America Gives Obama 2nd Term

The American public has spoken: Barack Hussein Obama has been re-elected for another 4-years as President of the United States of America.

Say what you will. But his strategy to focus on single women, minorities, youngsters... and spend countless amount of money to put doubt in the minds of the public about Mitt Romney's non-compassion for the poor and middle class, proved to be successful for him and his team.  That––in addition to the support of a willing and compliant media––has afforded him another term.

Hats off to President Obama. 

As a nation who respects and honors the will of the people, we must now put aside partisan bickering and help Obama to move this nation Forward.

Again, congratulations. Let's get to work!

Des Moines Depicts Obama As An Angry Black Man

Oooops!  Obama's mask has finally come all the way off!

First of all, the President of the United States calling his challenger a Bull****er in a national magazine reduced the prestigious Office of President to gansta status! http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-calls-romney-a-bullshitter-2012-10

But the clincher here... and it looks like the Des Moines Register is the first media outlet with the guts to put it front and center on the cover of its newspaper, is that Obama has finally revealed himself to be what every white person in America detests: an A(ngry) B(lack) M(an).   

Yes... Americans have been whispering in the back rooms about it for the past few weeks, and the women voters have noticed it for sometime now... which is the reason many are flocking in droves to support the Romney/Ryan ticket.  

You've got to hand it to The Register.  Their depiction of Obama as an ABM was subtly done, as not to be accused of being RAAAACIST... but the message was clear to all who went online to see this:

The President's angry and bitter character became most apparent during the recent debates... and has since metastasized to down-right 'thug' behavior. Perhaps it's because his internal polling numbers surely reflect that the bloom has come off his rose.  And that Americans have had enough of him.

But Mr. Obama only has himself to blame.  Having been raised in an all white home all his life, hanging around white people all of his life, dating white women most of his life... he knows all too well that white people will not tolerate, support or vote-for an A(ngry) B(lack) M(an).  Nada! Nope! No way!

So, on November 7th––when Mitt Romney wins this election in a landslide as momentum now indicates––Mr. Axelrod and his team need only to study the Des Moines Register's front page... noting the contentious, meany face of President Obama pictured above, in contrast to happy-faced, mild mannered, non-threatening Mitt Romney's face. 

And that will be the reason of 'why' and how he will have lost this election.

American Women Choose A Hubby... Er.. President: Mitt

During the past 12-weeks, I have had the opportunity to travel from California to Connecticut; and from New Orleans to Chicago. 

I've talked to thousands of women during this period... from various walks of life and who represent varying political persuasions.  And the one common and consistent meme that prevails is that Gov. Mitt Romney is gaining momentum among women.   Let me just call it like I see it: there is a quiet––but earth-shattering––shift among young, white, (and yes... middle aged African American females) toward the Romney camp. 

Say what you will... but the main reason for this uptick in support among women is that women want and need 'stability'!  And, quite frankly, Mitt Romney presents a more stable demeanor than President Obama. 

Sure, women are attracted to the cool guy... the fast talking liar, who says all the right stuff to make you feel good.  And yes, women like the notion of life in the fast lane, and the excitement of living with "Mr. Risk-taker"... and the fun times he brings for the moment.  

But at the end of the day... and when it's time to make that grown-up decision that will affect our long-term future... women will generally choose a Mr. Meat-and-Potatoes, nerdy, bore... who will pay the bills and keep the lights on such as a Mitt Romney... over a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants-wing-it-one-day-at-a-time-no-decisive-plan-having-man such as Barack Obama.

President Obama was a great one-nite stand... a daring flirtatious fling that Americans can look back at with either disgust or through the eyes of nostalgia (depending on how good or bad he has made your life these past four years).

But the prevailing wisdom is that it's time to move on! Americans are looking for a real husband now.  One who will lead this nation back to greatness!  

It's no secret that when women ( yes...even those who are declared feminist) look for a husband... they look for someone tried and true, who will love them, protect them, who won't criticize them in the public, who will support them financially and most of all... won't blatantly tell them bold-faced lies.. and who will keep their commitment to their vows.  

So as voters across this nation have said to me in the past few weeks that while they like Barack Obama... many will vote for Mitt Romney.  Why?  Because he is someone who is tried and true, who is more likely to love and protect America, who won't criticize this nation in the public or in front of our enemies, who will bring us back from the fiscal cliff and most of all... will keep his commitment to his vows to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America! 

NFL vs White House: Send All Rookies Packing

Let's take a look at the "foolery" of the 2012 NFL season's replacement Referee debacle and compare it to the Obama Administration today.  

When have we ever seen so many botched calls on the field as we have witnessed of late in this White House and on ESPN? 

Time won't permit complete elaboration.  But let me just say the 9/11 travesties occurring at the U.S. embassies in Libya and Egypt, refusing a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, but time to party with Bouncy and Jay-Z... coupled with the circus atmosphere of the recent Monday night Seahawks vs the Packers football game will go down in history as utter U.S. incompetence on display of epic proportions!

It is no secret that these replacement referees–– like our president, Barack Obama–– were mistakenly thrust into the limelight and have been placed in positions where it is obvious they are in over their heads, are inexperienced, and are making ill-advised calls and rulings... the outcomes of which will result in long lasting negative effects for years to come.

Also, it's safe to say that because of the amateurishness lurking throughout the Office of the President and.... because of the sheer lack-of-skills on display by these replacement 'refs'... that the perception of America's greatness, plus what's left of any integrity to the game of football are now in question.

Americans aren't we still a proud people who detest being embarrassed or relegated to a joke or to National––and yes, International laughing stock status?  

My hope is that sooner-rather-than-later we will send all rookies packing and let's get back to Reality!

Flag Burnt In Egypt And WE APOLOGIZE?

US Embassy under attack on anniversary of Sept 11, 2012

How many people remember in 1979 when the U.S. embassy was seized by a mob of approximately 500 Iranian students––calling themselves the Imam's Disciples––who gathered around our embassy in protest. Out of 90 occupants in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, 66 were originally taken captive. Three were taken from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Those American hostages were paraded through the streets... and were often shown blindfolded to local crowds and television cameras.

Fast forward to September 11, 2012.  On the 11th anniversary of the most horrific attack ever on U.S. soil... the U.S. Embassy in Egypt,  and in U.S. Consulate in Libya were both attacked––on the same day!!! 

And the best we can do is issue an apology from this Administration to those who are burning our flag on the streets of Cairo today... because we want to be sensitive to any hurt the feelings of the Islamists???  Dude.  Really??? read here:

http://times247.com/articles/angry-egyptians-storm-u-s-embassy-over-mohammad-film

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/sep/11/libyans-storm-burn-us-consulate-benghazi/

Where is cowboy-styled leadership such as Ronald Reagan? George W. Bush?  I betcha they would be on television right now demanding those radicals unleash our Embassy or face retribution in the morning.

Are we mice or men in this country????????  

Dude! Booing God?? For Real?

Idol Worshipping!  A 25-foot sand sculpture of President Barack Obama.

There is a major disconnect in this nation!  First off... what's up that our sovereign God is removed from the official Democratic platform statement? For real???  And then (after realizing that removal of God from the statement was political suicide) the powers that be called for a vote to insert the language back into their public position statement, only to be met with resistance and loud "BOOs" from the Democratic crowd.  And on national television???  

http://www.examiner.com/article/democrats-remove-god-from-dnc-platform-insert-obama-s-name-over-100-times

So... just how long will Americans have to wait for a public outcry against this blasphemy from our Bishops, Reverends, Elders, Ministers, Clergy, Pastors, Faith Leaders?  Yes, those same ones who came out and overwhelmingly endorsed this administration's gay marriage position less than three months ago???  

God is listening!!!   **Crickets**

Tampa Bound! What Romney Must Do... *wink*wink*

2012 Race to the White House = Slime Ball Politics

All roads, trails, highways and back alley-ways lead to Tampa Florida for the coronation of Willard Mitt Romney as the official 2012 Republican Presidential candidate.  

His final push to the White House will actually begin in earnest on day-1 of the convention. And––remember you heard it here first–––"he will need to bathe 10x per day through Inaugural Day 2013... in bleach and Ajax soap to get rid of the stench and for what he will have to say and do to counter the onslaught of negativity needed to win this election".  

He can forget the gentleman's-rules-of-engagement customarily used in the political arena. Nope! He had better be prepared to engage in brass-knuckles-street-fighting where the last man standing takes it all!

President Barack Obama's team will indeed bring a gun to this knife fight.  And if Romney doesn't think that team Obama plans to do to him exactly what Touré  was directed to introduce to the general public on MSNBC last week... "Niggerize him" where he won't even recognize his former self when it's all over... then he is in for a new awakening.

Yes... the final slimy, sewage-filled distance to the house at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is ON!  

Romney would do himself, and the nation, a favor by putting his crisp, Oxford button-down shirt, every hair in place, blue-blood, all-American-boy image in a box for the next two months.  Yep! He should wrap his mind NOW around  becoming the punch-throwing, no holds barred, in-Yo-face, one-line-Zinger-delivering, take-no-prisoners, smack-down-Kings in the persons of Newt Gingrich and Donald Trump!  

Wink*Wink*: That's if he really plans to take back the White House... and save this nation!!!!

Romney vs Obama: The Optics Say It All!

What's wrong with these pictures???

Everyone knows that in today's culture... optics/ eyeballs/what-you-see-as-the-backdrop says it all.

So, here you have two men: President Barack Obama and Presidential-hopeful, Mitt Romney, pictured above.

Both of them stage visits to the SAME region of the nation (breadbasket America) within a five day period.

Both take pictures to present their image/vision of what America will look like the next four years depending on which one of them win the election in the Fall.

Okay.  So look at Mitt Romney's photo.  They capture him in the midst of green cornfields. Wow! Where in the heck did he find green cornfields in the midst of this horrible drought???

His walking through the fields with a yellow corn cob in his hand optically says: growth, new life, abundance, fresh harvest and a vibrant United States of America is on the horizon if you pick me.

Now look at President Obama. Standing up talking/speechifying behind a lectern. What was his  team thinking about??

By placing him in front of a dry, parched, dying, withered cornfield says to the American people: barrenness, unproductiveness, no future, life.less.ness, and a dead, bleak America if you re-elect me.

If I were Romney, I would run these photos as a campaign ad everyday through November 2012... with this one sentence caption:

Romney vs Obama: The Optics Say It All!

Romney Ticket Needs Bling-Bling: Jindal Or Rubio UPDATE! RYAN GETS NOD AS VEEP

UPDATE!  UPDATE UPDATE!!!
It's official!  Gov. Mitt Romney taps Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin to round out the 2012 Presidential ticket. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/paul-ryan-is-romneys-pick-for-vice-presidential-nominee/2012/08/11/dc2f5070-e0f1-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_story.html
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• In this reality television dominated age, all eyes (and bets) are focused on who Republican presumptive Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, will pick for his running mate.

Don't look for Governor Romney––who comes across as a boring  meat-n-potatoes type of guy––to make a bold, radical choice such as a Sarah Palin.  So I would mark both Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina off the list.

Well... let's see.  I personally haven't seen (m)any African-American surrogates out visibly stumping across the nation for him. And, few Blacks can be found in his inner decision-making campaign circle nor on his website.  Consequently, it would be safe to say that Secretary Condi Rice won't be getting any calls to join the ticket.

The biggest elephant in the room is that the Republican party––which has been accused of being non-inclusive of other races... and the party of rich, out-of-touch white people––should encourage Romney NOT to play into the hands of that tried-and-true Democratic racism mantra. 

But, if he selects any of the three cookie-cutter white males: Sen. Rob Portman, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Paul Ryan, or even the risky choice of Gov. Chris Christie, Romney and the GOP can look for race, racism, and an apartheid-focused atmosphere/chatter that will resemble the 1960s, to take over the duration of this campaign, and the nation. 

So if anyone from the Romney camp should happen to read my humble little blog... I suggest he selects either Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana or Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.  Both men have burnished conservative creds acceptable to the TEA Party wing of the GOP. Both come from minority backgrounds, making them attractive to the diversity seeking, broad-tent loving Independents (who will decide this race). 

And lastly, both Jindal and Rubio would bring just enough bling-bling to the Romney ticket to galvanize the current unexcited Republican base to turn out in masse in November.  

Let Newt Speak! Gingrich Needs Speaking Slot At GOP Confab

Say what you will about former Speaker of the House, and 2012 Presidential contender Newt Gingrich, he is one of the most brilliant minds of our times. 


His ability to frame the national political debate and articulate his key points in a simple, in-'yo-face conversation that even a political 'dummy' can understand, makes him a stand-out!  


It's true... Gingrich has been castigated by the main stream media for his brutal and frank attacks on President Obama's record and his policies. And, some have even gone so far as to call him a 'racist' for his shrewd double entendre label which continues to stick to President Barack Obama as America's first "food stamp President". 


That's all a part of the rough-n-tumble of American politics. But all-in-all... Speaker Gingrich has the spine to call-out dumb stuff for what it is... and he is not afraid to take on those tough issues that many politicians––for fear of being perceived as not being politically correct––shy away from dealing with.


Case in point. His recent public support of Sarah Palin as a  prime time speaker at the upcoming National Republican Convention, surely didn't gain him any brownie-points with the GOP old guard, who wishes she would go away. But he said it anyway. Good for him!


And to top that off... being the no-holds-barred 'Newt' that he is... he didn't stop there!  Gingrich went a bit further and has ticked off the Democrats big-time by declaring that choosing President Bill Clinton as a keynote speaker at the upcoming Democratic Convention would just further remind Americans: 

"that Obama really is a failed left-wing president with high unemployment, high deficits, huge regulatory policies and a very, very bad foreign policy."  Newt Gingrich 7/30/2012

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/30/newt-says-bill-clintons-presence-at-democratic-convention-will-hurt-obama/#ixzz22E1yIz7t

Who else on the GOP landscape has the nerve to say something like that but a Newt Gingrich???

It is the hope of many Americans that old Newt will get a prime-time speaking role at the upcoming GOP convention in Tampa.  Like it or not, people listen to him because in spite of all his faults, warts, and shortcomings, one thing is for sure... he won't bite his tongue and he will tell the American people just like it 'TIS!

Let Newt speak!!!!

Will Presidential Politics Hijack The 2012 Olympics?

UPDATE! UPDATE!

Argentina President steals Olympic spotlight!! http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100172154/cristina-kirchner-wont-be-missed-at-the-olympics-following-her-foolish-falklands-stunt/

Every four years… hundreds of youth from around the globe converge in a designated city  to showcase their talents and years of hard work in hopes of capturing a gold, silver or bronze medal. 

Ah yes! The Olympics.  This 16-day competition has the potential to bring fame, and possibly a spot on the coveted Wheaties cereal box, to some unknown athlete, while it also brings honor and prestige to their representative country.

With that being said, it is my sincere hope that this year’s Olympic spotlight will not be hijacked by Presidential politics.  


Of course we applaud the efforts of the wives of the U.S. 2012 Presidential contenders: Michelle Obama and Ann Romney in their once-in-a-lifetime chance to make their Olympic dreams come true.

For instance, Mrs. Romney's prize horse, Rafalca, has qualified for the Olympics in the sport of dressage... and Mrs. Obama will promote her anti-childhood obesity campaign, Let's Move, with a staged event at the U.S. ambassador's house in London, involving 1,000 American and British children, according to the Los Angeles Times.

But, because of who they are, their personas are larger-than life. Consequently they must be mindful not to allow the media to center too much attention around them––unintentionally stealing the national and international news and media coverage from the unsung heroes/Olympic participant.

Without a doubt, the publicity Mrs. Romney and Mrs. Obama will garner from their participation at the 2012 London Olympics will reflect on their husband's campaigns, both negatively and positively.  


Hopefully, their handlers and campaign staffers will encourage them to remain humble, keep the focus on the real purpose of the Olympics...  and then to get off the international stage and into the background as soon as possible!  

It's nothing personal... but we Americans want to take a break from politics and enjoy the wholesome competition of the Olympics without being reminded of the 2012 November election... at least for a few days!

SCOTUS Slaps 'Obamacare' Ball BACK To Voters' Court: 132 Days

5

The Supreme Court Justices' 6-3 decision on the constitutionality of President Obama's signature piece: the Universal Healthcare Act... a/k/a Obamacare has the potential to galvanize Americans in a way not seen since Roe v Wade.  

In a nutshell, the Justices, led by Chief Justice John Roberts have rendered a modern day "Pontius Pilate" decision, by saying in essence: "If you voters want to crucify Obamacare, do it on your own... it's not my job"!    

And when you think about it...and whether you like it or not... that decision is the correct one.  In a true democracy, the Congress and the President should be the only ones to repeal it, not the  judiciary branch.

So... the Obamacare ball has been lobbed to the voter's court.  And, in approximately 132 days, voters will have the chance to make the "will of the people" known by either voting to keep President Obama in office and let Obamacare stand... or voting to elect Gov. Mitt Romney, along with a majority GOP Congress and Senate, in hopes that Romney will keep his pledge to repeal Obamacare on his first day in office.






The countdown has officially begun.





















 

Obama Proposes 'Amnesty-Lite' By Executive Order

Hispanic youth

In what critics are calling a Friday in-your-face, and shameless-political-pandering, President Barack Obama's new Immigration policy has seemingly backed Gov. Mitt Romney into a corner.

The GOP nominee––whose blunt statements on immigration during the contentious 2012 Republican primary helped earn him the label of being anti-immigration––can't afford to cede the Latino and Hispanic vote to Obama this Fall... if he plans to win the White House.   

Romney, who earlier in the year gave a Tampa audience a peek into what his immigration stance would be during a GOP debate when he said: 

“The answer is self-deportation, which is [where] people decide they can do better by going home because they can’t find work here, because they don't have legal documentation to allow them to work here.  [But] we’re not going to round them up.”

Contrasted to Obama's new immigration policy, which the President outlined during a surprise press conference, where he said that younger illegal immigrants who came to the country before they turned 16, but who are under 30 now, and have stayed out of trouble, have a high school education or served in the military can receive a two year work permit that can be renewed indefinitely.  

The President's new amnesty-like executive order is strikingly resemblant to the one proposed by Senator Marco Rubio (who is reportedly on Romney's short-list for the Vice Presidential slot) and puts the GOP hopeful in quite a political pickle.   

Appearing undaunted by the President's actions, Romney's campaign staff issued the following counter statement in an attempt to rebuff the President's new position: 
 

“I believe the status of young people who come here through no fault of their own is an important matter to be considered and should be solved on a long-term basis, so they know what their future would be in this country. I think the action that the president took today makes it more difficult to reach that long-term solution because an executive order is, of course, just a short-term matter – it can be reversed by subsequent presidents. I’d like to see legislation that deals with this issue, and I happen to agree with Marco Rubio as he looked at this issue. He said that this is an important matter, that we have to find a long-term solution, but that the president’s action makes reaching a long-term solution more difficult. If I’m president, we’ll do our very best to have that kind of long-term solution that provides certainty and clarity for the people who come into this country through no fault of their own by virtue of the action of their parents.”  Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/mitt-romney-ignore-obama-new-immigration-policy-2012-6#ixzz1xthfW1CC

Pass the popcorn and the goji berries.  It's about to get real hot around here.... 

Romney Camp Outraise The Obama Camp In May

If the old saying: "money is the mother's milk of politics" has any merit, then last week's Romney vs Obama money duel is a clear indication of how this 2012 presidential election will go down.


It was reported that GOP nominee, Gov. Romney and the GOP raised more than $76 million last month––compared to President Obama and the DNC's paltry $60 million. Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/06/11/new-threats-to-obama-reelection-bid/#ixzz1xUvXQfI4

That's a 16 MILLION DOLLAR spread in just one month!  Not to mention how the Gov. Scott Walker Wisconsin recall massacre showed how Republicans and Tea Party supporters contributed and outspent the opposition 7-to-1 in that race. 

So, let me compare recent news items while calculating some math equations for the record here: 

The Jews have shut their purses to Obama because of his Muslim-leaning policies against Israel, while  Romney has picked up an unprecedented 29% of Jewish vote.

"Republican Jewish Coalition pointed out that the 29 percent of Jewish voters who back Romney is the “highest level of Jewish support for a Republican presidential candidate in 24 years.” http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/jewish_descent_Tq5gaFbS13Pdbfwdx2UJkJ#ixzz1xV15fh7K

Wall Street residents are turning to Romney in record numbers, as many feel he will be more business-friendly and implement economically feasible growth-stimulating practices than the Obama administration.
Wall Street ditches Obama, backs Romney.  Headline 5/29/2012 money.cnn.com/2012/05/29


Well now... that brings us to one of the largest voting blocs in the Democratic party: Black people and Brown people [African Americans and Hispanics].   


Gone are the days of those $25 dollar-per-week donations in 2008 to the Obama campaign. With unemployment at close to 20% among Black people and around 11% for Hispanics... these two groups are in survival mode... just trying to keep gas in the cars and food on the table.  
http://washingtoninformer.com/index.php/us/item/11078-in-jobless-numbers-obama-gets-black-and-brown-bruises


And... quiet as it's been kept... there won't be any more billions of dollars coming in from many of those leaders who  *wink-wink*, nod-nodded their support for the black brother in 2008 (i.e. Muammar Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak, Assad and others).  


No... I can't envision those deposed leaders' supporters from the Middle East who––as it has been rumored and widely reported on–– funneled money to the Obama campaign using gift cards, credit cards and other such vehicles to assure his election. They won't be too eager to contribute again this year. Read:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/08/obamas_donor_contributions_sil.html


So... I can see how it's quite possible that a 16 MILLION DOLLAR donation gap has occurred between the Romney and Obama camps.  


From my vantage point, and substantiated by these documented calculations, this funding deficit for the President may be his new normal through out this election cycle.  


Enquiring minds will be looking!

Black Preachers And Catholic Priests Are Up In Arms! UPDATE: OBAMA SAYS MICHELLE DOESN'T GO DOWN FAR ENUFF? WHAT THE WHAT???

What kind of man with any respect for his wife, his underage female daughters, his momma-n-law or deceased momma... would get in front of a group of "strangers" and publicly denigrate his wife and expose her private bedroom capers–– even in the cloak of a "joke"? 

Headlines:

 

Aside from this being too much information [TMI], to put a sistah's reputation on front street–– like President Obama did at the gay fundraiser in California... and in front of the whole world... was nasty and degradative to all women universal. 

What The What??? should I expect from a man who chose rapper Jay-Z's song: "I got 99 problems but a b---- ain't one" as his signature campaign song in 2008? 

N.O.W., Women's Advocacy Groups, National Women's Rights Organizations.... where is the outrage and condemnation of this behavior???  

*crickets*  

Whoever told President Obama to co-sign/promote two of the riskiest, re-election-killing-issues: Contraceptives and same-sex marriage ... were truly out-of-touch!  

Months from now, when history is written and those 'wise' political Monday morning quarterbacks give their assessments regarding how and when the President's "Forward" election strategy took a turn for the worse, it will be noted that it was in the Spring of 2012, when clergy in both the Catholic Church and the Black Church declared Obama's over-reaching social positions had gone too far.  

As if a recent lawsuit against the Obama administration was not bad enough, this ad, which was sponsored on behalf of the Catholic Church is B.R.U.T.A.L. on so many levels.  

http://www.youtube.co/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd

And, it goes without saying that true Black Christians cannot, "have not" and will not support his same sex marriage position. Consequently, many Blacks who voted for the President in 2008 are abandoning support of him in droves. http://bit.ly/N6K89U 

Whose job was it to tell the President that gay marriage remains a hot-button issue, and a major non-starter conversation in the Black community?   
(scroll down to read excerpts from my opinion piece of 2011, here: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/people/vivian-berryhill)

It's no wonder that Gov. Mitt Romney, who six weeks ago, was trailing the President in national polls, is now running neck-and-neck with him, and Democrats are now saying out loud what they only dared to whisper last week: "Romney could very well be the 45th President of the United States".