9/11/01 - Pool Related for Me

Peer said:
Sjm wrote:
> It was late morning, and both of the twin towers had gone down.
> I wasn't working that day, and was at home alone, but I
> was very worried. I didn't want to be alone, so I went
> to the Amsterdam Billiard Club.


Yea, I guess most of us know where we were on that dreadful day. I had worked all nightlong up at American Zoetrope (Coppola's production company) in San Francisco and drove back home on my Ducati when the first airplane hit. As I jumped into bed, I turned on CNN and just caught the second plane -- it all became like a twilight-zone. I directly called Roy, my super best friend who also worked on this film, telling them all to get the hell out of there since the Zoetrope building is next to San Francisco's landmark building; the Transamerica Pyramid. Naturally, I didn't manage to sleep until late next morning.

Not long after, all of us went to New York (of all places) for the final mix of the movie, to a production company located in Time Square. While there, I decided to take one day off from everything, take my time to reflect on this catastrophic event -- I walked all the way from Central Park down to the WTC and back up again, (my type of funeral procession, I guess). In fact, I was already back then surprised how little most people around me cared about what had just happened, especially compared to back home. For instance, three days after the attacks (early Friday) my mother called from Norway, telling me that all schools there were closed and everyone got the day off, and at noon the entire nation went quiet for one minute -- even cars on the freeways pulled over. All this to honor the victims of 9/11 and to pay respect to America. So did France (even they made their freeways stand still for a minute), so did Ireland (who even closed their pubs the entire day!!), and so did most of Europe. What did US do? Nothing.

When realizing that the Americans didn't even honor their own fallen citizens, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine how such arrogance was perceived around the world -- the word 'phony' comes to mind. The respect fell even further when the Stock marked opened -- as the stockbrokers immediately took advantage of the attacks, although they all had agreed beforehand not to do so. Headlines back home; "The American Way -- Profit from the Dead".

The US (which George Bush has called "the most peaceful nation on earth") has been at war with one country or another every year for the last 50 years, had suddenly become a victim... and the world rose in support. But this tremendous love and respect that the world showed the victims of 9/11 and America is now gradually squandered away. The last straw is sticking it to the efforts of the United Nations.

Since things like this aren't broadcast by the US media, I understand that this might be news to some of you. But yes, the world noticed that America was attacked five years ago, and in my case, I have not only shed a few tears due to this, I have also recurrent nightmares of people jumping out of the Twin Towers, (I watched it live on tv, and somehow can't get those images out of my head, even five years later). I don't know why those images stick to my mind (and nightmares) so much, perhaps because I visited the site while it was still burning -- or perhaps it relates to other issues in my life.

Actually, to make this even more vivid to me, I also have a friend who lost her dad in the 9/11 attacks. When she finally told me this, we sat up the entire night talking about how precious life is and so very vulnerable etc.

Yes, I love this country, I love the people -- but I just hope the leadership could get its act together. No superpower in history has last forever, but sadly, this one seems to head towards a very short life-span.

-- peer

I recommend to all here to go to msnbc.com and click on MSNBC TV, then read Keith Olberman's post "Beyond Shameful". This is a dialogue from Keith about the Bush administration that is the most articulate denunciation of this failed Presidency I ever read.

I know this is not pool related, but it belongs on this thread. There are exceptions to every rule.
 
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Nice post, Peer. The events of 9/11 were handled and perceived differently depending on who you are, where you were, and how you felt.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
 
gromulan said:
This is a joke, right. Do you honestly believe that the US did nothing. Maybe nothing that day but come one, the nation was grieving and showing respect EVERY DAY for months. Maybe we were just too busy trying to dig up the wreckage and the bodies that day.



You obviously don't understand how the stock market works. Stockbrokers can't do much about what is bought and sold, their friggin' customers make those calls. All the broker does is fill the orders. Someone should teach your newspaper reporters basic economics and what the effect on the world economy would have been if the market had stayed closed. Actually they probably already learned that anti-American news in Eurpoe sells a lot of newspapers.



You didn't complain much about American foreign policies when it involved having US tanks ready to roll against the Soviets if they ever tried to invade Norway. As I recall they stood on that line for 40+ years. Not long enough to get a little slack, though, I guess.

Tap, Tap, I couldn't agree more. I appreciate Peer's reflections of his experiences but it seems to me as if he is taking another dig at Americans. I have never witnessed more kindness than what was shown after 9/11. People drove from all over the country to help in anyway they could, others gave money, others blood, and many others signed up to protect this country from further attacks. Our administration may not always do the right thing but you would have a very difficult time finding people that are more willing than Americans to help out others in need.
 
Steve Lipsky said:
Peer, you write a good post. But please understand a few things. The first is that the feeling in New York for a good six months after the attacks was indescribable. I lived it, and it can’t be put it into words. It was a feeling evoked from seeing signs at Fenway Park that read “Boston Loves New York”, of reading how Las Vegans flocked to the New York-New York hotel to leave wreathes and messages (and then seeing it myself in 2002), of seeing a picture of the St. Louis Fire Department lined up paying homage to their fallen brethren 1500 miles away, of hearing about an incredibly poor county in Montana hold a town meeting to raise whatever they could to send our way, of playing in a Joss tournament in a small town in Connecticut and seeing a sign in the window of an old, out of the way antique shop, “America will never forget”.

The feeling isn’t much there anymore, but that’s not an indictment. Time passes, people don’t forget but they just don’t always remember. If that is a failing, it’s a human failing, not an American one.

The other thing I would mention is about the moments of silence in other countries. I think this falls into the category of doing something to hold up another people, a people who have gone through something tragic. The only thing I can liken it to now, and admittedly it’s not a perfect analogy, is giving a standing ovation to a team. The team doesn’t clap for itself. It is lifted by the spirits of those who, in this case, grieve for them. I hope this does not sound cynical, but I don’t think most of these moments of silence were entirely about the 3,000 souls we lost that day. I think it was more that, especially at that time, America was looked at romantically as the hope of the free world, and she was in tears.

- Steve

Steve-

Well stated. My girlfriend has accused me from time to time of having the worst memory in the world, but one thing is for certain: I, like so many other Americans (especially those in the tri-state area) remember every detail of that day. I remember numerous details of the days that followed.

It was a difficult time for anyone and everyone across the country as it was one of the few times that we, as Americans, had been reminded in a rather horrific manner, that we are not untouchable. We are as vulnerable as anyone and everyone else the world over. We were reminded that terrorism is not exclusive to other parts of the world outside our borders. But more importantly, it was a reminder that, despite a degree of human indifference that we see in our every day lives, we are in fact, all brothers and sisters. And in the days and weeks that followed this tragedy, we embraced that feeling. We embraced one another. There was a sense of unity in this country that I have never felt before in my 30 years of life. That feeling continued for quite some time. Sadly, that feeling has largely dissipated but you would be hard-pressed to even mention the date without reviving that sentiment in anyone. We will never forget. We just may not keep it at the forefront of our thoughts everyday.

But as Steve put it, this is NOT an indication that we have forgotten. It is human nature. It is merely indicative of the fact that we have not let this tragedy define us. Instead, we have risen in the wake of this tragedy and stood tall, proud, and brave. Most all of us are proud to be Americans. And it is nearly impossible for us now to think about that without reflecting on the hole that was ripped not just in New York, DC, and a field in Pennsylvania that morning, but in our nation.
 
There are always progresses and consequences in this world. One leads to the other, and then one becomes the other.

The entire lower Manhattan were blocked for weeks. Subway service stopped and few private cars can be found on the street. People walked or biked to commute. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.

Sad? a little. Revenge? not at the time. Will there be another run of attack? The situation was uncertain and still shocking. It could be dangerous and some people fled away. For those who stayed, the city was filled with this unusual love and hope. Groups of volunteers showed up at ground zero with donated supplies to follow. Layers of crowds cheered for them at the end of day right by the west side highway. Different gatherings happened in every neighborhood. Warm smiles replaced careless curses everywhere. I am proud and happy to witness the human spirits under the serious condition. The sights have made me "Love the City More than Ever" (so as they say in those days). True new yawkers rule.

Often I asked myself what kind of power really made those 17 people to go extreme? For what reason? Is it really that pressing for them to give up their life?

Can we reach an understanding and all be healed?

Although I am not a political activist, I am responsible for where my tax-money goes and the effect it causes.
 
Thanks to everyone for their posts (except Dhakala). While it is important to remember those killed on 9/11, I think it's a mistake to "Americanize" it. We all live on the same planet and it's important to remember that. When America, France, England, or any other country is attacked in this manner, the entire world is affected to some extent. It's the same when mother nature "attacks" and kills large numbers of people. We need to react and act as a global community. We need to figure out ways to prevent it from happening again or minimize the loss of life. It's impossible to wipe out terrorism or anything else that we have collectively determined is wrong, for you can't have right without wrong.
While the majority of us seem to agree that people like Hitler, Hussein, and Amin are not the kind of people that should be leading countries, there are many who think they should. Unfortunately for those who suffer at the hands of this kind of tyrant it seems to be the way the world is and I think it's a losing battle to try to change that. My biggest fear is that we get so mired in our arguments over economics, politics, and religion that we totally ignore issues that could wipe out all but a handful of humanity (like global warming). I would much rather see the billions being spent on liberating Iraq and establishing a democracy there being spent on less expensive and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and doing something about our dwindling water supply (or at least an equal amount).
One of the cool things about sports and games is that they can engender comraderie and communication across all political and religious boundaries. Billiard games are one of the best in that regard. Long live planet earth and all its human inhabitants!
 
The situation in the middle east is something that in my opinion is going to take decades and decades of perserverance, effort and work and while everyone may tire of the President saying "Stay the course" and it may be wearing on the nation, for me it's a very accurate statement of what needs to be done. I think he could do a better job at spelling out the steps being taken and informing the public but all these people yelling get out now it isn't working I would like them to take a step back and look at what actually needs to be done.

It's not as simple as go in remove saddam, set up a new government, train some troops and get out of the country and tap yourself on the back with a job well done. All that's going to do is give the extremists even more room to breathe and grow.

Your dealing with nations who have been brainwashing their people for generations and generations. Their government has been preaching it to them, their religious icons in the area have been preaching it to them and this has been going on since birth for these people. We all know how easy it is ti influence a child and when you spend all day every day in a place with the mentality of the extremists in that area you have people who honestly believe, in every fiber of their soul, that they are messengers of god, blessed to do his work and that their sacrifice truly is just their vessel to the next life.

This type of mentality has to be fought from within their nation. It took generations to get this many people brainwashed and it's going to take alot of time to change it. We need the citizens and people of these countries to actually change their way of thinking.

In Brooklyn after the towers came down along 4th avenue heading downtown to the court areas there were people dancing in the streets and celebrating. They were burning US flags in the middle of 4th avenue. It wasn't just one or two people, it was HUNDREDS including tiny children chanting things. I witnessed this first hand because I had to drive down there for work that day and watched the police swarm down and make these people go inside before they were killed by angry americans, which I must admit I had a hard time not swerving my truck in their direction. These people came here for a better way of life to utilize the advantages of our country to accomplish that and yet their brainwashing STILL exists... that shows you the depth of the problem among many people who decided to come here.

There are just as many arabs who came out to condemn the attacks and that's a good thing but we can't ignore the ones that did not.

I don't think there is a need to "Americanize" it however I do think its important to do something about the "kill people" mentality being ingrained in many of them from birth.
 
I live on the west coast, but I will share my accounts of 9/11. The Friday following the attacks on Tuesday was truly something that was awe-inspiring.

We are three hours behind the East Coast, so when the first plane hit the WTC, I was asleep. I woke up to the sound of the TV blaring loudly in the other room. When I got up, I saw my parents, sister, and brother glued to the TV. I saw that a plane had hit the tower, and saw the damage. I figured it was an accident. I went to the bathroom, and when I opened the door, I heard my father saying in the other room, "This is war! This is war!". I ran to the living room and saw that a second plane had struck the tower. I will never forget the sick feeling I got, knowing our country was under attack, and that they were using civilian planes as missiles. I have never seen the expression I saw on on my father's face before, ever. My father just plain and simply lacks emotion, but when I asked him how he felt on 9/11 a few weeks later, he told me it was the same feeling he got when he heard about Pearl Harbor, and he was filled with so much anger and passion for his country, he volunteered for the infantry.

The Friday after 9/11 was the most awe-inspiring thing I have ever seen in my life. Nothing comes close. There are neighborhoods just two or three miles east or west of my house that are filled with gangs. Some neighborhoods are pretty run down. In one part, it's like 85% Latino, and the rest are Black. A few blocks further down, it's all Vietnamese and Cambodian, mixed with a smaller percentage of Latinos. These areas are gang-infested. Asian gangs, black gangs, and especially Latino gangs.

Living here as a caucasian, you get the general impression that they only like people of their own race. Well on that Friday, just as night began to fall, my friends and myself drove through a stretch of those neighborhoods, on our way to get another friend. First as we passed through the nicer neighborhoods, we saw groups of people on every street corner, waving the American flag at passing cars. Candles were lit, and on the corners that had no street lamps, the glow of the flickering candles in the night gave me an eerie feeling.

As we drove further down, it was like this every single block. When we got to the bad neighborhoods, I will never forget, seeing these older cholo-gangsters waving the American flag so vigorously, chanting, shouting. Most of them werent American, they were from Mexico. But there they stood, on EVERY street corner we passed, in groups, some in the dozens, with candles lit everywhere, they showed their patriotism. Blacks were doing it, asian immigrants were doing it, at the 7-11 stores and gas stations, where the Indians or Arabs worked, they had American flags set up, they let people stand in front of their store and wave flags at the oncomming traffic. Some people were so full of emotion, they went out into the middle of the street, some blocking traffic, just parading the flag around. No car honked, everyone just stopped and watched, and I guarantee that the chills that went up and down my spine as I saw this site, everyone else that saw it also, felt the exact same thing. A tragic event brought members of these gang-infested and run down ghettos, to unite and show patriotism, to stand out on street corners all night, where normally they would have a fear of getting shot. Amazing.
 
Gromulan wrote:
> You didn't complain much about American foreign policies when
> it involved having US tanks ready to roll against the Soviets
> if they ever tried to invade Norway. As I recall they stood
> on that line for 40+ years. Not long enough to get a little
> slack, though, I guess.


I hesitate to make too much fun of your ignorance, but the phrase "having US tanks ready to roll against the Soviets if they ever tried to invade Norway" is so freaking disingenuous that it's not even funny. But I guess it's only the ones who are familiar with the history of this region that would know how silly such a statement is.

Well, we Norwegians did in fact protest when the US made Norway their designated rocket launcher base. We didn't kvetch because we didn't like the American people, but we complain because we didn't want to be a buffer (and the first target) in case of war. You see, Norway had US rockets pointed at the Soviets -- hence, the Soviets returned the favor by pointing their rockets at us -- just so you Americans could feel "safe". Not very cool.

Again, if you only knew a little bit about the history of this region (or perhaps had the slightest interest in learning) you would also know that the neighboring countries, Sweden and Finland (both approximately the same size of Norway), were not invaded by the Soviets although they weren't under the "protection" of the Land of the Free. In fact, neither Sweden nor Finland have ever had any protection by the US (NATO), but yet were never threatened by the Soviet. So please shove that sentiment "we saved your asses" up you own ass.

Steve Lipsky wrote:
> The other thing I would mention is about the moments of
> silence in other countries. I think this falls into the
> category of doing something to hold up another people,
> a people who have gone through something tragic.

No, also this is inaccurate. That Friday after 9/11 was in fact declared by President Bush as a "day of mourning" for the American people to reflect about this tragedy. It just so happened that other people in this world picked up on this and rearranged their lives on that day in respect. But what did the Americans do? Nothing. No wonder why most of the world think the Americans are phony when they won't even honor their own fallen citizens after their leader has declared a national day of mourning.

Okay, so I realize that the propaganda you people have endured over the years has been very effective, especially on people who lack education. Therefore I understand that also this post might rub some of you the wrong way. But as I've said many times before, I like it here in California, but I still must frown at the lack of education of the American public -- in particular the insufficient teaching of history.

-- peer
 
Maybe all that sun in California has fried your little Norse brain Peer. You are probably one of those people that think America deserved to be attacked. You continue to attack the American people using your little story about how other countries stopped there cars to honor the people killed on 9/11. I know at my place of work we all stopped what we were doing and had a moment of silence on that day. Americans drove from all over the country to help the rescue efforts in New York. People signed up for the military so they could fight the terrorist and defend their country. Americans donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the families of the victims. We are building memorials to honor both the victims and the heroes of that day. Maybe you did not see Americans do anything on that day of remembrance but they certainly did. I suggest in the future that you don't use a tragedy as a means to attack the victims.
 
Metal5d wrote:
> You are probably one of those people that think
> America deserved to be attacked.

No, I'm not.

> You continue to attack the American people using your
> little story about how other countries stopped there
> cars to honor the people killed on 9/11.

My "little story" is quite a bit more than that.

> Maybe you did not see Americans do anything on that
> day of remembrance but they certainly did.

Mind you, I observed very well what happened and/or didn't happen here on that "day of mourning". I also saw a tremendous support by the world for the President and the US in hunting down the people who were responsible for this heinous act, as in getting rid of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. This wholehearted support even came from countries which later became disparaged by a senseless propaganda, where, for example, French Fries became "Freedom Fries" -- how infantile.

> I suggest in the future that you don't use a
> tragedy as a means to attack the victims.

I suggest in the future that you don't use a tragedy as a means to attack the victims.

-- peer
 
Cuebacca wrote:
> There are plenty of things that piss me off about America
> and some people here, but I'm not going to generalize those
> things to all American people or to the country itself.

Well, if you think I generalize by saying "American people" than I apologize. And that's a sincere apology.

But remember that I also said (something you so conveniently ignored); "Yes, I love this country, I love the people."
So what about that generalization, you don't like that one either..?

If you sincerely re-read my initial post, I doubt you'll find much "hatred and arrogance" in there, (unless you really think driving a motobike is hateful and arrogant, etc., as you quoted).

Your personal attacks, on the ohter hand, I chose to ignore.

-- peer
 
Hi Peer,

well, I decided to take down my two posts. I still don't like some of the things you said, or perhaps just the way you said them. However, I don't like the way I said what I said either, so I'll just leave it at that.

Thanks for your apology. I'm sorry if I flamed you. The personal attacks are not the way I want to be conducting myself around here. Sorry Peer, and AZB.

Sincerely,
Cuebacca
 
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Cuebacca wrote:
> Thank you for ignoring the personal attacks.

Dear Cuebacca, first of all I must say; wow! It's amazing how a single post can change my opinion of someone. Very classy of you.

> I simply felt that the way you expressed your other
> feelings, and the way you generalized it to the entire
> country, canceled it out and then some.

Well, I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes. I tend to shoot off my mouth before I can kick-start my brain, and then I assume that everyone (even those who don't know me) should automatically be able to interpret my blunt statements. I'm sorry -- I'll try my best for this to not happen again.

> 9/11 is still a very sensitive issue for a lot of people.

Yes, I know that. And it's also a very sensitive issue for me (as I tried to explain in my initial post) -- and this atrocious attack should never be forgotten, how painful it might be to dwell on. As I said, still to this day I have recurrent nightmares of this tragedy (people jumping off buildings). Hence, I should've been more careful with how I phrased myself, because my intentions was not to hurt anyone -- rather the opposite. Again, I'm sorry about this, and if it happens again, please whack me with something hard.

> The motorbike comment, (and others) may also have been uncalled for.

He-he, yea that comment really puzzled me, I was kind of "What does this guy now have against motorcycles?!" Sure I now understand where you come from and I can also see this "bragger" point. But I'm not like that at all -- in fact, I'm quite poor, living off a minuscule income, (a few years ago I was even voted the most poor Ducati owner in California ;^) But I admittedly have an infantile relationship to my bike (which probably goes back to my compulsive childhood).

> If you go back home and someone says, "hey Peer, so what
> was it like to be in the US after 9/11", and you say,
> "aw, those phonies, they just exploited the tragedy to
> make a few bucks whereever they could, and didn't even
> pay respect to the dead"

Trust me, that will NEVER happen. Besides, I'm more critical of my home-country than anything -- whenever Norway screws up, I feel personally embarrassed -- but that criticism I choose to aim directly at them. I happen to believe that all places on earth can (and should) be improved -- hence, criticism is a fundamental tool for improvements. However, the criticism should be directed at the country in question rather than badmouthing other countries that we don't live in. At least that's how I see it.

Since I can't give you any good-rep point (since I retaliated the bad rep you gave me), I'm asking everyone on this forum to give Cuebacca good rep's -- he so thoroughly deserves it.

Again, thanks for being such a class act.

-- peer
 
Hate That Day

I was watching the news and thought it was a joke. I then realized the tragedy of it all. I had to go to an interview and was calling via cell, to find my niece who worked for Anderson. I could not get thru and finally got my Mom. My niece had switched jobs about a month earlier. One of my best friends, Syed Shahid, lost his eldest son. He had just come back from his honeymoon.

It was a horriffic day to say the least. But the days that follow are also horrific. Being an American Muslim of Middle Eastern origins, that day has changed how people view Muslims. Whom ever carried out this terrible deed is evil. I would go out on a limb and say that, those who committed this crime against "humanity" do not have a shred of religion or God fearing beliefs. I frequent many of the major Mosques in NY and NJ, and never have I heard an Imam "religous leader" condone such an act. All of the religous scholars, that I know, have condemmed it. And you do not need any scholar of any field to know this is evil.
 
....

I like some of peer's insightful comments. His viewpoint might be different from mainstream, but I don't think he was "attacking" anybody. His voice was very calm.

abbassi said:
you do not need any scholar of any field to know this is evil.

Good and Evil are personal interpretations based on one's belief.

We do need every scholar of every field to exam and discuss the issues all together before one's judgement, otherwise we will all walk into extremes.

These are just my 2 cents, abbassi, please take it for what it's worth.
 
Peer said:
Cuebacca wrote:
> Thank you for ignoring the personal attacks.

Dear Cuebacca, first of all I must say; wow! It's amazing how a single post can change my opinion of someone. Very classy of you.

> I simply felt that the way you expressed your other
> feelings, and the way you generalized it to the entire
> country, canceled it out and then some.

Well, I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes. I tend to shoot off my mouth before I can kick-start my brain, and then I assume that everyone (even those who don't know me) should automatically be able to interpret my blunt statements. I'm sorry -- I'll try my best for this to not happen again.

> 9/11 is still a very sensitive issue for a lot of people.

Yes, I know that. And it's also a very sensitive issue for me (as I tried to explain in my initial post) -- and this atrocious attack should never be forgotten, how painful it might be to dwell on. As I said, still to this day I have recurrent nightmares of this tragedy (people jumping off buildings). Hence, I should've been more careful with how I phrased myself, because my intentions was not to hurt anyone -- rather the opposite. Again, I'm sorry about this, and if it happens again, please whack me with something hard.

> The motorbike comment, (and others) may also have been uncalled for.

He-he, yea that comment really puzzled me, I was kind of "What does this guy now have against motorcycles?!" Sure I now understand where you come from and I can also see this "bragger" point. But I'm not like that at all -- in fact, I'm quite poor, living off a minuscule income, (a few years ago I was even voted the most poor Ducati owner in California ;^) But I admittedly have an infantile relationship to my bike (which probably goes back to my compulsive childhood).

> If you go back home and someone says, "hey Peer, so what
> was it like to be in the US after 9/11", and you say,
> "aw, those phonies, they just exploited the tragedy to
> make a few bucks whereever they could, and didn't even
> pay respect to the dead"

Trust me, that will NEVER happen. Besides, I'm more critical of my home-country than anything -- whenever Norway screws up, I feel personally embarrassed -- but that criticism I choose to aim directly at them. I happen to believe that all places on earth can (and should) be improved -- hence, criticism is a fundamental tool for improvements. However, the criticism should be directed at the country in question rather than badmouthing other countries that we don't live in. At least that's how I see it.

Since I can't give you any good-rep point (since I retaliated the bad rep you gave me), I'm asking everyone on this forum to give Cuebacca good rep's -- he so thoroughly deserves it.

Again, thanks for being such a class act.

-- peer

Wow, Peer, I am very impressed. Thank you for taking the high road earlier and for writing this generous post quoted above. Thank you for explaining where you were coming from. I was definitely off-base with my remarks. I am very glad to see how wrong I was.

You too will have good rep coming your way once my rep-giving abilities are replenished. Hehe. You're a good man, Peer.

Thanks again,
Cuebacca
 
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