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Rita Lilita's avatar

Since 1973, courts have analyzed aerial surveillance under the Fourth Amendment by applying the test from Katz v. United States, which states that a search triggers the Fourth Amendment when a government actor violates a person’s “reasonable expectation of privacy.” The Supreme Court applied Katz to aerial surveillance three times throughout the 1980s, yet this area of the law remains unsettled and outcomes are unpredictable.

In 2012, the Supreme Court recognized an alternative to the Katz test in Jones v. United States, which held that a search triggers the Fourth Amendment when a government actor physically intrudes into a constitutionally protected space with the intent to obtain information.

The Jones trespass test can serve as a useful doctrinal tool for Fourth Amendment analysis of aerial surveillance.The benefits of Jones are its straightforwardness and simplicity. I hope there's an attorney or two in Clallam County familiar with application of the tests in the Jones case to help local clients.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thanks, Rita for sharing that history with us. It would be great to have some expert attorneys standing up for our privacy rights.

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Denise Lapio's avatar

Thank you, Rita, for this information. The Auditor is elected, which means the Auditor has no over-sight except from the voting public. It's up to us to hold Rushton accountable with the use of these drones and AI devices. We can protest to the Commissioners regarding the huge expenditure of these new programs, but ultimately, any public complaint needs to be directed to Rushton.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Good points, Denise. The commissioners approve this spending. They have the power to stand up for our privacy and reject it. Let them know how you feel. You don't get a seat at their table, but they get a seat to the one in your backyard.

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Denise Lapio's avatar

Thank you, Jake, for all you do on this site, attending all the meetings, and speaking at those meetings. At the Budget Forum last Tuesday, Comm. Johnson seemed very defensive when you asked some questions. I think these tax issues are starting to wear on everyone. I plan on speaking -again- on this issue on Tuesday. Have a wonderful Sunday. We are blessed with rain.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Great work, Denise!

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Denise Lapio's avatar

Sorry! I meant ASSESSOR for this article. Auditor is also elected.

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Robert James's avatar

There is no oversight for any of these 'agents'. Voting is corrupt and people are mind-controlled, so justice as many of us see it, is 'shadow-banned' and 'Frenc-fry' has openly and repeatedly advocated for violence as an important tool for the change they are conspiring for.

The sociopathic, power obsessed 'rulers' now have the technology to support their tyrannical form of government. When we 'protest' or 'petition' we are asking permission of those in power and asking them to step 'down' into humility and common sense, but the power of the ego is not going to voluntarily give up that power...and it will be abused because that is the nature of 'power' in a lower frequency domain like we are currently in...'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' is cliche, based on the entirety of human history.

No accountability guarantees corruption, and tyranny.

Denial, or cognitive dissonance is not useful...facing reality is the only beginning awakened beings can start with, that leaves another possibility open to us.

Facing the fire means controlling it if possible, fighting it if not possible, or fleeing if possible and submitting if not possible...We do have choices... but they are increasingly narrow and discomfiting.😎

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Robert James's avatar

It's comforting to believe that justice and law will prevail but there are darker forces playing out which do not operate under Higher Law.

They make their own laws...and they change as they see a need to change them, for whatever purpose it serves them, so knowing law that separates right from wrong is comforting, but it doesn't change the reality, which is that dark and negative forces have 'infiltraited' governments, really all over the world... and are carrying out 'their plan' for control and domination of humanity...perhaps it is inevitable and we should just sit down, shut up and watch it unfold like a bad drama!

I don't have any answers other than 'inner work' and prayer and meditation and communion with others of like mind and heart.

Best wishes for all!😎

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Harold Crossley's avatar

Interesting that the County government seems quick to prosecute those they percieve as trying to decieve the County tax collectors. Yet the County prosecutor seems to have no interest in prosecuting elected officials who have obvious conflicts of interest when they vote to give money to unaccountable NGOs that those elected officials control.

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Susie Blake's avatar

nor do they desire to prosecute narcotic traffickers, but rather invite them to the health dept for free testing and consumption supplies therby directly subsidizing lucrative sales for which they pay no sales tax

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private man's avatar

So what is the reasonable conclusion to the above facts ? Kind of in our faces.

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Chris Clark's avatar

Well if this aerial analysis is so accurate, how come the county never caught a 826 sq garage, septic system and a woodshed that was built on my timber property. I went in to complain about it because I just inherited to find out that the county would file a complaint and prosecute me also.

All it is is a money grab because the commissioners don’t know how to live within their budget.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Chris, the Assessor's office recently started using the ChangeFinder software because the second EagleView flight happened early in 2025. Now 2025 imagery can be used to compare to the imagery from the 2023 flights. The Assessor is actively using it - "daily" as Ruston stated. Going forward, nothing will be hidden unless the citizens are successful in an effort to discontinue the program.

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Robert James's avatar

The 'assessor' overvalued our property and home by at least $25,000 because of misinformation on their part...that was last year...the new assessment brings it back up the $25,000 they reduced it last year...money grab? Surely not...it's 'data driven' with 'data sets', so it must be 'the truth'!😎

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MK's avatar

That's a unique story that doesn't bode well for the county government. You try to do the right thing and are threatened with prosecution? I don't know if that's a larger story for another time via CCWD, but on the face of it is unacceptable.

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Robert James's avatar

There is no limit to the abuse of power...revolution and collapse are inevitable...history repeats...or ryhmes at least.

There is NO system of accountability...we are dealing with a rogue government, who will prosecute any 'rogue' dissenters, and forestall any attempt to rein them in!

We are watching it in real time...not a theory...facts!😎

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private man's avatar

It's more than that - but it works great to focus attention on your "pocket book"

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John Worthington's avatar

Great job Jake. Your contributions here are huge. Since the NGO process has all but wiped out the APA process this blog is invaluable to our community. Power and money cannot continue to control public policy like it has the last 14 years. We saw them go after Jeff as soon as they could in the charter review commission because of this blog. Its nice to have someone else pick up the baton once in a while. It helps provide a checks and balances whether the party of one likes it or not.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you, John. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your extensive research with all of us publicly. I'm always amazed by what you have figured out.

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Jennifer's avatar

Jake, thank you for the article. At the end, this song played in my head loud and clear

Eye In The Sky

by The Alan Parsons Project

I am the eye in the sky

Looking at you

I can read your mind

I am the maker of rules

Dealing with fools

I can cheat you blind

And I don't need to see any more

To know that

I can read your mind, I can read your mind

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thanks for sharing that, Jennifer. That song could replace the entire article.

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Robert James's avatar

Good recall!😊

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Kristin's avatar

I will say I was torn on today's survey between my home is my sanctuary and I sunbathe in the nude :D

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RON's avatar

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND ;

TAXING ASSETS ON FUTURE GAINS IN UNCONSTITUTIONAL

WHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION IS TAX ON PROPERTY SITED?

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Robert James's avatar

What constitution? That old outdated piece of slavery propaganda?

You're not keeping up with the times!

You need re-education, as do most of the contributors here on CCWD!😱👹😝

Shut up and take the new jabs and do as you're told, lumpenprole!😎

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RON's avatar

SUCK-IT- UP MOONBEAM

LEAD

FOLLOW

OR

GET BEHIND ME SATAN

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Jennifer's avatar

Ron, I believe the security paid for for the Commissioners, is based on the taxes passed on this (not even voted on) property tax. Or that is how I understand it.

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MK's avatar
Oct 19Edited

Another fine article Jake. You're a valuable resource for the citizens. We don't get this level of information anywhere else, especially not the Sequim Gazette or PDN.

A question. I'm having a hard time reconciling the amount of money spent on the technology vs. the return. Please tell me that this time, right or wrong, that the BOCCC required a "ROI" analysis before spending roughly the same amount of money on the technology that they anticipate from the levy lift? Is the levy lift a way to break even and pay for the technology?

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you MK, your comments are always insightful.

I don't know that the commissioners or the assessor actually penciled out potential returns. But, if the commissioners hope to maximize tax revenues with no concern for citizen privacy, these investments were a win for them. If the levy lift passes, the $614K of increased taxes - a result of rising assessed values - is ONGOING. It is not a one-time gain. Taxes collected will be $614,000 higher EVERY YEAR going forward (and increase by 1% annually as well).

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Susie Blake's avatar

plus increased values every year

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AFB's avatar

Whether their value increases or not!

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Steve O.'s avatar

I think value should always be adjusted for inflation or "buying power". In 1965 my mother sold her house in Seattle for $15K. That property is now worth $1.5 million. If value increases, it often compensates for demand caused by inflation that increases prices.

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Steve O.'s avatar

In California property tax increases were restricted by prop. 13. LOL my newer neighbors were paying higher property taxes than I.

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Steve O.'s avatar

I don't believe the "government" should be involved in education. Perhaps if all schools were private the property taxes would decline dramatically, and test scores would improve. BTW the reason some neighborhoods in large cities are so expensive us because other neighborhoods possess violent schools and decent parents will pay more for real estate in separate areas. The bad areas cause housing bubbles in good areas. This is due to government social engineering.

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Robert James's avatar

Using CA as the benchmark is nightmarish!😎

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Robert James's avatar

You are describing a death spiral, Steve!

Not even the universe expands infinitely...it either dissipates or circles back around on itself...when we exceed the limits of a system, it has to collapse, proven science over time!😎

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Robert James's avatar

Plus whatever 'other' datasets they want to plug in...infinite possibilities!😎

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Robert James's avatar

There is no limit to the return...once this is 'based' into full mode operations, there is literally no limit, to not only the taxation, but the persecution and prosecution abilities of a rogue government!

We try to understand it from our conditioned belief systems to 'trust government', 'trust the legal system', 'obey, and you won't get in trouble', etc!

We can't see or solve the problem from our previous level of belief and understanding, it requires vigorous suspension of our normal consciousness to see past the veil...curiosity and courage must overcome our inertia and the outcomes are uncertain, so most just play it safe and hope for the best...not the best plan when governments go rogue...the 'play it safers' will just be among the last they come for!

See the Rothschilds 25 Point Plan For World Domination...see how many aspects are playing out...it's been in the works since 1773...pray without ceasing and speak your truth as you so often do...there is no rational way to comprehend what is playing out 'at their level'. It is literally insane, so we have to think insanely to understand them.

We don't have to BE insane, just look at it from an insane being's perspective...we are dealing with insane, power hungry, sociopathic beings...and here we are!😎

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UFOCCWD's avatar

I just cannot imagine anybody with attached brain cells that would vote for a levy lift,but i can imagine voter cards being tampered with to get the final results corruptors want.

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Robert James's avatar

Astute, as usual, Jeff.😎

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UFOCCWD's avatar

I believe board commissioners have intentions to try and jack up taxes so they can keep funding drug addict homeless projects to benefit JKT 'MAT CLINIC' massive amount of $$$ to be made for tribe as long as they can get permanent housing for addicts to be funneled into clinic daily.This is going to cause mass problems for sequim which seemed to be under estimated by hearing examiner & permit admin that did not want to fight the tribe over,'what could go wrong we only have 20-30 homeless in sequim.

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Michael Heath's avatar

As a long time monitor of the government, there is absolutely no doubt that the government will ALWAYS abuse our Constitutional rights and freedoms every opportunity that it has! The government never met a technology that it would not weaponize against Americans in every way and at any time that it wants, regardless of the Constitutional crimes and insult to Americans rights and freedoms. Of course, law enforcement and the courts have absolutely no motivation to do the right thing by the American folks, in fact they are always serving the government first and foremost. So, there needs to be a better way to protect "our" (American) rights and freedoms, before the government is allowed any further power and/or control, because we have been in this Orwellian nightmare for many decades already. This ariel surveillance BS has been going on at an industrial level for decades now, fueled and deployed by private businesses run by treasonous greedy insane criminals who have absolutely NO problem getting paid to further destroy our freedoms and rights, and there will be no end to this madness unless "We The people" stop this unfolding crime spree~! Sincerely, Mike

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Robert James's avatar

😊

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Michael Heath's avatar

Right on Patriot Robert James~!

Have a mellow Sunday evening and enjoy a good week ahead~!

Sincerely, Mike

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Eric Fehrmann's avatar

After attending Clallam County Commissioners meetings religiously for almost two years, I feel they have us in room 101. (1984). 2 + 2 is not 4. Oh yes it is.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

The parallels are devastating. We miss seeing you in the boardroom, Eric...hope to see you soon! You are a powerful voice for our community.

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Jennifer's avatar

Jake, and he is much respected!

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Robert James's avatar

Great analogy Eric...waking up is hard to do...waking others up is not even in our realm of possibility...we can only do our part and let the drama play out...we are not in charge of outcomes and we drive ourselves crazy wanting things to be different than they are...still, holding our 'centers' and our 'higher values' and speaking 'our truth' is our DUTY as liberty loving beings...some will heed the call, but we don't get to choose who or how many! The sword of truth is falling as we breathe and it's going to be dramatic and disruptive whichever way things go!

Truth, Justice, Liberty, Accountability and Tough Love!💕

"When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless, or a new evil." Thomas Jefferson😎

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Robert James's avatar

Thank you for your service, Eric!😎

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MK's avatar
Oct 19Edited

If any of you want some of your tax dollars back and a way to deal with your taxation theft loss the NOLS is hosting a "Poetry Reading with Lesley Wheeler

hosted by Clallam County Poet Laureate and Gentle House."

"Just as fungi create new life from death, the poems in Mycocosmic explore how grief can nourish anew.

https://events.nols.org/event/14340260

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AFB's avatar

Yes, my grief from moving here 6 years ago, is nourishing my outrage at these sneaky, crooked politicians and NGOs that have ruined this place.

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MK's avatar

Have faith, the CCWD light is getting brighter.

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Great attitude, MK!

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Robert James's avatar

We need a cosmic laser infeed! 😎

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AFB's avatar

And fungi creates new life from OTHERs death. More like a parasite.

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Robert James's avatar

Now, now, parasites need love too, AFB...we must share the universe with ALL life forms...silly!🤣🤪😂

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Robert James's avatar

So much 'infiltaition' and destruction in 6 years...who knew?

The kommissars knew...they were trained and conditioned for these days!😎

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Jennifer's avatar

MK, free pizza?

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Clallamity Jen's avatar

Only if you graduate from drug addiction programs. LOL. No pizza for the clean-living, tax-paying, working-class sponges. LOL.

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Robert James's avatar

Yep, we're fungi-food, that's the bottom line...flesh or ashes, the fungi uses all!😎

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AFB's avatar

Parasites - all of you! Now where's my pizza....

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Susie Blake's avatar

So CCSO has to get a warrant to use their drones to find a repeat offender fleeing from arrest for multiple charges, but the tax assessor can spy on your property so be careful how nice you build that new playscape for the kids or shed to keep the harm reduction guest from prowling your tools? make it make legal sense?!?

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Robert James's avatar

Theft and destruction are part of the NWO to demoralize and control, so the program continues.🤪

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Kristin's avatar

the resolution is so sharp that homeowners outside during recording could potentially be recognized. ---- Oh that is not scary and invasive at all. GRRRRRR

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Steve O.'s avatar

I think privacy was lost a long time ago. Not only are drones flying around but cameras and cel phones are everywhere. In addition, a few times I have seen a man in the sky riding a go cart with a parachute.

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Kate's avatar

Ok - so I'm getting to the point where I can't listen to Sunday's podcast until the end of the day. It ruins my Sunday...but waiting until the end of the day ruins my SLEEP. Jake, great article as always. My 2 cents, FWIW:

The assesor's office sent out their people a couple of months ago. It was 11am and home with just my daughter. I "greeted" them with "My husband is not here, I don't know that you're legally allowed to be here, and please go away now."

She responded with "We get this all the time and I completely understand." She agreed to come back and gave me her card. I was VERY irritated to say the least. However, I knew they would be using a drone anyway to value our property. We never heard from them again.

Fast forward to 4 days ago when our assessment arrived - an almost 24% increase in value. Without her even getting out of the car. Full disclosure : our property is considered unimproved, raw land. With a shed.

This big brother s**t is getting out of control. Knowing they are strapping cameras to Sessna's is bull. I can't even imagine this would be politically partisan. How could ANYONE want this government overreach?? This is voyeurism at best.

I will pay the property tax, but I will be writing a memo on the check this year : "I ♡ CCWatchdog."

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Jake Seegers's avatar

Thank you, Kate. Sorry to ruin your Sundays! As always, thank you for your contributions.

I would encourage you to dispute it. That is one of the few rights we have to pursue justice as taxpayers.

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Kate's avatar

Lol, I was joking, of course! Just can't believe how bad things have gotten....

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MK's avatar

Oh, catchy😍

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Susie Blake's avatar

So what is next, cell site simulators roaming PA and Sequim to catch you discussing interior improvements for assessment purposes?

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Steve O.'s avatar

My old neighborhood was filled with property improvements that were never inspected. The unauthorized construction unless reported by a nosey neighbor was not detected until the sale. Garages were converted to bedrooms and cottages built in the back yard. One of my neighbors installed a bunch of camper shells in his back yard and charged rent. It was a miniature trailer court.

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Steve O.'s avatar

An honest contractor will pull a building permit.

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Jennifer's avatar

Steve O. It always catches up at sale time. I'm sure if the "buyer beware" wasn't careful, the new taxes were passed on to the new owner, and the new owner (or old one) had to bring all new structures up to code. Now if the house was on native owned land, that is a different story.

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Robert James's avatar

Sadly not unrealistic.🤔

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