doesn't work, just remember that the rule of law works both ways. If the "elite" won't abide by it, there is no reason you have to submit.

Posted: Fri - September 3, 2010 at 11:49 AM

A class="pvc" HREF="http://www.paganvigil.com
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I answer the Neighborhood Game round 2

Are you ready to think about these neighbors? What would you do?

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Neighborhood Game Round Two

Headlines that don't merit their own entry

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My thoughts on the neighborhood

Critics of my criticism

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Introducing the Neighborhood Game

These older blog entries have been reformatted and entered into the current directories.

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Dreaming of liberty

What does the call for a "progressive judge" on the United States Supreme Court really mean?

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That's Show Biz

A few thoughts on the big summer films and declining box office revenues

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Ferris Bueller on beliefs

This is a page from the original version of Pagan Vigil. There are some formatting differences. Originally published at www.paganvigil.com/C149884619/E102079043

'Isms' are not good

It's not that I condone fascism....or any 'ism' for that matter.  'Isms' in my opinion are not good.  A person should not believe in an 'ism', they should believe in themselves.  I quote John Lennon, 'I don't believe in Beatles...I just believe in me.'  A good point there.  After all, he was the walrus.  I could be the walrus, I'd still have to bum rides off of people!
      Ferris Bueller's Day Off

One of the great all time arguments against isms of any kind.

Posted: Sat - May 21, 2005 at 02:45 PM

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Happy Towel Day!

Douglas Adams Passing Day

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