Match Point - Jezebel

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Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
Serena Williams Fined $10,000 For U.S. Open Incident
So What Happens To Serena Williams Now?
Sister Act
Bad Marriages: Do You Like To Watch?

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marimari
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
Everyone's apologizing for something so if I do something bad will I get a pass by publicly apologizing and clarifying my apologies by apologizing again?
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BabyJane promoted this comment marimari was starred marimari was unstarred

Harlot Brontë
09/15/09

@marimari: YES.

Wait. It depends. Are you female and well-muscled? Do you have a significant amount of melanin in your epidermis? If so, you may be put on probation for an unspecified amount of time. Please check with your local forgiveness provider for more details.
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marimari
09/15/09

@Harlot Brontë: Maybe I'll just apologize in advance for my unacceptable behavior and cover all my bases.
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Micaela Almonester de Pontalba
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
She's a very physically intimidating person -- in size, not in *color* -- and she got up in the face of a much smaller person and threatened her with physical violence... "I want to shove this ball down your f'ing throat." I think she's getting off fairly lightly.
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Tchotchke
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
Oh, for the love of Zeus! Serena Williams was not reprimanded or fined for being a woman or for being black. She was docked points and fined because she acted out, mouthed off to an undeserving line judge and frankly, did not seem the least bit sorry in her press conference afterwards. To retroactively claim sexism or racism as her interview implies, and as commenters have outright mentioned on this site only denigrates instances where both of those forms of bigotry are actually at play.
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Ailatan promoted this comment Edited by Tchotchke at 09/15/09 3:46 PM Tchotchke was starred Tchotchke was unstarred

Ailatan
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: I agree completely with you.

I also think it's wonderful that she has apologised.
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DexterHaven
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: For the love of Mike, nobody is saying that the punishment she received was either unmerited or motivated by race or gender. The question was over the media flare-up of this, and why such disproportionate attention was focused on Serena's mistake. And I'm sorry, but race and gender were big factors in that coverage.
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marimari
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: I haven't seen her interview but she might be referring to the media blitz put on her bad behavior. Yes, men and women receive the same types of penalties but Serena is receiving the media/public backlash, sometimes based on race or her gender, when the same type of behavior by men in the sport is often overlooked, e.g. Federer's expletive laced rant to the chair umpire last night which I haven't seen in any headlines.
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joiful
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: I didn't think that she was blaming sexism for the docked points or the fine (which were both justified). I think she was referring to the uproar that followed as people acted like they had never seen a tennis player, or athlete for that matter, lose it on the court. I do think people made a bigger deal about it because of WHO she is (half of the Williams sisters) and WHAT she is (a black woman). Just because she was dead wrong, doesn't mean that her race and gender don't influence the way people react to her. Either way, she has apologized for her terrible behavior multiple times...what else can she do?
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Penny
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: I don't think you understand how subversive racism and sexism can be. Of course she was not reprimanded for being black or being a woman, we're talking about the reaction from the media and general population.
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Tchotchke
09/15/09

@DexterHaven: Yeah, that or the fact that she is arguably one of the biggest athletes of the last decade, that her tirade may have cost her another title, and that it was the first huge temper tantrum by a tennis star of her stature since McEnroe and Sampras were breaking rackets and making foul comments to the judges. And yes, I have read and heard plenty of comments that her punishment was due to her gender and race. There were plenty of people asserting that a white man would not have lost points or money for this behavior in previous threads.
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Tchotchke
09/15/09

@Penny: Please don't assert that I am unaware of how pervasive and subversive racism and sexism(or any other breed of bigotry) are. A differing opinion on this issue does not mean that I am naive or poorly versed on those issues. It's really patronizing.
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Penny
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: Please don't claim that a black woman is blaming her race/gender on her punishment. I will assert that you seem unaware of it, because your initial statement pretty much screams that you are. Or are choosing to be.
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DexterHaven
09/15/09

@Tchotchke: What is patronising is that you seem to think you are the arbiter of what is racist or sexist and that anyone else's interpretation of it is not only incorrect but detrimental to the causes of anti-racism and anti-sexism.
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morninggloria
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
The Summer of Death is transitioning obnoxiously into the Fall of Rude Outbursts, which will lead to the Winter of Public Vomiting and the Spring of Divorce. To everything there is a season.
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sassyredhead
09/15/09

@morninggloria: Thank goodness the Vomiting is in the winter. At least it will freeze and keep the stench down.
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Jack_Burton
09/15/09

@morninggloria: On that note...
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morninggloria
09/15/09

@Jack_Burton: ... we interrupt this interruption for a special interruption!
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Sputnik_Sweetheart
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
It is times like these that I am glad I am not in the public eye. I have definitely had moments when I have snapped and lashed out people while completely stressed out. There is no excuse for it of course, but it happens to the best of us- you apologize, promise to do better next time, and move on. Serena apologized, so let's move on.
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Edited by Sputnik_Sweetheart at 09/15/09 3:50 PM Sputnik_Sweetheart was starred

Sputnik_Sweetheart
09/15/09

@Sputnik_Sweetheart:
Serena apologized, so let's move on.

I should clarify that is a criticism of the media outrage, not Jezebel. :)
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confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
Am I the only person who saw Roger Federer swearing at the umpire last night?
Maybe the outbursts are due to something in the water out in Queens...
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Maritsa promoted this comment

sassyredhead
09/15/09

@confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!: "Don't tell me the fucking rules." Oh and he also threw a shit in there.
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Edited by sassyredhead at 09/15/09 3:40 PM sassyredhead was starred sassyredhead was unstarred

Wit is periodically disensouled
09/15/09

@confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!: I saw it too, although at least he was sitting down and not approaching the ump, I suppose. Tensions are high, and there's quite the history in sports of getting in the faces of umps/refs/line judges and/or swearing. I don't understand why people act like Serena Williams is the first person to ever do so.
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Aesop's Foibles. YES.
09/15/09

@Wit is periodically disensouled: It's because she's a lady, silly! And ladies are s'posed to be demure and soft-spoken, no matter the circumstance. It's basically the boys-will-be-boys thing, which means showing anger is acceptable-and even expected-in guys, but for a woman to show her emotions is just not ok.

Oh! I forgot to say: I don't think it's ever ok to threaten someone, but I am a hypocrite, because I've done it myself when angry. See: Driving.
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bluebears
09/15/09

@confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!: well thats odd...all week I have been told that tennis is the one sport that is refined and dignified and that Serena's outburst was a besmirch-ment on this sport of kings.
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sassyredhead
09/15/09

@bluebears: As someone who has watched tennis since 1979, I must say...bwahahahahaha.

They like us to think it's all dignified. But it's just a boxing match with rackets and a ball.
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confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!
09/15/09

@sassyredhead: Yes, indeed he did. And I was struck by how not-so-outraged the commentators were. But I was glad it happened - it brought balance to the whole deal.
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confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!
09/15/09

@bluebears: I think people just want an excuse to use the word besmirch. I mean, can football ever be besmirched?
Besmirch makes me think of smudged lipstick.
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Rooo sez BISH PLZ
09/15/09

@confusedforahotsecond is a sodemombeech!: No. No, you are not.
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Rooo sez BISH PLZ
09/15/09

@sassyredhead: Heh.
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Aesop's Foibles. YES.
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
She apologized, right? And everyone, including Serena, agreed that this was unacceptable, unsports(wo)man-like conduct, right? And she's admitted that she was extremely frustrated with the timing of the call and while that doesn't excuse her reaction, it makes sense. Because she's a human being. And human beings can get really riled up when involved in a competition. I don't like how she conducted herself, no, but I HATE how this is being made into such a big fucking deal when there are male sports figures who've acted the same (or worse) without receiving such a public spanking. She apologized, now let's move on, k?
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dreamweave
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
Raise your hand if you officially have apology fatigue.
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BabyJane
09/15/09

@dreamweave:
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SarahMC
09/15/09

@dreamweave: I have nonpology fatigue. I welcome genuine apologies (which are quite rare).
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canthelpmyself
09/15/09

@dreamweave: I have heard enough apologies to take me through the rest of the year. The worst part of it is that people who have no bearing on any of it are demanding the apologies. Not only that, but once the apology is issued those same people sit around and talk about how the apologizer didn't show enough contrition....they weren't sorry enough. It is not up to the average person to determine what penance is enough, it is up to the person/people being apologized to...ya know, those who were wronged!!
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BabyJane promoted this comment canthelpmyself was starred canthelpmyself was unstarred

Harlot Brontë
09/15/09

@SarahMC: I'm sorry. Very.

And while I'm clearing the air, I'd also like to apologise to Letitia Hall for making fun of her for still sucking her thumb in 1987. Thumbs are nice, and I wasn't. And to the taxi driver I neglected to tip last Saturday night. It was late, I was drunk, but there's no excuse for being cheap.

Now I'm apology-purged, and feeling quite cleansed. Let us all turn over a fresh leaf and begin anew.
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BabyJane promoted this comment Harlot Brontë was starred Harlot Brontë was unstarred

Dancingfrog
09/15/09

@dreamweave: I apologize for raising my hand, because I know it's rude. And I apologize for apologizing, because i know everyone is sick of apologies. And I apologize for my apology of my apologies, because I know that irks people. And I apologize for being so apologetic, but I'll apologize that by saying I'm Canadian. And I apologize for being Canadian too, because we're always up here apologizing. And I apologize for that, because I know it can make things awkward and reminds Americans of our healthcare, which we should utilize to stop apologizing so much. So I'm sorry for not using that resource to stop my apologies. So I apologize for the apologizes.

I'm sorry. I apologize.
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SarahMC
09/15/09

In reply to Serena Williams: "I Had Really Just Lost Control"
I'm sure she knows it's race-based too but dog forbid she say so. Wouldn't want to be accused of "playing the race card." Ugh.
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bluebears
09/15/09

@SarahMC: I cannot even imagine the disgusting hate mail I'm sure she gets on a regular basis.
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JoaquinPhoenix's Hairstylist
09/15/09

@bluebears: If its anything close to what some old white dudes said in a sports bar recently, I weep for her. People are terrible.
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Maritsa promoted this comment

curiousgeorgiana
09/15/09

@SarahMC: I'm sure she's terrified of saying it. I really do feel for her. It's a no win situation. Especially after that bullshit article from FoxSports not too long ago (the one calling her an underachiever because of her weight). UGH.
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Penny
09/15/09

@SarahMC: My first thought was "gender AND race based." But, yeah.....
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otherginger
09/14/09

In reply to Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
While unprofressional, her behavior was not the "unprecedented" event as so many media sources are indicating. Nastase and, of course, MacInroe were just as bad when provoked.
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jebash
09/14/09

@otherginger: No, he never threatened anyone with physical harm. To me, this is a very important distinction. I'm a huge Serena fan and god knows she's had some horrible calls in the past - but this is not some little temper tantrum. If an NBA player threatened a ref over a call, he'd be thrown out of the game, fined, and possibly suspended, regardless of whether the call was correct or not. She should have been tossed from the tournament entirely.
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rd2uk promoted this comment jebash was starred jebash was unstarred

MizJenkins
09/14/09

In reply to Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
Dear Chris Brown: THIS is an apology.
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nyc-caribbean-ragazza
09/14/09

@MizJenkins:
Yes. I agree.

It was sincerely, to the point and none of that "If I have offended..." crap.
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Grim Reaper of the Forest promoted this comment

Grim Reaper of the Forest
09/14/09

@nyc-caribbean-ragazza: Very classy. Now if only the internet could apologize back for its hysterical response.
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Cerridwen
09/14/09

@MizJenkins: YES.
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Seeräuber Jenny
09/14/09

In reply to Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
It reads as if she wrote it, which is good and bad.

I could never be a professional athlete with my temper.
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missdona
09/14/09

In reply to Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
Good apology. It looks like she finally got some decent advice.

We all can move on now, and it will only be a minor blemish on her career, rather than a big stain.
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Ailatan
09/14/09

@missdona: I agree. She was very good about it.

Carry on winning titles, Serena.
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rd2uk
09/14/09

@Ailatan: agreed. Im glad she apologized without excuses. I'm very impressed.
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Penny
09/14/09

In reply to Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
Man, I watched a ton of tennis yesterday and somehow missed this. We all fuck up, and it's hard to set aside your pride and apologize sincerely.
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sanibelly
09/14/09

In reply to Serena Williams Apologizes For U.S. Open Incident
At that point in the game, she was already frustrated. Then she's called for a penalty that is NEVER called at that level of competition in tennis. The broadcasters clearly disagree. I'd have screamed the exact same words at that lineswoman, who then lied to the refs about what was said. Do hockey players apologize after fighting?
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Evie Havok promoted this comment sanibelly was starred sanibelly was unstarred

bluebears
09/14/09

@sanibelly: do football players? Do football coaches who REGULARLY scream at refs?
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morninggloria
09/14/09

@bluebears: DOES BOBBY KNIGHT?!
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rd2uk
09/14/09

@bluebears: yes, and when they shout at refs they get red/yellow cards and often suspended from upcoming games and tournaments. (i mean soccer football, dunno about nfl etc)
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bluebears
09/14/09

@morninggloria: what's up Knight?

I WILL KILL YOU!!!!!

/strangles
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Edited by bluebears at 09/14/09 2:31 PM bluebears was starred bluebears was unstarred

bluebears
09/14/09

@rd2uk: It's not that she was fined its the complete uproar surrounding it. and the fact that she feels the need to apologize multiple times. If (nfl) players and coaches get fined, kicked out of the game for losing their tempers they are not subject to such scorn and finger wagging.
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Edited by bluebears at 09/14/09 2:26 PM bluebears was starred bluebears was unstarred

sanibelly
09/14/09

@bluebears: Not to mention that what Serena said is absolutely nothing compared to what's said by players to players, by players to refs/linesmen, by coaches to players, by coaches to refs/linesmen, in the NHL.
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MizJenkins
09/14/09

@morninggloria: WORD.
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formergr
09/14/09

@sanibelly: The NHL is vastly different from USTA. USTA (and tennis overall) has always had more stringent standards of behavior (even more stringent now since McEnroe and Connors), applying to their audience members, the players, the officials, even the ball girls&boys.

So invoking how NHL players behave and whether they are punished is completely irrelevant to the discussion at hand over whether Serena is being unfairly punished.
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Edited by formergr at 09/14/09 2:43 PM formergr was starred formergr was unstarred

jigglyball
09/14/09

@bluebears: While I agree with you on one level, tennis is still, to some degree, a game of manners (as my sister reminds me each and every time I yell on the court), while football labors under no such pretenses.
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bluebears
09/14/09

@formergr: again, its not the punishment (for me) it is the public uproar. All pro sports have codes of conduct. sorry, I think tennis needs to get over itself.
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sanibelly
09/14/09

@formergr: I'm speaking about gender, not the sport at hand. If you were a critical thinker, you'd not be calling my argument irrelevant. Are you saying the USTA sucks the life out of all of their athletes? People aren't allowed to just fucking get mad?

People are jumping on me, why? I have a hot temper and it's my belief that all this "act professional!" outcry is bullshit. Men in hockey, football, any aggressive sport can get away with language I guarantee half of us have never heard. But Serena is lambasted.

Also, I never said she was being unfairly punished. Try reading.
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Harlot Brontë
09/14/09

@sanibelly: If Formergr isn't a critical thinker, then I am a badger. She's demonstrated over years of commenting on Jezebel that she's as thoughtful, cogent and reasonable as it is possible to be. You may disagree with her ideas, but you might at least grant her some common respect.
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formergr promoted this comment Harlot Brontë was starred Harlot Brontë was unstarred

formergr
09/14/09

@sanibelly: Wow, I never intended for you to think I was jumping on you, just engaging in a conversation and pointing out that (in my opinion), the analogy wasn't accurate.

I'm sorry you were offended. And I don't recall saying that you said she was unfairly punished, so not sure where that came from.
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formergr
09/14/09

@Harlot Brontë: Thanks, I very much appreciate this.
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stoprobbers
09/14/09

@sanibelly: So what? This call had nothing to do with her race, and it had nothing to do with her gender. The rules of sportsmanlike conduct are EXTREMELY CLEAR in tennis, and the consequences of UNsportsmanlike conduct are equally obvious. Serena knew, as she was doing, that she could potentially get point penalties. She may have been angry and frustrated when she dealt with it AND when she left the court, but as we can clearly see from the above statement, she UNDERSTANDS why it happened.

The rules in the NFL are different. For the record, in BASEBALL you get thrown out of the game if you yell at the umps, too. That includes coaches. And those are ALL men. I've had season tickets to Orioles games since I was 12 and I've seen more players and coaches get thrown out of the game for yelling at umpires than I can count.

So enough. It was a bad call, the foot fault, but there are PLENTY of ways to bring that up to the linesman and the court judge that would get that fault overruled without getting your point penalties. Serena knows that too, and she also knows she lost her temper. It happens. She had to apologize for it, though, and now she has.
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stoprobbers
09/14/09

Oops, I double posted. Apologies.
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stoprobbers promoted this comment Edited by stoprobbers at 09/14/09 3:47 PM stoprobbers was starred stoprobbers was unstarred

sanibelly
09/14/09

@stoprobbers: You don't understand what we're getting at. That's sad.
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formergr
09/14/09

@sanibelly: You're quite rude. That's even sadder.
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sanibelly
09/14/09

@formergr: Oh PLEEEEEEASE, honey. BOTH of you misunderstood my statement COMPLETELY. And nice job jumping back in at the very end to get a dig in on me. That's NOT rude? Jezebel has gone to shit, and you and that other dummy took it there.
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