Reactions to Obama, stem cells

Posted: Monday, March 09, 2009 2:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days, Barack Obama

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
(Statements compiled by NBC’s Mark Murray, Kelly O’Donnell, Bruce Carter and Naomi Karam)

The reactions to President Obama's signing of the executive order on stem-cell research were mostly predictable and falling along party lines. Democrats laud it; Republicans were critical. The one perpetual ironic standout, however, is Nancy Reagan, widow of the late Ronald Reagan -- the former president idolized and revered by the Republican Party.

FORMER FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN: “I'm very grateful that President Obama has lifted the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. These new rules will now make it possible for scientists to move forward. I urge researchers to make use of the opportunities that are available to them, and to do all they can to fulfill the promise that stem cell research offers. Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in our power to find cures for these diseases -- and soon. As I've said before, time is short, and life is precious.

SEN. TED KENNEDY: "Sometimes medicine advances through inspired discoveries in the laboratory, and sometimes through brilliant insights at the patient's bedside. But today, an extraordinary medical breakthrough was achieved with the stroke of a pen. With today's executive order, President Obama has righted an immense wrong done to the hopes of millions of patients. The President's action today unlocks the enormous potential of life-sustaining medical progress against a wide range of serious illnesses and injuries, all within strong ethical guidelines."

SEN. MAJ. LEADER HARRY REID: "President Obama today offered the hope of better treatments and cures to millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases. I applaud President Obama for restoring scientific integrity to government and ensuring we value science over ideology. President Obama's policy has strong support in the Senate, where in each of the past two Congresses we have passed bipartisan stem cell legislation. The President's executive order supports not only the position of Congress, but that of the majority of Americans and hundreds of leading medical and scientific associations and research universities, and dozens of patient-advocacy organizations representing millions of Americans. Since 2001, our most promising scientists have been forced to work with one hand tied behind their backs. Our nation's new stem cell policy will now help them in their quest to find lifesaving cures."

SEN. MIN. LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL (says Obama’s executive order “incentivizes creation and destruction of human embryos”): "The administration's announcement on embryonic stem cell research represents a troubling shift in U.S. policy. With this announcement, the government is, for the first time, incentivizing the creation and destruction of human embryos at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer. I support biomedical research and I believe the administration would be far better served by directing taxpayer funds to research on non-embryonic stem cells, which is both effective and ethical."

HOUSE MIN. LEADER JOHN BOEHNER (says the “decision runs counter to his promise to ‘be a president for all Americans"): "This decision runs counter to President Obama's promise to be a president for all Americans. For a third time in his young presidency, the President has rolled back important protections for innocent life, further dividing our nation at a time when we need greater unity to tackle the challenges before us. I fully support stem cell research, but I draw the line at taxpayer-funded research that requires the destruction of human embryos, and millions of Americans feel similarly. As we move forward, I am hopeful that the President will re-evaluate this and other controversial decisions that put government at odds with the sanctity of human life. Non-embryonic stem cell research is not only showing great promise in the laboratory, but its applications are already being used to treat scores of diseases and medical conditions. Indeed, science and respect for human life can coexist. Politicians in Washington would be well-served to recognize this fact before they ask taxpayers to subsidize the destruction of innocent human life simply to advance a particular agenda. Instead of asking taxpayers to pay for efforts that destroy life, Congress and the Administration should support bipartisan solutions like Rep. Randy Forbes' Patients First Act, which would promote stem cell research that is actually getting results."

*** UPDATE *** CA GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: "President Obama's executive order is a huge win for the millions of people who suffer from spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and many other illnesses. Californians were the first in the nation to support and fund embryonic stem cell research and we are big believers in the power of this revolutionary science to not only improve but to save lives. Because of the federal ban, Californians world-renown research facilities have had to have separate areas for the federally-funded and the non-federally funded programs, causing duplicative efforts. I applaud President Obama for removing this barrier which allows California to maximize critical research funding so we can continue to lead the world in stem cell research."

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Comments

Maybe we can cut up a few of OctoMom's kids.

Whats one more dead baby - especially if we can cure Ted Kennedy.

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:32 PM)

So, basically, Nancy Reagan and Arnold are the only two who don't have their heads in the sand.

but, I'm sure Rush will call out even Nancy for not towing HIS PARTY's line.

Joe - STL (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:32 PM)

And this stimulates the economy, how??? A few researchers may stay employed while 600,000 regular people are laid off EVERY MONTH????

I'm broke (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:35 PM)

In other words, Obama has signed the death warrants for millions of unborn children! What a tragedy!

Andrew Miguel, Deer Park, NY (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:40 PM)

I finally understand the plan...

Someone told OScuma that the poor always vote democrat.

So, he is destroying jobs and the stock market to increase the number of Democrats in america.

Nice Plan and well thought out.

Now all he needs to do is make the Illegial Imagrants citizens and he will get 12 million more votes.

Smart man!!!

The Last Living Democrat (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:41 PM)

Maybe we can use Ted Kennedy's brain for science right now. Just plop him down on some table in someone's garage and start the procedure.

The guy's old as dirt and of no apparent use anymore. Come on, you Dems have been propping him up and sticking cotton in his mouth ever since he went into the hospital. He was NEVER of any purposeful use at any time in his life. His whole life was Spring Break. Then he "accidently" killed that girl on the cape in Massachusettes and now he serves no useful purpose just like an unborn child.

Where's euthanasia when you need it? It's for medical research. Put a damn earmark in some stupid Pelosi Bill for Kennedy if it makes you feel better.
The cost would be $300, 000. Don't be hypocrites.

Palomino (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:41 PM)

Obama is a typical tax and spend liberal...and this is just another example of his penchant to spend all our tax dollars on wasteful things!

Mikey Furlong, Long Island, NY (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:43 PM)

As per Sen. Kennedy
But today, an extraordinary medical breakthrough was achieved with the stroke of a pen
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I find it rather ironic that the Gov of CA and Nancy Reagan both support the action while the to No birds Beohner and McConnel stay true to their base witch continues to link politics (ideology) and science

For an interesting take on the future of the NOers check this out
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/09/republican-conservatives-balance

Thanks Mr. President for standing up for science and research!

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:43 PM)

1-5

I don't get it - these are embryos that were being discarded from fertility clinics - how does this work? Are we going to charge clinics with murder? Just plain stupid - instead of making stupid remarks - let's just let science do what it does best ---- science. They already are banning human cloning. The law is also in the works. What is the GOP turning into Chicken Little? Don't they have enough problems?

Kay P Tempe AZ (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:44 PM)

The Way We Were.

I wish the Republican Party would go into another business. Like starting a tv channel entitled: For The Good Times - 1880's, instead of tinkering with our country.

Back then there were lots of guns, women kept in their place - barefoot & pregnant - country doctors, saloons on every corner. (Well, that hasn't changed).

Sometimes I just get the feeling that the Republican Party is having a difficult time adjusting to the fact that this is the 21st Century. It must be that they're just getting old. Or perhaps they're just not too bright. Yes, that's it. It's obvious whenever one of them opens up his mouth.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:46 PM)

John Boehner:
" . . .I draw the line at taxpayer-funded research that requires the destruction of human embryos . . ."

Join the long line of other Americans that don't want their taxes going to something they don't believe in(Iraq, subsidies to big business, politicians' perks, and that's just a few) Suck it up and deal with it.

Tom Kaye (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:49 PM)

Those who have a clue and those who are clueless.

It is real easy to see the dividing line. No wonder John Boehner has a 15% approval rating and Mitch McConnel has a 21% approval rating. While Pelosi has a 41% approval rating and Reid has a 35% approval rating.

I bet Rush will agree with Boehner and McConnell. The conservatives have nothing, nothing to offer in this 21 century. They are the party of "NO" and the GOP will become smaller and smaller.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:50 PM)

In a time where there are no rules governing 'designer babies' nor sufficient regulations to prevent private-sector stem-cell abuse, I certainly welcome this order (obviously I'm obviously pro-science). Having scientific research done out in the open, as it always has been, will be a great boon to our country and intellectual/moral standing.

I'll probably go for anything sold as 'smart' or 'responsible'. The trick for government is to follow through on its promises.

P.S. I disagree with [SEN. MIN. LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL (says Obama’s executive order “incentivizes creation and destruction of human embryos”)] ...
--I think those who will chose to create and destroy human embryos as part of in vitro fertization aren't going to be influenced by stem cell lines. If his beef is with in vitro, he should state that an not hide behind stem cell research--which has no bearing on in vitro. Nobody's going to create an embryo for the sole purpose of making a new cell line. Common sense people!

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:54 PM)

Typical Southern Senator "today is a sad day for the unborn. We have killed millions worldwide with our wars and attacks on innocent civilains but we must save every unborn child so we have someone to kill later on".

Southern Senator dude guy (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:55 PM)

This is only controversial for conservatives and the religious right. A vast majority of real Americans support the president on this move.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:56 PM)

Let me say this once again with feeling, realizing I will probably draw some heat. No one who openly opposed this research should be allowed to benefit from it until everyone else has been allowed to do so. Does this sound uncharitable? Well, charity starts at home, I guess.

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:56 PM)

Those who worshiped Reagan as though he were a god can't possibly be against this since their god's widow is for it. Imagine had we stem cell research a few decades ago their god might still be alive and seeing the results of TRICKle down economics.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:58 PM)

What is the current status of stem cell research and what advances have been made since 2001?

Based on the administration and Harry Reid, one would expect that nothing has been accomplished.

What did California do with $3 billion devoted strictly to embryonic stem cell research? Can they cite results?

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 2:58 PM)

Let's see-the Chinese are threatening one of our ships, North Korea just threatened to nuke South Korea, (again), the stock market is tanking, unemployment is over 8%, and the Big O takes the opportunity to deal with---stem cell research.

It makes sense, it is right up his alley. It involves billions of dollars spent with almost no return. Remionds me of his health care proposal.

Consider this-Bush only allowed research on existing lines already being worked on-there were supposed to be about 60,000. It turned out, however, that most of those lines were not viable, as they had been contaminated with mouse genes. Now, ask yourself, 'how did lines of human embryos get contaminated with mouse genes?' Talk about a lack of respect for human life.

All of the treatments available today, and I know of many, are due to ADULT stem cell research. A friend was treated this way when it was discovered that she had multiple myeloma-which had been a death sentence until recently. The doctors extracted her OWN stem cells, and then replaced them after the cancerous bone marrow was destroyed. She fully recovered.

Thus, when you talk about 'stem cell research', understand that those of us who oppose embryonic stem cell research do so for a good reason-it is research for the sake of doing research and getting federal funds to do so-as opposed to ADULT stem cell research, which offers cures for diseases-not someday, maybe, but NOW.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:03 PM)

Why isn't there a statement from Orin Hatch here. He supports stem cell research despite being a very pro-life Republican.

Jack, Lone Tree, CO (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:33 PM)

I love it when guys like McConnell and Bohener open their mouths, because each time they do they make conservatives look even more ignorant, obstructionist, and out-of-touch. Personally I wish the entire conservative base would just move to Alabama and start their own country where they're free to ignore scientific facts they don't like, they can teach creationism in schools, attendance at a (Christian) church can be legally mandated, and everyone can own an assault rifle for every room in their house.

Paul Shindelus (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:33 PM)

The Last Living '...finally understand the plan...

84% of Americans think Obama INHERITED this ECONOMIC MESS from George BUSH !!

Suck on THAT for a while

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:34 PM)

Rep-robates ruled for 8 years and look where it got us. Now Bonehead Bayner and Dumb Rush pine for the good old days - and pray for failure. Fortunately, the Dems and smart Obama Republicans stand up for reason. When things improve - and they will, though maybe not tomorrow - the Bushies will no doubt find something to complain about. Thank heaven he and his fellow dimwits are gone.

Roger Ramjet (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:35 PM)

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:03 PM) . . .

Your typical right wing rants always serve as a source of amusement for me.

First, don't you think our government can focus on more than one thing at once? I know that the common republican view is that George Bush protected us from evil terrorists for eight years and that was all he needed to accomplish (we won't get into the debate about how the only foreign terrorist attack was on his watch). There is more to the world than military power.

You talk about the respect for human life? Are you aware of the fact that those unused human embryos are simply discarded as medical waste? So putting them to use in stem cell research is a great idea that is likely to provide huge improvements in medical treatment. I'm not sure how you can declare that an egg in a test tube is human life. And I'm even more puzzled how you think using it for stem cell research shows a lack of respect for human life when that egg would die without human intervention.

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:35 PM)

it is too late to save my daughter from Ovarian cancer, I know that millions are being spent on drug research already, none of those drugs saved her but over a million was paid out to try. The millions spent on stem cell research may or may not solve the problems that so many people face with these killing diseases, but we must try. I do feel that a better prevention program would be more help , get the info out to the people that will help them and their doctor spot the trouble earlier. If we had known the symptoms of OVCA, she would have caught it early and probaly have lived.

Marty1 (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:36 PM)

Unbelievable, the comments!

Cancer is serious business....I guess the negative comments indicate that NO research to find a cure is good for the right-wing nut jobs! Only the research that suits their Repuke agenda talking points.

If stem cell research helps.....then let's get on with the reasearch to find a cure!

Cancer takes prisoners....controls you and your every moment.....

Does not always play nice..... that cancer thing!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:37 PM)

All of this blathering from the NO's. Are you afraid it might hurt your leader Rush's sensibilities? Right!! In case you haven't noticed, he doesn't have any. Maybe he's still too busy sending his maid out to find drugs. It's about time that stem cell research is going to move ahead. The cells would have been destroyed anyway so what is the big deal? Just something else that you feel obligated to say NO to? For heaven sake, grow up.

MO'S, El Reno, OK (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:37 PM)

It really dilutes the message when people can't spell simple words. These knuckleheads that spout on and on about the "poor little babies" are really clueless.
Kudos to Obama and one other thing, to the Rush (the new GOP) folks, does the phrase "rational thought" mean anything to you? Jeez.

Michael McShane, Cypress, CA (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:39 PM)

Mitch McConnell:
'He blinded me with science'
'Da DA DaaaaaH DaH'
'Science !
'He blinded me with Science'

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:39 PM)

Yay, science gets to advance, and religious fundamentalism takes a back seat!

Rob, Castro Valley, California (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:39 PM)

You "Pubs kill me. The stem cell lines already exist. The order from the RIGHT stopped the use of any line developed after 2001. Again, the lines exist! Your position that thousands of babies will be murdered is absurd. In fact the development of strong stem cell based cures would stop the need to harvest embryonic cells very quickly. Just tell the truth. You would prefer that people die of the many diseases than stop the incredible waste of resources you focus on abortion. This is not about medical research. It is just the same old blather about abortion. Get over it.

Jager Little Rock AR (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:39 PM)

Good for President Obama. We can now move forward with research in solving many horrendous diseases.
There are those who support an unwarrented war, killing many of our own and many, many more innocent people, support the death penalty when our judicial system has proven inadequate, and speak out in ignorance on something that has nothing to do with taking a life.

katiec (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:40 PM)

MSBC-First Read again serves as America's Posting Place.
Why not a follow-up question with McConnell or Boehner? A human embryo in the trash can is preferable to any scientific good that could come of this research? Too controversial? Too partial? I'd actually LIKE to understand that side's argument.
"We don't need no stinkin' science" lives on in the GOP.

Mavsreader, FW, TX (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:42 PM)

Wow, it truly is beyond depressing to read the comments of the self-appointed moralists whose opinions are expressed with a level of outrage inversely proportional to their ignorance when it comes to opposing stem-cell research. For the last time, folks, lifting the ban on stem-cell research only frees scientists to study treatments based on embryos that would otherwise be destroyed anyway. Nobody is talking about creating life just for experimental purposes, and bioethical safeguards will be put in place to prevent turning humans into laboratory guinea pigs. The troglodytes against this remind me of the extremist bishops in the Catholic Church who would excommunicate a 9-year-old girl and her doctors for aborting the baby that could have killed her if carried to term, while letting the child's stepfather continue to receive Holy Communion even after he raped the poor girl and got her pregnant in the first place. Hasn't it ever occurred to these people that healing the sick shows respect for life, too? Geez, if even Nancy Reagan and Arnold Swartzenegger can see the moral value in stem-cell research, what does that say about the other, more hard-core conservative right? Maybe they just need another Terri Schiavo case to expose their own hypocrisy, since they seem to feel it's perfectly OK for the government to interfere in the life-and-death decisions of adults and families dealing with their own personal tragedies.

Philimus, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:43 PM)

Finally we are taking the country back, from the REPUBLICAN-TALIBAN

Julius, laguna niguel, California (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:44 PM)

Our supposed "war on terror" is focused on radical groups that want to impose their religious doctrine on everyone else. Sadly, the true objection of conservatives and republicans against stem cell research is religious belief. And their goal is to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us.

Holier than thou , New York (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:45 PM)

Finally we are taking the country back, from the REPUBLICAN-TALIBAN

Julius, laguna niguel, California (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:45 PM)

which offers cures for diseases-not someday, maybe, but NOW.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:03 PM)
************************************************
ah yes, must have instant gratification with every list of demands...

are you really ridiculing research for the sake of doing research? you really disapprove of learning for the sake of knowledge? if so, you will reap the joys of ignorance...

yes, adult stem cells have found uses, but they are no where near the potential of embryonic stem cells when talking about diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancers, and other genetic defects.

i'm also real tired of the "lack of respect of human life" coming from people who supported a war based on lies that has killed a million people, most of whom were completely innocent and had nothing to do with harming anyone. The disconnect between the "respect for life if its unborn" mantra and the holy war against radical Islam that has been carried out by the same people is appalling, and weakens the moral value in the argument.

there has been a ban for 8 years. lets see where 4 years of supporting scientists gets us before claiming what can get results and what can't.

Tzalaran (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:46 PM)

--- Today I feel like an intellectual SNOB - thanks to the majority of you undereducated superstitious morons who mimic other idiots who cannot tell the difference between a dead "baby" and cellular DRECK!

I sure hope you never clean your sheets and make sure every one of your shots makes a baby - otherwise you too are killing "babies" before they are born!

...Ooops ... pardon me .... no intention to mislead anyone; correction: you are killing HALF-BABIES, before they even had a chance to unite as one!

SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! If you could see how these little pieces of life happily danced all over the place before your own negligence caused them to shrivel up and die ... surely you would have been more careful so as to avoid such mass slaughter?

I remain totally disgusted

jessica S, Naples, FL (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:46 PM)

Why am I not surprised that President Obama did this!! He showed what he is made of when he was in the Illinois Senate. He doesn't have respect for life, I suspect at any stage.
Sad day! Let's put the money into adult stem cell research where there has already been success. Nothing is destroyed, but created. Makes a lot more sense to use my own stem cells to treat diseases which affect my own body.

MA Shelton, Georgetown, TX (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:46 PM)

"Whats one more dead baby - especially if we can cure Ted Kennedy."

"...signed the death warrants for millions of unborn children! What a tragedy!"

... Spoken like the paranoid extremists that were once running this country - right into the ground.

Please, give it a rest....

I bet your tune would change if you or a family member was suffering from a spinal injury or a debilitating disease.

Harry (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:48 PM)

So the Republican's think it's okay to kill adults? The Repulican party as it stands is finished. Thank God!

norb jackson michigan (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:49 PM)

My nephew has Type 1 diabetes, today I feel a sense of hope. Research can finally go foward in this country.
Finally I agree, take the politics out of science!

CL Bottorff (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:50 PM)

Just one more issue where the Republicant party is FAR out of step with the American people - the widow of Ronald Reagan even agrees with stem cell research, for goodness' sake!!

The GOP is really becoming not only a regional party, but one of few issues (nevermind ideas - they haven't had an original one for decades now). Look at what they stand for:

- Tax cuts for those who are extremely wealthy
- Anti-choice (no abortion, no gay marriage)
- Nose into your private life (eavesdropping, reducing civil liberties - better known as FREEDOM, illegal surveillance of phone calls, emails, texts, etc.)

So, pretty much a party of "No." "No" to paying for things that cost money (via taxes), "No" to your right to decide, and "No" to any kind of civil liberties you presently enjoy as an American citizen in this free nation.

Hmmm... why do they say they are the party of personal responsibility, and patriotic, and all that crap again?

Jose Von Hussein - The United States of America (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:50 PM)

So our President supports murder? But its ok because he is not the one performing the murder.

Is It 2012 Yet??

LKL, Hannibal NY (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:51 PM)

For those that argue "let science be science" and that it is inappropriate to raise a moral question regarding the creation of a market in human embryos, what then do we make of President Obama's assertion that human cloning is "dangerous", "profoundly wrong", and "has no place in society"? Why is it hopelessly wrong-headed for some to question the ethics of embryonic stem cell research, and yet the picture of ethical rectitude for another to voice a moral judgment about cloning?

William Salter, New York NY (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:51 PM)

Kind of like bob and weave politics!!!

Liz, Andywhere USA (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:52 PM)

Too bad they can't cure that girl Eddie Kennedy MURDERED, I am always amazed that anyone as flammable (alcohol saturated) as Eddie boy doesn't burst into flames just TALKING about "ethics" never mind "murdering unborn"!! Eddie murders CoEds!!

welcome to changeville

Ted K, Hyannis, MA (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:55 PM)

I am completely embarrassed at all of the “Smart” leaders… they have no clue on Embryonic stem-cell research does not provide any benefit over the 4 other humane stem-cell research methods…

I am Legend creatures and hybrid humans are not far off…… I am sure God will continue to smile down on America for this one…!

Dr. Tech, Michigan (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:56 PM)

This so unnecessary. We do not have to use human embryos to do this type of research. We have all we need in material from spontaneous miscarriages (not abortions), and fetal cords, plus adult stem cells material. They are lying to you when they say they need human embryos.

D J Russell (Sent Monday, March 09, 2009 3:56 PM)

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