Saturday, May 06, 2006

CNA: Condescending and Arrogant!

Deciphering CNA's propaganda:
...the real test of Singapore's electoral process coming of age must, we think, hinge on a related theme: Do we have First World voters?
Do you think CNA is trying to 'teach' the electorate how to vote? After months of bitter campaigning for the PAP, why does it seem as though CNA suddenly owns the higher moral ground of media objectivity? When was it given such audacious authority?!
In his dialogue with young Singaporeans, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew mentioned how the PAP generally preferred to field Chinese males in single-member wards, presumably because the electorate still carried racial and gender biases to the polling both.
Despite the large sums of money invested in Mediacorps courtesy of PAP, CNA continues to put the very people, it's campaigning for, in some godawful positions of public scrutiny. Just this week, the CNA published the much publisized comment of how the Prime Minister would like to 'fix' the opposition MP's and 'buy' voters. Today, it quotes Mr. Lee Kuan Yew exclaiming that the only reason the PAP exercises racial discrimination is because, it's the Singaporeans who are racists and have gender biases! Thank you for the flattery, sir!
A First World voter would be more persuaded by the bigger picture than who gives the most entertaining rally speech. He would not be swayed by sniping and potshots aimed at the political opponent - empty talk that rates high on style but low on substance.
How exactly would CNA know that even the most entertaining rally speeches could contain tangible substance? Recall, Martin Luther King's most celebrated "I have a dream" speech, which essentially sparked the American Civil Movement. Recall, Nehru's profound "Tryst with Destiny" speech made at the Indian Constituent Assembly on the eve of India's independence? These were both entertaining because they were passionate, honest and proud. Indeed, the CNA can only resort to bullshit since they didn't even cover the opposition rallies!
The ruling party has stressed that the Singapore system is unique. It has asked whether Singapore really needs to follow a model of democracy in which governments are forced to think short-term - from election to election - and come up with populist, if harmful, policies just to keep the Opposition at bay. It has pointed to its track record and asserted that it has both the vision and the personnel to deliver the goods.
The current Singapore system is one of totalitarian rule propagated by fear and intimidation. This is nothing new or 'unique'; Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini have all used this to perfection. While no Singaporean ever disagrees that Lee Kuan Yew's leadership has enabled Singapore's independence in 1965, every individual, who is not dwelling on the past accomplishments, knows that this so-called 'economic miracle' is coming to it's end. We're currently at the crossroads, and unless there is a socio-political reform underway, Singaporeans ought to be very worried. This year's General Election has proven that the PAP continues to regurgitate the same policies from 47 years ago, despite the dramatic political and environmental shifts in many of our neighbouring countries. Conversely, the opposition parties have revealed a dynamic breeze of modernity, intelligence and an awareness of their global standing. CNA: quit misleading the public. We've been to the rallies, we've read the manifestos, and we do know who's going 'to deliver the goods' and to whom!
A First World voter will think, weigh and decide what is good for him in the long term. He will not be churlish or petty.
So, CNA, are you suggesting that in order to be a 'First World Voter' one needs to be a male? Do you think that the 1.2 million people voting today are all males or individuals going under the knife to become 'male'?

Right. Churlish? What would that mean, CNA
churl·ish adj.

1. Of, like, or befitting a churl; boorish or vulgar.
2. Having a bad disposition; surly: “as valiant as the lion, churlish as the bear” (Shakespeare).
3. Difficult to work with, such as soil; intractable.
Hmm? So, just because the electorates are demanding better health care, more civil liberty and transparency at the government level, we're being termed: boorish, vulgar, and difficult to work with? Just wondering, is the government supposed to work for us, or are we supposed to be their subordinates? Considering the CNA doesn't exercise their democratic obligation, how would Singaporeans know what their votes are meant for, right? WRONG! You see, unlike your writers who have to put up with the same amount of respect from PAP as all Singaporean citizens but contend in being their parrots in exchange for their monthly salaries, Singaporeans have gone onto the Internet and educated themselves on the hypocrisy that underlies the Singaporean electoral system. It seems that not giving Singaporeans the credit they deserve is an uniform attitude in all PAP owned organizations! Thanks again for underestimating us!

36 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:14 PM GMT+8

    "In his dialogue with young Singaporeans, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew mentioned how the PAP generally preferred to field Chinese males in single-member wards, presumably because the electorate still carried racial and gender biases to the polling both."

    Gender and racial biases only exist in their own realms of understanding. When the people are united against a common cause, we only see each other as Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion.

    What I saw in AP rallies were not racial and gender biases. The applause was the same thunderous, whether Indian, Malay or Chinese, male or female. I heard impromptu translations in the crowd given to strangers when the speakers were speaking in a language that people around me did not understand.

    The answer to PAP creation of a vibrant city can be found in APs rallies across Singapore in the last week. PAP answer to getting people involved, staying together and moving ahead, was given by the APs. The answer does not lie in carefully crafted "durian", keeping Chinatown opened for longer hours, or the now quiet Speakers' Corner. It is not in the external. Vibrancy comes from hearts that truly believe, truly united. It is in the SOUL! Surprisingly, the APs did a much better job bringing the people together while PAP divides the nation with upgrading carrots.

    As I stood there with the polling card in my hand just now, I voted not only for myself, but for all of you out there who wished that you can speak with your vote. I did not disappoint you. Your voice is heard. I DID NOT FORGET.

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  2. Anonymous1:14 PM GMT+8

    BTW. CNA do cover opp rallies, and have been doing so for all previous elections. It may surprise you to hear that almost all mid-level staff (producers, crew, researchers etc) cheered when opp won seats or arrogant ministers had low %.

    However, management always stopped opp rally aerial shots from going on air, and they always select the worst shots (opp candidates under poor lighting, poor angles typically used to demonized/minimized the opp candidates).

    We could never tell whether they were under direct orders or just performing some good old self cencorship so they'd remain in their positions.

    So - yes we were there and we apologized for not being able to smuggle images on-air. Perhaps it's no surprise that one of the Must-seize target in a military coup is the broadcast station.

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  3. Anonymous1:21 PM GMT+8

    we have the newspaper and printing presses act. it says licences will be given and withheld at ministers discretion. management shares in press companies will be issued only by the government. ok. thats the control for u. PAP use legal methods to tackle press. they got no choice. its the PAP. therefore, the best thing for u today is not to curse the press or CNA; not to FUCK them. the only thing u can do is put a X at the opposition party box and shove it up PAPs ass.

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  4. Anonymous1:36 PM GMT+8

    I have just done the same, voted with my heart, instead of giving in to the "fear factor" or whatever carrot the ruling party is dangling, and I know that each vote and election will only move us towards a more mature and excellent society, not only in the economic sense, but also in social, psychological, emotional, and moral sense.

    May Singapore be blessed with responsible Govt representatives and leaders who work truly for the well-being of the nation at large without discriminating any specific segment of our society.

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  5. Anonymous1:41 PM GMT+8

    Do we have First World Press/Media? Enough said.

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  6. Anonymous2:10 PM GMT+8

    That article this morning raised my blood pressure 3 notches. Good retort. One minor point though, I don't know if PAP are still using tactics from 47 years ago, but they sure are using the ones from 10-15 years ago. And they are entirely behind times.

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  7. Anonymous2:14 PM GMT+8

    A First World voter will not be swayed by upgrading threats nor baseless allegations.

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  8. Anonymous2:39 PM GMT+8

    hear hear! abolish media bias!

    I don't think that I'm asking for much. Political party preferences aside, I just seek the truth; to exercise my right, as a citizen, to vote for the greater good of my country.

    First world voters require access to first class information and opinions with depth, not engineered, run-of-the-mill, one-sided commentaries.

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  9. Anonymous3:00 PM GMT+8

    We resent people abusing public money for political gains. No meagre sum, we are talking about $80 million and $100 million. This is not the party that deserves respect anymore. The only choice is opposition!

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  10. Anonymous3:11 PM GMT+8

    Forget about first world voters, there won't be any voting left to do in the future... Today only 1.2 million gets to vote, come next election you will have even lesser. Even if the population increased, most would be foriegner gaining citizenships. Do you think they will vote against the incumbent goverment?

    Good luck Singaporean, the PAP is here to stay and there is nothing you can do about it. Try as you may to vote for the opposition, the election boundaries drawn will continue to diminish the chances of opposition. So what if you have George Bush as oppositions the election methods and system will prevent any opposition for getting sufficient votes.... 51% against 49% at best. Worst then TOTO, there is at least 1 in a multi-million chance. In this, the chance is 0. Get real Singaporeans and not to have too much hope. It is now beyond what you and I can do.Unless the system is changed, we, yr children and yr children's children will forever be the economic slaves of PAP.

    So, why do you think the PAP remained so confident and cocky all this while? you have the answer.

    God bless all Singaporean

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  11. Anonymous3:14 PM GMT+8

    Today I was the 1st person to cast my vote in my constituency. Yes I got up early , all fired up thanks to all the pent up frustration inside of me due to the PAP's third world politics and the CNA's dishonesty. The running dogs of the PAP have disgusted me with their election coverage and today's ST was the final blow. Shame on you PAP's dogs! CNA have lost all credibility in terms of political news at least. I am grateful to all the internet bloggers who have provided the real stuff. CNA will only win my trust again if there a complete change in management. Soon all Singaporeans will know abt the PAP's puppies. You can fool some of the people some of the time , but you can't fool all of the people all of the time!!!

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  12. Anonymous3:57 PM GMT+8

    "You can fool some of the people some of the time , but you can't fool all of the people all of the time!!!"

    Isn't that from Abe Lincoln?

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  13. Anonymous4:04 PM GMT+8

    To be fair, not all employees in the local media are pro-PAP, just as not every blue-collar worker is pro-opposition. When some of them apologise and say they don't have a choice, they do mean it. Having had a brief stint in the local media myself, I can sympathise with these reporters/editors/producers.

    Try to imagine the pressure you're under when you have ex-Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan for Chairman. :)

    Then again, there are also those who'd gladly prostitute themselves, though...

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  14. Anonymous4:07 PM GMT+8

    Dun worry. The Media Cocks or Corpse Top Manangement will get the pretty hosts to dress up or undress to their close to nothing bikini (may be sponsored you know) just to get you voters attention. He He He.

    Low down four leggeds. Up your ASS.

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  15. Anonymous5:47 PM GMT+8

    quote: Try to imagine the pressure you're under when you have ex-Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan for Chairman.

    no one forced you to be part of the media. you might love journalism but yet u know that u cant write freely or report freely so i dont know what kind of journalism u love. PAP journalism?

    please. stop saying u dont have a choice. its not like u r a kid and someone force u to go sch or ur mother cane u.

    if u got a conscience, i suggest u go against ur bosses wishes or u quit. stop whining if theres nothing u can do about it. carry too much balls later hand pain at night cannot wank.

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  16. Anonymous5:47 PM GMT+8

    140th is absolutely in no position to post such question/comment.

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  17. Anonymous5:51 PM GMT+8

    Purposely or not, the screening of the documentary, "The First Emperor" by CNA today is probably a silent protest of the tyranny and pressure some may be under. It is about the first emperor of China. If you have a chance see it and you might see the resemblance of the emperor in the show with our real life emperor in Singapore.

    I will not say much to allow you to enjoy the wayang documentary yourself.

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  18. Anonymous5:58 PM GMT+8

    when leeky was about to come into power he was bloody lucky. he managed to shut the press up via rajaratnam. then now he realises the press is a great weapon. so he also blackout. imagine if sporeans see LIVE how the pple curse PAP at WP rallies. pple chanting etc refusing to leave; booing the riot police trucks. they will bloody think that there is a revolution man.

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  19. Anonymous6:49 PM GMT+8

    A friend in the Pasir-Pungol GRC smsed:

    "My blk is a polling center, but I have been assigned to another which is 1 km away!

    So much for being First World but Fourth World in organising."

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  20. Anonymous7:16 PM GMT+8

    we can all criticise how unfair... but will conditions ever change? at the end, it is the voter's choice. While the government always ask why Singaporeans are not willing to speak up, do our bits for the country etc? Singaporeans have become self-centred, selfish, kiasi and kiasu; due to the environment and the culture!

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  21. Anonymous7:19 PM GMT+8

    I have been trying to connect with this idea that PAP™ ministers are all that people need, and introducing opposition members in parliament meant that PAP™ ministers would have to waste time fighting them instead of tackling the actual issues, with the world's largest software company.

    Imagine how much marketing dollars Microsoft would've saved if they're the only ones around. .NET wouldn't even be needed considering you don't even need XML or web services or adapters if there's only one existing platform. Come to think of it, they probably don't even need Windows Vista, Windows CE, Windows Tablet PC, Windows XP or any other form of Windows that predate these versions. They would of course need something like a semblance of Windows 'cos people would somehow along the way ask for graphical interface. Only of course, they don't have to repeatedly come up with rehashes and repackagings to keep up with rivals, which is really a waste of time because without competitor products, people wouldn't even think they needed such stuff.

    No wonder Microsoft Singapore GM is in the PAP. Complete ideological match.

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  22. Opposition parties should not be called that.

    They should be called Alternatives.

    Because, they just don't oppose on every issue, but give alternatives solutions.

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  23. Anonymous7:24 PM GMT+8

    http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3060/944/320/lhl.jpg

    Mimi Me!

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  24. Anonymous7:28 PM GMT+8

    Lydia Lim- "I think its pointless to vote for an opposition candidate who clearly lacks the ability to scrutinise and critique policies in an inteliigent way."

    "Retrenchment is good for singapore. If there is no retrenchments, then I worry."- SM Goh

    "The opposition's plans to 'give and give' will lead to $ingaporeans having to pay higher taxes in order to foot the bill, General Lee Hsien Loong said at a rally in Tampines."- then DPM Lee in 2001

    "$2.6b "Progress Package" for lower-income groups, elderly, NSmen"- now PM Lee in 2006

    "Contrary to public perception, the White Horse classification is not to ensure that sons of influential men gets preferential treatment. Instead it is to ensure that they do not get preferential treatment."- Cedric Foo

    "I don't think that there should be a cap on the number of directorship that a person can hold."- PAP MP John Chen who holds 8 directorships

    "It's not for the money because some of the companies pay me as little as $10,000 a year."- PAP MP Wang Kai Yuen who holds 11 directorships.

    "We are not considering a casino but an IR- an integrated resort. IRs are quite different."- George Yeo

    "If you want to dance on a bar top, some of us will fall off the bar top. Some people will die as a result of liberalising bar top dancing .... a young girl with a short skirt dancing on it may attract some insults from some other men, the boyfriend will start fighting and some people will die."- Vivian Balakrishnan

    "I would want to form an alternative policies group in Parliament, comprising 20 PAP MPs. These 20 PAP MPs will be free to vote in accordance with what they think of a particular policy. In other words, the whip for them will be lifted. This is not playing politics, this is something which I think is worthwhile doing."- SM Goh

    "If you sing Jailhouse Rock with your electric guitar when others are playing Beethoven, you are out of order. The whip must be used on you."- SM Goh again, on a dramatic u-turn, rethink or backtrack, whatever you call it.

    "THE National Kidney Foundation (NKF) spends more than 80 per cent of its funds on its beneficiaries."- Lim Hng Khiang

    "Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening."- another gem from Lim Hng Kiang

    "We started off with (the name) and after looking at everything, the name that really tugged at the heartstrings was in front of us. The name itself is not new, but what has been used informally so far has endeared itself to all parties."- Mah Bow Tan on the $400 000 exercise to rename Marina Bay as Marina Bay.

    "Having enjoyed football as a national sport for decades, we in Singapore have set ourselves the target of reaching the final rounds of World Cup in 2010."- Ho Peng Kee

    "Only 5% are unemployed. We still have 95% who are employed."- Yeo Cheow Tong. Duh.

    "Singaporean workers have become more expensive than those in the USA and Australia."- Tony Tan

    “People support CPF cuts because there are no protest outside parliament."- PM Lee

    "No, it was not a U-turn, and neither was it a reversal of govt policy. But you can call it a rethink."- Yeo Cheow Tong

    "...I regret making the decision because, in the end, the baby continued to be in intensive care, and KKH now runs up a total bill of more than $300,000..."- Lim Hng Kiang, regretting the decision to save a baby's life because KKH ran up a $300 000 bill

    "If we want to be a world-class city, if we want to be a nation that has got very good standards of public hygiene and cleanliness, the best place to start with is the public toilet."- Amy Khor, PAP MP

    "Restoring the pay cuts of civil servants and ministers is reasonable as Singapore's economy has now regained momentum."- Ng Eng Hen

    "I don't think my reading for the economy is strong enough for us to even consider asking for the restoration of the cut in CPF."- Lim Boon Heng

    "If we ever introduce anything like quotas or incentives based on race, it will reinforce the perception that Malays and Indians have low skills and can only get jobs because of an incentive or quota."- Tharman Shanmugaretnam

    "These schools (SAP schools) need to remain essentially Chinese to give the edge in interacting with China..."- self contradictory statement made by Tharman Shanmugaretnam again

    "We must encourage those who earn less than $200 per month and cannot afford to nurture and educate many children never to have more than two... We will regret the time lost if we do not now take the first tentative steps towards correcting a trend which can leave our society with a large number of the physically, intellecually and culturally anaemic."- MM Lee in 1967

    "If you don't include your women graduates in your breeding pool and leave them on the shelf, you would end up a more stupid society...So what happens? There will be less bright people to support dumb people in the next generation. That's a problem."- MM Lee in 1983

    "The PAP Government has always thrived on its ability to anticipate problems."- Wong Kan Seng

    "We are not able to be everywhere as a government to know everthing in Singapore"- PM Lee

    Some of the gems of wisdom uttered by our PAP MPs and ministers.

    Please visit
    http://commentarysingapore.blogspot.com/

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  25. Anonymous7:34 PM GMT+8

    i stay in tanjong pagar... the last time i remember seeing party logos ard my house area was when i still hairless!

    And looking at my flat... i seriously think i need upgrading lor! my block no lift. and people are asking for lift every level.

    my block got its photo being stored in national archive one lor. And still no news whether to en-bloc or upgradge. Then my mum coz of this dun want to renovate. scare renovate liao kenna en-bloc.

    So where is the slum? Right in the centre of tanjong pagar GRC. Coz why? walkover so many times!

    Please help field candidates for ALL 84 seats 5 years from now!!

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  26. Anonymous7:45 PM GMT+8

    CNA gave so much coverage to overseas voting. Please: nothing was mentioned by CNA how most Singaporeans overseas cannot vote (a) because walkover, (b) only very very select no. of voters entitled to vote overseaas and (c) only handful of embassies/consultates can be used as polling stations. Does CNA look into the unfairness of all this? No.

    Of course CNA may reply and say "Oh its all experimental". Experimental my foot. What is so difficult about having voting facilities at all embassies/consultates and all IE Singapore offices (former TDB) overseas offices and even at venues (e.g. hire function room) arranged by Honorary Consels. It is so easy to have more comprehensive overseas voting. Yet we are stuck in experimental stage and CNA does not highlight footdragging of WKS and others who are frightened of overseas S'poreans voting against them.

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  27. Anonymous9:04 PM GMT+8

    Anonymous said...
    quote: And the young pap forum was shutdown since yesterday.... lamer... their forum also full of hatred of pap... how to win....

    ----------
    In view of the YP PAP forum shutdown, a new forum is set up to keep up the momentum in support of an alternative voice in Singapore other than from the PAP controlled media.

    It is located at:
    http://deluxecoffeeclub.com

    kindly support our efforts. Thank you.

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  28. Watching GE results on CNA. And their blurbs abt past elections almost always have a negative portrayal of the Opposition

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  29. dun feel so leh. quite fair ma

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  30. Hey wait! I heard recount for Aljunied 2nd time!!! Looks like very very close fight. Hang on there!

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  31. Anonymous1:02 AM GMT+8

    SO many SCREWED UP telecasts of the Election results today from our "FIRST WORLD MEDIA" -CNA!!

    No sound, blur looks from the reporters, best part is when they were interviewing PM for PAP's win at AMK and the sound SYSTEM screwed up AND LEFT mUTE FOR A GOOD 5 SECS!

    WILL the REAL First World Media please stand up???

    Ouchh!

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  32. Anonymous1:21 AM GMT+8

    i stay in bedok north.
    the last time the lift was 'upgraded', (think before the last election)they merely changed the interior 'look' of the lift and left the it's operating (stupid) logic as it is

    so now we still have to wait ages for that lift at 24th storey to make its way down to the 9th storey while the other lift remains idle at ground floor!

    but i guess we have to be appreciative because it now looks 'better' inside than before.

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  33. Anonymous1:30 AM GMT+8

    blah blah.. talk about opposition... (cut off)
    "let's go for a break... oh made a mistake, no break... now let's talk about the pap..."
    the pap is blah blah blah...
    divert to the opposition is blah blah blah... (cut off again)
    "now let's go for our break!"

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  34. Anonymous1:32 AM GMT+8

    wish that the stupid cna will stop cutting people off mid way through their speeches

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  35. Anonymous1:37 AM GMT+8

    see now their 'first world" broadcat of steve chia's interview

    kena sai use handphone to record.. who will believe their lousy excuse, "blame it on 3G"

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  36. One way is to have the people's power. Catch wrong doings by 3G and circulate.

    SMS thru' anonymous sources mass SMS.

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