What can be done to stop littering?

1029 published comments with 44 censored.

How can we stop people making a mess of our towns and countryside?

Bestselling US author Bill Bryson is to head a campaign to stop littering.

He has been appointed the president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and wants to increase fines for fly-tipping and people who drop litter.

The author hopes to preserve the nation's countryside, which he calls "one of the glories of Britain."

How bad is the litter situation in the UK? Is it ruining our countryside and towns? How can we persuade people to clean up their act? Are fines a good deterrent?

Do you have any pictures of countryside littering or fly-tipping in your area? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk

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Link to the BBC website for this thread

The following comments were censored from this thread on the BBC's 'Have Your Say' section of their news website.

What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Glyn Evans, Wivenhoe, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:23:16 UTC 2007. 1 recommendations.

I can see it coming...

Why not try a pilot scheme in the City of London where you can't find a rubbish bin anywhere...?

On-the-spot fines for littering should be a great money-spinner!

If you drive a car I'll tax the street
If you take a walk I'll tax your feet
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you try to sit I'll tax your seat

All together now...

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [news_meister] on Wed May 02 14:18:07 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

Complete socialist-lefty cr@p. Somewhere along the line somebody has to take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY (kryptonite to the chav family) and work their way out of poverty. I did. Education is free, manners cost nothing either.

CivilWar I'mWithBorisJohnson

Hooray, common sense. Being born into a poor family is no excuse to spend your life feeling sorry for yourself.
If anything, the low expectations put on to me gave me the determination to prove them wrong.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [seriousWYSIWIG], England on Wed May 02 14:17:00 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"You have to be assessed before you can claim disability benefits. Should be enough to root out the shirkers and get something out of them!

Golden Olden, Oxshott, United Kingdom "

See my earlier comment - assessment? Ha! I know someone who borrowed his neighbours crutches for his assessment, that was after he got off the roof of his garage that he was building! There is no moral fibre in our population to make a success of picking up litter!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by CivilWar I'mWithBorisJohnson on Wed May 02 14:09:55 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

"And the fact they are born into a hopeless inescapable poverty trap ensuring they're surrounded by poor education, squalid environment and low expectations is... what... their own fault and nothing to do with the rest of us?"
Welcome to Have Your Rant, United Kingdom

Complete socialist-lefty cr@p. Somewhere along the line somebody has to take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY (kryptonite to the chav family) and work their way out of poverty. I did. Education is free, manners cost nothing either.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by LiberalLeft AndProud, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:37:26 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

To be fair Papa,the ethnic ones are usually a different colour and most indigenous Brits up to "upper class", dress badly, and the upper class would not be seen in areas in which Leftliberal and Proud frequents.
Background is more difficult.

mon toya

You guys can't make your minds up! So am I a chav or a toffee-nosed snob? Do I live in leafy surburbia, a rural idyll or the grim inner city ghetto?

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by LiberalLeft AndProud, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:35:19 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Why are the lower middle class always the ones most determined that The Poor should be left to rot?

Is it because you're all afraid they'll catch up?

Unwanted Junk Male, Cruel Brittania

You hit the nail on the head sir. This is also the one of the motivations behind racism and various other diseases!

Now for all my fans out there in Rightwhinger land you will be happy to know that I won't be posting for a few weeks. But I will be back! Smash the BNP!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Will Lissen, Ashford on Wed May 02 14:34:56 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

Right, I think littering is down to:

Being/not being right wing
Being/not being left wing
Being/not being liberal
Being/not being BNP
Being/not being a racist
Being/not being an immigrant
Being/not being chav
Being/not being an animal
Being/not being American
Being/not being adult/child - male/female
Being/not being poor/rich
Being/not being part of society
Being/not being low/middle/high class

Now vote for me, I cant of missed anyone off. Come on, gimmee gimmee. I want one.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [ThoughtPattern], Bucks, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:34:46 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

The tatoo on his neck, shaved head, and tight fitting 666 t-shirt over his beer belly, told me to zip it though. If I have rubbish, it goes in my pocket or backpack until I find a bin.

Derek Drever, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Easy tiger. I'm a tattooed young woman (although grown up enough to realise the whole '666' thing isn't big or clever) and I'm perfectly approachable. Don't judge people on their appearance! And anyway , most 'goths' are wussies!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by mon toya on Wed May 02 14:33:50 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I regularly see people of all backgrounds, class and ethnicity littering without a thought for the consequences.
LeftLiberal AndProud

Amazing, you can tell all that just by looking at them..

Papa Demos, Bristol

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To be fair Papa,the ethnic ones are usually a different colour and most indigenous Brits up to "upper class", dress badly, and the upper class would not be seen in areas in which Leftliberal and Proud frequents.
Background is more difficult.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Alison Procter, London on Wed May 02 14:32:38 UTC 2007. 6 recommendations.

I
hate
to
see
the
way
people
do
not
care
about
their
surroundings.
Trains
(with
bins)
become
filthy
with
rubbish
dumped
on
seats.
Litter
is
dropped
in
the
streets
and
people
just
leave
their
rubbish
dumped
in
the
country.
Youngsters
often
have
little
respect,
but
I’ve
also
seen
many
older
people
throwing
rubbish
around.

So
don't
give
in
to
them!

Love

XXXXX

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Unwanted Junk Male, Cruel Brittania on Wed May 02 14:31:23 UTC 2007. 1 recommendations.

Why are the lower middle class always the ones most determined that The Poor should be left to rot?

Is it because you're all afraid they'll catch up?

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by LeftLiberal AndProud on Wed May 02 14:29:43 UTC 2007. 1 recommendations.

I regularly see people of all backgrounds, class and ethnicity littering without a thought for the consequences.
LeftLiberal AndProud

Amazing, you can tell all that just by looking at them..

Papa Demos, Bristol

Observation, my dear Watson, observation. Amazing what skin colour, clothing, the way people talk etc can tell you about their general background.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Keith Hutchinson, Sunderland, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:29:31 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

The UK is the biggest cess pit in the world. This is by far the dirtiest country on the planet, with a population who don't give a damn. Short of whipping or birching 90% of the people of this country nothing is going to change. Like everything else that has turned to s--t in the UK no punishment no deterrence. Why waste your breath on a society that will not permit justice.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Quack The Quackers, Ducksville on Wed May 02 14:29:10 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"That's right - blame the seagulls.
People like you are falling straight into the hands of the Koala Bears.
Staring, sniffing, chewing - never stopping for an instant from their wicked plotting..."
[subjectishatless]

Is anyone else a bit worried about [subjectishatless]?

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Golden Olden, Oxshott, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:26:36 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"See my earlier comment - assessment? Ha! I know someone who borrowed his neighbours crutches for his assessment, that was after he got off the roof of his garage that he was building! There is no moral fibre in our population to make a success of picking up litter!

[seriousWYSIWIG], England"

The kind of assessment I have in mind is aligned more with the Parachute Regiment than anything the NHS might consider. Time to get tough with these shirkers, a no tolerance approach.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Graham Bishop, Warwickshire on Wed May 02 14:26:26 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Here's a solution to your problems, Britain. Hire an American to tell kids to "have more babies, don't worry about getting a job, eat all the fatty foods you want, drink more alcohol, don't bother fixing the NHS and vote New Labour."
The reverse psychology would work WONDERS in solving all your social problems in one generation!
Tracey Roth, Danbury, Connecticut, United States

Nice one Tracey. You take Blair as Defense Secretary then we will keep the yank!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Laird Kyle of Minogue, Minogue, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:25:43 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"So by your rationale, would you say that rich kids who get a private education, a big house with a big garden and lots of toys books sports and so on don't actually benefit from these things and poor kids have just as much chance to succeed?

Can't we try to help those less fortunate?

The Devil's Advocate "

Stop giving them bloody excuses!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Mrs G, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 14:25:40 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Somewhere along the line somebody has to take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and work their way out of poverty. I did. Education is free, manners cost nothing either.
CivilWarBJ

So by your rationale, would you say that rich kids who get...don't actually benefit from these things and poor kids have just as much chance to succeed?

Can't we try to help those less fortunate?

The Devil's Advocate

No...more along the lines of start by helping yourself in the things that you can.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by The Devil's Advocate on Wed May 02 14:24:18 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Somewhere along the line somebody has to take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and work their way out of poverty. I did. Education is free, manners cost nothing either.
CivilWarBJ

So by your rationale, would you say that rich kids who get a private education, a big house with a big garden and lots of toys books sports and so on don't actually benefit from these things and poor kids have just as much chance to succeed?

Can't we try to help those less fortunate?

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [TheGreatWallsendo], Wallsendshire on Wed May 02 14:09:26 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Shoot the offenders. Hang their families. Deport their relatives - preferably to an active volcanoe.

That'll teach the b*ggers not to drop litter - it may even be a good detterent.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [commontouch] on Wed May 02 22:12:18 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

If it takes an American to tell us what to do with our litter things sure must be bad.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Paul Carter-Bowman, Tunbridge Wells on Wed May 02 22:09:35 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

I'm sold on the shut-the-phuck-up tax.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Hector Stable, London on Wed May 02 22:06:10 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"does anyone even read flyers anyway? Judging by the number on the path each day-NO

Agent X, Newcastle Upon Tyne"

That's just erroneous though. When you see a Starbucks coffee cup in the street, it doesn't mean that someone didn't drink out of it, just because it's been littered.

I think we should tax people a shut-the-fcuk-up charge when they talk about how morally better they are than others.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Corfu McGrue, Pernicot, United Kingdom on Wed May 02 21:52:34 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I hate the BBC.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by A Proper Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 12:50:33 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

""I regularly drop litter wherever it suits me. I'm not prepared to walk around with rubbish in my hand until I find a bin.

I think it's the responsibilty of the councils to clear it up for me - that's what I pay council tax for.

F Clemence Childcatcher""

You selfish moron. Us normal people have to pay council tax to employ nice clean people to clear up after selfish pigs like you.Clean up after yourself,or we'll come round and drop garbage and get our dog to c**p on your front lawn.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Bing Shao Ong, Singapore City, Singapore on Thu May 03 12:56:43 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"I regularly drop litter wherever it suits me. I'm not prepared to walk around with rubbish in my hand until I find a bin.
I think it's the responsibilty of the councils to clear it up for me - that's what I pay council tax for." - F Clemence Childcatcher

You deserve to be buried to your neck in rubbish. You love rubbish so much, why not stuff it in your own pants and take them home? You are like a baby who needs pampers. You are a failed offshoot of evolution that needs to be exterminated.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Arthur Smedley, Carshalton Beeches,Surrey, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 14:00:24 UTC 2007. 3 recommendations.

This is the last time you will see 'Arthur Smedley' posting here.

I am fed up with not getting my comments posted .

I have 9 posts 'awaiting moderation' going back a week.

I am going outside now and won't be back for a while.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [Londonerabroad] on Thu May 03 14:27:40 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

"I was at Waterloo yesterday (the station not the battle) and there were no bins to be seen. "
John Smith, England....not UK

Does anybody know if it was a concious decision to have French tourists arrive (via Eurostar) at a station named after one of their numerous defeats?

As for litterbugs, machine gun the lot of 'em.
With those talking CCTV cameras with the attached AK47s that somebody proposed a while back.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [widuran] on Thu May 03 14:27:05 UTC 2007. 4 recommendations.

BNP, go, you know it makes sense ?

[caltech1]

As a uni student in Bristol me and two Asian mates and a white lad went into a pub where they were haveing a BNP meeting.The evils we got were of pure hatred.I felt sorry for my white friend. But alas there you go. I went on the BNP website and can see the deceit.I cannot vote for a party who will be happy to kick me out for being the wrong colour and kick my parents out because they are immigrants.Vote Former National Front members? No way!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [caltech1] on Thu May 03 14:22:37 UTC 2007. 178 recommendations.

But for heaven's sake don't take anything they say too seriously. They can't help being foolish - it's part of growing up.
(And yes, I do include David Cameron.)

Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom

Who are you voting for today Mr Sharr? I am not sure yet?

[widuran]

BNP, go, you know it makes sense ?

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [theleftiswrong] on Thu May 03 14:22:18 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Isn't it quiet without Philby? It makes you feel like the world isn't so bad after all with him not being around (I might even vote).

Maybe the government should ban him - or exile him to Siberia.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [widuran] on Thu May 03 14:20:11 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

But for heaven's sake don't take anything they say too seriously. They can't help being foolish - it's part of growing up.
(And yes, I do include David Cameron.)

Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom

Who are you voting for today Mr Sharr? I am not sure yet?

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 14:27:27 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"But for heaven's sake don't take anything they say too seriously. They can't help being foolish - it's part of growing up.
(And yes, I do include David Cameron.)

Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom

Who are you voting for today Mr Sharr? I am not sure yet?

[widuran] "

Widuran old man - I am by birth and inclination a member of the now disenfranchised
"traditional Labour vote". So perhaps it's just as well there is no election in London today - as I wud have no-one to vote for.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 13:27:04 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Nice comment Mr. Sharr. So young people with new and maybe good ideas will be ignored by you? This is an attitude that has never brought any society forward.

[m_brockmann]"

My dear fellow you misunderstand me - it is only by listening carefully to the "voice of youth" over a long period that one comes to recognise it as preposterous drivel. This is in no way a criticism of the young. The worthlessness of their opinions comes not from spite, but inexperience. In time they will learn.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by pclefty lefty on Thu May 03 13:55:35 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

My dear fellow you misunderstand me - it is only by listening carefully to the "voice of youth" over a long period that one comes to recognise it as preposterous drivel. This is in no way a criticism of the young. The worthlessness of their opinions comes not from spite, but inexperience. In time they will learn.
Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom

Many young people have good ideas and are not spoilt brats like you & others suggest. They should be listened to as well.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Dave Bartle, Harrow, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 13:48:37 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

I regularly drop litter wherever it suits me. I'm not prepared to walk around with rubbish in my hand until I find a bin.

I think it's the responsibilty of the councils to clear it up for me - that's what I pay council tax for. F Clemence Childcatcher


I'm not prepared to tolerate lazy people who drop litter, making the environment unpleasant and increase costs for everyone else.

I think the police should shoot these people in the head - that's what I pay tax for.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by CivilWar I'mWithBorisJohnson on Thu May 03 14:06:08 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Many young people have good ideas and are not spoilt brats like you & others suggest. They should be listened to as well."
pclefty lefty

Brilliant. Let's make a list of all the well-thought-through, in-depth ideas I've heard from kids who've been asked their opinion on TV this week:

*They should all build more playgrounds
*They should all listed to kids more and do what we say
*They should make it so sweets aren't bad for you then you can eat them
*They should let kids stay up later

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Bernard Clark on Thu May 03 14:02:21 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I asked my friend Simple Simon the same question. His answer? " People should have their animals 'snipped'

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Arthur Smedley, Carshalton Beeches,Surrey, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 14:17:41 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Moderators :

I haven't gone outside yet ...kindly put my post back. I am still hovering at the tent door...

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 14:15:35 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

""Many young people have good ideas and are not spoilt brats like you & others suggest. They should be listened to as well."
pclefty lefty"

Lefty old lad - If you really have nothing better to do with your time by all means listen to / humour them (not that many of the little beggars need much help building their self-esteem). But for heaven's sake don't take anything they say too seriously. They can't help being foolish - it's part of growing up.
(And yes, I do include David Cameron.)

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Terry Killeavy, Gotham, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 14:13:16 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

""F Clemence Childcatcher is winding you up, as is clear from his subsequent post. Resorting to abuse exposes you as self-righteous prigs. A more useful contribution to this 'debate' would be to go outside and pick some litter up.

Lance Diatessaron, Ghent""

Lance - your response is possibly the most pathetic effort to join in I have ever seen. There is nothing Self-Righteous about wanting this nation to be cleaner.

If that's your attitude, get lost now please. Try Spain.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by [caltech1] on Thu May 03 14:12:48 UTC 2007. 3 recommendations.

I was at Waterloo yesterday (the station not the battle) and there were no bins to be seen.

John Smith, England....not UK

Bins in stations are not allowed due to bomb threats

kirstie clark,

See, the immigrants are to blame!

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Rev Brown, northampton, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 12:35:06 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I regularly drop litter wherever it suits me. I'm not prepared to walk around with rubbish in my hand until I find a bin.

I think it's the responsibilty of the councils to clear it up for me - that's what I pay council tax for.

F Clemence Childcatcher


To$$er

Terry Killeavy, Gotham, United Kingdom

Seconded.

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What can be done to stop littering?

Written by Terry Killeavy, Gotham, United Kingdom on Thu May 03 12:41:24 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I regularly drop litter wherever it suits me. I'm not prepared to walk around with rubbish in my hand until I find a bin.

I think it's the responsibilty of the councils to clear it up for me - that's what I pay council tax for.

F Clemence Childcatcher

It's attitudes like this pond life above, which has made Britain the $hithole it is today.

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