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KvsGrl
Round 2!!
Member since 1/07 1202 total posts
Name:
Samantha
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I am Jewish and DH is Catholic. Growing up, my family did not celebrate Christmas, we celebrated Hanukkah. We would light the menorah, say the prayers, and receive a small gift each of the 8 nights when we were younger. Since school is always closed on Christmas (and not always on Hanukkah) my family would get together to see a movie and eat chinese food.
DH is Roman Catholic and celebrates Christmas, so I participate in the celebrations. In addition to having a menorah, we decorate a tree, hang stockings, etc. We celebrate Christmas with his family.
I have never heard of a Jewish family celebrating Christmas, but to each their own!
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Posted 11/21/07 4:01 PM  |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by tourist
I guess there aren't any people of other religions either in your area, like Hindus?
My Hindu friend used to have a Christmas tree when we were in elementary school---I think her parents just thought of it as American ( there wern't a lot of Jews in our elementary either), and wanted their children to not feel different from the other Americans.
I actually thought it was strange that she *did* have one. They stopped that as they got older & she took more of an interest in India & Hinduism.
Do you know what...thats so funny you said that. My neighbourhood is really multicultural...Hindu, Muslim, Bhuddist, everything (don't forget, I live in the UK, we have an ENORMOUS amount of muslims and Hindus) and guess what...THEY ALL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:19 PM |
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danielleandscott
My new 71 Super Beetle
Member since 5/05 13476 total posts
Name:
Scott
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I am catholic and my husband is jewish. We celebrate both. We put up a tree and decorate and we also display a menorah. We have Christmas dinner and Hanukkah dinner. As a matter of fact we have Christmas Eve at out house and this year we are having Hanukkah at our house too.
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:28 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by racheeeee
Posted by tourist
I guess there aren't any people of other religions either in your area, like Hindus?
My Hindu friend used to have a Christmas tree when we were in elementary school---I think her parents just thought of it as American ( there wern't a lot of Jews in our elementary either), and wanted their children to not feel different from the other Americans.
I actually thought it was strange that she *did* have one. They stopped that as they got older & she took more of an interest in India & Hinduism.
Do you know what...thats so funny you said that. My neighbourhood is really multicultural...Hindu, Muslim, Bhuddist, everything (don't forget, I live in the UK, we have an ENORMOUS amount of muslims and Hindus) and guess what...THEY ALL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!
really? even the Muslims?
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:29 PM |
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MrsR
My love.
Member since 5/05 6247 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I just want to specify one thing...
if you are jewish and you have a celebration with your family - or traditions you do ON dec. 25th - it doesn't mean you are celebrating XMAS. You might be celebrating the holidays on xmas day, but XMAS itself is a relgious holiday and you are not celebrating the religious act of it.
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:31 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by racheeeee
Posted by tourist
I guess there aren't any people of other religions either in your area, like Hindus?
My Hindu friend used to have a Christmas tree when we were in elementary school---I think her parents just thought of it as American ( there wern't a lot of Jews in our elementary either), and wanted their children to not feel different from the other Americans.
I actually thought it was strange that she *did* have one. They stopped that as they got older & she took more of an interest in India & Hinduism.
Do you know what...thats so funny you said that. My neighbourhood is really multicultural...Hindu, Muslim, Bhuddist, everything (don't forget, I live in the UK, we have an ENORMOUS amount of muslims and Hindus) and guess what...THEY ALL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!
really? even the Muslims?
Yes!!! My neighbours across the street are Sikhs and they celebrate Christmas! I can see the lights in their front window!!!
eta...I obviously can't speak for all Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, only ones who I know and/or live near to me
Message edited 11/21/2007 4:35:26 PM.
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:34 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by MrsR
I just want to specify one thing...
if you are jewish and you have a celebration with your family - or traditions you do ON dec. 25th - it doesn't mean you are celebrating XMAS. You might be celebrating the holidays on xmas day, but XMAS itself is a relgious holiday and you are not celebrating the religious act of it.
Yes, and accepting gifts is okay too. As is giving gifts to people who celebrate christmas.
Message edited 11/21/2007 4:34:49 PM.
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:34 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by racheeeee
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by racheeeee
Posted by tourist
I guess there aren't any people of other religions either in your area, like Hindus?
My Hindu friend used to have a Christmas tree when we were in elementary school---I think her parents just thought of it as American ( there wern't a lot of Jews in our elementary either), and wanted their children to not feel different from the other Americans.
I actually thought it was strange that she *did* have one. They stopped that as they got older & she took more of an interest in India & Hinduism.
Do you know what...thats so funny you said that. My neighbourhood is really multicultural...Hindu, Muslim, Bhuddist, everything (don't forget, I live in the UK, we have an ENORMOUS amount of muslims and Hindus) and guess what...THEY ALL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!
really? even the Muslims?
Yes!!! My neighbours across the street are Sikhs and they celebrate Christmas! I can see the lights in their front window!!!
eta...I obviously can't speak for all Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, only ones who I know and/or live near to me
that's pretty cool. I used to work with a lot of Hindus and this one woman in particular always decorated her cube with garland and lights. she also was in charge of secret santa for our dept.
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| Posted 11/21/07 4:37 PM |
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alnem
This is gonna be a good year!
Member since 2/06 9562 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
im not jewish but i think its incredibly rude for someone to just assume or expect you to celebrate Christmas when it is not part of your religion. thats like someone telling me to celebrate Hannukah. 
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| Posted 11/21/07 5:14 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Ginger123
obv it has become an american holiday and people just conform and expect everyone else to follow ... do what you want there are no rules when it comes to good food and good times :)
I am not Christian, but I personally find it sacreligious and disrespectful to Christians that Christmas has become so social rather than religious. JMHO.
To answer Racheeee's OQ, I would never *expect* a non- Christan to celebrate Christmas.
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| Posted 11/21/07 5:42 PM |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
Name:
aka momma2b
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
jews do not celebrate christmas.
we do not have anything xmas related on our home nor do our familes.
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| Posted 11/21/07 5:50 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I do not OBSERVE Christmas. It does not come into our home. As for CELEBRATING Christmas, if I am asked to partake in a friend's celebration, I will do so. That doesn't mean Jesus is a part of my life.
I personally do not understand why a Jewish family, with no interfaith relationships within itself would celebrate or observe Christmas in their homes. My brother's wife is not Jewish - they celebrate both holidays. That makes sense.
I also take issue when the two holidays are equated with each other. Christmas celebrates the birth of a savior. Serious stuff. Chanukah is not a bible based holiday. It is a festival and not one of our most important celebrations. It just seems to coincide with Christmas by timing SOMETIMES. Shavuot, Simchat Torah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur - THOSE are the biggies.
I get REALLY burned up when I see things made to celebrate Chanukah that resemble or mimic Christmas. We do not have gingerbread Chanukah houses. We do not have a blue and white tree (or bush). Again, Chanukah Harry was Jon Lovitz in a suit.
I know of Jewish families who celebrate the "decorative nature" of Christmas just because they will not say "No, this is not what we do in our home because we are Jewish" to their children. My parents said no. I came out fine. All of my friends and neighbors were not Jewish. I knew all about Santa and was smart enough not to spoil it for others.
I do enjoy the spirit and beauty of Christmas, but it is not in my home or my heart.
Sorry for the rant.
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| Posted 11/21/07 6:17 PM |
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Goldi0218
I do not OBSERVE Christmas. It does not come into our home. As for CELEBRATING Christmas, if I am asked to partake in a friend's celebration, I will do so. That doesn't mean Jesus is a part of my life.
I personally do not understand why a Jewish family, with no interfaith relationships within itself would celebrate or observe Christmas in their homes. My brother's wife is not Jewish - they celebrate both holidays. That makes sense.
I also take issue when the two holidays are equated with each other. Christmas celebrates the birth of a savior. Serious stuff. Chanukah is not a bible based holiday. It is a festival and not one of our most important celebrations. It just seems to coincide with Christmas by timing SOMETIMES. Shavuot, Simchat Torah, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur - THOSE are the biggies.
I get REALLY burned up when I see things made to celebrate Chanukah that resemble or mimic Christmas. We do not have gingerbread Chanukah houses. We do not have a blue and white tree (or bush). Again, Chanukah Harry was Jon Lovitz in a suit.
I know of Jewish families who celebrate the "decorative nature" of Christmas just because they will not say "No, this is not what we do in our home because we are Jewish" to their children. My parents said no. I came out fine. All of my friends and neighbors were not Jewish. I knew all about Santa and was smart enough not to spoil it for others.
I do enjoy the spirit and beauty of Christmas, but it is not in my home or my heart.
Sorry for the rant.
So... you mean... Channukah Harry... doesn't exist?????  
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| Posted 11/21/07 6:20 PM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
As many of you said - I am Jewish, CHristmas is not a Jewish holiday - why would I celebrate it?
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| Posted 11/21/07 6:22 PM |
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
why would a jewish family celebrate christmas 
I can understand if the spouse is christian, the family attending celebrations of both holidays (and easter passover......)
I will say though, that my best friend is Hindu, and they had a tree 
she always had rather funny explanations of her faith.... so she said 'Hindus never want to miss out on a giant glitzy feast' But, the tree and food is where it ended... other than that, they went to the movies on christmas day (and usually was quite bored  ), right along with all the other non-christian families.
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| Posted 11/21/07 7:12 PM |
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Ali1
Mommy
Member since 8/05 3116 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Well I have a rare situation. I am catholic as is my brother. My stepfather and his daughters are Jewish. My mother is the biggest Christmas person in the world and we always had the whole sha-bang at CHrismas (my step-sisters lived with us full time). Now that they are both grown up and have families of their own they both still celebrate Christmas in the "commercial sense" as they say. They have a tree and Santa brings gifts, but they do not celebrate it as a celebration of the birth of christ as my brother and I do. They also celebrate Easter as in the Easter Bunny and baskets. They say they enjoy celebrating these holidays and that they feel no issues with it.
So just wanted to come in a give you another view.
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| Posted 11/21/07 7:46 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by MsMBV
Posted by Ginger123
obv it has become an american holiday and people just conform and expect everyone else to follow ... do what you want there are no rules when it comes to good food and good times :)
I am not Christian, but I personally find it sacreligious and disrespectful to Christians that Christmas has become so social rather than religious. JMHO.
To answer Racheeee's OQ, I would never *expect* a non- Christan to celebrate Christmas.
Melanie, I SO agree with this...I am Catholic and nothing bothers me more than people celebrating Christmas for the social / gift giving end of it...which is why the OVERKILL of putting up Christmas junk in stores the day after Halloween kills me...makes me so angry because it is all about capitalization to some people.
Anyone celebrate Festivus?? (jk)
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| Posted 11/21/07 7:57 PM |
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I am not Jewish, and I was baptised Catholic. Joe and I have Jewish friends, but we understand Christmas is not everybodies holiday. We invite them, and our other friends over for our annual Holiday Party. They do not exchange gifts and they do not sing carols. They believe doing so is participation(?) in Christmas and I understand that. There is no ill will and its not really an issue anymore. I don't know much about the Jewish faith, but I believe you should NEVER do something that makes you uncomfortable.
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| Posted 11/22/07 6:42 AM |
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Ali1
Well I have a rare situation. I am catholic as is my brother. My stepfather and his daughters are Jewish. My mother is the biggest Christmas person in the world and we always had the whole sha-bang at CHrismas (my step-sisters lived with us full time). Now that they are both grown up and have families of their own they both still celebrate Christmas in the "commercial sense" as they say. They have a tree and Santa brings gifts, but they do not celebrate it as a celebration of the birth of christ as my brother and I do. They also celebrate Easter as in the Easter Bunny and baskets. They say they enjoy celebrating these holidays and that they feel no issues with it.
So just wanted to come in a give you another view.
So they celebrate the material parts of the holiday????? To me that's sad, and if they celebrate the Jewish holidays for what they represent then that to me is horrible. JMHO not trying to casue an issue
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| Posted 11/22/07 6:45 AM |
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lilqtny
-Crossfit & pitbull addict
Member since 7/06 2830 total posts
Name:
Tracy
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I am not Jewish, I do not think you should "have to" celebrate anything in any religon if you are not comfortable, but if you want to celebrate than that is fine as well.
What ever happened to live and let live??
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| Posted 11/22/07 6:53 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by lilqtny
I am not Jewish, I do not think you should "have to" celebrate anything in any religon if you are not comfortable, but if you want to celebrate than that is fine as well.
What ever happened to live and let live??
I don't think people in general are criticising others for what they do...I think people are stating their opinons on what they do. I couldn't care less if Jewish people had a Christmas tree...I was jus curious to know what everyone thought of it.
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| Posted 11/22/07 7:06 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
My sister converted when she married my BIL. They come to all our christian holidays to spend time with our family. My sister is now pregnant with her first child (due in Feb) and it is already an issue with my parents. My stepmother asked if they could hang a stocking for the baby and my sister said no, the baby will be Jewish. My father and sister got into a huge fight because my father said no one is going to tell him what to do in his house. I know to my Dad he is thinking it's just a stocking and he doesn't want his grandchild treated differently then my two. I also know that my sister is setting the ground work so that her baby knows she is Jewish and not Lutheran. I told my Dad he should of just bought a Hanukkah stocking for the baby
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| Posted 11/22/07 7:27 AM |
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LiPo
:(
Member since 9/06 1864 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I am Jewish so I thought I'd answer..
Do you celebrate Christmas? No
Do you have a tree? No
Do you do Christmas Dinner? No
Do you feel that Christmas is your holiday? No
Then again, I was also the kid that didn't want to take candy from Santa on the Fire Engine when I was a kid because I thought HE KNEW!
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| Posted 11/22/07 7:45 AM |
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imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by RandJ0806
Posted by imagin916
I am not Jewish, and I would think it would be ridiculous to expect my Jewish friends to decorate and celebrate christmas! Something is wrong with these people that do.
my mom grew up in a jewish household that celebrated xmas. not the religious aspect - but tree decorating and presents. i don't think its ridiculous. growing up, we'd go to my grandma's and it was tradition...and a lot of fun.
I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I am not saying that she is ridiculous for doing this, I mean that it would be ridiculous for a christian person to EXPECT a non-christian to celebrate christmas. If someone was offended that another person doesnt celebrate christmas, that person has somethign wrong with them.
Hope that clarifies what I was trying to say! 
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| Posted 11/23/07 1:55 AM |
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Ali1
Mommy
Member since 8/05 3116 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by medic6809
Posted by Ali1
Well I have a rare situation. I am catholic as is my brother. My stepfather and his daughters are Jewish. My mother is the biggest Christmas person in the world and we always had the whole sha-bang at CHrismas (my step-sisters lived with us full time). Now that they are both grown up and have families of their own they both still celebrate Christmas in the "commercial sense" as they say. They have a tree and Santa brings gifts, but they do not celebrate it as a celebration of the birth of christ as my brother and I do. They also celebrate Easter as in the Easter Bunny and baskets. They say they enjoy celebrating these holidays and that they feel no issues with it.
So just wanted to come in a give you another view.
So they celebrate the material parts of the holiday????? To me that's sad, and if they celebrate the Jewish holidays for what they represent then that to me is horrible. JMHO not trying to casue an issue
Wow I don't think it's "sad" at all. They grew up with us who celebrated the holiday and enjoyed the happiness and all that that goes into the holiday. I don't think it's all about the gifts and stuff like that, but the enjoyment of being with family and what not.
I'm not going to get into a debate about this, but I think you should maybe not be so harsh to judge others.
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| Posted 11/23/07 8:32 AM |
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