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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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 Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Quote: A profanity-laced video of middle school students in upstate New York verbally abusing a bus monitor is sparking an outpouring of support as strangers worldwide rally to her side.
In the video, the students taunt Karen Klein, 68, with a stream of profanity, insults, jeers and physical ridicule.
Some boys demand to know her address, saying they want to come to her house to perform sexual acts and steal from her.
The bullying continues unabated for about 10 minutes in the video, reducing Klein to tears as a giggling student jabs her arm with a book in one instance.
"Oh my God, you're so fat," one says.
Klein, a bus monitor for the Greece Central School District, said she tried her best to disregard the harassment. The students involved attend Greece Athena middle school.
"I tried to ignore it ... I didn't hear some stuff and tried to shut them out," Klein told CNN affiliate WHAM.
She said one comment from a boy aboard the bus was especially painful. He tells her that she does not have family because "they all killed themselves because they didn't want to be near you."
Klein's oldest son took his own life 10 years ago, according to the affiliate.
CNN attempts to reach all parties involved Wednesday were unsuccessful.
The video prompted an outpouring of support and a fundraiser by an international crowd funding site that had gathered more than $100,000 by early Thursday.
"Let's give Karen a vacation of a lifetime. Let's show her the power of the internets and how kind and generous people can be," the fundraiser's organizer said on the website. The organizer did not respond to CNN requests for comment on the website.
The school district said its bullying team and the local police are conducting an investigation. I found the video profoundly disturbing. To see such a focused burst of group-mentality inhumanity... Christ. _________________   1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:19 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 15197
Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Welcome to America!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:58 am |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Bradley Witherberry wrote: Welcome to America! This is an easy response. But I feel the problem goes deeper, to a place transcending any one nation or religion or race. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:24 am |
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Eagle
Site Owner
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2004 1:09 pm
Posts: 14631
Location: Pittsburgh
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor The odd thing is, I'd bet if you knew any of these kids they're probably not the awful creatures they seem. This situation happens too often, and it happens because people feel safe in crowds, young kids feel this need to do what they THINK their friends want them to do, and once it starts, everyone joins in for fear of being an outcast.
We, as a society, need to do a better job of expressing gratitude, respect and admiration towards those who stand up and stop this behavior in the act.
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:55 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor My reply probably won't be a popular one, but I am more shocked at the fact that this led to a fundraiser which gathered her almost $140,000 by now.
The bullies group are certainly pathetic pieces of shit (which exist everyhwere, not ust in America) and deserve to be punished. But this happens everywhere and all the time and should we have a fundraiser for each of these people when they are certainly far more pressing matters in the world finance-wise?
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:28 am |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Bullshit.
Yes, cruelty happens every day around the world, and many of the victims receive neither justice nor compensation, which is unfortunate. But screw it, this time, it was caught on video, people are upset by it, and they want to give the poor lady a few dollars as an illustration of humanity's capacity for compassion. People's feelings and visceral responses can't always be governed by cold financial logic. Besides, it's only $100,000 or so. A quick piss in the ocean in the context of the world's financial systems. You can win more vamping it up on Big Brother.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:41 am |
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Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm
Posts: 48678
Location: Arlington, VA
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor This whole thing is horrible to watch and comprehend. I have to admit I don't miss teaching middle school. Not to say every 12/13 year old behaves like this (far from it), but it's a difficult age and younger generations are becoming more and more rude and entitled with every passing year.
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:56 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor David wrote: Bullshit.
Yes, cruelty happens every day around the world, and many of the victims receive neither justice nor compensation, which is unfortunate. But screw it, this time, it was caught on video, people are upset by it, and they want to give the poor lady a few dollars as an illustration of humanity's capacity for compassion. People's feelings and visceral responses can't always be governed by cold financial logic. Besides, it's only $100,000 or so. A quick piss in the ocean in the context of the world's financial systems. You can win more vamping it up on Big Brother. Not THAT ^ is bullshit. It is an illustration of people wanting to make themselves feel better by responding to an injustice they have seen on video - because, yes, it is easy to feel bad for something you see. Much easier to ignore the starving children in Somalia or elsewhere. And I am sure that for them, $100,000 is hardly a "piss in the ocean". But yeah, white Americans provide a much better points of identification than people in third world countries. These culprits should be put to justice (in whatever way the legal system allows it) and their parents (if they are too young should pay damages. But a fundraiser? Right... _________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:34 am |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Whew.
All right, let me get into this:
- Have you ever bought a DVD? Ever paid for an MP3? Ever paid to see a movie? Ever paid to see a concert? Ever had a nice meal at a fancy restaurant? Ever bought cool shoes? Ever subscribed to a magazine? Wait, yes? You have? YOU SELFISH BASTARD. There are children starving in Somalia! Not to mention the Sudan! Not to mention Haiti! I can't believe you, Lecter. I'm honestly disappointed in you. You are not the man I thought you were. The decadence, the horror.
- I repeat: "People's feelings and visceral responses can't always be governed by cold financial logic." Maybe there are more -righteous and godly causes-. In fact, yes, there are, full stop. And maybe people are donating to her because it gives them a small boost as they stumble and fumble forth through their lives. And you know what? It's money they've earned. If they want to send a small portion this lady's way, it's their right, is it not? These people giving have control over their money and the art on their walls and the gold in their teeth. I know it's upsetting.
- Is there a Dr. Lecter approved charitable-giving hierarchy? So the children in Mogadishu go at the top, all right. Are rainforest conservation charities all right? Donations to local animal sanctuaries? Pro-same-sex-marriage lobbies? Homeless shelters? Preservation of classic films? A friend in need? There's so many ways our money can go. I'm sure we're all very concerned our choice lives up to your righteous standards.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
Last edited by David on Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:58 am |
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Crux
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:28 pm
Posts: 1589
Location: Pittsburgh
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Mob mentality can be a dangerous thing.
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:58 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 15197
Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Crux wrote: Mob mentality can be a dangerous thing. Yes indeed - - both the disrespectful children and the foolishly generous do-gooders.
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:00 am |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Bradley Witherberry wrote: both the disrespectful children and the foolishly generous do-gooders. People should stop and consider this statement, which is perfectly in line with what Lecter's saying, though Witherberry might be operating with a bit of humor. An equivalency between the individuals committing absolute verbal savagery against this weeping elderly woman and the "foolishly generous do-gooders," people who are maybe guilty of a bit of reactionary granola sympathy. It's a fairly toxic assertion, in my opinion. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:07 am |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 15197
Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Sorry, no humor on my part - - thoughtless inequity is a scourge.
If you really wanted to help this particular problem by throwing money at, you'd be better off financially supporting local youth programs. However, any real solutions will not start with the almighty $, they will come from volunteering directly in the community and with political action groups.
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:16 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor David wrote: Whew.
All right, let me get into this:
- Have you ever bought a DVD? Ever paid for an MP3? Ever paid to see a movie? Ever paid to see a concert? Ever had a nice meal at a fancy restaurant? Ever bought cool shoes? Ever subscribed to a magazine? Wait, yes? You have? YOU SELFISH BASTARD. There are children starving in Somalia! Not to mention the Sudan! Not to mention Haiti! I can't believe you, Lecter. I'm honestly disappointed in you. You are not the man I thought you were. The decadence, the horror. I am selfish and I have no issues in admitting that. But what happened there was just foolish. Some money, yes. $140,000+? Ridiculous. David wrote: - I repeat: "People's feelings and visceral responses can't always be governed by cold financial logic." Maybe there are more -righteous and godly causes-. In fact, yes, there are, full stop. And maybe people are donating to her because it gives them a small boost as they stumble and fumble forth through their lives. And you know what? It's money they've earned. If they want to send a small portion this lady's way, it's their right, is it not? These people giving have control over their money and the art on their walls and the gold in their teeth. I know it's upsetting. Is there something you want to insinuate? Running low on Nazi jokes, there, David? Of course everyone is welcome to do whatever they desire and give their money away. Doesn't change the fact that I would call out this simple-mindedness and restricted point of view. David wrote: - Is there a Dr. Lecter approved charitable-giving hierarchy? So the children in Mogadishu go at the top, all right. Are rainforest conservation charities all right? Donations to local animal sanctuaries? Pro-same-sex-marriage lobbies? Homeless shelters? Preservation of classic films? A friend in need? There's so many ways our money can go. I'm sure we're all very concerned our choice lives up to your righteous standards. Lol. Fool. _________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:53 am |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor I have a private message from the good Doctor awaiting me. The title line is an ellipsis. Foreboding.
If I don't return, I leave everything to my life partner Mike. Except my Another Earth Blu-ray, which goes to Magnus.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:04 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Oh, and I enjoy how Lecter didn't say shit in his big three-pronged reply. You have no ground to stand on. All you're doing is trafficking in feel-good, concerned-white-citizen, empty bullshit. "Oh! The children in Africa! The most noble cause!" Cool, fine, I'll go there. But when it comes to your doorstep, it's: "I am selfish and I have no issues in admitting that." Maybe you should just STFU up then and not criticize people for sending a few dollars the way of a woman they saw mistreated and feel compelled to reach out/lend a hand to, even if it is just to give themselves a tiny boost of self-esteem. You judgmental, phony faux-do-gooder. I'm sure the starving child in Somalia in your mind's eye will derive nutrients from your good vibes.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:14 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor You got that absolutely wrong. I have no illusions about what I do and what I don't and a do-gooder is the last thing I would describe myself as. I am more comfortable buying myself a new BluRay than giving my money to those in need. I am fully aware of that.
However it does bother me that people decide to come out with actions like this one only after seeing a video of somethigt that happen s EVERY day and now are probably very proud of themselves.
At the very least I don't even pretend to give much of a shit. If I did it sure as hell wouldn't go in that direction. But yeah, whatever makes people feel better at night.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:22 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Strangely enough this whole thing (including your defense) start to make me involuntarily lose sympathy for the poor woman which is certainly not the way it should be because sympathy and civil courage is what she deserves. As well as justive brought upon the bullies (or their families who apparently suck an upbringing).
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:24 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Dr. Lecter wrote: However it does bother me that people decide to come out with actions like this one only after seeing a video of somethigt that happen s EVERY day and now are probably very proud of themselves. Translation: you're kind of a judgmental prick with some weird resentment issues about other people feeling like they did someone a solid? _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:25 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Considering that many more could have used this money much much more at any given point than the poor bullied woman, yes.
That's just jumping on an opportunity to buy a good conscience.
But hey, considering your flaming defense, I suppose you have given a buck or two as well, hehe.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:28 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor David wrote: I have a private message from the good Doctor awaiting me. The title line is an ellipsis. Foreboding. It was a polite threat of a swift banning should I ever directly reference or allude to a certain part of 20th-century European history again. I am on watch and will now cool my heels. It's been good arguing with you, dear Arthur. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:41 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor David wrote: David wrote: I have a private message from the good Doctor awaiting me. The title line is an ellipsis. Foreboding. It was a polite threat of a swift banning should I ever directly reference or allude to a certain part of 20th-century European history again. To clarify things, I haven't ever mentioned banning, but said that I would take the case up to Eafle and it is his to decide what is right. _________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:46 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Hopefully a thorough spanking.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:48 pm |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor Anal probe more like.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:49 pm |
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Merciless bullying of 68-year-old bus monitor What can I say? Eagle is a handsome man.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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| Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:50 pm |
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