Ya Libnan

Lebanon FM blocks debate on expatriate vote

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“I asked to put a halt to the debate on absentee voting in the 2013 parliamentary elections,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Shami told NBN news channel.

Shami who is a member of Amal movement said the request to postpone the issue scheduled for debate in Tuesday’s Cabinet session was “in order to finalize the study on the report.”

Shortly afterwards, the foreign ministry issued a statement saying media comments made earlier on Shami’s report on absentee vote were “incorrect.”

Local media on Sunday claimed that Shami’s report, slated for discussion in Cabinet on Tuesday, said that Lebanese expatriates will not vote in the 2013 “because of lack of enthusiasm.”

“It is impossible to allow expatriates to participate in the upcoming elections,” Shami reportedly said.

The report, a copy of which was handed over to Cabinet ministers, is expected to raise a heated debate in Cabinet, An-Nahar newspaper said.

In a related development Deputy Speaker Farid Makari, a member of March 14 alliance said on Sunday said the “other side” ( March 8 ) is aware that the voice in the 2013 parliamentary elections is not in its interest “that’s why it doesn’t want to vote.”

“We are still three years away from parliamentary elections and it is our duty to correct errors in any way possible,” Makari told MTV.

Photo: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Shami is shown with Iranian president during his vivit to Tehran. The visit was reportedly not authorized by the cabinet or PM Hariri

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Comments

38 responses to “Lebanon FM blocks debate on expatriate vote”

  1. Hannibal Avatar
    Hannibal

    Of course, Mr. Shami, how else can we defeat your evil but with the expats’ vote. Now really what are you afraid of you moron? That the will of the REAL Lebanese not the Persian’s dogs will prevail? Besides, next time you visit a foreign country officially respect the Law of the land and get permission from your government you traitor.

    1. PROPHET.T Avatar
      PROPHET.T

      That does not sound like the walid I know.
      I wonder what criteria you follow to determine who is a real Lebanese and who is a Dog. Maybe you should not answer Walid ,I ‘m afraid I might loose my respect for you.

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Prophet:
        I am fed up with lies and manipulations. Yes ONLY a dog will crawl to any other country without the approval of his government. Reverend Jackson went to Syria ONCE on his own and he was crucified for it back at home. There is a protocol and we must respect it. That goes for all the others. Geagea visiting Egypt, Nasrallah and the meeting with two presidents excluding President Suleiman during the tripartite visit, etc. etc. That my friend is NOT a country, that is a whore country which opens its legs to anyone with money, and I no longer belong to it. You my friend can keep it. I am done!
        The lowest of the low AGAIN is the double standard he and his likes represent. He does not want us (you and I) expats to vote for lack of interest from our part he says. What a load of bull crap! What gives him the right to decide for me whether I want to vote or NOT? I tell you why? He has zero chance of making it if we expats were to vote because the make up of the expats is Christian. Yet he wants to abolish sectarianism in his own backyard which spells a disaster for minorities. That same minority has been created and manufactured by years of instability and you and I know that the expats who make up the majority of what we call 2 million “tourists” are minorities in Lebanon and they will become a majority if they were to vote. So there I am answering and I am telling it as is. The Levant is ALL sectarian and the Christians are leaving and these were the real owners of the land, from the copts of Egypt, to the Christians of Bethlehem, to the “Ashur” and “Keldan” of Iraq, to the Melkites of Syria and the Maronites of Lebanon are immigrating “en masse” and the identity of the land is forever changing and there is no longer a need for any of us to hide behind our finger and pretend. Now we will leave it to the three mighty religious idiots to fight it off. The Shiites, the Sunnis and the Jews. Go at each others and have fun! Thank you very much, I am done!

        1. PROPHET.T Avatar
          PROPHET.T

          Hanibal,
          Some one once said: Clean your finger before you point at my spots.
          I agree with you that Lebanon is not a country, but a whore who likes to be slapped around by different pimps.
          It seems that you have two kinds of principles side by side, one which you preach but do not practice, and another which you selectively practice but don’t preach.
          My problem is with the double standard everyone approaches politics and criticism.
          Our own prime insister Hariri is always traveling without the knowledge of the cabinet, let along the approval of his cabinet. He spends more time on his airplane, traveling and meeting foreign leaders than he spends in Lebanon dealing with urgent issues.Noone can complain because of the fear of being accused of attacking a whole sect. This is the case with all lebanese leaders,including the president ,and the head of the parliment.
          Does he inform his cabinet of all the trips he makes to Saudi Arabia and Europe ahead of time? Did he inform his cabinet of his trip to meet the Egyptian president today? I have not heard any of you people raise that issue. It looks like He visits Lebanon to attend the cabinet meetings, if you haven’t noticed.
          I agree that all Lebanese officials should clear all of their traveling plans with the proper institutions. Why the double standard? What ever you and others are condemning, everyone else has been doing, yet we hear no complain from you.
          Do any of the Lebanese PM clear their foreign travel with the foreign ministry, or with the office of prime minster? Do all ministers clear all their travel outside of the country with the prime ministers office or the foreign ministry? Do all foreign ambassadors clear their meetings with Lebanese politicians with the foreign ministry, as they are supposed to? You know the answers, don’t you?
          As for the voting issue, You know that the prime minster and March 14 ministers, wanted to use this issue to kill the debate on the false witnesses issue at the next cabinet meeting. It’s dirty politics as usual. As much as I support the right for absentee to vote, I don’t think it was more urgent than the crises the country(whore) faces now. Other major issues are always postponed for weeks and months for political reasons, with no outrage from you or anyone else.
          The country has no electricity or drinking water for years. The cabinet is always postponing those issues, which are much more urgent. Do I see you complaining? Shouldn’t everyone be outraged?
          I want to see that law passed as soon as possible, because I have never casted my vote in Lebanon. My only chance is to vote is in absentee. I could not vote at the age of 18 in Lebanon. I hope you would support the right to vote , for those who are old enough to join the army and die for the country and not eligible to vote as well.
          Again Hanibal, let’s not play smart and try to score points here. Let’s apply the same standard on everyone. Hypocrisy is a double edged tool here.

      2. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Prophet:
        I am fed up with lies and manipulations. Yes ONLY a dog will crawl to any other country without the approval of his government. Reverend Jackson went to Syria ONCE on his own and he was crucified for it back at home. There is a protocol and we must respect it. That goes for all the others. Geagea visiting Egypt, Nasrallah and the meeting with two presidents excluding President Suleiman during the tripartite visit, etc. etc. That my friend is NOT a country, that is a whore country which opens its legs to anyone with money, and I no longer belong to it. You my friend can keep it. I am done!
        The lowest of the low AGAIN is the double standard he and his likes represent. He does not want us (you and I) expats to vote for lack of interest from our part he says. What a load of bull crap! What gives him the right to decide for me whether I want to vote or NOT? I tell you why? He has zero chance of making it if we expats were to vote because the make up of the expats is Christian. Yet he wants to abolish sectarianism in his own backyard which spells a disaster for minorities. That same minority has been created and manufactured by years of instability and you and I know that the expats who make up the majority of what we call 2 million “tourists” are minorities in Lebanon and they will become a majority if they were to vote. So there I am answering and I am telling it as is. The Levant is ALL sectarian and the Christians are leaving and these were the real owners of the land, from the copts of Egypt, to the Christians of Bethlehem, to the “Ashur” and “Keldan” of Iraq, to the Melkites of Syria and the Maronites of Lebanon are immigrating “en masse” and the identity of the land is forever changing and there is no longer a need for any of us to hide behind our finger and pretend. Now we will leave it to the three mighty religious idiots to fight it off. The Shiites, the Sunnis and the Jews. Go at each others and have fun! Thank you very much, I am done!

        1. PROPHET.T Avatar
          PROPHET.T

          Hanibal,
          Some one once said: Clean your finger before you point at my spots.
          I agree with you that Lebanon is not a country, but a whore who likes to be slapped around by different pimps.
          It seems that you have two kinds of principles side by side, one which you preach but do not practice, and another which you selectively practice but don’t preach.
          My problem is with the double standard everyone approaches politics and criticism.
          Our own prime insister Hariri is always traveling without the knowledge of the cabinet, let along the approval of his cabinet. He spends more time on his airplane, traveling and meeting foreign leaders than he spends in Lebanon dealing with urgent issues.Noone can complain because of the fear of being accused of attacking a whole sect. This is the case with all lebanese leaders,including the president ,and the head of the parliment.
          Does he inform his cabinet of all the trips he makes to Saudi Arabia and Europe ahead of time? Did he inform his cabinet of his trip to meet the Egyptian president today? I have not heard any of you people raise that issue. It looks like He visits Lebanon to attend the cabinet meetings, if you haven’t noticed.
          I agree that all Lebanese officials should clear all of their traveling plans with the proper institutions. Why the double standard? What ever you and others are condemning, everyone else has been doing, yet we hear no complain from you.
          Do any of the Lebanese PM clear their foreign travel with the foreign ministry, or with the office of prime minster? Do all ministers clear all their travel outside of the country with the prime ministers office or the foreign ministry? Do all foreign ambassadors clear their meetings with Lebanese politicians with the foreign ministry, as they are supposed to? You know the answers, don’t you?
          As for the voting issue, You know that the prime minster and March 14 ministers, wanted to use this issue to kill the debate on the false witnesses issue at the next cabinet meeting. It’s dirty politics as usual. As much as I support the right for absentee to vote, I don’t think it was more urgent than the crises the country(whore) faces now. Other major issues are always postponed for weeks and months for political reasons, with no outrage from you or anyone else.
          The country has no electricity or drinking water for years. The cabinet is always postponing those issues, which are much more urgent. Do I see you complaining? Shouldn’t everyone be outraged?
          I want to see that law passed as soon as possible, because I have never casted my vote in Lebanon. My only chance is to vote is in absentee. I could not vote at the age of 18 in Lebanon. I hope you would support the right to vote , for those who are old enough to join the army and die for the country and not eligible to vote as well.
          Again Hanibal, let’s not play smart and try to score points here. Let’s apply the same standard on everyone. Hypocrisy is a double edged tool here.

  2. Walid Khouri Avatar
    Walid Khouri

    Of course, Mr. Shami, how else can we defeat your evil but with the expats’ vote. Now really what are you afraid of you moron? That the will of the REAL Lebanese not the Persian’s dogs will prevail? Besides, next time you visit a foreign country officially respect the Law of the land and get permission from your government you traitor.

    1. PROPHET.T Avatar
      PROPHET.T

      That does not sound like the walid I know.

      I wonder what criteria you follow to determine who is a real Lebanese and who is a Dog. Maybe you should not answer Walid ,I ‘m afraid I might loose my respect for you.

      1. Hannibal Avatar
        Hannibal

        Prophet:
        I am fed up with lies and manipulations. Yes ONLY a dog will crawl to any other country without the approval of his government. Reverend Jackson went to Syria ONCE on his own and he was crucified for it back at home. There is a protocol and we must respect it. That goes for all the others. Geagea visiting Egypt, Nasrallah and the meeting with two presidents excluding President Suleiman during the tripartite visit, etc. etc. That my friend is NOT a country, that is a whore country which opens its legs to anyone with money, and I no longer belong to it. You my friend can keep it. I am done!
        The lowest of the low AGAIN is the double standard he and his likes represent. He does not want us (you and I) expats to vote for lack of interest from our part he says. What a load of bull crap! What gives him the right to decide for me whether I want to vote or NOT? I tell you why? He has zero chance of making it if we expats were to vote because the make up of the expats is Christian. Yet he wants to abolish sectarianism in his own backyard which spells a disaster for minorities. That same minority has been created and manufactured by years of instability and you and I know that the expats who make up the majority of what we call 2 million “tourists” are minorities in Lebanon and they will become a majority if they were to vote. So there I am answering and I am telling it as is. The Levant is ALL sectarian and the Christians are leaving and these were the real owners of the land, from the copts of Egypt, to the Christians of Bethlehem, to the “Ashur” and “Keldan” of Iraq, to the Melkites of Syria and the Maronites of Lebanon are immigrating “en masse” and the identity of the land is forever changing and there is no longer a need for any of us to hide behind our finger and pretend. Now we will leave it to the three mighty religious idiots to fight it off. The Shiites, the Sunnis and the Jews. Go at each others and have fun! Thank you very much, I am done!

        1. PROPHET.T Avatar
          PROPHET.T

          Hanibal,

          Some one once said: Clean your finger before you point at my spots.

          I agree with you that Lebanon is not a country, but a whore who likes to be slapped around by different pimps.

          It seems that you have two kinds of principles side by side, one which you preach but do not practice, and another which you selectively practice but don’t preach.

          My problem is with the double standard everyone approaches politics and criticism.

          Our own prime insister Hariri is always traveling without the knowledge of the cabinet, let along the approval of his cabinet. He spends more time on his plane, traveling and meeting foreign leaders than he spends in Lebanon.

          Does he inform his cabinet of all the trips he makes to Saudi Arabia ahead of time? Did he inform his cabinet of his trip to meet the Egyptian president today? I have not heard any of you people raise that issue. It looks like He visits Lebanon to attend the cabinet meetings, if you haven’t noticed.

          I agree that all Lebanese officials should clear all of their traveling plans with the proper institutions. Why the double standard? What ever you and others are condemning, everyone else has been doing, yet we hear no complain from you.

          Do any of the Lebanese PM clear their foreign travel with the foreign ministry, or with the office of prime minster? Do all ministers clear all their travel outside of the country with the prime ministers office or the foreign ministry? Do all foreign ambassadors clear their meetings with Lebanese politicians with the foreign ministry, as they are supposed to? You know the answers, don’t you?

          As for the voting issue, You know that the prime minster and March 14 ministers, wanted to use this issue to kill the debate on the false witnesses issue at the next cabinet meeting. It’s dirty politics as usual. As much as I support the right for absentee to vote, I don’t think it was more urgent than the crises the country(whore) faces now. Other major issues are always postponed for weeks and months for political reasons, with no outrage from you or anyone else.

          The country has no electricity or drinking water for years. The cabinet is always postponing those issues, which are much more urgent. Do I see you complaining? Shouldn’t everyone be outraged?

          I want to see that law passed as soon as possible, because I have never casted my vote in Lebanon. My only chance is to vote is in absentee. I could not vote at the age of 18 in Lebanon. I hope you would support the right to vote , for those who are old enough to join the army and die for the country and not eligible to vote as well.

          Again Hanibal, let’s not play smart and try to score points here. Let’s apply the same standard on everyone. Hypocrisy is a double edged tool here.

  3. VeryLost Avatar
    VeryLost

    They should let us vote already

  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    They should let us vote already

  5. socal6666 Avatar
    socal6666

    Now what, they came up with something new that we can not vote outside of Lebanon, they are plying with our lifes, and one person make that dicision? like they are playing card.

  6. socal6666 Avatar
    socal6666

    Now what, they came up with something new that we can not vote outside of Lebanon, they are plying with our lifes, and one person make that dicision? like they are playing card.

  7. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Now what, they came up with something new that we can not vote outside of Lebanon, they are plying with our lifes, and one person make that dicision? like they are playing card.

  8. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    What a scumbag! It is our money, the EXPATS that have kept Lebanon going through the years. You should at least give us the right to vote! But of course if nothing goes amals’ way, then why bother. I hope that anyone who does not work in Lebanon’s favour burns in hell.

  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    What a scumbag! It is our money, the EXPATS that have kept Lebanon going through the years. You should at least give us the right to vote! But of course if nothing goes amals’ way, then why bother. I hope that anyone who does not work in Lebanon’s favour burns in hell.

  10. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    Shami,
    If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.
    by KG
    Cheers

  11. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    Shami,
    If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.
    by KG
    Cheers

  12. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Shami,

    If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.

    by KG

    Cheers

  13. Ghassankaram Avatar
    Ghassankaram

    I think that most of the comments have it wrong. I am not usually either supportive or sympathetic to Mr. Shami or his party but on this issue he is delivering the news that most refused to acknowledge.
    I and many others , recognized as of last year that this issue of giving the vote to the Lebanese abroad was not well thought out and that it could not be enforced under the current system.
    The vote is to take place in person at either the Lebanese embassy or consulate. There are only about fifty of them world wide. Even if each of them was to handle 500votes then the total number of voters would amount to 25,000 which is a tiny fraction of those that would be entitled to vote.
    This plan , as passed, was not meant to be a serious one. As usual the plan was a charade to pacify temporarily those that were asking for the vote. How many people would be willing to make say a 300mile triop at a huge expense in order to cast a vote that probably would not mean much anyway.?
    If the overseas vote is to count then it must be done through the mail and or internet. But is it practical to offer the option of voting through the mail only to those who reside overseas and do we have an adequate system to assure accuracy if the mail is used? I have been very skeptical about electoral reforms in Lebanon and I remain so.

    1. wa7ad Avatar
      wa7ad

      I for one would be happy to travel 1000 miles if it ment my vote would get rid of the scum that is driving a great country to hell.

    2. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      Ghassan,
      You and I know that the reason you spell out thoughtfully is REALLY NOT what Mr. Shami has in mind. He wants to exclude the votes of the Christians as they make up the majority of the expats. I am tired of being “politically correct”. I want to spell it as it is, the TRUTH and NOTHING BUT the TRUTH! We should stop the lies and really tackle the issues as they are and expose the Oligarchs in the open and tell it as is. Also, those politicians, Aoun, Geagea, Franjieh, Jumblat, Nasrallah, Shami etc. who visit abroad “representing” the country without governmental approval with an agenda of topics approved by the government should STOP the crap and follow the rule of the protocol. Failed State! Whore Country!

    3. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      Ghassan,
      You and I know that the reason you spell out thoughtfully is REALLY NOT what Mr. Shami has in mind. He wants to exclude the votes of the Christians as they make up the majority of the expats. I am tired of being “politically correct”. I want to spell it as it is, the TRUTH and NOTHING BUT the TRUTH! We should stop the lies and really tackle the issues as they are and expose the Oligarchs in the open and tell it as is. Also, those politicians, Aoun, Geagea, Franjieh, Jumblat, Nasrallah, Shami etc. who visit abroad “representing” the country without governmental approval with an agenda of topics approved by the government should STOP the crap and follow the rule of the protocol. Failed State! Whore Country!

  14. socal6666 Avatar
    socal6666

    he so happy meeting his president, scumbag.

  15. socal6666 Avatar
    socal6666

    he so happy meeting his president, scumbag.

  16. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I think that most of the comments have it wrong. I am not usually either supportive or sympathetic to Mr. Shami or his party but on this issue he is delivering the news that most refused to acknowledge.
    I and many others , recognized as of last year that this issue of giving the vote to the Lebanese abroad was not well thought out and that it could not be enforced under the current system.
    The vote is to take place in person at either the Lebanese embassy or consulate. There are only about fifty of them world wide. Even if each of them was to handle 500votes then the total number of voters would amount to 25,000 which is a tiny fraction of those that would be entitled to vote.
    This plan , as passed, was not meant to be a serious one. As usual the plan was a charade to pacify temporarily those that were asking for the vote. How many people would be willing to make say a 300mile triop at a huge expense in order to cast a vote that probably would not mean much anyway.?
    If the overseas vote is to count then it must be done through the mail and or internet. But is it practical to offer the option of voting through the mail only to those who reside overseas and do we have an adequate system to assure accuracy if the mail is used? I have been very skeptical about electoral reforms in Lebanon and I remain so.

    1. Avatar
      Anonymous

      I for one would be happy to travel 1000 miles if it ment my vote would get rid of the scum that is driving a great country to hell.

    2. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      Ghassan,
      You and I know that the reason you spell out thoughtfully is REALLY NOT what Mr. Shami has in mind. He wants to exclude the votes of the Christians as they make up the majority of the expats. I am tired of being “politically correct”. I want to spell it as it is, the TRUTH and NOTHING BUT the TRUTH! We should stop the lies and really tackle the issues as they are and expose the Oligarchs in the open and tell it as is. Also, those politicians, Aoun, Geagea, Franjieh, Jumblat, Nasrallah, Shami etc. who visit abroad “representing” the country without governmental approval with an agenda of topics approved by the government should STOP the crap and follow the rule of the protocol. Failed State! Whore Country!

    3. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      Ghassan,
      You and I know that the reason you spell out thoughtfully is REALLY NOT what Mr. Shami has in mind. He wants to exclude the votes of the Christians as they make up the majority of the expats. I am tired of being “politically correct”. I want to spell it as it is, the TRUTH and NOTHING BUT the TRUTH! We should stop the lies and really tackle the issues as they are and expose the Oligarchs in the open and tell it as is. Also, those politicians, Aoun, Geagea, Franjieh, Jumblat, Nasrallah, Shami etc. who visit abroad “representing” the country without governmental approval with an agenda of topics approved by the government should STOP the crap and follow the rule of the protocol. Failed State! Whore Country!

  17. Avatar
    Anonymous

    he so happy meeting his president, scumbag.

  18. Avatar
    Anonymous

    he so happy meeting his president, scumbag.

  19. maria_h Avatar
    maria_h

    votes mean nothing in a land runned by dynasties, bottom line people……….you are always going to see the same faces in office forever

  20. maria_h Avatar
    maria_h

    votes mean nothing in a land runned by dynasties, bottom line people……….you are always going to see the same faces in office forever

  21. Avatar
    Anonymous

    votes mean nothing in a land runned by dynasties, bottom line people……….you are always going to see the same faces in office forever

  22. Avatar
    Anonymous

    votes mean nothing in a land runned by dynasties, bottom line people……….you are always going to see the same faces in office forever

  23. Rafic Avatar
    Rafic

    Let me tell you from my own experience how hard it is to get Lebanese citizenship for your kids.On my children birth certificates my named is spelled one word shorter then on my Lebanese passport so the Lebanese consulate send all the paper work back saying that it should be corrected in Lebanon so since 2002 I have been meeting General security people to give affidavit, bringing witnesses that my name is one word shorter also went to Lebanon hired a lawyer to pursue it through the courts back to General security that I should be present in person so I went there again last month waited 18 days nobody called me so through my attorney we went in person and met a civil service guy to interview me reluctantly cause i told him I have to leave in few days he said ok I send your papers to General security in your area it will be there in few days by the time I left it was not there I have been back now 19 days and I got a call from General security that my papers arrived and I should be there in30 days and I need to bring an official paper from here that my name is one word short now I became citizen here in 1977 God knows who will issue me such a paper ,having witnesses in Lebanon does not count if I had that paper i could have done it through Lebanese embassy , my daughter studying in Beirut and every few months she has to renew her residency even though we have a house and property in Lebanon, so the red tape and thousand of $ spend all those years what Expat will endure this , and who would put up with this kind of red tape and who would try to make their kids Lebanese citizens, this is so unjust and I do not think anybody would put up with this when people getting killed left and right open borders lawlessness etc etc to be held up for a lousy one name difference, go figure.

  24. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Let me tell you from my own experience how hard it is to get Lebanese citizenship for your kids.On my children birth certificates my named is spelled one word shorter then on my Lebanese passport so the Lebanese consulate send all the paper work back saying that it should be corrected in Lebanon so since 2002 I have been meeting General security people to give affidavit, bringing witnesses that my name is one word shorter also went to Lebanon hired a lawyer to pursue it through the courts back to General security that I should be present in person so I went there again last month waited 18 days nobody called me so through my attorney we went in person and met a civil service guy to interview me reluctantly cause i told him I have to leave in few days he said ok I send your papers to General security in your area it will be there in few days by the time I left it was not there I have been back now 19 days and I got a call from General security that my papers arrived and I should be there in30 days and I need to bring an official paper from here that my name is one word short now I became citizen here in 1977 God knows who will issue me such a paper ,having witnesses in Lebanon does not count if I had that paper i could have done it through Lebanese embassy , my daughter studying in Beirut and every few months she has to renew her residency even though we have a house and property in Lebanon, so the red tape and thousand of $ spend all those years what Expat will endure this , and who would put up with this kind of red tape and who would try to make their kids Lebanese citizens, this is so unjust and I do not think anybody would put up with this when people getting killed left and right open borders lawlessness etc etc to be held up for a lousy one name difference, go figure.

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