Monday, May 5, 2025

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North Face Sponsors LGBTQ Camp Where 12-Year-Olds Perform in Drag Shows.

Outdoor recreation company The North Face is among several organizations supporting an LGBTQ camp called Camp Brave Trails — with locations in California and New York — the produces drag shows featuring children as young as twelve.

Camp Brave Trails appears to be primed to attract child sexual predators. Besides encouraging children to perform in sexualized activities like drag shows, it also exercises a “genderless” approach to housing and restrooms. In addition to putting children at obvious risk of exploitation and abuse, Camp Brave Trails provides its campers with an extremist left-wing “education” that includes  “LGBTQ+ history” and “anti-racism.”

Aside from The North Face, Camp Brave Trails also receives financial backing from shoe companies Brooks, Chaco, and Toms.

This is not the first time The North Face has been in the news for promoting extreme LGBTQ and gender identity ideology to children. Last year, the company released an ad to promote children’s clothing that featured a homosexual drag queen yelling, “come out!”

By Popular Demand.
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Surge in Self-Identified Autism, ‘Neurodivergence’ in Brits.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: A leading psychologist says a majority of Britons might now identify as “neurodivergent,” with increased self-identification as well as medical diagnoses.

👥 Who’s Involved: Francesca Happé, a King’s College London professor, and people seeking neurodivergent diagnoses.

📍 Where & When: United Kingdom, ongoing; notable data from August 2024.

💬 Key Quote: “An increasing number of people are choosing to self-identify [as neurodivergent] without seeking a diagnosis,” said Francesca Happé.

⚠️ Impact: The surge in diagnosis requests has led to a significant backlog, with 90 percent of referrals waiting beyond the recommended assessment period.

IN FULL:

A growing number of Britons are identifying as neurodivergent, according to Francesca Happé, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at King’s College London. This trend is attributed to both an increase in medical diagnoses for conditions such as autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, as well as a rise in self-identification.

Happé highlighted the societal shift, particularly among younger generations. However, she cautioned that behaviors once seen as mere eccentricities are now often labeled with medical terms, raising questions about the appropriateness of such classifications.

“An increasing number of people are choosing to self-identify [as neurodivergent] without seeking a diagnosis,” Happé said. She suggested that society might already have more self-identified neurodivergent individuals than those considered “neurotypical.”

The demand for autism assessments in Britain has soared, with requests increasing by 22 percent year over year, reaching 200,000 in August 2024. According to National Health Service (NHS) data, this surge has resulted in a significant backlog, with 90 percent of referrals exceeding the recommended 13-week assessment period.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of challenges, including difficulties with social interaction, communication, and rigid adherence to routines. Despite these challenges, Happé emphasized the benefits of a diagnosis, such as access to care and improved social communication.

Britain has noted a surge in cases of reported autism since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over half of those waiting to see an autism specialist are teenagers or younger.

It remains unknown whether the rise in reported autism cases is linked to social isolation or other external factors. Some claim that vaccines may also be related to the increase. U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month that new studies will be undertaken to determine the cause of the explosion in autism diagnoses.

Image by Kirst O’Connor / Treasury.

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By Popular Demand.
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New York Is Installing ‘Panic Buttons’ Around the City.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: New York City plans to install hundreds of panic buttons in bodegas to combat crime.

👥 Who’s Involved: Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Police Department (NYPD), United Bodegas of America (UBA), SilentShield.

📍 Where & When: Announced Sunday, May 4, in The Bronx, targeting bodegas in crime “hotspots.”

💬 Key Quote: Mayor Adams: “The bodegas are important, and what this is going to do is add an extra layer of safety.”

⚠️ Impact: Panic buttons aim to reduce crime and improve safety in bodegas; installation begins in the coming weeks.

IN FULL:

New York City officials unveiled a $1.6 million initiative on Sunday to install up to 500 panic buttons in bodegas, aiming to enhance security amid rising violent incidents. Mayor Eric Adams announced the plan during a press conference outside a deli in The Bronx, emphasizing the need for increased safety measures.

“Instead of just having the cats keeping away the rats, we’re going to have a direct connection with the police to keep away those dangerous cats that try to rob our stores,” Adams said, adding: “The bodegas are important, and what this is going to do is add an extra layer of safety. Number one, for those who actually have the panic buttons and the direct communication to the police. But second, the element of surprise—500 of these devices throughout the entire city.”

The panic buttons, to be installed by SilentShield, will connect directly to the NYPD‘s central command center. This direct link bypasses traditional 911 dispatchers, potentially reducing police response times during emergencies. Crime in New York City has continued to be a serious issue since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the city housing tens of thousands of illegal immigrants, some of whom have been arrested in high-profile incidents. For instance, The National Pulse reported on May 5 that three illegal immigrant Tren de Aragua gang members were arrested on Sunday over their involvement in an assault on police in Times Square.

Other recent violent events have also underscored the urgency of the program. Just this past Saturday, a 33-year-old man was fatally stabbed inside a Harlem bodega. Last month, a group impersonating NYPD officers assaulted and robbed a store in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In March, another Harlem bodega worker suffered a knife attack during an attempted robbery.

The United Bodegas of America (UBA) has long advocated for such measures. This new initiative builds on a previous pilot program that implemented 50 panic buttons, though it faced criticism over inconsistent police response times.

NYPD Chief of Department John Chell praised the new system, stating it provides “peace of mind” and serves as a “crime prevention tool.” He emphasized that the technology aids in quick responses and helps officers remain safe during potentially violent situations.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, the Bodega and Small Business Group (BSBG), which represents thousands of bodegas in New York City, backed President Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House. The move was in part a response to Democrat officials’ decision to prosecute bodega clerk Jose Alba for simply defending himself during an attack.

Image by Tyler A. McNeil.

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By Popular Demand.
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Farage Targets Migrant Hotels & Net Zero After Major Election Breakthrough.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Reform UK plans to use their recent local election success to block illegal migrants and challenge the government’s green agenda.

👥 Who’s Involved: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, Chairman Zia Yusuf, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, and the Labour government led by Sir Kier Starmer.

📍 Where & When: England, following the municipal elections last week.

💬 Key Quote: “We will be publishing a plan to deport everybody who is currently in this country illegally in our first term of government,” said Zia Yusuf.

⚠️ Impact: Potential legal challenges against government policies and a push to influence future national elections.

IN FULL:

The Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage, is poised to leverage its recent electoral success to challenge immigration and environmental policies in England. Following a significant triumph in local council elections at the beginning of May, the party has articulated plans to prevent illegal immigrants from being housed in areas under its control and to contest the central government’s climate initiatives.

Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform, emphasized the party’s commitment to utilizing “every instrument of power available” at the council level to halt the dispersal of asylum seekers throughout England. Many migrants are arriving illegally via safe countries like France, making it highly unlikely they were genuinely in danger prior to entering Britain. The party’s strategy includes legal injunctions, judicial reviews, and leveraging planning laws to counteract the central government, controlled by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leftist Labour Party.

Labour is reportedly expanding a program initiated by the notionally right-wing Conservatives, who governed from 2010 to mid-2024, that involves renting private homes for migrants, sparking concerns over public safety and the housing market. Yusuf highlighted that many hotels converted for migrant use may violate regulations, an issue currently being explored by Reform’s legal team.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reform’s newly elected Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, proposed housing migrants in tents, as seen in France, to deter them from coming to Britain for an easy ride at taxpayers’ expense. More broadly, Yusuf said that Reform would work to deport all illegal immigrants if it wins the next general election.

Reform is also targeting the government’s climate agenda, with Dame Andrea highlighting a plan to challenge Net Zero Minister Ed Milliband’s policies, which increase energy prices for industry and households. This could include legal challenges.

Image courtesy of Stuart Mitchell, IncMonocle.

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By Popular Demand.
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Jury Selection Begins in Diddy Trial.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Jury selection begins in Sean Combs’s federal criminal trial.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sean Combs, Cassie Ventura, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jurors.

📍 Where & When: Lower Manhattan, Monday, May 5, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I would think the prosecution is looking for older people, I think they’re certainly looking for law and order people,” said Dr. Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, who has been consulted for dozens of jury trials.

⚠️ Impact: If convicted, Combs could face decades in prison.

IN FULL:

Jury selection is commencing today in the federal criminal trial of music mogul and Democrat ally Sean Combs (also known as Diddy, P Diddy, or Puff Daddy), taking place in Lower Manhattan. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing serious charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The charges stem from allegations of transporting sex workers across state lines and coercing women into participating in sex acts at drug-fueled parties. Combs’s legal team maintains that all activities were consensual.

The 55-year-old’s legal troubles began in November 2023 when singer Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against him, alleging rape, sex trafficking, and years of physical abuse. Combs settled the civil suit swiftly, but it triggered a criminal investigation. This led to federal raids on his properties in Miami and Los Angeles, resulting in the seizure of multiple devices. Combs has been held at a Brooklyn jail since his arrest in 2024.

As jury selection gets underway, experts suggest that the prosecution will seek older jurors who are likely to favor law and order. They will also be interested in prospective jurors’ views on the Me Too movement and experiences related to sexual assault. Many legal experts note that the jury selection process could take far longer than expected during any similar trial, as finding jurors who are relatively unaware of the case could prove difficult.

Ventura is expected to testify alongside three others who will remain anonymous. They are anticipated to provide testimony about being drugged and forced into participating in what have been described as “freak offs.” The trial itself is projected to last up to eight weeks, with the outcome determining whether Combs could spend decades behind bars.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Says No Easing on China Tariff Talks.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced he will not further reduce tariffs on China to encourage negotiations.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, NBC’s Kristen Welker, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

📍 Where & When: Mar-a-Lago estate, during an NBC Meet The Press interview recorded Friday.

💬 Key Quote: “I’m not looking to have China make hundreds of billions of dollars and build more ships and more army tanks and more airplanes.” – President Trump.

⚠️ Impact: Potential economic strain on China and long-term U.S. economic strategy with expected new investments.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has stated that he will maintain tariffs on Chinese imports, resisting any reduction to bring Beijing to the negotiating table. In an interview with NBC’s Meet The Press recorded at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump emphasized that China’s economy is suffering significantly. “They’re getting absolutely destroyed. Their factories are closing. Their unemployment is going through the roof,” Trump remarked to host Kristen Welker.

Trump made it clear that he does not intend to ease the tariffs, which are designed to protect American producers from cheap Chinese imports, merely to initiate talks. When asked directly by Welker if he would drop the tariffs for negotiation purposes, Trump responded with a definitive “No.”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has indicated an openness to discussions on tariff reductions, but their own tariffs are far less effective than President Trump’s, as they export far more to the U.S. than vice versa. The Trump administration takes the view that this status quo results from various informal restrictions on American exports, and underhanded tactics such as state subsidies and currency manipulation artificially increasing Chinese goods’ competitiveness in price.

Trump suggested that while future reductions may occur, they are contingent on ensuring the U.S. can conduct business effectively with China. “At some point, I’m going to lower them because otherwise you could never do business with them,” he stated.

The America First leader stressed the benefits of tariffs to industries such as the automotive sector. He highlighted significant investments by companies like Apple, Toyota, and General Motors, which are committing billions to U.S. operations.

Beijing has already created a list of American products, including pharmaceuticals and microchips, exempt from its retaliatory tariffs. Similarly, the Trump administration has temporarily exempted certain Chinese products, such as smartphones, laptops, and computer parts, from tariffs to give consumers and the domestic industry time to adjust.

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By Popular Demand.
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Tren de Aragua Gang Clashes with NYPD in Times Square Brawl.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: A group of gang members attacked New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in Times Square after a boxing match, marking the second such incident involving migrants in the area in under two years.

👥 Who’s Involved: Members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and its offshoot, Diablos de la 42, including a 12-year-old ringleader, were involved. NYPD officers were attacked.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred in Times Square, New York City, following a boxing match on Friday night.

💬 Key Quote: “Is this what a sanctuary city is supposed to be?” questioned a frustrated officer, highlighting the challenges posed by Democrat policies.

⚠️ Impact: The attack raises concerns about public safety and the policies governing sanctuary cities, with several young gang members already linked to previous crimes.

IN FULL:

In a brazen attack captured on video, members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and its offshoot, Diablos de la 42, targeted New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in Times Square following a Friday night boxing match. The altercation unfolded as officers attempted to stop the gang members from robbing two young people.

A 12-year-old illegal immigrant is believed to be the ringleader of the robbery ring. The three suspects were apprehended by police on Sunday and are believed to be responsible for several other robberies that have occurred in Central Park. Notably, the suspects were living at Manhattan’s Row Hotel, one of many sites housing illegal immigrant asylum seekers at public expense.

While New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pledged to close a number of hotels being used to house illegal immigrants, the arrest of the three illegal immigrants for the Times Square assault on police and robberies has reignited the debate over the shelters and the city’s sanctuary status. A frustrated officer questioned, “Is this what a sanctuary city is supposed to be?”

An NYPD spokesman confirmed that two migrants, aged 16 and 17, face charges including obstructing governmental administration and assault on a police officer. The 12-year-old was released pending a family court hearing, while investigations continue into other gang members involved in the attack.

This latest incident adds to the growing strain on New York City’s resources, as the influx of migrants over the U.S. border since 2022—now stemmed by the Trump administration—has introduced a new wave of criminal elements. The NYPD is grappling with the challenges posed by these migrants, trying to maintain order in a city where Democrats long prided themselves on offering “sanctuary” to illegal aliens.

WATCH:

Image by Krokodyl.

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By Popular Demand.
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Texas Approves Elon Musk’s Starbase as Official City.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Residents of Boca Chica Village voted to incorporate the SpaceX launch site as an official city, now called Starbase, Texas.

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, SpaceX employees, and Boca Chica Village residents.

📍 Where & When: Starbase, Texas; vote held recently.

💬 Key Quote: Elon Musk stated, “Starbase, Texas, is now a real city!”

⚠️ Impact: The incorporation supports SpaceX’s operations and underscores the influence of America’s private sector in space exploration.

IN FULL:

Residents of Boca Chica Village have overwhelmingly voted to incorporate the SpaceX launch site as an official city, now named Starbase, Texas. The vote, which ended with a tally of 212 to six in favor, marks a significant milestone for Elon Musk‘s vision of expanding SpaceX’s footprint and influence in the Lone Star State.

The new city, Starbase, spans approximately 1.5 square miles and includes parts of the unincorporated Boca Chica Village. “Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity’s place in space,” the new city of Starbase wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

SpaceX owner Elon Musk celebrated the formation of the new city, writing on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, “Starbase, Texas, is now a real city!” The incorporation is expected to streamline processes for building necessary amenities, making it a world-class community centered around the space industry.

Currently, about 260 SpaceX employees reside in the area, with their families bringing the total to around 500. An additional 3,100 employees live in nearby Brownsville, 34 miles away. Musk first proposed Starbase in 2021, following the county’s rejection of SpaceX’s attempt to construct townhouses for its workers.

In December, SpaceX outlined its intentions to incorporate the area around the launch facility in a letter to southern Texas officials. The move aims to create a thriving economic ecosystem, reminiscent of towns built around manufacturing facilities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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By Popular Demand.
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Half of ‘Britons’ Say They’re Unwilling to Fight for The Country.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Nearly half of Britons surveyed say they would refuse to fight for their country “under any circumstances.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Ipsos survey respondents, Richard Gill, a former British Army officer.

📍 Where & When: United Kingdom, ahead of Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorations on May 5.

💬 Key Quote: “We’ve stopped teaching pride in our country, its history, and its values… A nation unsure of itself cannot expect its people to defend it. That must change.” — Richard Gill.

⚠️ Impact: The findings highlight a decline in patriotic sentiment, with significant gender and political divides.

IN FULL:

A recent Ipsos survey reveals a significant decline in patriotic sentiment among Britons, with nearly half of those surveyed expressing an unwillingness to fight for their country “under any circumstances.”

The survey, which queried over 1,000 adults, found that only 35 percent of respondents would be willing to take up arms in a time of war, while a notable 48 percent stated there were no conditions under which they would go to war for Britain. An additional 17 percent said they were unsure of their stance.

The survey results emerge as the United Kingdom prepares for Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) commemorations, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with celebrations including a military procession through central London on May 5.

Richard Gill, a former British Army officer with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, commented on the survey’s implications, suggesting a “deeper national malaise” as the root cause. He warned, “We’ve stopped teaching pride in our country, its history, and its values. A nation unsure of itself cannot expect its people to defend it. That must change.”

The survey also uncovered notable gender and age disparities. While nearly half of the men surveyed (49 percent) expressed a willingness to fight, only 21 percent of women shared the same sentiment. Among younger respondents aged 18 to 34, 42 percent indicated they would volunteer, whereas willingness significantly decreased to 28 percent among those aged 35 to 54, with over half of this group asserting they would never take up arms.

Political affiliations also played a role in respondents’ willingness to fight. Supporters of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party were the most inclined to defend their country—despite the establishment media and political parties attempting to paint them as Russian stooges—contrasting sharply with supporters of the fanatically pro-European Union (EU) Liberal Democrats, who were the least likely to do so.

Mass migration has also likely been a contributing factor in the strength of feeling towards the nation, with many first and second generation migrants more likely to fight for the nation from which they came, rather than the one in which they reside.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Dismisses 2028 Speculation.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: President Donald J. Trump dismissed the idea of serving a third term and suggested Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, NBC interviewer Kristen Welker.

📍 Where & When: The Interview aired on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.

💬 Key Quote: “It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do.” — President Trump.

⚠️ Impact: Fuels speculation about future Republican leadership and potential candidates for the presidency after Trump’s second term.

IN FULL:

In a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, President Donald J. Trump downplayed the idea of pursuing a third presidential term, despite previously appearing open to the idea. “It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do,” he said. He noted that “many people” are selling ‘Trump 2028’ merchandise, but “this is not something I’m looking to do.”

“I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican,” he added, highlighting Vice President J.D. Vance as a “fantastic, brilliant guy,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “great.”

Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of a third term, noting in March that he was “not joking” about it. Trump’s supporters—and detractors—have argued that the  22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to running for two terms, could, on some readings, still allow for someone to serve a third term by running for the vice presidency, with the person at the top of the ticket stepping aside for them following their inauguration.

Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN) has also proposed a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to stand for a third term provided their second was non-consecutive, like Trump’s.

Leading conservative voices such as Stephen K. Bannon, the host of WarRoom and former White House Chief Strategist, have called for a third term in 2028, unnerving the left.

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By Popular Demand.
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Biden Team Scrapped Plans for a Cognitive Test.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Biden’s staff considered having him take a cognitive test amid concerns about his mental acuity but decided against it.

👥 Who’s Involved: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Biden’s aides, journalists from the book “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.”

📍 Where & When: United States, February 2024, and the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election.

💬 Key Quote: “Biden’s aides were confident that he would pass a cognitive test, according to the book, but they worried that the mere fact of his taking one would raise new questions about his mental abilities.”

⚠️ Impact: The decision not to conduct the test led to Biden’s eventual withdrawal from the election campaign, allowing Kamala Harris to run, who subsequently lost to Donald Trump.

IN FULL:

A book set to hit shelves sheds light on internal discussions within President Joe Biden’s team that occurred last year about the possibility of him taking a cognitive assessment. This issue gained traction amid concerns about his age and mental sharpness ahead of the 2024 election. According to the book, titled “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” and as reported by the New York Times, Biden’s aides were sure he would pass such a test but were apprehensive that undertaking the assessment could ignite fresh doubts about his mental capabilities.

The deliberations took place in February 2024, though ultimately, the president did not take the test. Despite the confidence expressed by aides, Biden’s suboptimal performance during a summer debate with President Donald J. Trump raised alarm among voters and Democratic insiders. This performance marked a critical juncture leading to intensified calls for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.

Subsequently, under significant pressure, Biden chose to step back from the re-election race. Kamala Harris, then Vice President, assumed the mantle as the Democratic candidate. However, she could not secure victory, conceding the election to Trump, who is now fully embarked on his second term.

The book is authored by three prominent U.S. political journalists, one affiliated with the New York Times and the others with the Washington Post. It suggests an insider perspective into the Democratic camp’s strategy and considerations during the campaign.

The Trump administration is yet to release the audio of Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hurr despite numerous requests from The National Pulse and other outlets.

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By Popular Demand.
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