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GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08
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User ID: 392450
3/19/2008 11:56 PM
Report abusive post | GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08
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Well, I support them anyways. Truckers are the heartbeat of this country. Without them we all shrivel up and die. Truckers represent all races, sexes, and represent the foundation of America. A truckers strike could be the spark we need to motivate our asses
[link to www.qctimes.com]
What started as a small, online grassroots effort now appears to have the potential for something bigger.
Dan Little, the owner/operator of a livestock hauling company in Carrollton, Mo., estimated Tuesday that at least 1,000 other truckers from across the United States have committed so far to joining him in a strike on April 1.
Although none of the truckers interviewed Tuesday at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop, Walcott, which is just off Interstate 80 west of Davenport, has heard of the intended strike, some said they would shut down, too.
Weldon Kinnison, a Virginia trucker who was hauling soft drink from Indiana to Denver, heard about the plans for a strike for the first time Tuesday while stopping at Walcott.
“I’m an owner/operator with the American Truckers Association,” he said. “I’d park my truck for a week with the cattle haulers.
“The fuel is too high, and there’s no reason for it. I don’t listen to the CB (radio) that much, but I guess I’ll start now.”
At issue is the rising cost of diesel fuel, which has reached or exceeded $4 per gallon in at least 17 states. But Little does not expect his strike to bring down the per-gallon price of gas, nor does he expect to have any effect on the oil companies.
“What I would personally like to see is our federal and state governments, until our economy recovers, suspend federal and state fuel taxes,” the 49-year-old said. “The second thing I’d like to see is an oversight committee for truck insurance, which is part of what’s taking us down.
“The average owner/operator is paying $600 to $800 a month for truck insurance. It’s based on personal credit, which means the monthly cost is going up for a lot of truckers because their credit is going down.
“Everything in the world is going up (in price), except for what we do. I lose money if I start my truck, and that truck is paid for — free and clear.”
Mike Hills, a driver from Wyoming, Iowa, said he also would shut down to support Little and the others — if he could.
“I can’t strike with them because I’m company,” he said while at the Walcott truck stop. “If I owned the truck, I’d strike with them. As far as I’m concerned, the gas prices are driving the economy.
“It might be a good thing if the drivers strike. They can’t make payments. Maybe if the oil companies bought all the trucks, things would change. Everything in this country is trucked.”
Hills then removed his wristwatch, using it to explain his point of view: “Every piece of this watch was trucked from somewhere. If you can’t keep up with the trucks, we’re all screwed — not just this country, but the world.”
Keith Deblieck, the owner of a trucking company out of Geneseo, Ill., said that, for many drivers, the time for a strike has come.
“They ought to strike,” he said. “We all ought to. They lose money every day they go out.”
But officials from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association are encouraging truckers to find options to a strike. The trade group represents the interests of more than 160,000 small business trucking companies and drivers.
“If we told our operators to shut down, we’d be slapped with a lawsuit because of anti-trust,” said association spokeswoman Norita Taylor, adding that a poor economic outlook and rising fuel prices are creating “a lot of emotions” among truckers.
“It’s hurting these people who are living paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “People are upset. What can we do?”
One thing the association is trying to do is talk to lawmakers and truckers about making sure that surcharges being charged to shippers are getting back to the people who paid for the gas. Surcharges are supposed to compensate for high fuel charges, but they must be negotiated with each shipper, and the truckers who pay at the pump aren’t always first in line to receive the surcharges.
Even when the surcharges do make it back to the driver, they are not enough.
“I turn down loads every day,” Little said. “The loads aren’t the problem — never have been.
“It’s the only thing I know how to do, driving a truck. But I sold my trailer the other day, and I’m not buying another one until something gets done.
“In no way, shape or form do truckers want to hurt this country. My whole deal on this thing is that I’m shutting down on April 1. Call it a strike, a shutdown or just flat-ass going broke.”
Jim Johnston, president of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, warned that a strike “is not the answer,” saying, “Calling for a strike without the support of the majority would show weakness rather than strength, and the result would be increased economic hardship to the small percentage of truckers who do participate in the shutdown with no gains to justify their sacrifice.”
Little said he has no other choice.
“Our federal government is subsidizing railroads, airlines, banks and farmers,” he said. “Meanwhile, we’re being taxed to death.” |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 392450 (OP)
3/20/2008 12:06 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 392450 (OP)
3/20/2008 11:38 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
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The one with answers
User ID: 397847
3/22/2008 9:00 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
First of all, Jim Johnston should come out here and drive a truck for awhile instead of running a magazine and web site for owner-operators and saying a strike is not the answer. He should be organizing a strike for the owner-operators and trying to do what needs to be done. Most everyone wants to put all the blame on Opec, but they need to pass out the blame to the others that are invloved. Sure, Opec is part of the blame, but the USA is at alot of fault too. President Bush said he would stop price gouging if he found
any going on. Well it is going on and has been going and nothing is being done about it. Fuel in CA and FL was always higher there than in PA in the past and now they are cheaper. The one that really gets me is diesel is a byproduct of gas and is cheaper to produce but they have the price of diesel at least a dollar a gallon more than gas. Next thing, when crude oil was $50 to $60 a barrel, the highest gas ever got was $3.19 a gallon, and now oil is over $100 a barrel and gas here in PA is at $3.29 a gallon.
Something just dont add up with that picture and you dont have to be a rocket sientist to figure out what is going on.
They say things are costing people more cause of high fuel prices, thats a big lie, things have been going up over the years for along time, so it would go up whether the fuel goes up or not. Exxon says how much they profitted this year and it has been the most they ever have in previous years which not right. All things have went up over the years except the truck drivers wages, especially owner-operators. Company drivers wages have went up alittle better
than owner-operators wages have, but they still arent where they should be at for what they do and put up with thru the year. I am an owner-operator, but have been a company driver
for a couple of jobs in the past. The rates that I haul for
today are about the same as they were in the mid 80's when I started trucking and it cost me 25 cents a mile for fuel back then and now it cost me 61 cents a mile for fuel to run my truck down the highways. So I wonder how many people could tell me or explain to me why I make less money today than 25 years ago when I started trucking and things cost alot more to buy today also. Wonder if they can explain why the truck driver makes less today and that doctors, lawyers, the president, teachers, etc. make more than they did 25 years ago. The rates are basically the same today as then but ask the shippers what they spent to ship freight in 1983 as they do in 2008 and see the difference. That is just somethings that show why we need the biggest strike ever to hit the USA and not just the truck drivers but people that drive cars, the buses, the airplanes and all other things that uses oil that produces gas, diesel, heating oil and etc. We all need to shut down and support each other til someone steps up and gives the help and answers that will help the American people and put a stop from the filthy rich taking from the hard working people and making them more richer. Therefore, the only answer is to have a strike because what I read in the main article will not solve our problem. Everybody says " Supply and Demand" than take the demand out of the quote and the price will come down. Thank you for all that reads and if you need more, I could go on all night long and add more reasons. |
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mopar28m 
Ex. 12:14-These festivals are to kept for ALL
User ID: 397551
3/22/2008 9:42 PM
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Spur277
User ID: 398819
3/24/2008 1:20 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
As per the Anti-Trust part.
If all the striking truckers were to call in sick, would that be considered an Anti- Trust issue? |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 396816
3/24/2008 1:23 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
They had a truckers strike in the UK a few years ago,within 3 days food in the shops ran out
I wonder how this will effect the stock market ?
either way, the system is going dowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn,sooner or later |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 394308
3/24/2008 1:31 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 396816
3/24/2008 1:58 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
They had a truckers strike in the UK a few years ago,within 3 days food in the shops would of ran out
I wonder how this will effect the stock market ?
either way, the system is going dowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn,sooner or later Quoting: Anonymous Coward 396816
sorry i made a mistake
There was a protest by farmers who blocked oil refinerys in the UK ,just as the Farmers were on the brink of bringing the coutry to a stand still they backed off and called of the action.
still they Tony Blair sh1tting himself,not bad going and proving it can be done
I wish the American truckers the best of luck |
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peperoni
User ID: 399649
3/25/2008 8:58 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
on april 1 truckers from port newark and elizabeth of NEW JERSEY and NEW YORK are shutting down there trucks to protest high fuel prices and low paying rates on the load trips......april 1st 8,000 drivers working out from the ports (owner operators) are parking there trucks ......watch the news it will be televised.... |
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Strike!
User ID: 399001
3/25/2008 9:16 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 394308
counter- |
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aznwarlord
User ID: 399178
3/25/2008 9:39 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
Insurance for semis is based PARTIALLLY on personal credit but a lot of is based on your driving record.
We only pay $264/month for semi insurance. Who in the world in their right mind would pay $600-800/month for semi insurance????
i pay 600 dollars a month for insurance... thats what almost every truck driver pays for insurance.
THE END IS NEAR!!!!!! |
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back pac
User ID: 400669
3/26/2008 10:55 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
#1.anty-trust law only afect thous corporated
#2.we need an efective way of coordination like comunication
because not every one have a computer or if they have cb radio no every one speak the same languge or hang on the same fricuency
if you have the idea of stike in your company do not call it a strike just stay togeader and ask for what you need
do not leat the coorporated freands open there mouth they can suport by stand on your side leat the not coorporated do the talking this way skeep anty-trust law
if the company do't leasten live go some were else
make sure you and the rest know what are you geting in to
#3.on the 4.1.2008 i will stop just for suport because there is not guarante than we are going to win anythink
we the drivers have the power to make changes only if we stic togeather and organise
good luck and leat the stronger survive....A.P. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 400716
3/26/2008 11:19 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
We only pay $264/month for semi insurance.
:angeldemon: Quoting: mopar28m
Where do you get insurance for that? (Which company?)... I need to tell my son who pays much more I'm sure... thanks! |
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mopar28m
Ex. 12:14-These festivals are to kept for ALL
User ID: 400431
3/26/2008 11:37 PM
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Dr. Suhdle Kure [=
User ID: 374870
3/26/2008 11:39 PM
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I don't care.
I just care about what I need to buy as in food, and etc.
If truckers cause that to not reach me.. I shall be pissed.
Lol?
MySpace, yay.: [link to www.myspace.com]
Astrology project [alpha]: [link to www.astromaze.com]
You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
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DanG
User ID: 335343
3/26/2008 11:58 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
Bring it On ! *
* copyright 2003 - 'the war president' |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 395754
3/27/2008 1:09 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
The whole Middle-Class shoudl revolt over this if something isnt done soon.
Mobilization should be imminent with all this fucking bullshit going on.
Too many soldiers over seas. Ruling class vesting all their pseudo-intellectual efforts in controlling the economy, we have the fuckin world. Why the fuck arent we out there.
Oh yeah thats right *light bulb* because we're all stuck here being suppressed by pills, media, fear, and cowardice.
Im so sick of not having a real fucking role model.
Where the fuck are the TRUE, LOUD, voices of our class?
"Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so.
Whether it is nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. . . or end them. My life is one of outrageous fortune. I would like to live to document all the deeds of the psychopaths who have made my life a living hell. We are talking about the banality of evil. The bureaucrats who are evil beyond evil. Their sadism is beyond belief, yet they think they are normal people just doing their job. I do not know the proper response. Revolution is good. Che was a great American. But the forces of evil always seem to prevail. To be or not to be? I am very tired. I see myself in no one's eyes." - Fidel Castro
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peperoni
User ID: 399649
3/27/2008 6:23 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
#1.anty-trust law only afect thous corporated
#2.we need an efective way of coordination like comunication
because not every one have a computer or if they have cb radio no every one speak the same languge or hang on the same fricuency
if you have the idea of stike in your company do not call it a strike just stay togeader and ask for what you need
do not leat the coorporated freands open there mouth they can suport by stand on your side leat the not coorporated do the talking this way skeep anty-trust law
if the company do't leasten live go some were else
make sure you and the rest know what are you geting in to
#3.on the 4.1.2008 i will stop just for suport because there is not guarante than we are going to win anythink
we the drivers have the power to make changes only if we stic togeather and organise
good luck and leat the stronger survive....A.P. Quoting: back pac 400669
if you are independent ..yes you are in violation of the anti trust law if you have a contract with the companies , rail , ports and ecc.. if you are a owner operator and you are leased to the company the anti trust law does not effect you..but since the entire usa is shutting down it realy does'nt matter....don't be scared...just don't call it a strike ....take a few days vacation or call in sick.. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 398663
3/27/2008 8:09 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
At least the truckers have the guts to try and do something besides "Email and write letters to senators, congressmen "who just toss it in the trash.
Support the truckers strike and hopefully it will wake up some of the sheeple . |
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all world ac
User ID: 401031
3/27/2008 8:23 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
the first thing they would show on tv,
from a strike, or slowdown, or whatever,
would be the elderly not having their meds,
cause the greedy truckers want more money.
something is gonna have to give, cause the
regular folks i know are really hurting. |
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peperoni
User ID: 399649
3/27/2008 9:34 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
march 31 PA is shutting down there trucks and they are going to have a caravan of trucks all the way to Harrisburg...this is getting bigger by the day |
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EUHANEO@NETZERO.NET
User ID: 402688
3/29/2008 1:00 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
EVERY ONE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT DRIVES SHOULD JOIN IN THIS STRIKE TO SUPPORT THE TRUCK DRIVERS. LADIES SHUT DOWH YOUR SUV'S FOR A WEEK AND STAY AWAY FROM WALMART. THAT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE THAT IS NEEDED. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 392450 (OP)
3/29/2008 4:36 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 402862
3/29/2008 7:42 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 392450 |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 268919
3/29/2008 8:37 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
they have my support, i might even put a support the truckers sticker on my vehicle, if they really go through with the stike i will for sure. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 392450 (OP)
3/29/2008 1:57 PM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
Is there a website that details this trucker's strike? Also, Is it possible to keep one of these threads pinned to the lead up of the strike? I'm sure there will be many google searches for "trucker's strike" over the next couple days and GLP posts usually end up on the first page of results |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 399649
3/30/2008 9:19 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
the first thing they would show on tv,
from a strike, or slowdown, or whatever,
would be the elderly not having their meds,
cause the greedy truckers want more money.
something is gonna have to give, cause the
regular folks i know are really hurting. Quoting: all world ac 401031 |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 396880
3/30/2008 9:29 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
on april 1 truckers from port newark and elizabeth of NEW JERSEY and NEW YORK are shutting down there trucks to protest high fuel prices and low paying rates on the load trips......april 1st 8,000 drivers working out from the ports (owner operators) are parking there trucks ......watch the news it will be televised....
march 31 PA is shutting down there trucks and they are going to have a caravan of trucks all the way to Harrisburg...this is getting bigger by the day
PEPERONI: PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED. |
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LOGDOG
User ID: 340476
3/30/2008 11:00 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
jim johnson OOIDA IS A BIG NEO-CON STARTED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE ASKING DRIVERS FOR MONEY FOR BUSH .CORP.HEADQAURTERS OUTSIDE K.C. WAS COVERED WITH BUSH BANNERS! IF YOUR INS. IS THRU OOIDA YOUR PAYING 30% TO 50% TO MUCH.BUT WHEN YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO DO EVERTHING FOR YOU (YOU HAVE TO PAY). WITH MY NEW FUEL CHARGE LEVY AVERAGING $3890.00 PER 1000 MILES .(GOVERMENT CONTRACT) ITS A BUSSINESS GET OFF YOUR ASS AND MAKE SOME MONEY . I'LL BE IN MY TRUCK TONIGHT MIGHT RUN EXTRA DAY THIS WEEK! YOUR NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY MONEY IN THAT TRUCK STOP(I AINT GOT NO PANTIES ON) |
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yankee lady
User ID: 403816
3/30/2008 11:36 AM | | Re: GLP supports trucker's strike 4/1/08 | Quote |
Its been a long time since we have been profitable. The general public does not have a clue what it takes to operate a trucking business. Most of the public think we are over paid, have bad driving skills. and are just plain Neanderthals. Well maybe I can shed some light on this with the truth that the government and our news media doesn't tell you. The average new tractor and trailer purchase can cost between $150,000 and up to $250,000 depending on what you purchase. Before you operate the combination vehicle you will have to pay for plates, comprehensive insurance, cargo insurance, intra or interstate authority, Interstate registration plan decals, united carrier registration, S.C.A.C. registration, D.O.T. vehicle inspections. This is a good start and it has an average start up fee of $10,000 and up. D.O.T. physical before you get behind the wheel to make sure you are healthy enough to drive - so a doctors visit and $100 more. Now you can take your new work tool to the fuel station. In my case twin 300 gallon tanks = $2400 to fill her up at $4 per gallon. 5 miles per gallon and then you have to figure in your road tax. Some states like Oregon the lowest at $.00 to Illinois the highest $.37. So for every five miles I drive I start paying additional. This is the money that goes to fix our roads. Now with that in mind, where did the money go, because our roads are falling apart. Now with big business not able to move the amount of product at what they feel a good price, they are asking our government to increase the maximum load to be more cost effective. We now have a maximum gross payload of 80,000 and we have major road failure ( not all caused by trucks but caused by poor engineering and use of non compliant product and workmanship) with an increase to the maximum of 97,000 we will be collapsing bridges all over like we did in St. Paul MN. Since our roads are so bad, yes even us truckers get flats. One of our tires can cost as much as a $1000. Just because they are bigger than you cars tires does not mean we don't get flats after we drive through a grave in the road. Bio fuel and e- 85 fuels are not working. Proof is out there we get less fuel mileage, less performance, it causes premature vehicle problems and failure, and we can not support it with what we have. Our fuel companies have made record profits over the last couple of years and most of them today can not meet a safe environment standard. In fact they are polluting more than ever, and our government just keeps giving them the tax permit to keep it up. Truckers on the other hand are not suppose to idle to maintain heat in the truck, or to keep the AC on in the truck to be comfortable and get a good nite"s rest so that when we do start driving again we are alert and well rested and ready for work. Some truckers have purchased APU units - auxiliary power unit. This runs off of diesel and the claim to fame is only a couple of gallons per night instead of up to 8 or 10 gallons from the truck engine. These units are now as high as $10.000 including installation. With the anti idle laws as vague as they are. Some drivers are cited for idling and even with an APU. So with a small list of what we have to do, you the general public I hope have become a little more aware of what the real facts are. Not all truckers are greedy like you think. It is what we have to do and have to keep us working. These figures do not include a house, personal car, or the kids college funds. As far as I am concerned there are many trucking companies I could go to work for. I would have a pretty tough time making ends meet on those funds. In fact if you really look at what most drivers make - it is less than school teachers in some cases far less. Don't get me started on the taxes it takes to keep our schools open when you see what some of these teachers make and benefits they have and actual time they work. My personal opinion is we are in a failing society due to corruption and greed, and I am not ready for socialism - because if we continue the way we are,that is how we will live.
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Aint no feelin' like Petermobilin' |
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