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Joan Burton and Enda Kenny Sam Boal

Has Enda told Joan what's in his head?

The date of the election remains a mystery.

JOAN BURTON HAS said she has had discussions with the Taoiseach about the date of the election, but has declined to say whether or not he informed her of the date.

The Tánaiste and Labour leader was speaking the day after Enda Kenny said he had a date for the election his head but he declined to disclose when it is.

Much of the speculation in political circles is centring on 26 February being the date of the vote.

Burton dropped her own hints today when she said told journalists they should be ready for the election “anytime” after the Labour party conference, which takes place on 30 January.

“Fianna Fáil’s [Ard Fheis] is this week, the Fine Gael Ard Fheis is after that, and ours is after that again and, if I were you, I’d be ready anytime after that to anticipate that we’ll have the election, as the Taoiseach has said, in the early spring,” Burton told reporters today.

She was speaking at the launch of Labour’s workers charter – ‘Standing Up For Working People’ – with her party committing to increasing the minimum wage to €11.30 over lifetime of next government if re-elected.

Burton later said she had found room on “almost every occasion” she has met with Kenny to discuss the election, but later said we would have to wait “a little bit longer” for the date to be disclosed.

Asked if Kenny had told her the date that’s in his head, Burton said:

We’ve had some discussions, but the date will be finalised and I’m sure you’ll all be the first to know.

Burton also expressed confidence that she can hold her own Dáil seat in Dublin West.

Earlier, former Fianna Fáil councillor David McGuinness, who has aligned himself with the Independent Alliance, predicted that Burton, his constituency rival, would lose her seat.

But the Tánaiste insisted: “In every election I face a battle and I think, to be honest, every candidate in every election faces a battle.

“All I can say is that I am very confident, certainly from the response I’ve been receiving over the last couple of years and, as you know yourself, elections depend on all of the work that somebody does.”

Read: Fianna Fáil says it’s ready to govern again, has a go at Sinn Féin and Fine Gael

Analysis: He won’t tell us what’s in his head, but the election has already started

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67 Comments
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:12 PM

    “Labour pledges to stand up for working people if re-elected”
    ….oh look!….Joan, after five years just remembered who gave her votes the last time.
    Feck off Joan….you FG lap dog.

    193
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    Mute Ben Connolly
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:20 PM

    Two smarmy fu¿ks they would sell their grannies for a piece of gold

    148
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    Mute D H
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:22 PM

    Ben they’d sell for less than that

    98
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    Mute Gearóid Ó Briain
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:15 PM

    FG are finished. Serious backlash from their patronising poster campaign. Have a look on their FB page, people hate them. Have a look on all news websites, people hate them. Where do all these government supporters hang out? They obviously don’t use the internet, well, except for the YFG social media spin staff.

    106
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 10:28 PM

    Joan will stand up for the working class as long as they don’t own expensive phones!!

    15
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:08 PM

    Enda Kenny – The biggest laughing stock since a hyena fell into a pot of boiling water.

    124
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:21 PM

    Look on the bright side. Every day is a day closer to vote these out of office. I cannot wait.

    104
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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:28 PM

    He’s hungry for some good loving.

    46
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    Mute Matty Reese
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:10 PM

    Hamsters?

    122
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    Mute Colm Moran
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:16 PM

    How many more what’s in Endas head stories do we need. The man is missing a brain end of story.

    175
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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:53 PM

    “Stand up for the working people”?
    She means the working people can go and take a dip.
    I voted for you last time Joan. I have not got a short term memory. I am voting once again against cronyism and corruption.. My vote can not be bought.

    128
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    Mute littleone
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:04 PM

    That would be hard for enda to tell Joan what’s in his head because its empty of anything. He put the date in their yesterday and now forgot where he put it.

    101
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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:16 PM

    Enda wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.

    73
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    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:23 PM

    Don’t think for one minute Kenny hasn’t got a date in his head. https://youtu.be/59ZNj8yXMqM………FG/LAB are doing group photo shoots for there posters. https://youtu.be/FoEBWrnZJrk

    34
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    Mute Eddie Kelly Musicdj
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:06 PM

    The man cannot tell the truth full stop.

    113
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    Mute Thomas Maher
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    Jan 12th 2016, 6:28 PM

    Angela has to tell Empyt Enda what should be on his mind first. Before he tells anyone.

    35
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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:22 PM

    Where are FG/LAB votes going to come from?..the unemployed u 25s..the pensioners who have seen savage cuts and vicious changes to qualifying criteria..?the people opposed to water tax?people suffering at the hands of bank’s despite the provision of 9.5billion to address arrears?..rural people who have seen Garda stations closed..people suffering in pain coping with long waiting lists and elective surgery being postponed multiple times?Don’t think this election is as cut and dried as FG/LAB arrogantly assume.

    99
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    Mute Gearóid Ó Briain
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    Jan 12th 2016, 7:57 PM

    They don’t have any voters that is why they try discredit the opposition. I’d say there be some squeaky bums in Leinster House next month.

    49
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    Mute Bobby Phelan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 11:11 PM
    8
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    Mute willr
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:31 PM

    I actually feel sorry for Joan if Enda told her what’s going on in his head. It would have been an unintelligible incoherent string of verbal diarrhea, with the occasional spit in her face thrown in. She must know by now FG only remaining use for Labour is as the Fall-Guys?

    80
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    Mute Martin Woods
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:11 PM

    Ends has a head full of shite

    79
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    Mute Paul Davis
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:21 PM

    A promise to increase the minimum wage? Well isn’t that what you tend to do during an election?
    https://youtu.be/yAS0c5AkiNg

    77
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    Mute Setrakian
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:20 PM

    Endas Walter Mitty syndrome is all he has in his noggin – pure delusional sh*te:

    http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/enda-kenny-kicks-off-election-campaign-with-ludicrous-claim-375657.html

    74
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    Mute Gearóid Ó Briain
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:19 PM

    Very good article calling Kenny on his BS

    48
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    Mute LesBehan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:31 PM

    Joan Burton losing her seat is going to be so satisfying. She’ll probably cry :-)

    65
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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:54 PM

    The people don’t care what date,we know it is soon,and fg,labour will be gone,that is what is important,not a date.

    65
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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:36 PM

    So finally Labour has decided to stand up for working people. Is that a promise!!!!!

    65
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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:11 PM

    How do you convey to someone ‘null’?

    50
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:19 PM
    38
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    Mute Paul Friday Shannon
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:52 PM

    Who remembers the 5 point plan?? I ended up in London anyway and a lot more with me!

    47
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    Mute Pater Byrne
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:46 PM

    1. Why the secret with date do they think we thick. 2. Why all the promises now ? Why not do all the good while you were in goverment ? 3. Labour workers party increase min wage to over 11 a hour lol. What about the ce schemes you exected ppl to work 4 €20 extra week. 4. Your day is done go home fg/lab lol

    46
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    Mute Jennifer Kelly
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:15 PM

    I wouldnt say much.. half a brain

    41
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    Mute Garwig
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:26 PM

    Sawdust

    36
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    Mute Stephen Grehan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 6:46 PM

    Kenny cant help playing his childish little games. This cringeworthy behaviour is as pathetic as the blueshirt trolls that infest the journal.

    30
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    Mute Janet Coyle
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:54 PM

    How can he tell her he doesn’t know himself what’s in his own head and the Smarmy look on his face thinks he’s being funny

    28
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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:16 PM

    Definitely voting Fine Gael next election. They’ve really got the country back on its feet and helped the homeless. I suggest you all vote for them too. Give me some green thumbs to show your support.

    26
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    Mute Rasputin
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:02 PM

    And yet the only person bringing up SF is yourself…Pathetic Blueshirt shill…

    68
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    Mute Horses for courses
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:04 PM

    Powerabbey the irony of your comment holds no bounds….

    51
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    Mute Powerabbey
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:26 PM

    In fairness the IRA/SF contributors do not understand irony. It has too many letters!

    12
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    Mute LesBehan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:28 PM

    A normal person would stop digging but not our Power Ranger :-)

    43
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    Mute Garwig
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:32 PM

    Looks like your poll is fairly accurate, FG might hit 25% and with labour decimated they will need someone to prop them up. Independents, SD’S Renua…?

    26
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    Mute Horses for courses
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:59 PM

    It will be a hard fall for the FG diehards Powerabbey but look on the bright side.Your FG idols will still get their extortionate salary and expenses sitting on the opposition benches for at least the next 5 years.Gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside….

    32
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    Mute Gearóid Ó Briain
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:02 PM

    Yous are in such a minority now that you are calling everyone else shills? That. Is. Hilarious.

    13
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    Mute Powerabbey
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:37 PM

    Lessie – They sent their poodle to defend them?

    1
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jan 13th 2016, 4:34 PM

    Are you serious Niall, the HSE is in a mess, the worse state it has ever been in and this government has sold debt to be paid in the future with interest to get the debt back and the ones that will pay that will be our sons and daughters. This government has done nothing but spread out the debt over time meaning that it is going to cost more to pay it back due to the interest involved, they did a con job on everyone… The never bother to fix the flooding either so, why vote for them??? 7 out of our 8 budgets were done by the German government, I could go on about how homeless they are with the scandals but you can google that yourself with the TiSA Agreement as well?

    1
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jan 13th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Nor the venom either?

    1
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    Mute Oran Joyce
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    Jan 12th 2016, 7:32 PM

    If Joan ‘Maggie Thatcher’ Burton loses her seat these forums are going to experience the greatest outpouring of schadenfreude ever witnessed on an Irish publication.

    25
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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Jan 12th 2016, 6:59 PM

    Anyone pick up on the last paragraph former FF man who ran 3 times for the Dail and failed,Who is now an indo because FF wouldn’t pick him to run again. These are the sort of bandwagon jumpers people should be looking out for,Anyway hopefully D15 will remain FF free after the next election.

    22
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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:05 PM

    Just remember everyone when you vote,no transfers to ff/fg/lieb because this is how some of them sneak in the back door.

    20
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    Mute Gene Parmesan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:35 PM

    It won’t take long.

    11
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    Mute David A. Murray
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:51 PM

    The answer is yes and it’s proven by Burton’s comments about the bank recapitalisation deal that didn’t happen (earlier this week)and Labour’s setting out tax cuts to hook in target sections of the electorate in the last couple of weeks. We’re 5 years into the democratic revolution and with minor tweaks of improvement, but a worsening of FF’s bypassing of Dail debate, an intensification of the whip system, the Economic Management Council, Burton trying to frame the issue of voter anger recently by trying to blacken anyone who expresses dissent as being of a violent nature (it’s a very old trick) and the FG/Labour government (like FF before) using ‘democratic’ only when it suits their purposes and evading even considering it when it doesn’t….[and too many other cynical and transparent ploys]…do these people think we’re incapable of noticing how full of it they are. I’m looking forward to never even considering voting FG or Labour again in 6 weeks time.

    11
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    Mute David A. Murray
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:59 PM

    The horrible thing is that even those FG/Labour/FF, etc TD’s who don’t get re-elected will get a very generous transition payment scheme to help them adjust, pensions and prioritisation for by-elections, board positions, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. We have a political system that has fully disconnected from the role it was meant to fulfill and which is now self-perpetuating as a means of itself. I believe a peaceful revolution of non-cooperation and reform is needed now. Also, I recommend not taking any FF, FG, Labour politician seriously when they canvas and just mocking them (they dread being not even taken seriously).

    12
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    Mute Might Oak
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:22 PM

    I pointed that out earlier to be called out for using a anonymous twitter account by someone using a anonymous twitter account. Don’t worry children keep screaming and shouting the election is near and then you will see how insignificant your little extremist party’s are.

    9
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    Mute Michael Reilly
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    Jan 12th 2016, 8:30 PM

    Might Oak Well said. Heard Mary Lou & Coppinger on the radio last Saturday knocking sparks off one another over this new left wing outfit, Right2Change.

    3
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    Mute Jay Warner
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    Jan 12th 2016, 9:40 PM

    Well it would be a very short conversation if he has

    7
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    Mute Gisbert Bayertz
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:48 PM

    I’d say nothing

    6
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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Jan 12th 2016, 5:35 PM

    Lol, saw that Might Oak, too funny.

    4
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jan 13th 2016, 4:27 PM

    A date that fell of a date palm with his time in Israel?

    1
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    Mute Brian Heffernan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:19 PM

    Haha.It was in my head trying to get out.Were have I heard that before.

    1
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