no president has ever been perfect welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten embarrassing u.s. presidential moments
embarrassing u.s. presidential moments
embarrassing u.s. presidential moments hey expres the United States you better
hey expres the United States you better
hey expres the United States you better be careful what you say for this list
be careful what you say for this list
be careful what you say for this list we’re taking a look at some of the most
we’re taking a look at some of the most
we’re taking a look at some of the most politically embarrassing incidents
politically embarrassing incidents
politically embarrassing incidents suffered by u.s. presidents throughout
suffered by u.s. presidents throughout
suffered by u.s. presidents throughout American history note that we’re talking
American history note that we’re talking
American history note that we’re talking much more serious incidents than a
much more serious incidents than a
much more serious incidents than a politician just trippin downstairs or
politician just trippin downstairs or
politician just trippin downstairs or having to dodge shoes number ten the
having to dodge shoes number ten the
having to dodge shoes number ten the mission accomplished speech george w
mission accomplished speech george w
mission accomplished speech george w bush major combat operations in Iraq
bush major combat operations in Iraq
bush major combat operations in Iraq have ended in the Battle of Iraq the
have ended in the Battle of Iraq the
have ended in the Battle of Iraq the United States and our allies have
United States and our allies have
United States and our allies have prevailed in what many deemed an
prevailed in what many deemed an
prevailed in what many deemed an expensive publicity stunt
expensive publicity stunt
expensive publicity stunt President Bush landed on the USS Abraham
President Bush landed on the USS Abraham
President Bush landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln on an Air Force jet to announce
Lincoln on an Air Force jet to announce
Lincoln on an Air Force jet to announce the conclusion of major combat in the
the conclusion of major combat in the
the conclusion of major combat in the Iraq war Bush then delivered a televised
Iraq war Bush then delivered a televised
Iraq war Bush then delivered a televised address in front of a banner that
address in front of a banner that
address in front of a banner that featured the words mission accomplished
featured the words mission accomplished
featured the words mission accomplished in this battle we have fought for the
in this battle we have fought for the
in this battle we have fought for the cause of Liberty and for the Peace of
cause of Liberty and for the Peace of
cause of Liberty and for the Peace of the world while defense secretary Donald
the world while defense secretary Donald
the world while defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld had hastily edited out any
Rumsfeld had hastily edited out any
Rumsfeld had hastily edited out any mention of mission accomplished from
mention of mission accomplished from
mention of mission accomplished from President Bush’s speech the image of
President Bush’s speech the image of
President Bush’s speech the image of that banner will forever be burned in
that banner will forever be burned in
that banner will forever be burned in the minds of citizens and the media
the minds of citizens and the media
the minds of citizens and the media alike the mission was far from over as
alike the mission was far from over as
alike the mission was far from over as the US did not fully remove military
the US did not fully remove military
the US did not fully remove military personnel from Iraq until December 2011
personnel from Iraq until December 2011
personnel from Iraq until December 2011 I regret that
I regret that
I regret that you know that sign was there it was a
you know that sign was there it was a
you know that sign was there it was a sign aimed at the sailors on that ship
sign aimed at the sailors on that ship
sign aimed at the sailors on that ship however it conveyed a broader knowledge
however it conveyed a broader knowledge
however it conveyed a broader knowledge number-9 the Embargo Act Thomas
number-9 the Embargo Act Thomas
number-9 the Embargo Act Thomas Jefferson the American public was upset
Jefferson the American public was upset
Jefferson the American public was upset at Britain after the English forcibly
at Britain after the English forcibly
at Britain after the English forcibly took more than 10,000 American sailors
took more than 10,000 American sailors
took more than 10,000 American sailors in the Royal Navy which blatantly
in the Royal Navy which blatantly
in the Royal Navy which blatantly disregarded America’s international
disregarded America’s international
disregarded America’s international position as a neutral nation frustrated
position as a neutral nation frustrated
position as a neutral nation frustrated President Jefferson
President Jefferson
President Jefferson approved the Embargo Act of 1807 to
approved the Embargo Act of 1807 to
approved the Embargo Act of 1807 to prevent all American exports abroad
prevent all American exports abroad
prevent all American exports abroad thinking it would punish the European
thinking it would punish the European
thinking it would punish the European power
power
power sted it failed miserably almost
sted it failed miserably almost
sted it failed miserably almost immediately unemployment rose and port
immediately unemployment rose and port
immediately unemployment rose and port regions rapidly faced economic
regions rapidly faced economic
regions rapidly faced economic depression the embargo act immediately
depression the embargo act immediately
depression the embargo act immediately disappeared with the end of Jefferson’s
disappeared with the end of Jefferson’s
disappeared with the end of Jefferson’s presidency in 1809 number 8 the
presidency in 1809 number 8 the
presidency in 1809 number 8 the internment of japanese-americans
internment of japanese-americans
internment of japanese-americans Franklin D Roosevelt when the Japanese
Franklin D Roosevelt when the Japanese
Franklin D Roosevelt when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor our West Coast
attacked Pearl Harbor our West Coast
attacked Pearl Harbor our West Coast became a potential combat zone living in
became a potential combat zone living in
became a potential combat zone living in that zone were more than a hundred
that zone were more than a hundred
that zone were more than a hundred thousand persons of Japanese NZ
thousand persons of Japanese NZ
thousand persons of Japanese NZ two-thirds of them American citizens
two-thirds of them American citizens
two-thirds of them American citizens one-third aliens after President
one-third aliens after President
one-third aliens after President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066
Roosevelt signed executive order 9066
Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 the u.s. detained more than 110,000
the u.s. detained more than 110,000
the u.s. detained more than 110,000 japanese-americans
japanese-americans
japanese-americans out of fear that they may empathize with
out of fear that they may empathize with
out of fear that they may empathize with Japan’s military cause during world war
Japan’s military cause during world war
Japan’s military cause during world war ii more than 60% of those interned were
ii more than 60% of those interned were
ii more than 60% of those interned were US citizens I’m an American citizen
US citizens I’m an American citizen
US citizens I’m an American citizen what did I do wrong you know it was the
what did I do wrong you know it was the
what did I do wrong you know it was the lowest point the first night was the
lowest point the first night was the
lowest point the first night was the lowest point in my life I would say many
lowest point in my life I would say many
lowest point in my life I would say many japanese-americans were still in these
japanese-americans were still in these
japanese-americans were still in these camps after the war’s end it wasn’t
camps after the war’s end it wasn’t
camps after the war’s end it wasn’t until 1988 that surviving victims of
until 1988 that surviving victims of
until 1988 that surviving victims of this terrible moment in US history began
this terrible moment in US history began
this terrible moment in US history began to be paid $20,000 apiece in reparations
to be paid $20,000 apiece in reparations
to be paid $20,000 apiece in reparations a minor sum in comparison to the
a minor sum in comparison to the
a minor sum in comparison to the property losses forced unemployment and
property losses forced unemployment and
property losses forced unemployment and human rights abuses they faced the rapid
human rights abuses they faced the rapid
human rights abuses they faced the rapid speculation on the train he said that
speculation on the train he said that
speculation on the train he said that everybody was afraid that what was going
everybody was afraid that what was going
everybody was afraid that what was going to happen to them was they were going to
to happen to them was they were going to
to happen to them was they were going to stop the train in the middle desert they
stop the train in the middle desert they
stop the train in the middle desert they were going to be taken in the middle of
were going to be taken in the middle of
were going to be taken in the middle of desert and shot just like they were
desert and shot just like they were
desert and shot just like they were doing to the Jews
doing to the Jews
doing to the Jews number seven the iran-contra affair
number seven the iran-contra affair
number seven the iran-contra affair Ronald Reagan for the past three months
Ronald Reagan for the past three months
Ronald Reagan for the past three months I’ve been silent on the revelations
I’ve been silent on the revelations
I’ve been silent on the revelations about Iran and you must have been
about Iran and you must have been
about Iran and you must have been thinking about why doesn’t he tell us
thinking about why doesn’t he tell us
thinking about why doesn’t he tell us what’s happening why doesn’t he just
what’s happening why doesn’t he just
what’s happening why doesn’t he just speak to us as he has in the past when
speak to us as he has in the past when
speak to us as he has in the past when we’ve faced troubles or tragedies others
we’ve faced troubles or tragedies others
we’ve faced troubles or tragedies others of you I guess were thinking what’s he
of you I guess were thinking what’s he
of you I guess were thinking what’s he doing hiding out in the White House as a
doing hiding out in the White House as a
doing hiding out in the White House as a staunch conservative president Reagan
staunch conservative president Reagan
staunch conservative president Reagan was not pleased with Nicaragua’s leftist
was not pleased with Nicaragua’s leftist
was not pleased with Nicaragua’s leftist sandanista government determined to
sandanista government determined to
sandanista government determined to topple this political regime he
topple this political regime he
topple this political regime he orchestrated the illegal selling of
orchestrated the illegal selling of
orchestrated the illegal selling of military arms to Iran and diverted the
military arms to Iran and diverted the
military arms to Iran and diverted the funds to the Contras a right-wing
funds to the Contras a right-wing
funds to the Contras a right-wing Nicaraguan military movement based out
Nicaraguan military movement based out
Nicaraguan military movement based out of Honduras to do nothing in Central
of Honduras to do nothing in Central
of Honduras to do nothing in Central America is to give the first communist
America is to give the first communist
America is to give the first communist stronghold on the North American
stronghold on the North American
stronghold on the North American continent a green light to spread its
continent a green light to spread its
continent a green light to spread its poison throughout this free and
poison throughout this free and
poison throughout this free and increasingly democratically reagan
increasingly democratically reagan
increasingly democratically reagan knowingly bypassed a US embargo on Iran
knowingly bypassed a US embargo on Iran
knowingly bypassed a US embargo on Iran and a funding ban on the Contras once
and a funding ban on the Contras once
and a funding ban on the Contras once these events came to light Reagan was
these events came to light Reagan was
these events came to light Reagan was quickly embroiled in one of his most
quickly embroiled in one of his most
quickly embroiled in one of his most controversial political moments while
controversial political moments while
controversial political moments while there were congressional hearings Reagan
there were congressional hearings Reagan
there were congressional hearings Reagan was able to continue his presidency
was able to continue his presidency
was able to continue his presidency there are reasons why it happened but no
there are reasons why it happened but no
there are reasons why it happened but no excuses it was a mistake number six the
excuses it was a mistake number six the
excuses it was a mistake number six the espionage and Sedition Acts Woodrow
espionage and Sedition Acts Woodrow
espionage and Sedition Acts Woodrow Wilson
Wilson
Wilson President Wilson passed the Espionage
President Wilson passed the Espionage
President Wilson passed the Espionage Act in 1917 and the Sedition Act in 1918
Act in 1917 and the Sedition Act in 1918
Act in 1917 and the Sedition Act in 1918 these acts severely curtailed American
these acts severely curtailed American
these acts severely curtailed American freedom of speech during World War one
freedom of speech during World War one
freedom of speech during World War one and launched the u.s. into its first Red
and launched the u.s. into its first Red
and launched the u.s. into its first Red Scare the acts legally backed the Palmer
Scare the acts legally backed the Palmer
Scare the acts legally backed the Palmer Raids of 1919 and 1920 and during this
Raids of 1919 and 1920 and during this
Raids of 1919 and 1920 and during this time many foreign Communists and
time many foreign Communists and
time many foreign Communists and anarchists residing in the u.s. were
anarchists residing in the u.s. were
anarchists residing in the u.s. were deported the political environment
deported the political environment
deported the political environment created by these acts caused many
created by these acts caused many
created by these acts caused many American citizens to be viewed as
American citizens to be viewed as
American citizens to be viewed as enemies of the state simply due to their
enemies of the state simply due to their
enemies of the state simply due to their political beliefs or even ethnic
political beliefs or even ethnic
political beliefs or even ethnic backgrounds number five the Lewinsky
backgrounds number five the Lewinsky
backgrounds number five the Lewinsky scandal and impeachment Bill Clinton I
scandal and impeachment Bill Clinton I
scandal and impeachment Bill Clinton I want you to listen to me I’m going to
want you to listen to me I’m going to
want you to listen to me I’m going to say this again
say this again
say this again I did not have sexual relations with
I did not have sexual relations with
I did not have sexual relations with that woman miss Lewinsky I never told
that woman miss Lewinsky I never told
that woman miss Lewinsky I never told anybody to lie not a single time never
anybody to lie not a single time never
anybody to lie not a single time never while President Clinton was not the
while President Clinton was not the
while President Clinton was not the first president to have had a publicly
first president to have had a publicly
first president to have had a publicly known extramarital affair he was the
known extramarital affair he was the
known extramarital affair he was the first to face an impeachment trial in
first to face an impeachment trial in
first to face an impeachment trial in the 20th century due to his infidelities
the 20th century due to his infidelities
the 20th century due to his infidelities Clinton had an affair with White House
Clinton had an affair with White House
Clinton had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky there was this
intern Monica Lewinsky there was this
intern Monica Lewinsky there was this charismatic powerful man who who is
charismatic powerful man who who is
charismatic powerful man who who is standing there showing interest in me
standing there showing interest in me
standing there showing interest in me and I was attracted to him and I I think
and I was attracted to him and I I think
and I was attracted to him and I I think I was swept up you know with the with
I was swept up you know with the with
I was swept up you know with the with the power of the presidency Pentagon
the power of the presidency Pentagon
the power of the presidency Pentagon employee Linda Tripp secretly recorded
employee Linda Tripp secretly recorded
employee Linda Tripp secretly recorded her phone conversations with Lewinsky
her phone conversations with Lewinsky
her phone conversations with Lewinsky wherein she revealed intimate details of
wherein she revealed intimate details of
wherein she revealed intimate details of the affair and trip turned these tapes
the affair and trip turned these tapes
the affair and trip turned these tapes over to an independent counsel which was
over to an independent counsel which was
over to an independent counsel which was already investigating Clinton on other
already investigating Clinton on other
already investigating Clinton on other matters the resulting impeachment trial
matters the resulting impeachment trial
matters the resulting impeachment trial was the most sensationalized media
was the most sensationalized media
was the most sensationalized media moment of Clinton’s presidency while
moment of Clinton’s presidency while
moment of Clinton’s presidency while Clinton was impeached he was ultimately
Clinton was impeached he was ultimately
Clinton was impeached he was ultimately acquitted of all charges and completed
acquitted of all charges and completed
acquitted of all charges and completed his final presidential term I asked you
his final presidential term I asked you
his final presidential term I asked you to turn away from the spectacle of the
to turn away from the spectacle of the
to turn away from the spectacle of the past seven months to repair the fabric
past seven months to repair the fabric
past seven months to repair the fabric of our national discourse and to return
of our national discourse and to return
of our national discourse and to return our attention to all the challenges and
our attention to all the challenges and
our attention to all the challenges and all the promise of the next American
all the promise of the next American
all the promise of the next American Century number for his presidency James
Century number for his presidency James
Century number for his presidency James Buchanan many tend to view Buchanan as
Buchanan many tend to view Buchanan as
Buchanan many tend to view Buchanan as being the worst president in American
being the worst president in American
being the worst president in American history
history
history you cannon did little to lessen the rift
you cannon did little to lessen the rift
you cannon did little to lessen the rift between the north and south leading up
between the north and south leading up
between the north and south leading up to the American Civil War he was more
to the American Civil War he was more
to the American Civil War he was more concerned with expanding the boundaries
concerned with expanding the boundaries
concerned with expanding the boundaries of the United States and seemed content
of the United States and seemed content
of the United States and seemed content with merely confining slavery to the
with merely confining slavery to the
with merely confining slavery to the States and newly absorbed territories
States and newly absorbed territories
States and newly absorbed territories that practiced it you cannon never ran
that practiced it you cannon never ran
that practiced it you cannon never ran for a second term and was succeeded by
for a second term and was succeeded by
for a second term and was succeeded by Abraham Lincoln a month after he left
Abraham Lincoln a month after he left
Abraham Lincoln a month after he left office the United States descended into
office the United States descended into
office the United States descended into civil war
civil war
civil war have made plain to both northerners and
have made plain to both northerners and
have made plain to both northerners and southerners the terrible character of
southerners the terrible character of
southerners the terrible character of the war that was approaching
the war that was approaching
the war that was approaching and he did not he presumably could not
and he did not he presumably could not
and he did not he presumably could not grasp it himself number three the Bay of
grasp it himself number three the Bay of
grasp it himself number three the Bay of Pigs invasion John F Kennedy a nation of
Pigs invasion John F Kennedy a nation of
Pigs invasion John F Kennedy a nation of Cuba’s size is less a threat to our
Cuba’s size is less a threat to our
Cuba’s size is less a threat to our survival than it is a base for
survival than it is a base for
survival than it is a base for subverting the survival of other free
subverting the survival of other free
subverting the survival of other free nations throughout the hemisphere on
nations throughout the hemisphere on
nations throughout the hemisphere on April 17 1961 the CIA backed a
April 17 1961 the CIA backed a
April 17 1961 the CIA backed a paramilitary force of anti-castro Cuban
paramilitary force of anti-castro Cuban
paramilitary force of anti-castro Cuban expats intended to invade Cuba and
expats intended to invade Cuba and
expats intended to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro’s left-wing
overthrow Fidel Castro’s left-wing
overthrow Fidel Castro’s left-wing communist government but the insurgency
communist government but the insurgency
communist government but the insurgency failed miserably while the plan was
failed miserably while the plan was
failed miserably while the plan was hatched under the Eisenhower
hatched under the Eisenhower
hatched under the Eisenhower administration the newly elected JFK
administration the newly elected JFK
administration the newly elected JFK approved of its implementation during
approved of its implementation during
approved of its implementation during his presidency
his presidency
his presidency immediately after the failed invasion
immediately after the failed invasion
immediately after the failed invasion Cuba more openly shifted their
Cuba more openly shifted their
Cuba more openly shifted their allegiance to the Soviet Union
allegiance to the Soviet Union
allegiance to the Soviet Union embarrassed and furious Kennedy openly
embarrassed and furious Kennedy openly
embarrassed and furious Kennedy openly criticized the debacle and famously
criticized the debacle and famously
criticized the debacle and famously declared that he wanted to take the CIA
declared that he wanted to take the CIA
declared that he wanted to take the CIA and scatter it to the winds the
and scatter it to the winds the
and scatter it to the winds the advantages of a police state its use of
advantages of a police state its use of
advantages of a police state its use of mass terror and arrest to prevent the
mass terror and arrest to prevent the
mass terror and arrest to prevent the spread of pre defense cannot be
spread of pre defense cannot be
spread of pre defense cannot be overlooked by those who expect the fall
overlooked by those who expect the fall
overlooked by those who expect the fall of every fanatic tyranny number two the
of every fanatic tyranny number two the
of every fanatic tyranny number two the Alien and Sedition Acts John Adams
Alien and Sedition Acts John Adams
Alien and Sedition Acts John Adams president is hereby empowered to
president is hereby empowered to
president is hereby empowered to designate his alien enemies any citizens
designate his alien enemies any citizens
designate his alien enemies any citizens or subjects of hostile nations residing
or subjects of hostile nations residing
or subjects of hostile nations residing in the United States his presence he
in the United States his presence he
in the United States his presence he regards as dangerous after the French
regards as dangerous after the French
regards as dangerous after the French Revolution the fledgling US government
Revolution the fledgling US government
Revolution the fledgling US government shifted their international interests in
shifted their international interests in
shifted their international interests in favor of Britain in retaliation France
favor of Britain in retaliation France
favor of Britain in retaliation France started to seize American trader ships
started to seize American trader ships
started to seize American trader ships and rebuked the US minister to France
and rebuked the US minister to France
and rebuked the US minister to France aggravated at what has become known as
aggravated at what has become known as
aggravated at what has become known as the quasi-war
the quasi-war
the quasi-war President Adams signed four bills into
President Adams signed four bills into
President Adams signed four bills into law that suppress political dissidents
law that suppress political dissidents
law that suppress political dissidents and threatened deportation of foreigners
and threatened deportation of foreigners
and threatened deportation of foreigners not aligned with US policy and the Alien
not aligned with US policy and the Alien
not aligned with US policy and the Alien and Sedition Acts were four laws that
and Sedition Acts were four laws that
and Sedition Acts were four laws that essentially prevent
essentially prevent
essentially prevent people from criticizing the government
people from criticizing the government
people from criticizing the government the acts fiercely divided American
the acts fiercely divided American
the acts fiercely divided American politics and ultimately Adams was not
politics and ultimately Adams was not
politics and ultimately Adams was not re-elected for a second term if you’re
re-elected for a second term if you’re
re-elected for a second term if you’re gonna violate an amendment don’t violate
gonna violate an amendment don’t violate
gonna violate an amendment don’t violate the First Amendment before we get to our
the First Amendment before we get to our
the First Amendment before we get to our number one most embarrassing
number one most embarrassing
number one most embarrassing presidential moment here are some
presidential moment here are some
presidential moment here are some honorable or in this case dishonorable
honorable or in this case dishonorable
honorable or in this case dishonorable mentions
I am as frustrated and angry as anyone
I am as frustrated and angry as anyone with the flawed launch of healthcare.gov
with the flawed launch of healthcare.gov
with the flawed launch of healthcare.gov so let me say directly to these
so let me say directly to these
so let me say directly to these Americans
Americans
Americans you deserve better I apologize the
you deserve better I apologize the
you deserve better I apologize the people were ticked off all right to the
people were ticked off all right to the
people were ticked off all right to the point of violence tax collectors were
point of violence tax collectors were
point of violence tax collectors were tarred and feathered by angry gangs the
tarred and feathered by angry gangs the
tarred and feathered by angry gangs the rebels formed a militia conquered
rebels formed a militia conquered
rebels formed a militia conquered Pittsburgh and would have burned it down
Pittsburgh and would have burned it down
Pittsburgh and would have burned it down except the locals gave him free whiskey
except the locals gave him free whiskey
except the locals gave him free whiskey to hold them off
to hold them off
to hold them off number one the Watergate scandal and
number one the Watergate scandal and
number one the Watergate scandal and resignation Richard Nixon I welcome this
resignation Richard Nixon I welcome this
resignation Richard Nixon I welcome this kind of examination because people have
kind of examination because people have
kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their
got to know whether or not their
got to know whether or not their presidents a crook well I’m not a crook
presidents a crook well I’m not a crook
presidents a crook well I’m not a crook I earned everything I’ve got many
I earned everything I’ve got many
I earned everything I’ve got many presidents have survived a wide variety
presidents have survived a wide variety
presidents have survived a wide variety of political mistakes and abuses of
of political mistakes and abuses of
of political mistakes and abuses of power but not President Nixon in the
power but not President Nixon in the
power but not President Nixon in the hopes of guaranteeing his re-election in
hopes of guaranteeing his re-election in
hopes of guaranteeing his re-election in 1972 Nixon and members of his
1972 Nixon and members of his
1972 Nixon and members of his administration authorized the
administration authorized the
administration authorized the wiretapping of the Democratic Party’s
wiretapping of the Democratic Party’s
wiretapping of the Democratic Party’s headquarters the plot came to light when
headquarters the plot came to light when
headquarters the plot came to light when five conspirators bungled the break-in
five conspirators bungled the break-in
five conspirators bungled the break-in after denying his involvement and using
after denying his involvement and using
after denying his involvement and using the CIA FBI and IRS to bully political
the CIA FBI and IRS to bully political
the CIA FBI and IRS to bully political opponents it was discovered that the
opponents it was discovered that the
opponents it was discovered that the Nixon administration was directly
Nixon administration was directly
Nixon administration was directly involved rather than face impeachment he
involved rather than face impeachment he
involved rather than face impeachment he became the first u.s. president to
became the first u.s. president to
became the first u.s. president to resign from office and leaving it I do
resign from office and leaving it I do
resign from office and leaving it I do so with this prayer
may God’s grace be with you and all the
may God’s grace be with you and all the days ahead do you agree with our list
days ahead do you agree with our list
days ahead do you agree with our list what do you think is the most
what do you think is the most
what do you think is the most embarrassing u.s. presidential moment
embarrassing u.s. presidential moment
embarrassing u.s. presidential moment for more excellent top 10s published
for more excellent top 10s published
for more excellent top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com and all of my years of
watchmojo.com and all of my years of
watchmojo.com and all of my years of public life I have never obstructed
public life I have never obstructed
public life I have never obstructed justice
”
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