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“Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” Walker wrote.

Gotta love a judge who knows how to use a good art history reference. Yet another reason to promote liberal arts education.

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wonder how many GQP heads that went over

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May I point out that a few commenters are missing the point? It's not that many right wingers don't get it, it's that they just don't care.

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Mary B, oh they care …. about maintaining the oligarchy whether it is because they want power or money or racial superiority or all three. As we all are realizing the power of these groups is only gaining and it has to be stopped or we will lose even more of our democracy.

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It’s not that they don’t care or have nefarious purposes, it’s that they don’t have the understanding to grasp what is driving them —perhaps their reptilian brain? We have so many issues to deal with and most of them are the result of starving any chance for the poor to raise themselves. One of the most insidious ones are the many ancient water systems still running in this country, particularly in poor areas.

These systems pour lead into deprived, undernourished, undereducated brains. How else can you explain the national drop in IQ scores from average 100 to average 90? I know that IQ measures are a flawed markers for many reasons, but even so; any mind is filled with what it perceives and then interprets the world through whatever filters it has observed. Consider what the majority of the poor generation for the last 30 years has ingested mentally. And consider that their parents were imbibing in their day. The slide has been increasing in weight over time and will continue if not stopped.

As a person born in 1945, it is no surprise to me that my parents were dubbed “the greatest generation”. They may have been the last who lived in a congestive society. How to fix that is beyond me. I know the white supremacists have a solution that should be killed before it gets any bigger.

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I totally agree. What’s truly concerns me is why, especially in the last five or six years, the Democrats haven’t effectively challenged any of the insane pronouncements and actions spoken and perpetrated by the Cult republican on their quest to destroy our Democracy and replace it with an authoritarian fascist regime. How’s that for a run on sentence? I truly believe that if the Dems had taken their necessary roll as the loyal opposition more seriously we wouldn’t be in this frightening and tenuous situation. I believe they are part of the problem.

Robert

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Fred Koch developed the oil refineries in Russia under Stalin, and one of his descendents is journalist Wendy Koch

Wendy Koch has a PhD in Toxicology

Florida water treatment plant expansion to include Koch RO membrane elements | WaterWorld

https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water/treatment/article/16209831/florida-water-treatment-plant-expansion-to-include-koch-ro-membrane-elements

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Agree

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"Walker notes that the issue at stake is not whether the legislators who wrote the new laws are racist, but rather whether race was a factor in the writing of SB 90. Recognizing that few people would today openly admit their racial motivations, he explains that the court needed to look at the circumstances around the passage of SB 90 to determine if race played a role in the law. 'Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,' Walker wrote. 'One dot of paint on the canvas is meaningless, but when thousands of dots are viewed together, they create something recognizable. So too here, one piece of evidence says little, but when all of the evidence is viewed together, a coherent picture emerges.'"

Not only do I love the metaphor Judge Walker uses to make his point that overwhelming evidence of racial bias of intent can disqualify such legislation but that he is knowledgable about pointillism and George Seurat's work to refer to it as well as properly identifying one of his most famous works by name. Splendid work, Sir! Brilliant!

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That's actually the line of reasoning where conspiracy theories overlap intelligence analysis.

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Kara How many Republicans know what pointillist painting is, much less the works of Seurat? Pearls before swine?

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That is such an amazing statement. I was 40 years old and in college taking an elective general ed class Art 151 before I became aware of this amazing painting. It is one of my favorites. Most of those that vote Republican in my area are lucky to have graduated from high school! They lack the desire for an education. They just like to drive their big loud trucks around with their Trump 2024 flags!

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I have to say, even folks who just graduated high school (and arent Repubs) might possibly be aware of this painting - speaking for myself, that is. Otherwise, I agree.

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The brilliance of the judge's analogy is that one doesn't have to know what pointillist painting is, or anything about Seurat -- because he explains what he's getting at. Maybe you'd like it better if he talked about pixels, or about forests and trees? Besides, he's not writing primarily for generic Republicans. A key part of his audience is other judges, and lawyers who bring voting rights cases, and any of us who have occasion to explain why these voter suppression laws are so bad.

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Susanna, thank you!

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I am going to defend my Republican friends who are of the ilk of Liz Cheney or Mitt romney, deplorable on policy but honest and caring about democracy. There are more of them than care to admit it.

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I hope you are right. I have a few of them but I wish I had more!

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Be open to it. Communication is so important, especially in a democracy. I think they are afraid of their fellow R's.

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My formerly Republican friends are now mostly "unenrolled" (meaning not affiliated with any particular party), and a couple of them are now registered Democrats. My state's outgoing governor is a Republican (Charlie Baker -- I'm in MA), and plenty of Dems and unenrolled voters have supported him. I'm not a fan of Charlie, but he's had a hard time navigating the GOP scene in MA because the state GOP is Trump-sh*t crazy and he's way too moderate for them. Also some of the Dem officeholders in this state, especially in the state House of Representatives, are nothing to write home about. So -- well, it's complicated!

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Being the swine they are, an all-out assault will now be launched on the "elitist, liberal, activist Judge," although this is not 'progressive but basic constitutional requirements. What they can't eat they will trample. What they can't trample they will drag into the mud for a wallow.

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Okay, folks, I am going to play the curmudgeon here. I know plenty of Republicans who know what pointilism is. To assume that ALL Republicans are clueless about the visual arts, music, literature, etc., is ridiculous. And Keith, I am willing to bet you've known plenty of Republicans who know who Seurat is, too

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Daria Most of the Republicans I knew who were familiar with pointillism were Eisenhower Republicans who have passed. As Doris Day expressed it Que Seurat Seurat, for those who remember Doris Day.

When I went to Paris on business, I stayed at the Hotel Maurice, which was triangular between my work locales at the Presidency and Ministry of Finance and the Jet des Pommes (I believe that was then the name for the Louvre’s impressionist painting gallery.) What delightful Saturdays with Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, and others, some of whom were rejected in the 1863 exhibition of the Refuses.

I still believe that British painter Sisley was the first major impressionist.

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Well, you were close: Jeu de Paume.

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My excuse is that I grew up in a home with 30 apple trees rather than palm trees. Clearly my French has deteriorated since the early 1970s and the Jeu de Paume is no more. That’s the problem of being ‘late middle age.’

In the 1950s I worked in Egypt, which briefly became the United Arab Republic, then the United Arab States (Syria and Yemen) returning back to Egypt. I started in Congo-Leopoldville, which after my departure in 1966, became Zaire with Kinshasa, and then back to Congo. Plus la change, plus la meme chose?

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I looked it up to verify the spelling of Paume because I, too, was thinking it was Palme but it isn't even close. It refers to an early precursor of tennis, played indoors in what is now the museum du Jeu de Paume. It was played without rackets in the beginning so seems to have been more like hand ball than tennis. The building itself still exists, located at the north end of the Jardins des Tuileries facing Place de la Concorde, and is a museum of photographic arts. https://www.eutouring.com/history_jeu_de_paume_museum.html

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Tate is still Tate, though its annex across the Thames is quite different.

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The art history reference was the best part❤️

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My first thought as well! HCR, George Seurat and voting rights. Love it!

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Georges Pierre Seurat - spell check.

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Georges ...

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Awesome and dotted the i

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A small but important point. The judge wrote this as a case study response, suspecting appeals. His ruling, which I think is HCR's point, can be boiler plate in other litigation or a Democrat strategy to combat the class of repressive state legislation rampant in this run-up year. The Seurat reference is so easy to apply as there are sooo many small dots where the fight will continue to arise.

An aside from my red-state County elections. For virtually every office in this non-partisan spring election (school board, county and town supervisors) there are multiple write-in candidates aggressively campaigning (real big sign paid for by guess who). Word has gotten out that winners in uncontested seats are often by just a few votes as turnout is so low.

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Painting from the bench...

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Absolutely. But can't you already hear Republicans making fun of the analogy?

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Michael For the aged Republicans who remember Doris Day, we could respond with her song Que Seurat, Seurat (I modernized her Sera Sera lyrics)

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lol - It's also sad and I find somewhat restrictive that we only have the "heart" emoji to utilize on this (substack) structure. I have often felt the 'need' for far more. I often fight with myself to restrict my personal need to say or emote things on this and other forums, lest I forget ownership's propriety. The plain fact is, I adore our good doctor and the thoughtful insights and perspectives of those who've exercised the grace to learn here and other forums she shares on. I've followed her for far longer than she knows; saw the stumbles - like the lapse in posting for a time. I wondered, but followed still, till I finally felt sufficiently confident and validated to make myself 'known' with limits. Thanks for all your thoughtful, considerate shares. 'Nuff said for now... Peace ~

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D4 Feel free to speak out without regard for propriety. If you use me as a ‘propriety’ yardstick, you have license to speak robustly out on earth, Pluto (still a planet in my heart), and several other yet-discovered thingamajigs. This is a forum where one’s heart counts for far more than an emoji.

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Bueller, Bueller, Bueller.

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Wonderful summary of the history and (often unstated) intent behind voter suppression laws in Florida. -- Let's hope that this ruling holds up on appeal.

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I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. Read up on the 11th Circuit and remember the author of Shelby County is Chief Justice of a 6-3 traitor majority in the Supreme Court.

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A long shot I realize, but I hope against hope that the GOP may have stepped so far over the line this time that there can be no presumptive gray area into which the new law falls.

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Let's remember this hopeful history: "In November, defying pundits and pollsters, Truman won and Democrats gained majorities in both houses of Congress."

Turnip Day:

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Turnip_Day_Session.htm?

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I recall the 1948 presidential election. Most polling was stopped weeks before the election, because Governor Dewey’s election was a slam dunk.

Dewey was a stuffed shirt, while spunky, down-to-earth Truman whistle-stopped by train back and forth throughout America.

Reports were that a number of people, certain that Dewey would win, voted in sympathy for this fighting fellow from Missouri.

My hope, perhaps forlorn, is that a number of voters in November will consciously (or subconsciously) acknowledge that President Biden inherited a sinking ship of state from Trump and is now steering it on a positive course.

Might the House January 6th public hearings and the indictment of some BIG LIE and 1/6 conspirators impact some on-the-fence or even ‘false facts’ voters?

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Keith, you give me hope! I am attending a Democrat Training Meeting in Indianapolis tomorrow. I sure hope I get fired up for my campaign for Clay County Treasurer! I have no competition for the Primary to be held May 3rd. On the Democrat ballot we have 15 people running for various offices. On the Republican ballot there are 61. Just by looking at that, what would you say my chances of being elected are in this "Red County"? I hope to pull out a Truman win! It is not going to be easy!

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You. Go. Girl !!!

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Keep us posted, please!

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Wish we could all vote for you, Sharon. Not sure what a County Treasurer can do, but my advice is to, as they say, stick to the kitchen table issues!

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Would love it if Joe could do whistle-stops, though I'm sure the Secret Service would nix that idea. But I am hopeful for us in '22 and '24. (I used President Biden's first name because I thought it went well with "whistle-stop!"

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Like praying for lightening to strike twice in the same spot, but go for it. I have to say that I thought chump and his evil had cheated enough to “win” in 2020 (God knows they tried) but the impossible happened. Does lightening have the intelligence of slime mold (see NOVA, 3-23-22)? We can dream, and fight to right the wrong…

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Thanks for that history Lynell. Much needed.

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That shot's so long, it's clear over in the next country. :-)

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I'm depending on you, TC, to keep being that most effective thorn in the side of our NOT beloved adversaries...morning!

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Morning, Lynell!

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Sorry I missed your "Morning" post, Alexander. Evening!

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So providence is giving the Democrats the most wonderful opportunity to even the odds in the United States Supreme Court, e. g.

(1). Elect Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of America

(2). Impeach Thomas

(3). Impeach Kavanaugh

Our FATHER in Heaven is giving Democrats the ability to transform what was contorted by the R's (Moscow Mitch, et al.), into evil back into the power of HIS good love for all equally as the Constitution ALWAYS intended the Supreme Court to be.

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Granted, impeaching those two cretins would be a blow for fairness, but, pray tell, how to do that with Trojan Horses in our midst.

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They cannot impeach a supreme court justice without 67 votes in the Senate. It won't happen and would be bad politically. I definitely think both shouldn't be on the bench but that isn't something the democrats will win via impeachment.

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In my mind when the leader of the Republican party continues to support and idolize a tyrant that is murdering children in our face day in and day out, it shouldn’t be that difficult to get at least 67 votes in the Senate. If we can’t then we have terribly failed at not just democracy but at humanity.

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Thanks for keeping our ‘family’ here aware of realities..sometimes easy to get swept up & reframe in ways that make dust but no ‘clean up’

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PhillyT

Each trial will reveal the truth and will compel a Senate vote which will confirm each Senators' predisposition for all voters to ponder.

With a little help during this June, July, August, September, and October from the Democratic National Committee flooding the media constantly with this bias, (and all other R's evilness), against the 50-60% D & I voters the national voter turn out should overwhelm the R's nefarious authoritarian scheme to destroy American democracy, Eh!?

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Oh I’m praying .. for His good love ..

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Wishes, Lies and Dreams. And Hope.

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"Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'

Plannin' and dreamin'..." -- sing it, Dusty!

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Cue image: “there’s no hope in dope”

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Unfortunately, when I read about common sense rulings like this one I think of a quote I read years ago, “The law is but man’s opinion.” This stacked, biased court will likely disagree with this ruling. The man’s opinion part certainly holds true, despite the the presence of little Amy 3 Names. She does not have an independent thought in her head.

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Living in FL, I can’t tell you what a breath of fresh air Judge Walker’s ruling is as we watch and work against the state’s slide increasingly toward autocracy or oligarchy. Even if the 11th Circuit Court overturns the ruling, we can at least know that the truth has been laid down by Judge Walker and well-summarized by HCR today so present and future citizens will not be misinformed. I hope at least one copy of LFAA is kept in an exceptionally safe, unknown place. I also hope we’ll find this would not have been necessary. Vote in overwhelming numbers in ‘22.

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True on all points, and just in case there's any doubt, I wish to hell the decision would stand all the way. Being both an historian and a realist of today's politics, I fear that's not likely.

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Fox Trot politics: two steps forward, one step back....so let's keep dancing!

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Steve, In my view, the LFAA’s final clause “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations…” clarifies what those who have followed the recent battles over enacting minimum national voter protection standards already know: namely to expect widespread chaos within this current election cycle absent the passage of any federal voter protection legislation.

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That is the crux, right there. Unless the voting rights bill is passed, ultimately nothing else we do will matter. We will lose our democracy.

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KR, right there is our main mission. Nothing else matters! We must keep the pressure on our reps and fund any organizations that are working the same mission. Period. I believe we have the power of numbers and can prevail, if we all keep the main thing the Main Thing.

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KR, While we apparently agree that voting rights are preservative of every other right, I would note that passage of just the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, though necessary, is insufficient, because its provisions are not preemptive and, thus, cannot overturn state laws that already have passed. Hence the need also to pass its companion, the Freedom to Vote Act, whose provisions would supersede state law in conflict with any of its stipulations.

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Thank you for that explanation. It’s so confusing, and hard to keep track of what each bill does and doesn’t do. I appreciate your explanation, and am a bit embarrassed that I didn’t know that.

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KR, Please don’t be embarrassed. Considering the Freedom to Vote Act is the edited down version of its filibustered predecessor For the People (H.R.1/S.1), unless this legislation is one’s major focus, being clear about the different pieces is a major undertaking.

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Thank you for saying that!

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Barbara, I am positive that you are right on the money, unfortunately.

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Gus, You probably noted that TC’s comments above, regrettably mirror the fate of most, if not all, efforts by admittedly brilliant litigants to reverse voter suppression / nullification bills advancing through GOP controlled state legislatures. Perhaps, you also recall, this past January, that A.G. Garland concluded a press conference about suing Texas for violating Section #2 of the 1965 Voting Right Act with a plea to Congress to pass federal voter protection legislation.

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+1 Steve Branz “let’s hope”

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It is somewhat ironic but the writen judgement of Judge Walker, with it's excellent recall of historical reality, would be now banned from many "Republican controlled" classrooms......for adult eyes only?

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Morning, Lynell. Would you believe it's snowing here this morning!

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Curse that Chinese hoax! Glo-bal warm-ing is a lib-er-al myth! (repeat as necessary)

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We certainly are living, as in the chinese "curse", in "interesting times"

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It may well be a Chinese curse, but not an ancient one. But definitely a curse.

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The nearest related Chinese expression translates as "Better to be a dog in times of tranquility than a human in times of chaos." (寧為太平犬,不做亂世人)

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Said the Ancient Mariner, himself.

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