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Monday, June 30, 2014

Morning Wink 6-30-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS




LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-30-14Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Lucy Calkins Vs. David ColemanNew York City and Néw York State have enthusiastically embraced the Common Core standards. In the background, however, is a simmering–one might say boiling battle between literacy guru Lucy Calkins of Teachers College and Common Core architect David Coleman about teaching reading. Calkins supports bala
by mike simpson / 0min 
6-30-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Useful Posts & Articles On Education Policy© 2012 Shutter Stutter, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio I’m behind on posting since I went to Washington, D.C. for a meeting with Education Week writers, but I’m frantically trying to catch-up. Here are some recent useful posts and articles on education pol
by mike simpson / 4min 
6-30-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: DVR says goodbye to the retirees.These are the final days for Dennis Van Roekel as President of the NEA. VP Lily Eskelsen Garcia will be elected to replace him later this week. His appearance an speech Sunday in front of the 350 or so retired delegates at our pre-RA conference was warmly received. DVR
by mike simpson / 6min 
6-30-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: How Will UFT Be Affected if Supreme Court Rules Negative on Dues?Will disaffected UFTers quit the union? Will people think they are not getting their dues money's worth?I know this decision might come down any minute but I wanted to speculate a bit before it does on how the UFT might be affected.First, the essence of the case: You don't want to pay union dues (agency shop fees) if
by mike simpson / 9min 
6-30-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy
Wait What?: Wait What? All WeekNews Flash:  Malloy/Pryor hand another top job to an Achievement First Inc. stafferThe Malloy administration has given the one-hundred thousand dollar a year plus job of “Bureau Chief for District and School Transformation” to William (Billy) Johnson, a former employee of Achievement First Inc. Of course, Achievement First, Inc. being the large charter school managem
by mike simpson / 12min 
6-30-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: The segregation of kindergartners — by the numbersHere, from the non-profit Economic Policy Institute, is a snapshot of how segregated public schools are, starting in kindergarten. It was written by Elaine Weiss and Emma García. Weiss  has served as the national coordinator for the Broader, Bolder Approach to Education since 2011. García,  who joined the Economic Policy Institute in
by mike simpson / 14min 
How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free Play - Tim Walker - The Atlantic
How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free Play - Tim Walker - The Atlantic: How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free PlayAn American teacher in Helsinki questions the national practice of giving 15 minute breaks each hour—until he sees the difference it makes in his classroom.wsilver/FlickrLike a zombie, Sami—one of my fifth graders—lumbered over to me and hissed, “I think I’m going to explod
by mike simpson / 16min 
6-30-14 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: The Mystery of ExcellenceDiane Ravitch's recent columns about Ms. McLaughlin, one of the undeservingly employed terrible teachers of the Vergara trial, underlines one of the central problems of the whole teacher evaluation portion of the reformster dream.Ms. McLaughlin won awards for teaching excellence not once, but twice in her career. And yet one of the plaintiffs found her to b
by mike simpson / 18min 
6-30-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Why Is Governor Cuomo Still Paying Full Salary To The Executive Director Of The Defunct Moreland Commission?Quid Pro Cuomo at it again: Three months after Gov. Cuomo said he was pulling the plug on his anti-corruption commission, the panel’s lightening rod executive director is still drawing a hefty paycheck. State payroll records show that Moreland Commission Executive Dire
by mike simpson / 19min 
School’s Out … Now What?? – redqueeninla
School’s Out … Now What?? – redqueeninla: School’s Out … Now What??Written by redqueeninla in EducationThere seems to be some rather large unfinished business on the newly-approved seven-billion-dollar-budget-strong LAUSD table.Namely, the approximately one-billion dollar ipad program. The great “social equity” push that places electronic toys in the hands of every tot to teen in LAUSD just like t
by mike simpson / 23min 
The Danger of Creative Disruption as a School Reform Theory | janresseger
The Danger of Creative Disruption as a School Reform Theory | janresseger: The Danger of Creative Disruption as a School Reform TheoryPosted on June 30, 2014 by janressegerAccording to The Economist, “Higher education suffers from Baumol’s disease—the tendency of costs to soar in labour-intensive sectors with stagnant productivity.  Whereas the prices of cars, computers and much else have fallen d
by mike simpson / 33min 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLESByrd-Bennett takes umbrageBarbara Byrd-BennettShe also took umbrage with the use of the term "layoffs," instead preferring to call those who were released "impacted teachers." “I really want to correct the language because I think it’s misleading when we say ‘layoffs’ and it’s not semantics actually," the S
by mike simpson / 38min 
Louisiana Educator: Statement to BESE on CCSS and PARCC
Louisiana Educator: Statement to BESE on CCSS and PARCC: Statement to BESE on CCSS and PARCCThe Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has scheduled a special meeting On July 1, at 11:30 A.M., to respond to the executive orders by Governor Jindal that would stop the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the related PARCC testing. Assuming that BESE allows the public to comment
by mike simpson / 40min 
NYC Educator: If Union Is a Choice, Why Not Government?
NYC Educator: If Union Is a Choice, Why Not Government?: If Union Is a Choice, Why Not Government?Today the Supreme Court is expected to have a decision on whether the entire country will be subject toso-called right to work laws. Basically, a union in Illinois unionized, union officials negotiated over a 50% raise in wages, but some workers were dredged up by anti-union forces to protest the outr
by mike simpson / 51min 
Analysis: School Chief’s Rehiring Raises Questions, Reflects Broader Issues - NJ Spotlight
Analysis: School Chief’s Rehiring Raises Questions, Reflects Broader Issues - NJ Spotlight: ANALYSIS: SCHOOL CHIEF’S REHIRING RAISES QUESTIONS, REFLECTS BROADER ISSUESJOHN MOONEY | JUNE 30, 2014While new pact reflects lukewarm endorsement of Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson, keeping her in post underscores larger school-reform agendaCredit: NJTVNewark schools Superintendent Cami AndersonGov. Ch
by mike simpson / 52min 

YESTERDAY

Abusive Letter Sent to Jeff Storobinsky southbronxschool
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Abusive Letter Sent to Jeff StorobinskyOn Tuesday we posted the plight of retired teacher Jeff Storobinsky and the abuse he endured at the hands of his principal at the middle school he was at in Brooklyn.Remember how Jeff mentioned receiving an letter from his principal? An letter that was sent in anger without thinking?It is now early in January 2014 (I am home),
by mike simpson / 10h 
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: 10 Things That Stand Out Because I Joined the #NotatISTE14 Community!
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: 10 Things That Stand Out Because I Joined the #NotatISTE14 Community!: 10 Things That Stand Out Because I Joined the #NotatISTE14 Community!I am not at ISTE2014. :(I planned to go since my sis lives in Atlanta, but I figured the wedding of my teammate was much more important. AND, I heard ISTE2015 will be in Philadelphia next year, 30 minutes away! YEAH!Here's th
by mike simpson / 11h 
Geaux Teacher!: "I have lost faith in the PTA," says Parent
Geaux Teacher!: "I have lost faith in the PTA," says Parent: "I have lost faith in the PTA," says ParentThis comment was made by a PTA Mom in response to a blog by Diane Ravitch.  In her blog, Diane relays the thoughts of Peter Greene on U.S.Ed Sec. Arne Duncan's speech at the National PTA Conference.   I have re-posted Peter's statement after the Mom's comment.Note:  The Gates
by mike simpson / 14h 
Nite Cap 6-29-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPDid LDOE hire 100 summer Interns at 25,000 a piece? | Crazy Crawfish's BlogDid LDOE hire 100 summer Interns at 25,000 a piece? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsDid LDOE hire 100 summer Interns at 25,
by mike simpson / 15h 
Did LDOE hire 100 summer Interns at 25,000 a piece? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
Did LDOE hire 100 summer Interns at 25,000 a piece? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsDid LDOE hire 100 summer Interns at 25,000 a piece?Posted on June 29, 20140I was recently contacted to investigate and Louisiana Department of Education story that sounded too absurd to be true. I was told John White had hired as many as 100 interns at 25 grand a pop
by mike simpson / 16h 
Firing Bad Teachers: A Superintendent and a Teacher's Union Official Debate - Conor Friedersdorf - The Atlantic
Firing Bad Teachers: A Superintendent and a Teacher's Union Official Debate - Conor Friedersdorf - The Atlantic: Firing Bad Teachers: A Superintendent and a Teacher's Union Official DebateCan due process for educators coexist with the ability to terminate abusive or unqualified individuals? Flickr/StreetliveDr. John E. Deasy, Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, supports the
by mike simpson / 16h 
Sixty Years After Brown V. Board, Black Teachers Are Disappearing---Again - News & Views - EBONY
Sixty Years After Brown V. Board, Black Teachers Are Disappearing---Again - News & Views - EBONY: Nettie Hunt and her daughter Nickie sit on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court Sixty years ago Saturday, the Supreme Court issued its landmark Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka ruling. In a unanimous decision, the Court struck down the concept of “separate but equal” in the nation’s public sc
by mike simpson / 17h 
Louisiana “Annual Tests” Tied Up in the New Mexico Courts? | deutsch29
Louisiana “Annual Tests” Tied Up in the New Mexico Courts? | deutsch29: Louisiana “Annual Tests” Tied Up in the New Mexico Courts?June 29, 2014June 18, 2014, was an interesting day in Louisiana politics and education. (I realize these two are now one and the same, but humor me.)One event of June 18 was Governor Bobby Jindal’s decision to suspend Louisiana’s involvement in PARCC because Louisiana S
by mike simpson / 17h 
Protesters to Gates Foundation: "Divest from Corporate Education Reform" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Protesters to Gates Foundation: "Divest from Corporate Education Reform" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Protesters to Gates Foundation: "Divest from Corporate Education Reform"By Anthony Cody on June 29, 2014 3:02 PMOn Thursday, June 26, I joined several hundred educators, parents and students who marched and rallied in Seattle, Washington, in protest of the Gat
by mike simpson / 17h 
Some books simply stand out: The Teachers’ Lounge (Uncensored) by Kelly Flynn | Reclaim Reform
Some books simply stand out: The Teachers’ Lounge (Uncensored) by Kelly Flynn | Reclaim Reform: Some books simply stand out: The Teachers’ Lounge (Uncensored) by Kelly FlynnPosted on June 29, 2014by Ken PrevitiMoney is tight. Books can be expensive. The Teachers’ Lounge (Uncensored)by Kelly Flynn is worth your money and your time. Parents, school board members, older students, curious taxpayers, e
by mike simpson / 17h 
6-29-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: At the Chalk Face: Education Talk Radio (Sundays at 6PM EST)At the Chalk Face is the only progressive and pro-public education radio program available. Join Drs. Shaun Johnson and Tim Slekar LIVE Sundays at 6PM EST and Wednesdays at 7PM for commentary and interviews on the latest topics on education, including breaking stories from classrooms and schools nationwide. If you're a t
by mike simpson / 21h 
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 6-29-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE IF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS’ PRIVATE E-MAILS ARE PUBLIC + smf’s 2¢By PAUL ELIAS, ASSOCIATED PRESS, from the santa rosa press democrat | http://bit.ly/1iQZSiT June 28, 2014, 10:57 AM  ::  SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court will decide if private emails and other electronic communications of government officials ar
by mike simpson / 21h 
6-29-14 Schools Matter All Week
Schools Matter: Kevin Carey Plays His Fear Card about American Colleges: It's a DeuceWith ALEC far on in writing model legislation to put steerage of higher education under the ham hands of the Tea Party and the Oligarchs (sounds like the worst band ever, right?), and with the federal government too in debt to the oligarchs to do anything about it, the only remaining stumbling block is the need to
by mike simpson / 22h 
6-29-14 Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week
Jersey Jazzman: The REAL Objection to Adequate School FundingEvery once in a while, the school defunders give away the game:[NJ State Senator Mike] Doherty [R- Tea Party] also brought up what he said was another broken promise from Christie. He said the governor had promised to make equal school funding a key theme of the 2013 campaign, in which all 120 seats in the Legislature were up for grabs.
by mike simpson / 22h 
College liberals spurn $10M gift from Koch brothers | New York Post
College liberals spurn $10M gift from Koch brothers | New York Post: College liberals spurn $10M gift from Koch brothersBy Carl CampanileJune 24, 2014 | 2:27amModal TriggerBrooklyn CollegePhoto: Edwine SeymourThey may teach business classes at Brooklyn College, but the school’s liberal leaders have told two of the country’s top businessmen to take their money and shove it because they don’t like t
by mike simpson / 22h 
Activists confront Rahm at media event - Substance News
Activists confront Rahm at media event - Substance News: Police muscle protesters away from one of mayor's publicity stunts, force reporter away from Rahm... Activists confront Rahm Emanuel at one of his staged media events after massive layoffs and additional cuts hit Chicago's public schoolsKati Gilson - June 28, 2014Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may have thought that he was just going to get anoth
by mike simpson / 23h 
6-29-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: Common Core’s testing framework is crumblingIn 2010, Education Secretary Arne Duncan gave a major speech praising the Common Core State Standards and new Core-aligned standardized tests that the Obama administration was funding and that would be developed by two multi-state consortia. He said: Our children deserve that — and to remain competitive, our country does too. States in each
by mike simpson / 23h 
Morning Wink 6-29-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-29-14Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Oklahoma Rejected Pass-Fail Third Grade Reading TestI am late in reporting this story, but did not want to miss the opportunity to correct my oversight. One of the truly bad ideas that has been a
by mike simpson / 23h




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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-30-14Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:



Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch


CTU on Harris v. Quinn
What have unions done for working people? Reduced working hours, improved working conditions. Think of the Triangle Waist Fire. Think of Chinese factories where workers live in dormitories 24/7 and work long hours seven days a week in dangerous conditions. Here is the CTU statement on the Harris v. Quinn ruling: ” CTU Stands in Solidarity With Home Care Workers in Wake of Harris v. Quinn Ruling
by dianeravitch / 18min hide  //  save
PTA Mom: Who Bought the National PTA?
In response to a post by Peter Greene (“The Arne Duncan Drinking Game“), this reader describes the National PTA convention in Texas. The National PTA has received $2.5 million from the Gates Fohndation, including $500,000 specifically for Common Core. She writes: “I was at that PTA convention in Texas and I bit my tongue through his entire speech. I wanted to throw up. I have lost faith in the P
45 by dianeravitch / 1h 
Supreme Court Decision: Loss for Public Sector Unions
The U.S. Supreme Court released an opinion in Harris Vs. Quinn that allows some public sector workers to opt out of paying union dues. The opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, was 5-4. The majority held that some employees don’t have to pay union dues, even though they enjoy the benefits negotiated by the union. But the decision left intact the unions’ right to bargain collectively. Here are
23 by dianeravitch / 2h 
Common Core Testing Is No “Game-Changer”
Arne Duncan is one of the most fervent advocates of the Common Core standards and testing. As Valerie Strauss explained in this article, Duncan said: “I am convinced that this new generation of state assessments will be an absolute game-changer in public education. For the first time, millions of schoolchildren, parents, and teachers will know if students are on-track for colleges and careers — a
4 by dianeravitch / 2h 


Hot Sales for Bulletproof Armor for Children
I wish this were a joke but it is not. The manufacturer of body armor for children has reported high sales to parents and schools concerned about school shootings. “The alarming rate of school shootings across the country appears to have added an unsettling new item to parents’ list of “back to school” items: bulletproof armor for their children. Among such items, the Bodyguard Blanket, a portab
by dianeravitch / 6min 


Lucy Calkins Vs. David Coleman
New York City and Néw York State have enthusiastically embraced the Common Core standards. In the background, however, is a simmering–one might say boiling battle between literacy guru Lucy Calkins of Teachers College and Common Core architect David Coleman about teaching reading. Calkins supports balanced literacy, Coleman supports close reading. The city and state adopted materials based on Co
18 by dianeravitch / 1h hide  //  save
Virginia: Governor McAuliffe, Please Let the OEI Disappear
Blogger Rachel Levy sends out an alert to everyone in Virginia: Please contact Governor McAuliffe and ask him not to appeal the court decision saying that the state’s plan to take over low-performing schools violates the state’s constitution. The decision stopped the state from creating an anti-democratic bureaucracy called the Opportunity Educational Institution. Levy writes: “I am urging you t
8 by dianeravitch / 2h 
Michigan: Charter Schools Have Not Lived Up to Promises
The press in Michigan is waking up to the fact that charter schools do not get better results than public schools (and many get worse results), and lack of supervision and regulation clears the way for fraud and corruption. The Lansing State Journal reportson the failed promise of charter schools, which soak up $1 billion a year from taxpayers. “Two decades into Michigan’s charter school experie
37 by dianeravitch / 3h 

YESTERDAY

KrazyTA: This Blog Has Just Hit 13 Million Views
A comment from Krazy TA, one of our most valuable, witty, and informed readers: “This blog has just hit 13 million views. 😃 Why does it keeps attracting a high number of views? Because it presents vital info excluded from the MSM, and because it offers folks like Ms. Christine McLaughlin a forum. Heartfelt thanks to Diane. And to Christine McLaughlin: “Not all of us can do great things. But we
1 by dianeravitch / 10h 


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-29-14Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Oklahoma Rejected Pass-Fail Third Grade Reading TestI am late in reporting this story, but did not want to miss the opportunity to correct my oversight. One of the truly bad ideas that has been adopted in various states is that third graders must pass a reading test or flunk. They can’t advance to fourth grade. This is part of the
by mike simpson / 8h 




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6-30-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL:







June’s Infographics & Interactives Galore – Part Five
There are just so many good infographics and interactives out there that I’ve begun a new semi-regular feature called “Infographics & Interactives Galore.” You can see others at A Collection Of “The Best…” Lists On Infographics and by searching “infographics” on this blog. I’ll still be publishing separate posts to individually highlight especially useful infographics and interactives, but you
by Larry Ferlazzo / 8min hide  //  save
More Good Resources On Race & Racism
© 2009 Tony Fischer, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio Here are new additions to A Collection Of Useful Posts, Articles & Videos On Race & Racism: Advocacy in the Age of Colorblindness is by Stephanie Rivera. How Race-Studies Scholars Can Respond to Their Haters How Racism Invented Race in America is from The Atlantic. Dress Codes For Success is from Latino USA. The segregation of kindergartners
by Larry Ferlazzo / 8min 
Four Interesting Links On Educational Technology
© 2012 Kevin Jarrett, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio Here are some recent pretty interesting posts/articles on ed tech: Educational technology isn’t leveling the playing field is from The Hechinger Report. I’m adding it to The Best Research Available On The Use Of Technology In Schools. In Defense of Laptops in the Classroom is from Slate. 5 Things Researchers Have Discovered About MOOCs is from The C
by Larry Ferlazzo / 8min 
Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL
© 2011 Michael Coghlan, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio I’ve started a somewhat regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention: US Immigration: Why did they move to America? is a nice lesson for English Language Learners. It’s from Absolute English. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning Abo
by Larry Ferlazzo / 8min 


This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Useful Posts & Articles On Education Policy
© 2012 Shutter Stutter, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio I’m behind on posting since I went to Washington, D.C. for a meeting with Education Week writers, but I’m frantically trying to catch-up. Here are some recent useful posts and articles on education policy issues: Common Core’s testing framework is crumbling is from The Washington Post. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The “Ne
by Larry Ferlazzo / 6h hide  //  save

YESTERDAY

Several Excellent New World Cup Resources
© 2014 Surrey County Council News, Flickr | CC-BY-ND | via Wylio Here are the latest additions to The Best Sites For Learning About The 2014 World Cup In Brazil: WORLD CUP BRAZIL: THE COMPLETE GUIDE is an excellent interactive from The Sydney Morning Herald. Thanks to reader Michelle Walsh for the tip. A Look Back at Iconic World Cup Moments is from Slate. The History of the World Cup is a very im
by Larry Ferlazzo / 7h 
ThingLink Now Lets You Annotate Videos, Too
I’ve been a big fan of ThingLink, which lets students easily annotate photos, lets educators use the service for free, and allows you to create virtual classrooms. It’s on The Best Online Tools For Using Photos In Lessons list. They’ve now just announced ThingLink for Video, which lets you annotate…videos. It’s not entirely open to the public yet — you have to sign-up, but they say they’ll send o
by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h 
June’s Best Tweets — Part Four
Every month I make a few short lists highlighting my choices of the best resources I through (and learned from) Twitter, but didn’t necessarily include them in posts here on my blog. I’ve already shared in earlier posts several new resources I found on Twitter — and where I gave credit to those from whom I learned about them. Those are not included again in post. If you don’t use Twitter, you can
by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h 


6-29-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: June’s Best Posts From This BlogI regularly highlight my picks for the most useful posts for each month — not including “The Best…” lists. I also use some of them in a more extensive monthly newsletter I send-out. You can see older Best Posts of the Month at Websites Of The Month (more recent lists can be found here). Here
by mike simpson / 8h 


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