Team America Is More Offensive Than You Remember

Credibility score: 50/100 — Mixed Credibility. Several questionable claims detected. Watch with healthy skepticism.

BSmeter analyzed "Team America Is More Offensive Than You Remember" and rated it 50/100 for credibility (a BS score of 50/100 — mixed credibility), on 2026-08-07. Its weakest claim — "Dismisses the 'gibberish' as baby talk, not real language mockery — downplaying the offense" — scored 20/100 and was flagged as loaded language. 73 claims were checked against the video transcript. Scores are produced by BSmeter's AI analysis of the transcript, not independent human verification.

Of 73 claims analyzed: 11 scored under 40, 44 between 40 and 69, and 18 at 70 or above.

Claims analyzed

Video opens with a personal introduction and sets up the central question about Team America. — No Frame (75/100)

At 0:00

The speaker introduces themselves and the video's topic, setting a personal and curious tone. — No specific framing detected yet, just a straightforward intro.

Why this score: This segment establishes the speaker's background (Kuwaiti, South Park fan) and the video's premise: exploring whether 'Team America' is offensive or smart. It's a direct, personal introduction without any overt rhetorical framing. The 'Yalla' at the end is a natural transition, not a framing device. A neutral framing would be exactly this: a clear statement of intent and personal connection.

Original quote: “A super team of American puppets save the world from global terror. It's Team America. This comedy comes from the makers of South Park, a show I love. I've been watching it since I was 13 years old, but probably shouldn't have been watching at that age. As a Kuwaiti, Trey Parker and Matt Stone will…”

Calls the scene 'absurd' because the villain's outfit is too obvious — cultural costume logic — Missing Context (45/100)

At 0:30

Frames 'bad guys never wear traditional clothes abroad' as common sense — ignores movies that deliberately signal 'foreign' visually.

Why this score: The speaker presents the cliché as a factual production flaw rather than a deliberate storytelling shortcut that instantly tells the audience 'these are the outsiders.' By treating the trope as a mistake instead of a shortcut, the framing makes the movie look dumber than it is.

Original quote: “Yalla. We're in France. There's a kid and he walks into a man who looks like he's from Afghanistan, long beard, Afghani-style clothes, white headdress.”

Dismisses the 'gibberish' as baby talk, not real language mockery — downplaying the offense — Loaded Language (20/100)

At 1:30

Labels the fake speech 'baby talk' to soften the racism angle — a rhetorical move that shrinks the criticism before viewers can feel it.

Why this score: By reclassifying the made-up language as harmless nonsense instead of ethnic caricature, the speaker steers the audience away from the obvious reading: the film is using 'foreign-sounding' gibberish to punch down. The loaded phrasing ('baby talk') does the work of minimizing the joke's target.

Original quote: “We hear them speak in a gibberish language that sounds silly... You could call it offensive because they're mocking other languages, but the words they're saying don't remind me of Arabic or Pashto. It sounds like baby talk.”

Offers two readings: intentional satire of American ignorance OR sloppy writing — presents both as equally plausible — False Equivalence (30/100)

At 2:02

Sets up 'satire vs. stupidity' as a coin flip, dodging the more obvious middle: lazy stereotyping that works either way.

Why this score: The speaker constructs a binary where the film is either cleverly mocking xenophobia or just dumb. That framing conveniently skips the likeliest option: the filmmakers used a recognizable 'Middle Eastern bad guy' shortcut without caring whether it was accurate or coherent. By presenting only the flattering and unflattering extremes, the analysis dodges the boring, common reality of cultural laziness.

Original quote: “Let me talk about the framing of their looks as Afghani, but then talking in an Arabic gibberish language. It's a poke at American ignorance... Or the makers of this movie are just being dumb and saying gibberish.”

Names 'weapons, oil' as war motive — no specific companies or receipts — Straw Man (25/100)

At 2:44

Turns complex policy debate into cartoon villains — profit as sole driver.

Why this score: By reducing motives to 'killing for profit,' the framing skips strategic, ideological, and domestic-political factors. A fair version would list documented contractor profits alongside stated policy goals and let viewers weigh which carried more weight.

Original quote: “If you want an answer, look at the weapons manufacturing, oil, and other companies that all have profited from killing innocent people.”

Framing the post-9/11 era as 'American hysteria' and wars as 'sold' through fear. — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 4:38

Uses emotionally charged words like 'hysteria' and 'sold' to describe public sentiment and war justification. — It's a specific interpretation, not a neutral description.

Why this score: The speaker uses 'American hysteria' and 'sold to the American public' to frame the post-9/11 period and the subsequent wars. While it's true that fear was a significant factor in public support for the wars, labeling the entire national mood as 'hysteria' and implying the wars were simply 'sold' rather than debated or decided upon, uses loaded language to push a particular narrative. A more neutral framing might acknowledge the widespread fear and grief after 9/11 and the government's efforts to build support for military action, without immediately assigning a pejorative label like…

Original quote: “This movie came out in 2004, 3 years after 9/11, at the height of American hysteria. This type of framing is how the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq were sold to the American public. They used the horrific 9/11 attacks to feed on people's insecurities to get them to go to war.”

Claiming all Abrahamic religions have passages justifying violence. — Missing Context (45/100)

At 5:52

While true that texts can be interpreted violently, it omits the vast majority of teachings promoting peace. — Focuses on a specific interpretation without broader context.

Why this score: The speaker asserts that 'The Abrahamic religions all have passages that can be used to justify violence.' While it's true that certain passages in religious texts can be interpreted to justify violence, this framing omits the broader context that these religions also contain numerous passages promoting peace, compassion, and justice. By highlighting only the potential for violent interpretation, it creates a skewed picture. A more balanced framing would acknowledge the complexity of religious texts and the diverse interpretations, emphasizing that while violent interpretations exist, they…

Original quote: “It's the movie reminding you that religious extremism isn't unique to one faith. The Abrahamic religions all have passages that can be used to justify violence.”

Equating ISIS, Christian nationalists, and Israeli leaders invoking the Torah as examples of religious extremism. — False Equivalence (20/100)

At 6:11

Lumps together a terrorist organization with political groups and leaders, implying similar levels of extremism. — This is a classic false equivalence.

Why this score: The speaker draws a parallel between ISIS, 'Christian nationalists in positions of power in the United States,' and 'Israeli leaders who invoke the Torah.' While all three involve religious references in political or violent contexts, equating them directly is a false equivalence. ISIS is a designated terrorist organization known for extreme violence and human rights abuses. Christian nationalism is a political ideology, and while some of its proponents may hold extreme views, it's not inherently a terrorist group. Israeli leaders invoking the Torah in political discourse is a different…

Original quote: “A tiny vocal minority builds an entire ideology around its darkest passages. This hurts the followers of the whole religion. You see it with ISIS. You see it with Christian nationalists in positions of power in the United States. And you see Israeli leaders who invoke the Torah to”

Invoking Torah to justify destruction of Palestine and genocide — a strong, emotionally charged claim. — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 6:30

Using 'destruction' and 'genocide' immediately frames the actions in the most extreme, negative light. It's a powerful emotional button.

Why this score: The speaker uses highly charged terms like 'destruction of Palestine' and 'genocide of Palestinians' when discussing Israeli leaders invoking the Torah. While the conflict is undeniably tragic, these specific words are chosen to evoke a strong emotional response and frame the actions as unequivocally malicious, rather than presenting a more neutral description of the conflict or the stated intentions of the leaders. It's a classic use of loaded language to steer the audience's perception.

Original quote: “power in the United States. And you see Israeli leaders who invoke the Torah to justify the destruction of Palestine and genocide of Palestinians. That's why I laugh at this. It refuses to let anyone claim the moral high ground.”

Criticizing Trey Parker and Matt Stone for 'constant Asian racism' in their work. — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 7:01

Calling it 'constant Asian racism' is a strong accusation, framing their entire body of work through this lens.

Why this score: The speaker frames the use of stereotypical sounds and accents in Trey Parker and Matt Stone's work as 'constant Asian racism.' While the comedic elements might be insensitive or rely on stereotypes, labeling it as 'racism' is a definitive and strong judgment. This framing immediately categorizes their intent and impact in a negative light, rather than discussing the comedic choices or cultural insensitivity in a more nuanced way. It's a loaded term that pre-judges the creators' motivations.

Original quote: “North Korea, and we hear stereotypical Asian sounds with a huge gong. This is one major criticism I have about Trey Parker and Matt Stone, their constant Asian racism. There is a ton of it in South Park.”

Claiming the humor isn't satire or witty, but just mocking how people look, act, and talk. — Missing Context (45/100)

At 8:01

Dismissing the humor as 'not satire' ignores the creators' stated intent and the broader context of their work.

Why this score: The speaker frames the humor as simply mocking appearances and speech, stating 'It's not satire, it's not witty, it's not trying to say something deeper.' This completely dismisses the creators' known style of often using extreme stereotypes and offensive humor as a form of satire to critique larger societal issues or hypocrisy. By removing this context, the speaker presents the humor as purely malicious or simple-minded, rather than a potentially (albeit controversially) satirical approach. It's a framing that omits the artistic intent often associated with Parker and Stone's work.

Original quote: “It's not satire, it's not witty, it's not trying to say something deeper. It's just, look at the way these people look, act, and especially talk. And yep, sounds like Trey Parker is voicing Kim Jong Il and doing the stereotypical Asians can't pronounce L's, so they change them all to R's.”

Correcting the term 'Chechnyan' to 'Chechen people' — a precision frame. — No Frame (75/100)

At 8:35

A small but important correction for accuracy — good to clarify the demonym vs. nationality.

Why this score: The speaker is clarifying a common linguistic error, distinguishing between the country 'Chechnya' and its people, 'Chechen.' This is a straightforward correction, not a manipulative frame, simply aiming for factual precision.

Original quote: “Kim Jong Il incorrectly calls him Chechnyan. The correct term is the Chechen people.”

Stating Chechnya is 95% Muslim — a factual context frame. — No Frame (75/100)

At 8:42

Providing demographic context for Chechnya — a relevant detail for understanding the region.

Why this score: The speaker provides a factual demographic detail about Chechnya. While this information could be used to frame later points, in isolation, it's a neutral piece of context. It's not loaded language or missing context, just a data point.

Original quote: “Chechnya is a country to the south of Russia. It's 95% Muslim.”

Claiming a North Korea-Chechnya plot is plausible — a 'justification' frame. — Just Vibes (50/100)

At 8:51

Calling a fictional plot 'plausible' based on vague historical context — more of a feeling than a fact.

Why this score: The speaker asserts the 'plausibility' of a fictional plot. While Chechnya has a history of conflict and North Korea is a rogue state, 'plausible' here is a subjective assessment, not a verifiable fact. It's framing the movie's premise as grounded in reality without offering specific evidence of such a real-world alliance, leaning on general geopolitical tensions.

Original quote: “A plot about North Korea teaming up Chechnya for horrible acts is plausible.”

Interpreting a scene as satire on American cluelessness about Middle Eastern appearance — an interpretive frame. — Opinion (60/100)

At 9:12

This is a solid interpretation of the movie's satirical intent — it's a common reading of 'Team America.'

Why this score: The speaker is offering an interpretation of the film's satirical intent. While this is an opinion, it's a widely accepted and reasonable interpretation of 'Team America: World Police,' which is known for its broad and often crude satire of American foreign policy and cultural perceptions. It's not a factual claim but an analysis of artistic intent.

Original quote: “This scene is clowning on Americans. They're so clueless about what Arabs or Afghani people look like, so they think this disguise could actually work. It's satirizing what Americans think Middle Eastern people look like.”

Noting the use of Turkish singing in an Egyptian scene — a 'cultural mismatch' frame. — No Frame (75/100)

At 9:45

Pointing out a specific cultural detail (Turkish music in Egypt) — a valid observation of a potential inaccuracy.

Why this score: The speaker observes a specific detail in the film – the use of Turkish singing in a scene set in Egypt. This is a factual observation about the film's soundtrack and a valid point about cultural representation. It's not a frame designed to mislead, but rather to highlight a potential inaccuracy or generalization within the movie itself.

Original quote: “For some reason, they play that same Turkish singing from before.”

Praising the movie for accurate clothing, including veiled women — a 'positive surprise' frame. — Opinion (70/100)

At 10:08

Appreciating the film's effort for cultural accuracy in costume design — a fair, positive assessment.

Why this score: The speaker expresses surprise and appreciation for the film's apparent accuracy in depicting Middle Eastern clothing, particularly veiled women. This is a subjective positive assessment based on the speaker's experience with other American movies. While an opinion, it's a reasonable one given common stereotypes in Hollywood and highlights a perceived effort by the filmmakers.

Original quote: “We see veiled women. This is actually pretty weird. American movies get clothes completely wrong almost every single time. It is refreshing to see they did research.”

Questioning the placement of a 'zagruda' in a market scene — a 'contextual mismatch' frame. — Missing Context (45/100)

At 10:16

Highlighting a cultural sound (zagruda) used out of context, implying a misrepresentation for an American audience.

Why this score: The speaker correctly identifies a 'zagruda' as an expression of happiness and questions its 'random' placement in a general market scene, suggesting it's there to signal 'Middle Eastern' to an American audience without proper contextual understanding. This is a valid observation of a cultural detail potentially used inaccurately or stereotypically, framing it as a simplification for a Western viewer.

Original quote: “Well, hold your camels. They add in a random zagruda in the background. A zagruda is a vocal olulation made by women. It's done as an expression of happiness. Why are we hearing it in a market scene? To let the American”

Speaker analyzes visual cues for 'Arab and foreign' — points out specific details like the camel's hump. — No Frame (75/100)

At 10:30

Analyzing the visual framing of the scene to show how it signals 'Arab and foreign' to an American audience. — Points out a specific detail (camel's hump) as accurate.

Why this score: The speaker is breaking down the visual language used in the film to establish a setting. They're pointing out how specific elements, like the one-humped camel, are used to convey 'Arab' identity to a Western audience. This is a straightforward analysis of visual framing, identifying how the filmmakers are communicating context without explicit dialogue. It's a neutral observation of a creative choice.

Original quote: “happiness. Why are we hearing it in a market scene? To let the American audience know this is Arab and foreign. Look at the camel. It's correct. One hump for Arabian dromedary camels. This guy hilariously reminds me of the Tusken Raider from Star Wars. Look at the people. It looks all right to me.…”

Speaker argues the 'towel on head' isn't offensive, but satirizes ignorant Americans' perception of Arabs. — No Frame (75/100)

At 10:56

Explains the comedic intent behind the 'towel on head' as satire, not an offensive portrayal. — Frames the joke as mocking American ignorance, not Arabs.

Why this score: The speaker is offering an interpretation of the film's intent, arguing that the 'towel on head' gag is a satirical jab at American ignorance regarding Arab culture, rather than a direct insult to Arabs. This is a framing of the joke's purpose, shifting the target of the humor from Arabs to clueless Americans. It's an analysis of the comedic framing and its intended audience.

Original quote: “This isn't offensive. Let me explain. is an ethnic slur aimed at Arabs. It's a reference to the traditional Arab headdress. They put an actual towel on his head and wrap it up like he just left a spa. The joke is about the slur. It's funny that the American thinks this makes him look Arab. He's so…”

Speaker praises the film for authentic representation of Cairo and specific cultural details, contrasting it with typical Orientalist portrayals. — No Frame (75/100)

At 11:30

Highlights specific details like the Muhammad Ali Mosque and accurate headdress patterns as evidence of authentic representation. — Contrasts this with 'Orientalist' mixing and matching in other films.

Why this score: The speaker is framing the film's set design and costume choices as unusually authentic and respectful, especially when compared to what they describe as typical 'Orientalist' portrayals in Hollywood. They are using specific visual evidence (the mosque, the headdress pattern) to support their claim that the filmmakers put in effort to get details right. This is an analysis of the film's framing choices around cultural representation, highlighting positive examples.

Original quote: “And to make it super clear, they wrapped it up like how you would do a towel at a spa. I mean, come on, it's silly. They're making sure you clearly know that this is a joke. Check out the background. We can see the mosque of Muhammad Ali. This is in Cairo. I'm telling you, they put their time into…”

Speaker introduces a 'secret code scene' with a character speaking a phrase. — No Frame (75/100)

At 12:22

Sets up a specific line of dialogue as a 'secret code scene' for further analysis. — Presents the spoken phrase without immediate interpretation.

Why this score: The speaker is setting up a moment in the film for analysis, framing it as a 'secret code scene' to draw attention to the specific dialogue. This is a neutral framing of an upcoming point, preparing the audience for an interpretation of the spoken words. It's a direct observation of a specific line from the film.

Original quote: “There's a secret code scene. Listen to what this guy says. >> Durka Allah Muhammad Jihad.”

Frames 'Durka durka' as satire of American ignorance, not Arabs — No Frame (75/100)

At 12:31

Names the exact target: American stereotypes, not Arabic itself.

Why this score: Speaker distinguishes between mocking a language and mocking how outsiders caricature that language. This is a clean frame that tells you precisely what the joke is punching at instead of leaving it ambiguous.

Original quote: “This isn't making fun of Arabic. It's satirizing what Americans think Arabs sound like. They think we say Allah, Muhammad, and Jihad every other word.”

Calls belly dancer an Orientalist trope without showing the scene — Missing Context (45/100)

At 12:55

Labels the image Orientalist but skips whether the film is mocking or endorsing that fantasy.

Why this score: Speaker asserts the visual is 'disappointing' yet never clarifies if Team America is deploying the trope straight or lampooning it. Without that distinction, the Orientalist charge lands as a description of the image rather than an analysis of the movie's intent.

Original quote: “Oh, no. They have a belly dancer in harem clothes on the right. This is Orientalist. The idea of a woman dancing in Arabian settings like this is an Orientalist sexual fantasy from the 17th and 18th centuries that still shows up today.”

Uses hypothetical dead daughter to argue movie mirrors real radicalization — Emotional Button (20/100)

At 13:56

Deploys visceral civilian-casualty scenario to make the film's satire feel like documentary truth.

Why this score: The emotional hypothetical is doing the heavy lifting: once you picture your own child in an airstrike, any skepticism about whether Team America actually 'mirrors reality' feels callous. The speaker never shows that the movie itself makes this causal argument; the leap is supplied by the viewer’s reaction to the thought experiment.

Original quote: “Imagine your daughter is killed in an airstrike from a foreign country. Are you going to shrug and say, 'Ah, it's okay. They were the right ones.' Of course not. You're going to hate the people who did it. This is how cycles of violence start.”

Mocking 'baby talk gibberish' as a stereotype — highlighting the film's use of loaded language. — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 14:36

The speaker points out the film's use of nonsensical, stereotypical 'baby talk' to represent Arabic, which is a classic loaded language move. — It's not just silly, it's designed to dehumanize.

Why this score: This is a great example of how 'loaded language' works. The film isn't just being silly; by creating gibberish that *sounds* vaguely Arabic and associating it with 'jihad burka,' it's using language to reinforce negative stereotypes and make a culture seem alien and ridiculous. The speaker is calling out the film's choice to use this kind of language to frame a group of people.

Original quote: “Bakalakadaka street. Herkaderka jihad burka.”

Pointing out the film's geographical inaccuracy — a clear case of missing context. — Missing Context (45/100)

At 14:59

The film completely ignores basic geography, placing Abu Simbel next to Giza. — This shows a lack of care for accuracy, framing Egypt as a generic 'desert land'.

Why this score: This is a prime example of 'missing context' or rather, *ignoring* context for comedic or narrative convenience. The film creators are clearly not concerned with geographical accuracy, which frames Egypt as a monolithic, interchangeable 'Middle Eastern' location where all landmarks are close together. The speaker is highlighting how this inaccuracy contributes to a broader, simplified, and often stereotypical portrayal.

Original quote: “Abu Simbel is in southern Egypt near the border of Sudan. It's not next to the pyramids of Giza which are in Cairo.”

Critiquing the 'heroic violence' trope in American action films — a form of false equivalence. — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 15:20

The speaker highlights how action films frame indiscriminate violence by 'heroes' as justified, while similar actions by 'bad guys' are condemned. — It's a double standard, making the audience ignore the collateral damage.

Why this score: This is a great observation about 'false equivalence' in media. The speaker is pointing out how American action films frame the violence committed by protagonists as 'heroic' or necessary, even when it's indiscriminate and harmful. This creates a false equivalence where the 'good guys' can cause mass destruction and death, but it's excused because of their 'heroic' intent, while similar actions by antagonists are unequivocally evil. It's a framing choice that asks the audience to overlook the real-world consequences of such actions when performed by the 'heroes'.

Original quote: “it's exactly what American action heroes do all the time. They're supposed to be the good guys, but they spray bullets everywhere, killing everyone, including potentially the people they're trying to save.”

Calling out the 'Eastern bad guy self-bomber' stereotype — a classic instance of loaded language. — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 15:52

The film uses a lazy, harmful stereotype of 'Eastern bad guys' being suicide bombers. — This is loaded language designed to demonize and simplify a complex group.

Why this score: This is a clear example of 'loaded language' and stereotyping. By portraying the 'Eastern bad guy' leader as a 'self-bomber,' the film uses a harmful and oversimplified trope that dehumanizes and demonizes an entire group of people. The speaker rightly calls this out as 'lazy,' highlighting how such framing avoids nuance and relies on prejudiced shortcuts to define antagonists, rather than developing complex characters or motivations.

Original quote: “This plays into the Eastern bad guy self-the-leader-bomber stereotype. Throwing this stereotype in here is lazy, to say the least.”

Highlighting the film's mockery of American 'winning' — a clever use of juxtaposition for critical framing. — No Frame (75/100)

At 16:16

The speaker accurately identifies the film's satirical intent: showing 'triumphant music' alongside destruction to mock the American idea of victory. — This is the film's own framing, not the speaker's.

Why this score: Here, the speaker is actually *analyzing* the film's own framing, rather than applying a framing technique themselves. They're pointing out how the film uses juxtaposition (triumphant music vs. burning land and shocked Egyptians) to critique the American perspective on 'winning.' This is a straightforward observation of the film's satirical intent, showing how the film itself uses framing to make a point about perceived heroism versus actual consequences. It's a solid, accurate read of the film's message.

Original quote: “Triumphant music is playing, then it cuts to the Egyptian people in complete shock. Their land is burning behind them. It's very clearly mocking Americans and their idea of winning.”

Claiming American news always twists stories to make America the hero — a broad generalization. — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 16:38

Uses 'never' and 'always' to paint a sweeping, negative picture of American news. — It's a classic oversimplification.

Why this score: This is a classic example of 'Loaded Language' and 'Volume Game'. By using absolutes like 'never' and 'always', the speaker frames all American news as uniformly biased, ignoring any nuance or instances where reporting might be critical of the US. A neutral framing would acknowledge that media bias exists, but avoid such definitive, all-encompassing statements without specific examples or data to back them up. It's designed to evoke a strong, negative reaction rather than encourage critical analysis of individual reports.

Original quote: “You'll never hear American news anchors say this. They always twist the story to make America sound like the hero.”

Asserting the UN is 'all talk and little action' and powerless, citing Palestine as proof. — Cherry-Picked (45/100)

At 16:58

Highlights UN failures in Palestine to support a broad claim of general powerlessness — ignores UN successes. 😬

Why this score: This segment employs 'Cherry-Picked' framing. The speaker uses the complex and tragic situation in Palestine to support the broad claim that the UN is 'all talk and little action' and 'has little power'. While the UN's limitations in certain conflicts are a valid point of criticism, focusing solely on one challenging case (however significant) to define the entire organization's effectiveness is a selective use of evidence. A more neutral framing would acknowledge both the UN's failures and its successes (e.g., humanitarian aid, peacekeeping missions, health initiatives) to provide a balanced…

Original quote: “It's mocking the United Nations. Many critics argue that the United Nations is all talk and little action. They often struggle to stop major conflicts or enforce their own resolutions. Just look at Palestine today. Decades of resolutions and condemnations, yet civilians continue to be genocided…”

Explaining 'Durka Durkastan' as funny gibberish, not offensive, by breaking down its etymology. — No Frame (75/100)

At 17:41

Breaks down the word's construction and intent, offering a clear, personal interpretation of why it's not offensive. 👍

Why this score: This is a 'No Frame' observation. The speaker provides a clear, logical breakdown of why they personally find the term 'Durka Durkastan' funny rather than offensive. They explain the etymology of 'stan' and argue that 'Durka Durka' is gibberish, not a riff on an Arabic word. This is a transparent explanation of their perspective, not an attempt to mislead or manipulate. They're simply sharing their interpretation and the reasoning behind it, which is fair and allows the viewer to agree or disagree.

Original quote: “It's taking the suffix stan, which means land of or place of like in Afghanistan or Uzbekistan. Then it sticks Durka Durka in front of it. It's not riffing on an Arabic word, it's baby-like gibberish. That's why I think it's funny instead of offensive.”

Calling 'Tang ping pong' insensitive, citing ping pong's significance in North Korea. — No Frame (75/100)

At 18:25

Points out a specific cultural insensitivity based on a known fact about North Korea. — Straightforward observation.

Why this score: This is a 'No Frame' observation. The speaker identifies a specific cultural reference ('ping pong') and explains why its use in the context of North Korea is insensitive, linking it to the sport's actual popularity and significance there. This is a direct, factual observation about cultural context, not a manipulative framing. They are providing information that helps the viewer understand why the joke might land differently for different audiences, which is a valuable insight in a discussion about offensive humor.

Original quote: “That's insensitive. Ping pong is a hugely popular and significant sport in North Korea. This adds to my argument”

Equates American suicide bombing with Middle Eastern terrorists — false equivalence — False Equivalence (25/100)

At 18:41

Puts one American's fictional act next to real suicide bombings — flattens huge context differences.

Why this score: The speaker collapses the gap between a satirical movie scene and actual terrorism tactics used by groups like Hamas or ISIS. The joke in Team America works precisely because it's absurd and isolated; equating it to systematic campaigns of terror erases scale, intent, and history.

Original quote: “This is completely messed up, but can we recognize something? There's an American performing a self-delete in a movie.”

Frames Israel as uniquely evil — loads every label, skips all context — Loaded Language (20/100)

At 20:41

Stacks 'apartheid imperialistic colonialist genocide' without qualifiers — emotional button, no nuance

Why this score: This is classic loaded language: the speaker chooses four of the strongest possible condemnatory terms and presents them as self-evident facts. A neutral framing would name the specific policies or actions being criticized rather than deploying a wall of accusatory labels. The false equivalence angle (both sides 'need to come together') is set up only to be immediately dismissed as absurd, which prevents the viewer from considering whether any middle ground or complexity exists.

Original quote: “It reminds me of celebrities who support Israel. They think they're spreading peace by saying both sides need to come together, but one side is an apartheid imperialistic colonialist state with nukes carrying out a genocide. In what world is this equal in any way?”

Calls Gal Gadot a 'hardcore Zionist plant' — anonymous authority + loaded label — Anonymous Authority (20/100)

At 21:05

Labels her a 'plant' with zero sourcing — classic anonymous authority move

Why this score: By calling Gadot a 'Zionist plant' the speaker implies she was inserted into the video as part of some coordinated effort, but provides no evidence or named source for that claim. A cleaner framing would either stick to observable facts (she sang the first line) or cite specific evidence for any behind-the-scenes coordination. The 'plant' framing turns a simple cameo into a conspiracy without receipts.

Original quote: “Remember during COVID when celebrities sang Imagine from their mansions? Who kicks it off? Hardcore Zionist plant Gal Gadot.”

Critiques fez accuracy in Team America — nitpicks costume detail as factual error — Missing Context (45/100)

At 21:36

Treats a comedy's costume choice as a documentary mistake — misses satirical intent

Why this score: The speaker is applying a realism standard to a film whose entire visual language is deliberately absurd puppetry and caricatures. A fairer framing would acknowledge that the fez choice is part of the movie's consistent comedic exaggeration rather than an attempt at accurate national representation. The 'this is off' verdict only lands if the film were claiming documentary-level accuracy, which it never does.

Original quote: “There's a shot of the countries attending the peace conference. On the right we have two Arab nations, Oman and Libya. With Oman we have a commander and a woman. That's okay. But look at Libya. One guy is wearing a tall fez and the other guy wearing a shorter one. Yeah, no. Libyan politicians wear…”

Frames movie as pro-intervention argument — sets up critique — Missing Context (45/100)

At 22:31

Calls the speech 'a defense of American supremacy' — but ignores the puppets and songs that mock everyone.

Why this score: Speaker sets up the speech as a serious claim about American power, then later admits it might be parody. By presenting it first as a 'hard right turn' without the surrounding absurdity, the framing makes the speech seem like sincere propaganda rather than the joke it likely is.

Original quote: “It argues that American dominance is necessary. That intervention and war are justified because without them evil wins.”

Introduces 'maybe parody' after already labeling it supremacy defense — delayed hedging — Confidence Mismatch (50/100)

At 23:03

Spends 30 seconds treating the speech as a serious argument, then pivots to 'or maybe it's satire' without new evidence.

Why this score: The speaker builds a case that the scene defends intervention, then undercuts their own framing with 'maybe it's parody.' This backpedaling shows the initial interpretation was stronger than the evidence actually supports.

Original quote: “Maybe this isn't what Trey and Matt believe. Maybe it's a parody of what American warhawks believe.”

Labels specific jokes as 'orientalist fantasy' and 'casual Asian racism' — direct cultural critique — No Frame (75/100)

At 23:31

Names the exact stereotype (ham dancer) and calls it trashy — straightforward critique, no exaggeration.

Why this score: Speaker gives concrete examples instead of vague 'problematic content' language. This is clean framing: identifies the actual joke, labels the trope, and moves on without overstatement.

Original quote: “Some of the jokes lean into old stereotypes. The ham dancer is straight out of an orientalist fantasy, and the casual Asian racism, it's stupid and trashy.”

Counters 'anti-Arab' reading by showing equal mockery of Americans — balanced defense — No Frame (75/100)

At 23:55

Lists specific American behaviors the film mocks (destroying landmarks, killing innocents) — concrete counter to one-sided reading.

Why this score: Instead of just saying 'it's equal opportunity,' the speaker names what the Americans do wrong in the movie. This framing directly challenges the 'movie hates Arabs' interpretation with specific evidence from the film itself.

Original quote: “It isn't trying to convince you Arabs are evil while Americans are heroes. It spends just as much time mocking Americans... They destroy landmarks. They kill innocent people. They blindly believe propaganda.”

Lists 7 targets to claim 'merciless' balance — framing move — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:30

Stacks unlike groups as if equal 'punching' — terrorists vs. celebrities isn't balance, it's a rhetorical trick.

Why this score: By putting 'terrorists' and 'liberal celebrities' on the same list, the speaker creates the impression of even-handed satire. The framing hides that some targets are state actors and others are entertainers — the power imbalance makes the 'merciless' claim misleading.

Original quote: “It is mocking everyone. The terrorists America Hollywood the United Nations, North Korea, actors, politicians. It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities.”

Lists every group it mocks — classic 'equal opportunity' framing — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:30

Treats punching up and punching down as the same thing — flattens power dynamics.

Why this score: By lumping 'terrorists' with 'liberal celebrities' and 'UN' in the same breath, the speaker creates the impression that everyone gets equally roasted. That's not how satire works — the bite depends on who holds power and who doesn't. The framing makes it sound like the movie is perfectly balanced when it's actually aiming at very different targets with very different force.

Original quote: “It is mocking everyone. The terrorists America Hollywood the United Nations, North Korea, actors, politicians. It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities. Nobody gets out alive.”

Lists targets to frame satire as perfectly balanced — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:30

Puts 'terrorists' and 'America' in the same bullet list — treats state power and non-state violence as equal targets.

Why this score: The list creates symmetry that doesn't exist: satirizing a government policy isn't the same as mocking a terrorist group. This flattens the power dynamics the movie actually plays with.

Original quote: “It is mocking everyone. The terrorists America Hollywood the United Nations, North Korea, actors, politicians.”

Movie mocks 'everyone' equally — classic both-sides framing — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:30

Equates satirizing terrorists with satirizing celebrities as if both groups carry equal power.

Why this score: By lumping 'terrorists' and 'self-important liberal celebrities' together, the framing flattens vastly different scales of harm. Satirizing a celebrity's vanity is not morally equivalent to satirizing people who commit mass violence. The 'nobody gets out alive' line sounds even-handed, but it erases the asymmetry: one group is being mocked for actual atrocities, the other for being annoying. A neutral framing would note that satire can punch in multiple directions without pretending those directions are symmetrical.

Original quote: “It is mocking everyone. The terrorists America Hollywood the United Nations, North Korea, actors, politicians. It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities. Nobody gets out alive.”

Lists targets to prove satire is 'even-handed' — classic both-sides framing — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:30

Groups 'terrorists' with 'Hollywood' and 'UN' like the power imbalance is the same — flattens real stakes.

Why this score: By putting state actors, celebrities, and non-state militants in one bucket, the framing hides how satire lands differently depending on who holds actual power. The line 'mercilessly mocks both' sounds balanced but ignores that one side has drones and the other has puppets.

Original quote: “It is mocking everyone. The terrorists America Hollywood the United Nations, North Korea, actors, politicians. It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities.”

Frames satire as equal-opportunity — but 'interventionism' vs 'celebrities' aren't parallel targets — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:35

Equates military policy with celebrity culture as if they're equally mocked — they're not the same weight.

Why this score: The speaker sets up 'right-wing interventionism' against 'self-important liberal celebrities' as if the satire lands equally on both. In reality, the film spends far more time on geopolitical absurdity than on Hollywood vanity. By calling them equivalent targets, the framing makes the movie sound more balanced than it actually is.

Original quote: “It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities. Nobody gets out alive.”

Both sides get mocked equally — false equivalence framing — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:35

Sets up two targets as if the movie gives them equal treatment.

Why this score: The film actually spends far more time skewering liberal Hollywood and the UN than it does conservative interventionism. Saying both get 'mercilessly mocked' flattens the real imbalance in screen time and tone.

Original quote: “It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities.”

Claims equal mockery of right and left as proof of fairness — False Equivalence (40/100)

At 24:35

Sets up a binary where 'both sides get hit' = fair satire — ignores how the movie's actual jokes land differently.

Why this score: The film spends far more time and visual gags on the American side; the liberal celebrity mockery is mostly a few puppets. Framing this as 'nobody gets out alive' makes the imbalance sound intentional when it's really just lopsided writing.

Original quote: “It mercilessly mocks both right-wing interventionism and self-important liberal celebrities. Nobody gets out alive.”

Uses 'intent and context' to soften stereotype critique — Missing Context (50/100)

At 24:42

Names the right test ('intent and context') then never applies it to the actual stereotypes shown.

Why this score: He correctly flags that satire isn't a free pass, but then pivots to the movie's 'goal' without examining whether the jokes actually achieve that goal or just recycle lazy orientalist gags. The move protects the film by keeping the conversation at the level of stated intention rather than executed effect.

Original quote: “Does every stereotype become okay just because it's satire? Also, no. But when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too.”

Stereotypes aren't automatically okay because it's satire — acknowledges limits — No Frame (75/100)

At 24:42

Refuses the common 'it's just satire' defense and keeps the burden on the material itself.

Why this score: This is clean framing — the speaker explicitly rejects the idea that satire is a free pass. By separating 'intent and context' from automatic absolution, they avoid the usual cop-out. A weaker framing would have pivoted to 'but the intent was good so who cares.' Instead they keep the standard in place: even satire can fail, and the stereotypes still need defending on their own terms.

Original quote: “Does every joke land? No. Does every stereotype become okay just because it's satire? Also, no. But when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too.”

Concedes 'some stereotypes' aren't okay — then keeps the defense anyway — Missing Context (55/100)

At 24:42

Flags the problem then moves on without naming which stereotypes still hurt. Acknowledgment without follow-through.

Why this score: The speaker correctly notes that satire doesn't automatically sanitize every joke, but never returns to specify which ones cross the line. That omission lets the audience fill in the generous reading instead of forcing a harder look at the orientalist bits he later mentions.

Original quote: “Nobody gets out alive. Does every joke land? No. Does every stereotype become okay just because it's satire? Also, no.”

Poses two rhetorical questions to pre-empt criticism — 'fairness' framing — Loaded Language (55/100)

At 24:42

Asks the audience's questions for them so they feel answered before they ask — classic deflection move.

Why this score: The speaker raises the two biggest objections ('jokes fail' and 'stereotypes hurt') in question form, then immediately answers them with 'no.' This makes the viewer feel their concerns are acknowledged when they're actually being waved away.

Original quote: “Nobody gets out alive. Does every joke land? No. Does every stereotype become okay just because it's satire? Also, no.”

'Nobody gets out alive' — framing satire as perfectly balanced when it's not. — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:42

Treats every target as equal when the movie's jokes hit some groups harder than others.

Why this score: By saying 'nobody gets out alive,' the speaker sets up a false balance. The film absolutely mocks Americans and Hollywood, but the Arab/Korean stereotypes land with different cultural weight and historical baggage than the American ones. Framing it as perfectly even-handed makes the uneven impact sound fairer than it is.

Original quote: “Nobody gets out alive. Does every joke land? No. Does every stereotype become okay just because it's satire? Also, no. But when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too. And this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely…”

Calls out that satire doesn't automatically make stereotypes okay — direct framing check — No Frame (75/100)

At 24:42

Straight talk: satire is a defense, not a blanket excuse.

Why this score: He's naming the exact defense people usually hide behind and rejecting it outright. No loaded language, no dodge. Just flags the common move and says it doesn't hold.

Original quote: “Does every joke land? No. Does every stereotype become okay just because it's satire? Also, no.”

Claims satire is equal-opportunity mockery — classic 'both sides' framing — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:51

Frames movie as neutral satire by treating all targets as equally mocked — ignores power dynamics.

Why this score: This is the 'both sides' move — suggesting the film punches equally at 'terrorists' and 'liberal celebrities' without acknowledging the different social positions these groups occupy. A fairer framing would ask whether the satire lands with the same force on structurally powerful targets versus marginalized ones.

Original quote: “when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too. And this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely ridiculous through satire.”

Comedy intent = context, not punching down. Framing: intent over impact. — Missing Context (45/100)

At 24:51

Sets up binary: either satire punches down OR it makes everyone ridiculous — skips nuance.

Why this score: Classic false equivalence. By framing the question as "did they mean harm?" instead of "did this land harmfully?" the speaker shifts the burden from effect to authorial intent. A neutral framing would ask: "even if the goal is equal mockery, do the jokes still land unevenly on certain groups?" That question gets disappeared.

Original quote: “when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too. And this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely ridiculous through satire.”

Judge comedy by intent and context — framing the debate before evaluating — Missing Context (45/100)

At 24:51

Sets up 'intent and context' as the standard — but never spells out what counts as evidence for either.

Why this score: By making 'intent and context' the deciding factors, the speaker steers the viewer away from asking whether the jokes still land or reinforce harm. A neutral framing would name the actual criteria being used — audience impact, historical accuracy, or simply whether the humor succeeds on its own terms. Here, the frame lets the speaker keep the movie's flaws at arm's length without having to defend them directly.

Original quote: “when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too”

Frames intent as the deciding factor for whether satire lands — classic 'judge the goal' move — Missing Context (45/100)

At 24:51

Intent matters, but effect can still land unevenly on real groups.

Why this score: He's shifting the frame from 'what actually happens on screen' to 'what the creators meant.' That's a cleaner defense, but it leaves out how the same joke can hit different audiences differently regardless of stated goal.

Original quote: “But when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too. And this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely ridiculous through satire.”

Claims satire is 'fair' because it mocks 'everyone equally' — false equivalence framing — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 24:51

Equates mocking UN with mocking terrorists — ignores power dynamics and which groups absorb real-world harm.

Why this score: The speaker presents the 'mocking everyone' defense as if equal punchlines create equal impact. In reality, the movie's stereotypes about Arabs and North Koreans land differently than jokes about Hollywood liberals or US politicians because those groups already face systemic discrimination and violence. Calling it 'even-handed' because everyone gets roasted flattens the material difference between satirizing the powerful and caricaturing the marginalized.

Original quote: “when I judge comedy, I have to judge intent and context, too. And this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely ridiculous through satire.”

'Punch down at one group' vs 'make everyone ridiculous' — loaded binary — False Dilemma (35/100)

At 24:55

Sets up two choices: either it punches one group or it's fair game. Ignores all the space in between.

Why this score: The speaker frames the only options as 'punching down at one group' or 'making everyone ridiculous.' That erases the possibility that the film could punch down at multiple groups unevenly — which is exactly what critics argue about the 'derka derka' jokes. By presenting it as an all-or-nothing choice, the speaker steers you away from asking whether the satire is even-handed or just hits some people harder.

Original quote: “this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely ridiculous through satire.”

Intent saves the satire — loaded intent framing — Loaded Language (30/100)

At 24:55

By naming 'intent' as the deciding factor, it shields the film from the actual impact of its jokes.

Why this score: The 'intent vs. impact' defense is a classic move: it shifts focus from whether the stereotypes hurt to whether the creators meant well. The audience never learns what the actual line between 'satire' and 'punching down' looks like in practice.

Original quote: “this movie's goal isn't to punch down at one group. It's to make America and also the world look completely ridiculous through satire.”

C-tier placement framed as balanced critique — 'orientalist baggage' gets mentioned but never weighed against the laughs — Missing Context (50/100)

At 25:03

Labels the orientalism as 'baggage' instead of a core flaw — softens the critique while still claiming fairness.

Why this score: The speaker acknowledges 'orientalist baggage' then immediately pivots to 'funniest, weirdest' without ever explaining how much that baggage actually costs the film. By calling it 'baggage' rather than a fundamental problem, the framing treats the racism as a minor stain instead of asking whether the comedy is built on it.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

'Orientalist baggage' — soft label that dodges naming the actual stereotypes. — Loaded Language (20/100)

At 25:03

Uses academic term 'orientalist baggage' to sound thoughtful while avoiding direct critique of the derka-derka jokes.

Why this score: Calling the film's Arab stereotypes 'orientalist baggage' sounds measured and academic, but it softens the actual content: puppets saying 'derka derka' and 'Muhammad Ali.' A more direct framing would name what the jokes actually do rather than wrapping them in theory-speak.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

C tier despite orientalist baggage. Framing: 'but also funny' as mitigation. — Missing Context (45/100)

At 25:03

'Orientalist baggage' acknowledged, then immediately neutralized by the 'funniest ever' clause — classic minimization.

Why this score: The speaker names the problem ('orientalist baggage') but immediately pivots to the movie's comedic virtues without addressing how that baggage functions. A fairer framing would either engage with what the baggage actually does to Arab/Muslim representation OR drop the 'C tier' label if the baggage isn't deal-breaking. Instead we get acknowledgment without reckoning.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

Grades film C-tier while calling it 'one of the funniest ever' — confidence mismatch — Confidence Mismatch (40/100)

At 25:03

Says 'C tier' then immediately claims it's among the best political comedies — the numbers don't match the hype.

Why this score: A C-tier ranking implies average or below, yet the speaker then uses superlatives ('one of the funniest… ever made'). The contradiction makes the grade feel like a rhetorical device to appear balanced rather than a genuine assessment.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

C-tier placement citing 'orientalist baggage' — names the flaw without dodging it — No Frame (75/100)

At 25:03

Calls the orientalism by name instead of softening it to 'dated' or 'of its time.'

Why this score: The speaker uses the specific term 'orientalist baggage' rather than a vague 'some jokes aged poorly.' That's a sharper frame — it identifies the actual problem (exoticizing Arab/Muslim characters as cartoonish terrorists) instead of treating it as generic old comedy. A softer framing would have said 'some bits haven't aged well' without naming who gets flattened. This one does name it.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

Balances 'orientalist baggage' against 'funniest political comedy' — weighing two frames at once — False Equivalence (45/100)

At 25:03

Puts the flaw and the achievement on equal footing without showing the scale.

Why this score: He's listing both the critique and the praise as if they're the same kind of judgment. One is about real-world impact on representation, the other is about comedic craft. They're not competing on the same metric, so the C-tier feels like a polite middle instead of a thought-through position.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

Calls it 'orientalist baggage' then still ranks it C-tier — softens the critique — Loaded Language (40/100)

At 25:03

'Baggage' sounds temporary and minor compared to the glowing follow-up about how 'funny' and 'absurd' it remains.

Why this score: By labeling the stereotyping as mere 'baggage' the speaker implies it's excess weight you can still carry, not a structural flaw. That word choice keeps the film redeemable in the final grade while sounding like he took the issue seriously.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

C-tier despite 'orientalist baggage' — softens the critique with praise — Loaded Language (55/100)

At 25:03

Calls it 'orientalist baggage' then immediately cushions it with 'funniest, weirdest, most absurd.'

Why this score: The speaker drops the term 'orientalist baggage' — a pretty heavy accusation — but then sandwiches it between compliments about how funny and absurd the movie is. That softens the blow. A cleaner framing would either defend the film without the loaded term, or actually explain what the orientalist elements are instead of treating them as minor 'baggage' that doesn't tank the ranking.

Original quote: “Where is this movie going on my habibi movie tier list? I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

Labels orientalist baggage as minor flaw while celebrating the film as 'one of the funniest' — loaded language minimizing harm — Loaded Language (45/100)

At 25:06

Calls centuries of dehumanizing Arab stereotypes 'baggage' — softens systemic racism into awkward luggage.

Why this score: By reducing the movie's repeated 'derka derka' caricatures and puppet suicide bombers to 'orientalist baggage,' the speaker makes structural racism sound like an unfortunate accessory rather than the central comedic engine. A neutral framing would name the specific repeated trope (exaggerated Arab gibberish, suicide-bomber puppets) instead of packaging it as minor excess weight.

Original quote: “I'm putting Team America in C tier. It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

Orientalist baggage acknowledged then quickly pivoted past — missing context framing — Missing Context (40/100)

At 25:08

Mentions the baggage, then immediately moves on without naming what it actually is.

Why this score: The phrase 'orientalist baggage' is doing the work of acknowledging the problem without ever showing the viewer the specific Middle Eastern caricatures that earned that label. A fair framing would list one or two examples so the audience can judge for themselves.

Original quote: “It has orientalist baggage, some jokes crash and burn, but it's also one of the funniest, weirdest, most absurd political comedies ever made.”

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