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Blog
| Football-induced heartbreak |
| 24 Jan 2010 | 11:00 PM |
I am devastated.
I just can’t believe that la Cote d’Ivoire is out of the African Cup of Nations and Ghana is still in contention. I tipped our western neighbours to lift the cup and never in my wildest dreams did I see an inexperienced Black Stars squad to go beyond the group stage.
Today, the Black Stars played their hearts out against a determined Angolan side and secured a place in the semi-finals. Suddenly, they are looking like a team that could win the cup.
I think they won’t but I like to be surprised.
Whether the Black Stars win the trophy or not, one thing is for sure – the team is better off without the likes of Michael Essien and Sully Muntari. A few months ago when I suggested that the two should be kicked out of the squad, a certain Kojo Annan said it amounted to throwing the baby away with the bathwater. Well, they are out and the team is throwing eggs in the faces of all its critics.
About la Cote d’Ivoire, the least said about them the better. For the second CAN running, they’ve disappointed me and I am not going to back them again for a long time to come.
On the day that Arsenal was kicked out of the English FA Cup, I expected them to give me something to cheer about. The least I expected of them was to field a disorientated defence against Algeria – who had been all but written off after their abysmal first game against Malawi. Those Ivorian elephants have really trampled on my heart and it hurts so.
With Cote d’Ivoire out of CAN 2010, I don’t know which team to bet on. I will decide after all the quarter-final games have been played. But I am thinking that, perhaps, I should just sit back and enjoy the games without sticking my neck out for any team. I hate to be on the losing side. Or I should cultivate a little more faith in the Black Stars, who, I admit, seem to be enjoying promising resurgence?
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Wiredu |
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Ato come back home to stick your neck out for the Black Stars. We will gladly accept the prodigal son back to where he belongs.
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Hanifah |
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Ato,just like Prez. Mills' 'Team B', this current Black Stars squad is piping their way to the cup. I suggest you just sit back and enjoy. But if you have to support a team it should be the GHANA BLACK STARS. 'We're moving forward'
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Henry |
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Ato arsenal disappointed us but let's consol ourselves with the stars win
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Odopower,DC |
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Ato, the stone that the builder's have rejected have now become the corner stone so watch out 4 the Black Stars they are in to surprise u. I think u need more humble pies to be able to survive ur heart break. The boys are good, now Ato i think ur eye die. U are just writing the article to save face. For the elephants the least said about them the better. Go Black Stars go.......
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Don Kojo Dick |
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Masa i shock give u, wat ghana for do b4 u no say them be ready to play n so u for suport them, wel taz u, abt tat pair them fe say them be indispesible, their time go come.
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Seyram |
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Ato, I have a funny feeling that our guys will lift the trophy! U better join us and save yourself from greater shame!
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Black Star Power |
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Where is your national spirit?
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Otu USA |
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Ato I want to build a humble pie factory in Ghana and l know I will make a lot money from u......lol. We are David and we shall overcome all the Goliaths. The lord has spoken.
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Chris |
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I believe you must continue not supporting the black stars. That might be the reason we still winning. Have a good day.
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Casper |
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No Ato, don't come back to Ghana. We don't need your 'ogbu' or bad luck support. Like i told you the last time, your predictions turn out to be the direct opposite of what you predict. Please don't support Ghana. We don't want our heart broken by your bad luck support.
Ato has little faith in Ghana and i think it's good. We don't his support at all. We shall overcome!
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kojo |
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ato as much as these so-called young stars are proving us all wrong do not warrant our quest to do away with our best players. we still need essien, muntari, annan and kwadwo asamoah in that midfield. i bet u it will get to a time when just the desire to do well will fail us. I am still not convinced by the performance of this black stars...they look too frail.
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Worlanyo A |
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Ato, continue not to give your support to the black stars now... Your nonsupport, i believe keeps us winning.. just sit back and enjoy football... you can give your support at least after the tournament.
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WiseKing |
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Anything that involves two people all more needs team work and commitment.These players have it but the Sullay Muntari and Esien don't have that!As a nation it is high time we recognise it the better.
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Godwin, AGOSEC Kpetoe |
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Ato, I just think your problem is that you are fixated to pessimist thinking all your life. Why don't you believe in anything Ghanaian. If you had had a chance you wouldn't have married Esi. You would have preferred a foreign albino of a woman called brunette. Go Blackstars
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naadza |
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I am eating more humble pie just like you. Even though I had no hope in them, it will be exciting to see the stars lift the cup without the likes of Essien etc.
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Nana Essiful |
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............................I hate to be on the losing side!!! Have u ever supported a winning side??? Waaaa see! Secondi Eleven wise, Arsenal now Cote d’Ivoire. Ato paaaa!!! I suggest u start supporting ur wife's team. They seem to be winning now a days. As for the so called senior players like I said we sld give them a very big boot.
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samstrollers |
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pls mr man, dont even support the black stars otherwise that your jinxy karma would affect them and make the boys lose out.... remain neutral, and eat more of the humble pie as the stars head into the finals...
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koftaa |
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@ Nana Essiful Arsenal is a best team so don't say that. as for ghana is try your lucky. but that have done well.
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Tina |
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Ato, to be able to predict a football match, ane must have played or be immersed like Fo Amoaning. So stop wasting our ears. And please be objective in your political outpourings as being neutrally balanced brings nothing. In the end it is Ghana that suffers. Look at the carnage on our roads, the pertual poverty of Ghana, the demise of GNTC, State Construction, State Fishing - when there are still fish in the sea, the hurrendous public transport and the dead rail system. Just to mention a few. Please select one of the above and wage a crusade till something good comes out.
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Abena Obi |
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Ato,
Its interesting to watch football in Ghana. Over the years I believe football has come to signify alot more than just a lonely national pastime.
It has come so signify what sort of national hero we should have and how he/she becomes one. Then after seeing him/her rise we look to him/her to "deliver" us whenever we are in "trouble". We criticize him/her for whatever they do that we do not like.
The deeper meaning here is how do we groom these hero. Where does he/she come from? What is he/she expected to do?
Whiles we do this we also seek the face of God.Do we blame him when we loose? Do we pray before and during the game?What do we say?How do we say it?
Then there are the superstitious ones?A friend of mine is convinced the only way the hero will save the day is when he has not brushed his teeth.A colleague female I worked with years ago is of the firm belief that only what the black stars win is if she wears her lucky underwear during the game(Mrs Esi G hope you were wearing them).Its well known that some Kumasi residents will rather eat the bowl of Fufu if they feel there is an impending loss. There is also no walking with bare feet before the game in some homes or in my fathers house "my dad had do sit in the big chair or Ghana loses in whatever competition".
We (Ghanaians) find themselves doing these rituals and many more whenever we need a hero in our daily lives. Whatever the belief,whom the hero will be and why,what ritual must be carried out in various homes for the Ghana team to win, one thing is clear football has shaped this nation in ways we could never have imagined.
The stars have being poor,mediocre and luck-luster.We have scored three goals and only one was really a strikers goal. We as Ghanaians will continue to support them because in our various homes and offices we will look to the Ghanaian hero and he/she will deliver a victory like no other so long as we continue to pray/hope/ritualized and and keep watch!
Oooosee! Black stars. Bring the cup home!
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Adowa |
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Ato, for some reasons I can't put my hands on, I have never supported any team in my life. I get mocked at just because of that. Even I watch black stars matches with even heart. Win or lose I don't wink. Can it be hardheartedness? Maybe you need to be like me - Black stars lose or black stars no lose you wont really bother. In that case, RCI losing couldn't have left you broken-hearted.
Am I sick, maybe? I'm only asking. I've no compulsion to like Hearts or Kototo, or Arsenal or Man-U. I don't rush home or to a friend just to watch football. When I switch on my TV and its playing, I watch ... and each side can win. I don't bet on either side. Can you imagine to have the heart to celebrate with any side that wins?
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Richard |
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The stupid-sounding, foolish, lame and senseless drivel again! Who cares who and what you support. Get a life.
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Adowa |
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@ 20. Abena Obi
I like that analysis. That must be part Of sociology course outline - SOCI 201.
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Akoto |
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Ato, I am very happy that the stars won. As for Michael Essien and Sully Muntari they should never be called to the stars. I am not saying this because the stars are winning, far from that I want stars who will play their hearts out and even lose. That for me is more than just winning with people who have no respect
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numbu |
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Ato,Ato.Ato... What has black atars done to you?
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dee |
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Ato pls dont support the stars cus it seems every team u support turn to lose so pls support any team but the stars lol. have a great day
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Elephants |
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Ato - You should know by now that the Elephant does no seem in vogue these days! First NPP, now Cote D'Ivoire!
Le's all rally behind our boys; I like their spirit!
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Pee |
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First fool no be fool. Ato, is second or third fool a fool?
Go Black Stars Go. God is with us and we have won the trophy.
GOD BLESS our homeland GHANA
And make our Black Stars Greater and STRONGER.
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somebody |
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Ato,
this just shows that there's little LOGIC in football.
football should just be enjoyed as it comes!!!
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Evans Orongbonya |
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Ato, like you, I was very happy when the our team defeated the Angolans. However, I cannot see Ghana being competitive in any major soccer tournament without our experienced players. The present youthful team is an amply testimony to the fact that Ghana can look to the future with hope.
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Coffie |
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Ato, imagine that match was between Ghana & Algeria? I'm still skeptical about the Black stars lifting the trophy.
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Shaibu Obinanamawinibiakomah |
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Ato, I am with you 100%. The black stars are picking up match after match but to stick your neck for them mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
They have done well but cannot come home with the cup. They lack ideas and confidence. we were only lucky the Angolan couldn't take their chances.
As for the Ivorians, the least said the better.
They gave victory away to the Algerians.
Ato, let us sit back and watch. Don't stick your neck for the stars, for they will not, again not, bring the cup
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Wascarat |
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We have the talents and we are seeing that!
The coach is not too much of a confident one because he lacks the high level expertise. And that is why he should go.
But Ato, I can't understand why you can be a die hard Gunner and not share an iota of this allegiance with your own national team?
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Reason Please |
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Please lets not be ungrateful to people who have been good to us, these same senoir players have been hailed several times for taking us to the world cup twice and the Afcon! now we are totally condemning them? Why? because they are injured? But for Sule who i agree should be punished for his indiscipline, the others are just injured and they are not intentionally refusing to play! Hw many times has Essien been absent from national assignment? he played all qualifiers and all friendlies towards both 2006 and 2010 World cup. And he even gets injured on National duty in Libya and Angola? O for a player of his calibre please give him some breathing space
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albert-accra |
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Ato I wld have bn surprised if Ivory Coast won the cup.I said this b4 Germany 2006 and I stick by my position that Ivpry Coast is an overhyped team.Apart from just qualifying for World Cup,what at all makes people rate them above the Black Stars(we've done better than them in all competetions we have both bn involved in since 2006)
I told all my friends I blvd this team cld travel far(winning the cup i wasnt sure then) immediately Sulley was dropped and 8 satellites were included.First of I blv they are not really under 20 and secondly they more hungry and disciplined(look @ their tactical discipline in the under 20 tournament).Playing as underdogs in every match takes away the pressure from them.Anything can happen if they go beyond the semis.
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Abrewa |
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Ato can you please invetigate for me if it is true that Sule Muntari's household slaightered an animal to feast in celebration that Cote divoire defeated Ghana because their son didnt play? True? i heard it on one of the local dialect stations i was sitting in a Cab so wasnt sure of station please find out for us
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Kasapreko |
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Sorry this is not related to the topic under discussion but I guess Ato should be saying hurray with his wish now fulfilled. Minister Zita is on her out of the Information Ministry to Tourism Ministry as minister. What are your comments Ato
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Kunka |
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I'm surprised Ivory Coast is out but surprised Ghana is still in.
Football is like politics,even Rawlings cold rule a nation for 20years while Nkrumah ruled for less than 10years
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Ama Nhyira |
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Eboo a abantofo ato atwene no beye tweaso boo titiriw.That is why the seemingly weakling Black Star squad are through to the next stage. so my PADDY let's have hope. OBEYE YIE.
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MY NAME |
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Your predictions will always be opposite of what will happen. So do not try to build confidence in the stars. Because if you do, they will be infested with your badluck and will lose. God safe us.
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Wiredu |
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Even if I was not fully committed in supporting the Black Stars to advance to finals, now I do, because of Nigeria. If it is Ghana against Nigeria then Ghana must win. Because this is war without bloodshed.
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Unbiased Observer |
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Ato, you're not the only person who has been confounded by the results of the CAN 2010 matches so far. Even the "expert prognosticators" are scratching their heads over the happenings thus far. As for the Black Stars, I think getting beyond the group stage was what most Ghanaians were praying for. Their success beyond that is really icing on the cake. Let's just sit back and watch -- perhaps they will be able to pull off more surprises.
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Piero |
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Ato, aren't u happy wth the team's performance? While these gallant kinsmen of ours are toiling their heart out to lift the name of our only beloved nation on high, all u do is discourage them by counting them out. Are u too persimistic to to be patriotic?
If u can't support yr nation thru thick and tin, I believe u will b glad if things dont dont work for mother Ghana. Please use yr media opportunity to bolster pride in the national colours. Encourage the youth to realise that it's not over till we win. Throwing in the towel bfore battle is not an acceptable trait.
Let's support the stars till the final whistle. Just as we aught to support all Ghanaians in honourable pursuits.
I'm also an old saint. But please be optimistic for yrself, yr alma matter and yr nation. Quiters nevr win, and winners don't quit. So be positive, even when the vision is not clear. Don't count yrself out untill u are out. It's even better to sit on the fence than to discourage those fighting for us.
Wake up Ato. It's never too late to do right. I would like u to be more enthusiastic about Ghana. Criticism should be positive by helping the honourable course but not dampen our spirits.
You cant be my friend if u cultivate persimism. Teach people to be optimistic.
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Piero, |
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Ato, say Good, so that u will reap good. If u say defeat all the time u will be defeated.
I will support the Stars in good Day and in Bad Day- "Wo se koo mpo a, wo so wo dza etafir ho ara nye n'". "Obi mfa ne nsa etsibin nkyere n'egya fie kwan"
Iwant you to support the Stars and encourage others to do same. They toil on the field, Kwesi Nyantakyi & co manage the team, what's yr role?
It's yr obligation to cheer them on and to contribute ideas to make it work. If u cant cheer them on, u have no right to critcise any other for not being effective, even when things don't work out.
Distrusting the team is unbecoming of a tue Ghana, and an old saint for that matter. Remember St. John's "prepared u for service to the Lord and Mother Ghana- Viam Parantes". I don't think yr persimism excite Fr. Bob, nor any in THE SAINT fraternity.
"I promise on my honour, to be loyal and faithfull to Ghana my motherland". Ato, where is yr loyalty? Are u faithful? If u r nt loyal, nor faithful then I'm sorry to say either u do not promise on yr honour or u don't have any honour.
Being most irreverent does nt mean u shd not be loyal. Where is yr loyalty, if u can't support our common course?
Ato, all I'm saying is Others may be good, even better than ours. But don't say defeat, untill defeat has come. Talk victry,be postive, and let's persvere, untill the course is over. And teach the youth to follow suit, to dream and pursue success and excellence.You get me?
I'm done. A word to the wise is enough.Thanks. pedroyeboah@yahoo.com
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umaru sanda |
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it's good to b patriotic. i was pessimistic myself but now i have hope.it's high time u did too lest you eat another pie
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David S. |
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Can you by any chance make a prediction that Nigeria will win the semi final? Given your track record, if you do this, it will guarantee smooth passage for the Black Stars.
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pebbles |
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ato you are suffering from defeatistorhoea.
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Abe |
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How strange. This is the most unispiring tournament I have ever witnessed in my 37 years on earth!!! 2 goals for semi-finals. Huh, please you all give me a break!!!!
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robert |
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idiots like u have no shame.u criticised the stars and said they would be coming home after the first round.now u were expecting them to lift the trophy.
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| Poll |
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| Government is losing court cases because... |
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| The AG is incompetent |
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31% |
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| The judges are biased |
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21% |
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| You win some and lose some |
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48% |
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| Total Votes: 371 |
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