Taking 'Flamewar' A Bit Too Seriously: Man Drives 1,300 Miles To Burn Down Home Of Online Critic

from the yeah,-maybe-let-that-one-go dept

Fri, Jul 27th 2007 7:31pm — Mike Masnick

Online flamewars certainly can get nasty at times, often boiling over into quite a bit of rage -- but it's still pretty rare (and amazing) to see that anger then boil over into the real world. Last year, we wrote about a case in the UK where someone drove 70 miles to attack the guy he was sparring with online. The press referred to it as "web rage," though, rage doesn't tend to last that long. Or, perhaps it does. Here in the US we do things in bigger ways, apparently. A guy in Virginia who got into a flamewar online decided to make it a bit more literal, and drove 1,300 miles to Waco, Texas to burn down the home of one of this online enemies from a (no, this isn't a joke) picture sharing community. Not only that, but the attacker took photos of each "Welcome to State X" signs and shared them online as he made his way across the country -- to let others in the community know he was serious about going after the other guy. What did the one guy do to piss the other guy off? Apparently he had different political views and posted a silly photo claiming the other guy was a nerd. Nerd or not, he's now a convicted arsonist. He's been sentenced to 7 years in prison for burning down the other guy's home -- but it doesn't sound like the intervening time or pending jail time cooled this guy down. As the sentencing was happening, the arsonist used his cameraphone to take snapshots of the guy whose home he tried to burn down, apparently to post online as well (though, the court ordered the photos destroyed). So, while the typical admonition to those engaging in flame wars is to remember that it's a real person on the other side, we'd also like to add "who may be so crazy that they'll come burn down your house."

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Filed Under: flamewar, online fights

70 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2007 @ 7:43pm

i believe the comment i am looking for is, OMFG get a life people, wah wah wah you made fun of me, so what make fun back!
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2007 @ 7:45pm

I have nothing bad to say.
This guy is a psychotic lunatic and a potential murderer. But I have to admire his genuine dedication to online photo-sharing and his follow-through and solid determination to make his point. You get a single clap, sir!
-Give me a clap, Vasili. One clap only, please.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2007 @ 7:47pm

Or just burn their house down.
=|
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Lucretious, 27 Jul 2007 @ 7:55pm

it may have cost the guy dearly but he accomplished what he set out to do. That guy in Texas won't be calling anyone a nerd anytime soon.
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- Old BZ, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:00am
  
  Re: Wacko Waco Nerd?
  Do you think,maybe this guy is a huge MF biker,named Tank and this was the last straw,an attack on his intelligence.So,in true manly fashion its time to get even and then one.Don't you just love how simple we really are,piss me off and i get even.And you get your 15 minutes of fame,but what a price.
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Paquito, 27 Jul 2007 @ 7:57pm

People have a lot of free time
Hi, I think the subject of this post clearly explain my position regarding the news... People have a lot of free time and they're quite bored actually... And please, do not flight to Spain to hit me because of my opinion! :-) Thanks for the info and kind regards from Spain :-) Paquito. http://paquito4ever.blogspot.com
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:03pm

Not to say the guy had it coming to him, but what kind of idiot gives out his home address on an online photo sharing site?
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- Anonymous Coward, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:42am
  
  Re:
  Homeless people apparently.
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Hyrulio, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:06pm

-_-
There is no comment, there is only lol.
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ScaredOfTheMan, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:06pm

Why?
Is it just me, or do a disproportionately high percentage of people in Waco seem to think fires are some sort of Solution?

What is it about going to that town that makes people want to set fires?
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- Theoden, 28 Jul 2007 @ 5:47am
  
  Re: Why?
  The proximity to Crawford.
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- FH Harris, 29 Jul 2007 @ 9:51am
  
  Re: Why?
  You sir are "a" ass. He drove to Waco from 1300 miles away.... Please try and find a day job so comedy becomes further from your line of sight.
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Jimi Spier, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:17pm

This is concerning..
I would be willing to bet that this man has not only been abusive to his male friends but has probably has abused any women in his life.. I hope this man stays in jail and does not get out anytime soon.. I really hope that no children were or have been involved with this man..
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Antagonist, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:33pm

Startin'
Oh Mike Masnick, you're such a Bush loving NERD!
Now that I got that out of the way, I've recently moved, I now live at 358 Ocean View drive, Hemshaw Indiana. You should see the place, it's beautiful! Made of dried logs and old gas tanks.
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- pyro, 27 Jul 2007 @ 9:26pm
  
  Re: Startin'
  with a fence made out of matches and lighters?
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Brett, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:42pm

Since when are prisoners in possession of camera phones during sentencing? All such items are taken during processing and not given back until after release as far as I know.
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PhysicsGuy, 27 Jul 2007 @ 8:58pm

eh...
they're all a bunch of nubs.
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Miztaken, 27 Jul 2007 @ 10:09pm

It's only a trailer.
I beat he felt good after he burnt down the man's trailer.
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Elohssa, 27 Jul 2007 @ 10:30pm

Most importantly...
...did he save the porn?
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darc1, 27 Jul 2007 @ 11:05pm

which grp?
I would love to review the posts that led up this! Does anyone happen to know where on Usenet this went down?
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Very Nice, 27 Jul 2007 @ 11:31pm

Burning down the house
I find it sad, however funny as hell at the same time. As I tell my son: "You think you know the faceless people, but you really don't. I ask questions such as; who is father, mother, what is the hair color hair of this person mother. All these people you convert with are preditors in way one or others. There is an old quote "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" - (revised) and keep you online associates as far away as possible and reviel nothing.

I been an IT professionly for 14 yrs and I can tell you don't know these people, you may think you do, but you don't.

One more piece of advise - Be careful who you F with, they may be smarter than you think. Example: A young boy decided exploit an hole in an application I was running on my Linux box web server. Not very smart. Had issue resolved in 15 to 20 min. Than I begin my trace on him. I found a lot if info within 3 hour. I knew where he lived, his home phone number and his email address and I even found the name of his girlfriend (haha). I had a converation with him on MSN Messager. For 15 min the boy had no idea who I was and then I let the bomb on him and informed him of the information I had on him and I was very aware of his action against me and I have a mass amount of data prove it.

Remember, any body can be who ever you want to be, behide a keybrd.

Peace all

And Brett is correct: they only have a few items when going into court: jump suit (no pockets), shoes, underwear and handcuffs. Makes one wonder where he hide the cellphone?
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- PhysicsGuy, 28 Jul 2007 @ 1:21am
  
  Re: Burning down the house
  "All these people you converse* with are predators* in way one or others"
  
  now that's a little sensationalist, wouldn't you say?
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- Old BZ, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:05am
  
  Re: Burning down the house
  *maybe he had the new anal phone,very smart, when it farts you answer.? Don't you love the new hi tech stuff from................/.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2007 @ 11:42pm

Oh..

"flame war"

I just got it after reading this a couple of times...
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Jul 2007 @ 12:55am

Badass. It’s rare you see someone that committed to something these days.
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- Old BZ, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:08am
  
  Re: Committed
  *what about the the Army man in the oil war in Iraq?,It is against his wishes to be there,but he is over there,doing his job,that is committent,that man is to be commended!!
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Jul 2007 @ 12:58am

I can imagine the guy thinking "he's just googling pictures of those state signs" until he smelled something burning.
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Paul, 28 Jul 2007 @ 1:15am

Well
On the one hand, the guy obviously has something wrong with himself mentally.

On the other hand, his perseverances is awesome.

On the third hand, thank you Mike for not posting something entirely sensationalist or patent related.
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- Anonymous Coward, 28 Jul 2007 @ 5:17am
  
  Re: Well
  On the third hand, thank you Mike for not posting something entirely sensationalist or patent related.
  Yeah, that kind of stuff threatens the system.
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Anonymous, 28 Jul 2007 @ 2:43am

INTERNET - VRY SRS BZNS
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:14am

WHAT
are you trying to start a flamware with me already >?????

>:o
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:29am

While many people take the piss out of this situation or find it funny, which it is. It does raise a good point, just because YOU are a pussy and think no one will actually come after you it doesn't mean that the person you're sparring with is a pussy.

So don't give out your real name and address unless you really are willing to have some psycho come to your house and murder you in the night.
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Overcast, 28 Jul 2007 @ 4:41am

There is no comment, there is only lol.

Very well said!! LOL
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George W. Bush, 28 Jul 2007 @ 5:32am

Well at least he got caught and I didn't. On to my next victim.
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Real World, 28 Jul 2007 @ 5:51am

You all need to quit.
...all of you. But down the keyboard. Go outside. Enjoy life. GET AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!

It will be good for you.
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- PhysicsGuy, 28 Jul 2007 @ 7:20am
  
  Re: You all need to quit.
  ...says the person sitting behind their computer and typing on their keyboard.
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tareofLIFE, 28 Jul 2007 @ 6:04am

LOL
B&HAMER
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Cixelsid, 28 Jul 2007 @ 6:40am

Fire water burn
The Roof! The Roof!
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Mike Masnick's biggest fan., 28 Jul 2007 @ 6:58am

I'm on my way!!
Antagonist I'm looking for your house as I type on my Blackberry here! If you don't believe me look at my Facebook, it has all the proof in pictures, even has the latest welcome to Indiana sign. Don't suppose you could help me out a bit though? I can't find ocean view drive anywhere. I keep circleing around the whole state looking for an ocean, where the hell is it!!?? I'd like to show you what I think of you but how can I do that if I can't find your house, did you give me a fake address?? Loser
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Mr. Anderson, 28 Jul 2007 @ 8:19am

Da Roof
da roof, da roof is on fire!
Da roof, da roof, da roof is on fire!
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Just a Guy, 28 Jul 2007 @ 8:59am

Hey Brett the guy might not have been in jail for the time of the trial he might have posted bail and released because they may not have deemed him a flight risk and then he would have been able to bring in a cell phone as long as the ringer was shut of during session.
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- FH Harris, 29 Jul 2007 @ 9:56am
  
  Bail and the like
  Hard to believe arson, prob attempted murder, out of state, bail???? I want to practice in that court.
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Just a Guy, 28 Jul 2007 @ 9:04am

Also we need more people in this country like him in the sense of dedication to finishing something LOL
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ecoshift, 28 Jul 2007 @ 9:12am

jay and silent bob meme
Must have been watching too much Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back...
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Ntlgnce, 28 Jul 2007 @ 9:27am

Fighting online.
Fighting online, is like racing in the Special Olympics,,,,
Even if you win your still retarded...
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Roland, 28 Jul 2007 @ 10:04am

1300 miles....
Ya, but did he wear a diaper to get there?
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MIke, 28 Jul 2007 @ 10:05am

I'd do it
If someone REALLY pissed me off online and I knew where they lived, I'd go and fuck em up too, should have nailed the doors shut before he lit the fire tho...
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Jacob Buck, 28 Jul 2007 @ 10:40am

I think we need more accountability for what morons and little kids say online, so I say kudos to the arsonist. People need to start being afraid to piss off others.
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mavi, 28 Jul 2007 @ 10:55am

That's what I call revenge of the nerds :)
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B, 28 Jul 2007 @ 1:09pm

Site
What site did this happen on?
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Commentator, 28 Jul 2007 @ 2:37pm

Flamers and Trolls
It has to be said. There are a lot of juvenile sociopaths (of various chronological ages) on the Internet who enjoy flaming and attacking others for the pleasure of the others' discomfort. They feel safe behind a firewall of bits and seeming anonymity.

This event, however illegal and to be condemned, should let the flamers and trolls know that they aren't as safe as they think they are, and that a "firewall" (whether real or social) isn't always fireproof (pun intended). This extends to anonymity--there are lots of ways of breaking through it by a skilled, determined, and offended netizen.

This observation also extends to the arrogant geniuses who consider those of lesser intelligence "lusers". They, too, aren't immune from the consequences of ticking off the wrong person.

Mutual respect is the hallmark of productive internet exchange.
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- Eileen, 28 Jul 2007 @ 5:29pm
  
  Re: Flamers and Trolls
  It's no different than bullies in schools... most people get picked on at one point or another, and part of life is GROWING UP and learning to deal with it in an adult way (not arson), hopefully with a little humor (take it like a man and dish some out of your own ;) )
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Chronno S. Trigger, 28 Jul 2007 @ 7:16pm

Rule #14 of the Internet
Do not argue with the trolls - it means that they win
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Gizmondo, 29 Jul 2007 @ 2:14am

14
If you talk shit. You better be prepared for ANY consequences that may occur by you opening your trap. People don't function on the same value system as you do. And you saying one thing and thinking its nothing, to another, will get your shit burned down.

As they say in "la familia" don't carry a gun, if you aren't prepared to use it.

Dude got what he deserved. And I mean both of em.

So be it.
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- Anonymous Coward, 29 Jul 2007 @ 7:23pm
  
  Re: 14
  Open and shut case.
  It's like the end of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
  Or like Uwe Boll beating the snot out of his critics in the boxing ring.
  
  Everyone thinks they're faceless on the internet. But everyone wants to go out and kick someone's faceless ass sometimes.
  
  May this be a lesson for everyone. Flaming can get you messed up. There's no doubt that if people automatically had their personal info displayed, they'd either stop talking shit, or a lot more asskicking would go down. You know you've wanted to.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 30 Jul 2007 @ 3:04am
    
    Re: Re: 14
    There's no doubt that if people automatically had their personal info displayed,...
    Of course, you'd be exempt. Right?
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riff, 29 Jul 2007 @ 6:33am

How much can you believe
We've all heard the comment that a story gets more embellishment with each telling? How many courthouses have you been in these days that allow camera phones through the security checkpoint? How much mor of this story is pure BS as well? Who knows?
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- Anonymous Coward, 29 Jul 2007 @ 9:39am
  
  Re: How much can you believe
  How many courthouses have you been in these days that allow camera phones through the security checkpoint?
  ALL of them that I have been to.
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The Marcness, 29 Jul 2007 @ 11:11am

o.O
Over being called a nerd and having a different political view? I am glad the fucktard is in prison. If someone else gets so bent out of shape over being called a nerd, it just goes to prove that maybe they are one, taking something as online chat/photo sharing as gold. I don't see anything wrong with being called a nerd anyways. Nerds rule this world. Look at Bill Gates for example.
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EP, 29 Jul 2007 @ 12:45pm

How many gallons to Waco at $3.25 a gallon?
If I have been released on bail, I can come to court in a suit, etc., and could easily get in with something in my pocket (e.g. a cell phone with a camera function).

And if you disagree with me, well, not a good idea. I am an insane psycho, like you, and I have a full gas tank. I am not saying I am inclined to drive to Waco, though: I am only so insane.

Oh, please, people, there is plenty of real opportunity to be "committed" or "hardcore", if one gets out into the world at large and has a look around. If you want to test your mettle, get out of the sandbox. Get out of your comfort zone.

And if that is not your choice, remember you chose to be in the sandbox and its company by choice.

But I assume this guy is a statistical outlier in human terms, an exception, an error. cheers
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Jasper, 29 Jul 2007 @ 5:12pm

Flaming on the Net
May I point out the fact that you are all wasting time and storage space discussing this pair of complete idiots, makes you all seem a little, well lets say, special.

My address is 1060 West Addison, Chicago IL

Come and get me...LOL
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Jul 2007 @ 5:19pm

As somebody else has said, anyone stupid enough to post any real details about themself on the net deserves what they get.
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:(, 29 Jul 2007 @ 7:11pm

I bet the guy that got his house burned down was a COMPLETE asshole. He probably had that shit coming.
But, so did the arsonist.
Seriously thought, it should be a lesson: STOP BEING A DICK ON THE INTERNET

(I'm looking at you, leetnetworks.com)
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- Jade, 29 Jul 2007 @ 7:20pm
  
  Re:
  The guy who had his trailer burned down WAS a complete asshole. He has a page on a site called orfay, and he did very nasty things to people on there. It was only a matter of time before he provoked the wrong person. This man would take pictures of peoples children and threaten to do inappropriate things with them.
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:(, 29 Jul 2007 @ 7:37pm

In that case, awesome. Now I'm even more glad someone pwnt his ass. I would find it extremely unbelievable that the guy that got his house torched was someone that didn't suck. If you can push a guy so hard he wants to murder you with fire, then you probably won't mind when someone pisses on your grave.
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Chris, 29 Jul 2007 @ 8:18pm

That's scary
Is posting controversial information on the Internet going to increase insurance prices?

Nerd Forum
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Flameguy, 30 Jul 2007 @ 3:04am

"Flaming"
Man this is scary. What if you piss someone off and give them the address of someone you hate? Like your neighbour?

Then you can have your neighours house burned down by some online psycho and you wouldn't even be at fault.

Scary...
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Leander Richmond, 30 Jul 2007 @ 8:34am

My philosophy
Arguing online is like running in the special olympics.

Even if you win,

You're still retarded.
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- Anonymous Coward, 2 Aug 2007 @ 9:55am
  
  Re: My philosophy
  so true, i love the comment.. why would anyone waste time arguing online?
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Amazing, 1 Aug 2007 @ 12:08pm

Strangers on a Train
Flaming's comment reminded me of the movie "Strangers on a Train" with Robert Walker and Stewart Granger (?). Robert Walker murders Farley's enemy or whatever and expects Granger to murder his parent or something (great movie, am fuzzy on the details decades later). Gosh, think about all the possibilities the internet provides! What a Pandora's Box we have opened!
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