Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Humiliatingly small and eclipsed by the derision of millions.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

If you cannot answer whether trump lost the 2020 election, you are unfit for office.

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

You cannot love your country only when you win.

Radicalized white males who support Trump are pitching a tent in the abyss.

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

America is going up in flames. The NYTimes fawns over MAGA celebrities. No longer a real newspaper.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

Also, are you sure you want people to rate your comments?

Relentless negativity is not a sign that you are more realistic.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Weird. Rome has an American Pope and America has a Russian President.

Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

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Open Thread

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This post is in: 

I dumped 1600 spam messages. If yours was one of them, my apologies.

Also, does anyone have a brand name for a spray sunscreen I could use on Tunch’s ears. He is getting a lot more sun than he used to, and I do not want him to get cancer of the ear. We’ve ruled these out”

Reader Interactions

114Comments

  1. 1.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    Since this is an open thread….
    Let me say that I fucking hate goddamned textbooks that have text explaining a diagram that is on the next page. Not next as in “facing opposite” but next as is “you have to turn the page to see.”

    I just think its slightly annoying.

    Back to pretending to study while goofing off online.

  5. 5.

    Cat Lady

    90 degrees in Boston today, smashing the previous record.

    I blame Al Gore, who is still fat.

  6. 6.

    robertdsc

    I dealt with teh evul soshulist Social Security Administration today. I seemed to have misplaced my SS card, so I was directed to go to the SSA office nearest me. 15 minutes later, I had a stamped printout that will serve as my ID for the time it takes for them to mail me a new card. The funny thing? I kept thinking about all the morans who curse the gubbmint at every turn and laughed to myself that the SSA was one of FDR’s most lasting contributions. Fuck you, morans.

  9. 9.

    eastriver

    This blog is becoming more irrelevant each and every day. It will soon be a combo Glee Club / pet rescue reality show. Congrats. Cheers. Etc.

  11. 11.

    MMM

    It is time to let Tunch run free. He does not want to live with you any more. He told me this. He is extremely hurt that you replaced him. Free Tunch.

  12. 12.

    Elisabeth

    @lamh31:

    From Huffington Post I learned the other day that Tiger “whipped out” his phone while on the course at Augusta. And, apparently, he might have slept with his neighbor’s daughter.

    I wonder if Tiger’s glad Tiki Barber might be dumping his wife for an intern.

    Me? I’m hoping Tiger breaks the course record if only to get Skip Bayless to STFU.

  14. 14.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    John dear, I hope to FSM that your request was genuine spoof, because any skin cancer Tunch might get will grow so slowly, he’ll probably be in heaven eating all the noms you won’t feed him before this became an issue. At least that’s what my vet said. YMMV.

  18. 18.

    gbear

    I think you should nail sheets of plywood over all of your south-facing windows. You don’t want to mess with cancer.

  23. 23.

    lamh31

    @Elisabeth:

    I hear ya Elisabeth. I hope he kicks some azz. I can’t stand what Tiger did, but damn he ain’t OJ, he ain’t “allegedly” (yeah right) killed nobody.

    It never ceases to amaze me when I hear people on the radio, the tv, etc, complaining that Tiger still hasn’t done enought, that he still owes “US” more. Tiger Woods don’t owe us shizznittz. The only people who owes anything to, is his wife, his kids, and his “god” or whoever or whatever he believes in.

    I’m not gonna actually do it, but inside, I’m damn close to wearing a “Team Tiger” t-shirt!!!

  27. 27.

    Steaming Pile

    @eastriver: So bloggers can’t multitask? Really.

    And I want to know where it is that a cat needs sunscreen on her ears. It’s a good idea, for shorthairs at least. The ones of ours that go out have a lot of Maine Coon in them, and their ears are pretty well-covered with fur.

  28. 28.

    robertdsc

    The SSN and the card are NOT, I repeat, NOT to be used as a form of Identification, nor are you to be compelled to use as such.
    Reply

    The California Unemployment Insurance code (section 9601.5) requires proof of citizenship or authorization to work. The notice for the meeting I was required to attend today specifically stated that I had to provide two forms of ID. I had my driver’s license but couldn’t find my card. The lady at the desk sent me to the SSA office for the printout. All was fine after that.

    On a side note, I wish people would take a moment to dress properly when going on employment-related activities. I dressed in business fashion whereas others chose not to, rolling in off the street in their baggy shorts and backwards baseball caps. Annoying.

  30. 30.

    Elisabeth

    @lamh31:

    At the risk of getting too much into Tiger, I do think the whole thing is more that the media is pissed that Tiger’s managed to control the message and that they couldn’t find the dirt on him.

    Where’s the demand for the public apology from Jesse James? Because we expect this kind of thing from some people but not others, I guess. John Daly, too. I don’t like what Tiger did, either, but I don’t look to him for relationship advice; if he could help me with my golf swing I’d sure appreciate it, though.

  31. 31.

    Keith G

    @robertdsc:

    The SS Admin has passed every test I have ever put them through. Big institutions can and will mess up, but I have never seen anything systemic. Folks love to tee off on them, though.

  32. 32.

    lamh31

    @trollhattan:

    As someone who great, great-grandmother and great grandmother both picked cotton, the guv’nor can take his apology and…

    This was not some “gaffe” ala Joe Biden “clean, articulate” remark, this was an official proclamation am I right, that someone actual wrote up, and reviewed an analyzed before issuing it. The guv himself admitted that slavery was INTENTIONALLY left out of the proclamation.

    I hate the type of apology that comes not from unprompted remorse, but as a consequence of getting reprimanded.

    Maya Angelou once said: “The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.” — Maya Angelou”

    Thanks for the apology guv, but we know who you are!

  33. 33.

    SGEW

    I do not want him to get cancer of the ear.

    Cripes, is this something I should actually worry about?

    (I do not wants mai kitteh to gets cancers of teh ears from her sun lounging!)

    Also: eastriver gives us New Yorkers a bad name.

  34. 34.

    superfly

    I’m sure if you just got a different color, Tunch would be fine with the ear pom-poms.

  35. 35.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    You’re worried about your indoor cat getting some kind of skin cancer of the ear?

    Heh heh, some days I swear you’re an 83 year old lady who’s spent a lifetime of fretting.

    Believe me, as somebody who has lost, hmmm, lemme think, 14 cats, over the last 14 years, you’ve got larger mortal threats popping up down the road to Tunch than that.

  38. 38.

    Skepticat

    Anything you put on Tunch’s ears will end up in Tunch’s tummy. Is Tunch really an outdoor cat now, or are you just funnin’ us?

  39. 39.

    Martian Buddy

    Completely unrelated to anything else, but I like most of the tag lines under the masthead. This one, however, always makes me sad:

    Peak wingnut was a lie

    I wanted to believe. :-(

  40. 40.

    AhabTRuler

    @robertdsc: You may use a Soc Sec Card (for some reason I don’t like those two “esses” standing alone) in concert with a government issued photo id as proof of citizenship, although a Birth Cert or naturalization papers will do the same thing. A passport (current or expired) can be used to establish identity and employment status, and thus can be used stand-alone.

    That being said, tons of organizations, both governmental and non, violate these commonsense rules & regulations regarding ID requirements, and thus I would not be surprised if CA strictly required a SSN card.

    ETA: Sorry, dropped a tag. At least I didn’t bold the whole damn site!

  41. 41.

    Whackjob Militia Leader soonergrunt

    You need to get those exact puff-ball things for Tunch. They are all kinds of win, and all of the other animals will envy him for it.

    @eastriver: Well, you can always go over to the GOS. They take themselves VERY seriously over there.

  42. 42.

    Whackjob Militia Leader soonergrunt

    @AhabTRuler:

    You may use a Soc Sec Card…in concert with a government issued photo id as proof of citizenship, although a Birth Cert or naturalization papers will do the same thing.

    Unless your skin tone is non-pale and you grew up in Hawaii…

  45. 45.

    Mike in NC

    @trollhattan:

    Breaking: Bob McDonnell professes slavery was kinda sorta bad, m’kay?

    Can we call him “Fighting Bob” McDonnell from now on, since he’s blown retreat and furled his battle flag?

  46. 46.

    joeyess

    just rub the highest rated sunblock on them. he’ll be fine. is he going outside or just sitting in the window? If he’s just sitting in a window, he’s getting very little in the way of ultraviolet rays so I wouldn’t worry about it.

    j.

  48. 48.

    AB

    @Amanda in the South Bay:

    You know what else also sucks – when textbook problems refer back to the completion of previous textbook problems that you haven’t done. I had a 4-question chain assigned to me once in a statistical physics class, hated myself then.

  49. 49.

    freelancer

    via Wonkette:

    Doughy Pantload linked to a photo essay of why the Burger King would be a better “King” than Obama. The right wing commenters clearly win the day.

    Ah fat losers considering how history is sweeping them into the dust bin! I encourage you all to eat as much BK as you can afford as soon as possible, so hopefully your children will be raised right (that is, by people who aren’t you).

    in response:

    Of course the opposition response to a humor post would be a death threat

    OP’s reply is after our hearts:

    McGehee said… “something something death treat”
    ___
    hahaha, do you know what words mean? I suggested that you support america’s number 2 fast food restaurant, just like you support america’s number 2 political party. I didn’t threaten you with anything, just encouraged you to savor deliciousness. Are you against 100% USDA grade A beef? Man, who hates freedom now? What kind of hyper-politicized world do we live in I can’t suggest a lunch choice to a republican with out him or her assuming its a death threat? Lighten up, Francis.

  52. 52.

    MikeJ

    @trollhattan:

    Breaking: Bob McDonnell professes slavery was kinda sorta bad, m’kay?

    “I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed.”

    Hey all you touchy people, sorry you don’t like it.

    Fuck McDonnell.

  53. 53.

    lamh31

    Fav quote from Twitter: on McDonnell

    A politician making dumb statements and then apologizing is like a wife beater giving her flowers after a fight. So forget the pain/bruises?

  55. 55.

    Annie

    This blog is becoming more irrelevant each and every day

    Not to me. Spent the day, in-between teaching and advising, organizing a mass email response to our racist Governor. This thread is the first laugh I have had….

    The little kittie is too adorable with the purple puffs — particularly the look on her face…She looks like she is saying not only did they do this to me, BUT, they also took a picture! My kitties would either try and kill me if I did that, or they would try and eat the puffs…

  57. 57.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    @John Cole:

    I was just worried he was getting too much sun in the windows.

    Yup, that seals it, you’re an 83-year old woman. I mean has anybody ever actually met you? I’m guessing you had a stand-in if they have.

    :)

  58. 58.

    Cain

    Luckily my cats like to slink around plants.. and well we’re in oregon. Not much chance of sun till June.

    cain

  59. 59.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    Oh, and the wife, who volunteers at the shelter, is bringing home a brown tabby momma cat with *eight* one-week old kittens!

    Another 6 weeks of foster insanity. Actually, our old blind in one eye, three legged dog, will love it when they’re old enough to come out. He loves kittens.

  60. 60.

    John Cole

    How is your shoulder?

    Much better, but it gets really sore if I use it too much. I think another 6 months and I might be back to 90%.

    I’ve been using it too much- before work today I went to the old place to do a final cleaning, started to clean the stove, twisted it the wrong way, and said to hell with it. Went to my landlord, handed him the keys, and wrote a check for an extra months rent and said “find someone else to clean it with this.”

    I shouldn’t have done it, because between the move, the shoulder surgery payments, rehab bills, and taxes, I’m just broke as hell, but it was worth it.

  67. 67.

    MTiffany

    I can’t recommend a brand, but go with something that uses zinc oxide as the active suncreen ingredient. Since zinc oxide is essentially inert, it won’t go bad if not used in the course of one summer (although the carrier and filler chemicals might), and if Tunch ingests some while cleaning himself, it won’t do him any harm. If the label says “oxybenzone” or “dioxybenzone,” stay away. Do you want Tunch ingesting chemicals which have this kind of MSDS?

  70. 70.

    IndyLib

    @jeffreyw:

    Ooooh, that looks damned yummy.

    I made leg of lamb, greek potatoes and fassolakia for dinner tonight.
    Tomorrow I will make gyros with the leftover lamb and homemade tzatziki sauce.

  72. 72.

    Annie

    I shouldn’t have done it, because between the move, the shoulder surgery payments, rehab bills, and taxes, I’m just broke as hell, but it was worth it.

    Surgery payments, rehab bills….I don’t get it. According to a wingnut on the radio tonight as I was driving home, we had the best, more accessible, and most cost-effective health care system in the ENTIRE world, until our President, who may or may not be an American citizen, ruined everything.

  73. 73.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    Yes we have never seen him, how do we know that John Cole is not really Jane Cole, the crazy cat lady.

    Heh heh, that’s easy, about 30+ cats.

    My wife tells me somedays I’m the only thing between her and your stereotypical crazy cat lady. Actually, I’m damn near as bad, we just took in our first foster as a keeper. We have 9 cats total now on our properties. We needed this ninth hole in our head like we needed, well, a hole in our head.

  74. 74.

    Violet

    @John Cole:
    Yeah, I get that. Sometimes it’s easier just to be done with the whole thing and the small additional cost is irrelevant.

    In the long run, hurting your shoulder again would cost you more than the one month’s rent, so you probably made the right decision.

  75. 75.

    Hann1bal

    No, you definitely don’t want Tunch getting too much sun. Our family’s cat, Rosie, got too much sun and developed what I guess was feline skin cancer on one of her ears. The only way to solve it was to have the vet just cut it off. I admit, it was slightly amusing* when she got back from the vet, having been on general anesthesia, and wobbled her way around the house, bumping into everything like a small, furry, drunken sailor.

    Also, may I just say: God bless the Lords of Kobol and all of their minions for restoring the “Reply” button.

    *When I say this, I mean that we all laughed our asses off. It was sad, but at the same time hilarious. Like something on AFV. Only helluva lot more personal.

  76. 76.

    Whackjob Militia Leader soonergrunt

    @Elisabeth: That’s just about it. Kos is going to have to pay a little bit more attention to the site if he still cares about it as anything more than a place to pimp a new book.

  77. 77.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    Oh, and one of our cats found and ate another baby bunny this afternoon. Nothing left but 3 paws and a haunch. She managed to murder one of the Easter Bunny’s offspring on Easter (which I as a non-christian found somewhat appropriate).

    This means she’ll be barfing up rabbit parts tonight at 3am.

    Ah, the joys of country living in the second reddest county in Misery, aka Real ‘Murka.

  78. 78.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    @Whackjob Militia Leader soonergrunt:

    I can’t disagree with that characterization of Markos.

    That being said, the Front Pagers remain one of the best bunch of authors on the web.

    Everybody else? Heh heh, well, as one of the “everybody elses” I can just say we have our moments.

  79. 79.

    Annie

    @comrade scott’s agenda of rage:

    LOL. I, too, have that fear — that I will eventually end up in a robe and slippers, with empty wine bottles everywhere, and 30 cats….All the neighbors will stop in front of my townhouse, with the high grass that never gets cut, point, and tell all the children to stay away….

  80. 80.

    jeffreyw

    @IndyLib: Yum! I have a leg of lamb in the freezer, only way I had to get the meat for the gyros the other day was to hack it off the shoulder. Still have most the leg to cook. Mrs J is wanting to grind the whole thing for gyros but I’m holding out for a killer leg o lamb recipe.

  81. 81.

    Violet

    @Whackjob Militia Leader soonergrunt:
    Does Kos even care about that site anymore? Seems like he only shows up to do his “hate mailbag” on the weekends. Feels like he’s moved on to other things. Maybe when there’s more polling stuff closer to the election he’ll be around more. Still feels like he’s not all that invested anymore.

  82. 82.

    Laura T (Schnik)

    What a good dad! Nothing effective against the sun would be safe for Tunch’s tummy. Get the windows tinted against the sun. Skin cancer on the ear is common, so it is worth it to protect them. Cheers!

  84. 84.

    Whackjob Militia Leader soonergrunt

    @comrade scott’s agenda of rage: Actually, I blame the front pagers almost as much as Markos. Markos isn’t taking care of business on the site, and none of them will step up and actually manage. They’re all too busy pushing their own pet agendas. Now, that’s not to say that they aren’t great writers, or that they don’t write about important things. I generally like mcjoan, and I read everything I can find that Page posts. I like the wonky congress stuff, too. But there’s nothing holding the site together. No enforcement of the defined mission, and the enforcement of what rules there are is spotty at best and seemingly not evenhanded.

  86. 86.

    HRA

    @Tommy:

    I am in tears from laughing. Thanks I needed it.

    That is one beautiful kitty with ear muffs.

    JeffreyW – You can tell Haven is feeling sad for his master. Breaks my heart, too.

    John Cole -You could get the windows treated to block out the UV rays- right?

  89. 89.

    PTirebiter

    John,
    Consider tinting the windows with a UV film. You’d be done with it in one shot and it might cut some energy bills.

  90. 90.

    Anne Laurie

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    I hope to FSM that your request was genuine spoof, because any skin cancer Tunch might get will grow so slowly, he’ll probably be in heaven eating all the noms you won’t feed him before this became an issue. At least that’s what my vet said.

    Well, light-colored dogs do indeed develop skin cancer, and did so long before we screwed up the ozone layer — research “collie nose”.

    John, next time you’re at the big-box home store (which, as a new homeowner, will probably happen no later than the weekend) buy some of the UV-blocking window film they sell to stop curtains from fading. Much easier to apply the film to Tunch’s preferred window(s) once than to try applying sunscreen to Tunch more than once. The stuff’s probably sold as some kind of energy-efficiency aid these days…

  92. 92.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    As for the sunscreen I just get the highest factor I can (I think I have 50 right now) and slather it on Cueball’s ears and nose, he tends to enjoy having his ears caressed, and I am sure that Tunch will too. Just make it part of a routine, give him a treat and then while he is eating it slather his ears with the goop. You should be golden. Generally I don’t like the spray stuff, it is too uncertain for its coverage, I like to slather on the goop, you can see it, that way you know you have good coverage.

    However what Anne Laurie said, it is much easier to treat the windows than it is to treat Tunch, and you will save some money too. I think the film qualifies for a tax credit.

  93. 93.

    CynDee

    does anyone have a brand name for a spray sunscreen I could use on Tunch’s ears.

    What you need is an ear bra. They use them on jackalopes.

  96. 96.

    Elie

    There is kitty sunsccreen but I agree with Bad Horse’s Filly way upstring that its (skin cancer) is not likely for Tunch…

    Course — you could move on up here to the Northwest and worry about rain burn and rain induced skin moss problems…

  97. 97.

    Annie

    @Tommy:

    If there was ever a reason to join the BJ community, this post says it all….I can’t stop laughing….

  100. 100.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    @AB:

    Mine is on TCP/IP protocols, which means the diagrams are sorta important, its just a pain to read the description on one page and have to turn the next page to look at it.

    I just bet the people who put together textbooks are effing English majors* who are too clueless to work at Burger King.

    *No disrespect to the awesome and upstanding English majors here at BJ.

  101. 101.

    jeffreyw

    @Anne Laurie: It sounds to me like the fellow was OK with adopting the dog out. Like I say, I have no idea who the owner is, where he is going, or for how long. That looks like an interesting organization. Mrs J assures me that the dog will be adopted out to a good home, they can be kinda picky-not a first come first served placement policy. Thanks for the link, I’m gonna send them some money.

  102. 102.

    Kayla Rudbek

    Free Rice has updated to do more than just English vocabulary — I’m currently running through the chemical symbols set. At one point, I had to memorize the entire periodic table, so it’s interesting to see how much I don’t remember. The dratted lanthanides and higher are currently kicking my ass.

  103. 103.

    IndyLib

    @jeffreyw:

    I scored the meat, inserted garlic slivers (6-8 cloves) in the holes, and then marinaded it overnight in greek olive oil, lemon juice, greek oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I cooked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes then dropped the temp to 350 and cooked it until it’s well done.
    I’ve also done it where I have cut out the bone stuffed it full of garlic and rolled it up and tied it with butchers twine and rubbed it with olive oil, salt and pepper. Both are good, but I really like the taste when it’s cooked on the bone.
    A nice trick is to cook the potatoes in the pan with the meat so they get the flavor of the meat juice.

  105. 105.

    IndyLib

    @jeffreyw:

    I personally don’t think the country of origin of the olive oil is that big a deal (I know, some people would dispute this, vociferously) . The greek is a little different in flavor, which would matter in salad dressing I suppose, but I just can’t tell that much difference when I use it in a marinade. However the greek oregano is a lot different then it’s Italian brethren. Milder and sweeter.

  106. 106.

    Yutsano

    @IndyLib: Bah. Screw my inability to not let things lie!

    I personally don’t think the country of origin of the olive oil is that big a deal (I know, some people would dispute this, vociferously)

    There are very very few instances where using a specific origin olive oil will affect the final character of the dish (say using a Greek one in a paella is considered a culinary sin) but for the most part people are just trying to be food snobs. The differences in flavor in olive oil are too subtle to make THAT much difference and when the oil is heated it doesn’t matter one whit. More important in the flavor of olive oil is the press it was extracted from (i.e. first press = extra virgin, more fruity and stronger). So that’s my lecture on that.

  107. 107.

    cay

    my cat, brody, got ear cancer years ago and we had to amputate the (white) tip. He was an outdoor/indoor cat, though. Isn’t Tunch inside? If not, the vet said that sunscreen was just as harmful as rolling the dice because cats lick themselves and will ingest the lotion. If Tunch is outside, watch out for little raised black dots that you can scrape off his ears–that’s cancer.

  108. 108.

    asiangrrlMN

    Kitty pom-pom is teh cuteness!

    @Elisabeth: I am all Team Tiger. I want him to win by a mile and have everyone in a lather. Not my damn business. He’s not a lawmaker; he doesn’t spout family values while passing anti-gay legislation; I wouldn’t want to be his wife, but what he does with his five-wood is his own business.

  109. 109.

    trollhattan

    @IndyLib:

    I regret to say California is going to “ruin” this too. Turns out olive oil (Oyl) is as variable as wine, affected by the tree variety (there are dozens), where and how the tree is grown, how green or ripe the fruit is and how it’s pressed and processed.

    Unlike wine it doesn’t get better with age so it’s best not to buy a lot and use it quickly.

    I agree the variety is not that big a deal if you’re using it to fry or saute, but as an ingredient or something you’re using as a condiment, there’s a world of difference. Amusing to me is some of them are screaming chartreuse in color, like they’re poured out of a Lava Lamp. Trippy.

    p.s. Kan I haz brag I saw Elvis Costello solo tonight? His aim was true.

  110. 110.

    gelfling545

    If you really feel he needs sun protection, go to the baby department and get something safe for infants but indoor cats rarely get too much sun. Mine lounge in the sun in winter & spring but head for the basement in summer.

  111. 111.

    Ben

    I’m not sure about pet sunscreen, John, but we found this stuff for the baby, and it’s pretty good. It’s zinc oxide-based, as opposed to a bunch of harsh chemicals, and it works just as well.

    Hey, if it’s good enough for the baby, it’s probably good enough for Lily.

  113. 113.

    ET

    I would pay BIG, MONEY to see a picture of Tunch wearing those. I wold pay even BIGGER MONEY to see a video of you putting them on. Of course that money would be better spend on the emergency room visit to sew up all the stitches….

  114. 114.

    DPirate

    I oppose suntan lotion for cats.

    It’s a cat, you know.

    Results 1 – 10 of about 537,000 for dangers of zinc. (0.20 seconds) Harsh chemicals as opposed to gentle chemicals?

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