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#1
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to
report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? ================================================== ======= http://www.wafb.com/story/15201683/m...tealing-wiring Man electrocuted while allegedly stealing wiring Posted: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT Updated: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT HOUMA, LA (AP) - A 34-year-old man was electrocuted while allegedly breaking in to steal copper wiring. According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, electric company workers found the body of Timothy Lewis of Houma after getting a call early Wednesday about lost power. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. A Houma newspaper reported Lewis broke through a fence at a substation there and was killed when he cut a ground line with a pair of wire cutters. The death was still being investigated, though no foul play is suspected. |
#2
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Home Guy wrote:
What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? ================================================== ======= http://www.wafb.com/story/15201683/m...tealing-wiring Man electrocuted while allegedly stealing wiring Posted: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT Updated: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT HOUMA, LA (AP) - A 34-year-old man was electrocuted while allegedly breaking in to steal copper wiring. According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, electric company workers found the body of Timothy Lewis of Houma after getting a call early Wednesday about lost power. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. A Houma newspaper reported Lewis broke through a fence at a substation there and was killed when he cut a ground line with a pair of wire cutters. The death was still being investigated, though no foul play is suspected. Sounds like foul play to me. |
#3
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
"Bob F" wrote in message ... Home Guy wrote: What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? You're right it would not kill them to leave out the word allegedly. But the problem is this. Who then decides and on what criteria to leave the word out and accuse the guy of stealing? If they come to the wrong conclusion, they will be accuse of false reporting and potentially open to a lawsuit. I can see it taking a lot more time and money for the paper than it's worth. I would not want to be the guy deciding when to leave the word out. ================================================== ======= http://www.wafb.com/story/15201683/m...tealing-wiring Man electrocuted while allegedly stealing wiring Posted: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT Updated: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT HOUMA, LA (AP) - A 34-year-old man was electrocuted while allegedly breaking in to steal copper wiring. According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, electric company workers found the body of Timothy Lewis of Houma after getting a call early Wednesday about lost power. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. A Houma newspaper reported Lewis broke through a fence at a substation there and was killed when he cut a ground line with a pair of wire cutters. The death was still being investigated, though no foul play is suspected. Sounds like foul play to me. |
#4
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
.. wrote:
You're right it would not kill them to leave out the word allegedly. But the problem is this. Who then decides and on what criteria to leave the word out and accuse the guy of stealing? If they come to the wrong conclusion, they will be accuse of false reporting and potentially open to a lawsuit. I can see it taking a lot more time and money for the paper than it's worth. I would not want to be the guy deciding when to leave the word out. Sigh. If only there were such a tort as "false reporting." |
#5
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
In article ,
"HeyBub" wrote: . wrote: You're right it would not kill them to leave out the word allegedly. But the problem is this. Who then decides and on what criteria to leave the word out and accuse the guy of stealing? If they come to the wrong conclusion, they will be accuse of false reporting and potentially open to a lawsuit. I can see it taking a lot more time and money for the paper than it's worth. I would not want to be the guy deciding when to leave the word out. Sigh. If only there were such a tort as "false reporting." Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. -- People thought cybersex was a safe alternative, until patients started presenting with sexually acquired carpal tunnel syndrome.-Howard Berkowitz |
#6
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:14:22 -0400, Home Guy wrote:
Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? No. They could have written "suspected" of stealing. Using "allegedly" simple means the man was / has not been convicted of the crime of stealing. Say he was NOT convicted of stealing, he could not sue the paper for using "allegedly". Is that clear as mud? ( I'm not a lawyer or journalist ) It has been alleged I broke a girls hearts a time of two. |
#7
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:54:49 -0400, Kurt Ullman
wrote: In article , "HeyBub" wrote: . wrote: You're right it would not kill them to leave out the word allegedly. But the problem is this. Who then decides and on what criteria to leave the word out and accuse the guy of stealing? If they come to the wrong conclusion, they will be accuse of false reporting and potentially open to a lawsuit. I can see it taking a lot more time and money for the paper than it's worth. I would not want to be the guy deciding when to leave the word out. Sigh. If only there were such a tort as "false reporting." Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. And police use "person of interest". |
#8
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On 8/4/2011 9:14 AM, Home Guy wrote:
What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? I get sick of that word also. -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
#9
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
"Home Guy" wrote in message ... What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? Allegedly covers all things, like hardly any radiation, or I only put the head in, Judge, I didn't rape her. And nothing was ever proven in a court of law, and no small farm animals were permanently damaged. Steve |
#10
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
"HeyBub" wrote in message m... . wrote: You're right it would not kill them to leave out the word allegedly. But the problem is this. Who then decides and on what criteria to leave the word out and accuse the guy of stealing? If they come to the wrong conclusion, they will be accuse of false reporting and potentially open to a lawsuit. I can see it taking a lot more time and money for the paper than it's worth. I would not want to be the guy deciding when to leave the word out. Sigh. If only there were such a tort as "false reporting." What a job! Use "allegedly" and you can write anything, facts be damned. The only thing better is being a weatherman. "According to predictions, the chance of rain tomorrow is 50%". (Meaning, it's going to rain tomorrow or not.) Either way, you get it right. Put me in front of a blue screen and give me $100k a year and bennies, and just let me have access to the Internet and Google, and I could be a decent weatherman. A $4 Salvation Army suit, a $75 used laptop, and a little George Carlin schtick, I could do it. Where do I apply? Hey, Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Al Sleet, your hippy dippy weathermannnnnnnnnnn.......................... Steve -- Heart surgery pending? www.heartsurgerysurvivalguide.com Heart Surgery Survival Guide Now on facebook, too. |
#11
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On Thu, 4 Aug 2011 14:53:45 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote: "Home Guy" wrote in message ... What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? Allegedly covers all things, like hardly any radiation, or I only put the head in, Judge, I didn't rape her. And nothing was ever proven in a court of law, and no small farm animals were permanently damaged. Ordinarily. |
#12
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Kurt Ullman wrote:
Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. And what's more, there will never be a determination (legal or otherwise) that he was infact trying to steal the wire. He'll never be tried or convicted of the crime. The only public opportunity to label him or describe him as a thief, or to say in a public venue that he died while thieving, was lost. |
#13
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Just for the sake of argument, suppose the alleged wire thief was in fact
murdered, and the murdered concocted a plot to kill him by electrocution, then cover it up br dragging his body into the substation, planting a pair of wire cutters on his body, and snipping some handy wire nearby? -- The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. (Winston Churchill) Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org |
#14
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:23:15 -0400, Home Guy wrote:
Kurt Ullman wrote: Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. The family can. A grieving mother will fight, if nothing else but to say "my son was innocent". He would never steal. And what's more, there will never be a determination (legal or otherwise) that he was infact trying to steal the wire. He'll never be tried or convicted of the crime. No. He met his maker. The only public opportunity to label him or describe him as a thief, or to say in a public venue that he died while thieving, was lost. Go steal some movies, music, etc., and we can save you from being called a thief. |
#15
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
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#16
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Larry W wrote:
Just for the sake of argument, suppose the alleged wire thief was in fact murdered, and the murdered concocted a plot to kill him by electrocution, I think this is what you're looking for: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occams_razor Or perhaps, to put that another way: "Murder, she wrote." is a fictional TV show. |
#17
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
In article ,
"Steve B" wrote: "Home Guy" wrote in message ... What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? Allegedly covers all things, like hardly any radiation, or I only put the head in, Judge, I didn't rape her. And nothing was ever proven in a court of law, and no small farm animals were permanently damaged. Steve It covers things like not getting the paper or radio station sued. That is pretty much its only function in real life. But it is an important one. (g). -- People thought cybersex was a safe alternative, until patients started presenting with sexually acquired carpal tunnel syndrome.-Howard Berkowitz |
#18
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
In article , Home Guy wrote:
Kurt Ullman wrote: Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. His estate still can. I was actually sued once in my Glory Days as a reporter by a guy's estate. -- People thought cybersex was a safe alternative, until patients started presenting with sexually acquired carpal tunnel syndrome.-Howard Berkowitz |
#19
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their
reporting? Newspapers write stories about criminal acts 365 days a year. If just one of those stories was incorrect and the person was innocent and that person successfully sued the newspaper, then that could ruin the newspaper financially. Best to always use the word "allegedly". Also if a newspaper is sued and the newspaper wins the lawsuit, they STILL have to pay their lawyers! So they lose anyway. And lawyers are not cheap. So also best to discourage any potential lawsuits. |
#20
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Kurt Ullman wrote:
Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. His estate still can. This is why you guys (the USA) is going down the toilet. Punative damage awards. Some 2-bit piece of what trash dies while messing around in a power sub-station cutting live wires, and the media reporting the story is afraid that what's left of his family is going to sue them from their mobile home because they didn't use the word "allegedly" in their reporting. They'll take them to court and sue for $10 million for some sort of crazy-ass "pain and suffering" and the jury (also composed of trash of one color or another) will give it to them. I was actually sued once in my Glory Days as a reporter by a guy's estate. Why did they sue you? Because they wanted to rob you because they perceived you (or your employer) had deep pockets? |
#21
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Bill wrote:
Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Newspapers write stories about criminal acts 365 days a year. If just one of those stories was incorrect and the person was innocent and that person successfully sued the newspaper, then that could ruin the newspaper financially. No. The newspaper just prints a retraction the next day. Freedom of the press. Free speech. |
#22
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:17:11 -0400, Home Guy wrote:
Kurt Ullman wrote: Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. His estate still can. This is why you guys (the USA) is going down the toilet. "..."It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If the..." In America we can own land, carry guns and harvest food. Can youse guys up yonder own land? |
#23
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Oren wrote:
This is why you guys (the USA) is going down the toilet. In America we can own land, carry guns and harvest food. In Canada, we can do all 3. Not as many people choose to do #2. Can youse guys up yonder own land? Not only can we own land, no level of gov't can force us to sell our land to a private corporation for commercial use. |
#24
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
Oren wrote:
Can youse guys up yonder own land? Considering what caused your last recession, and the number of vacant homes being canibalized, I'd say we're doing a better job here in Canada of owning land than you are. |
#25
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
I checked with Agatha Christie, and she says it was a nice
plot. She'll use it on her next show. Post your adress, so she will know where to send the royalty check. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Larry W" wrote in message ... Just for the sake of argument, suppose the alleged wire thief was in fact murdered, and the murdered concocted a plot to kill him by electrocution, then cover it up br dragging his body into the substation, planting a pair of wire cutters on his body, and snipping some handy wire nearby? -- The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. (Winston Churchill) Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org |
#26
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:57:03 -0400, Home Guy wrote:
Oren wrote: Can youse guys up yonder own land? Considering what caused your last recession, and the number of vacant homes being canibalized, I'd say we're doing a better job here in Canada of owning land than you are. Sorry. I thought your Queen had some say, about youse forieners.. |
#27
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
In article , Home Guy wrote:
They'll take them to court and sue for $10 million for some sort of crazy-ass "pain and suffering" and the jury (also composed of trash of one color or another) will give it to them. I always had liability insurance not so much so I could afford to lose. I had it more so I could afford to win. Even if they don't get the $10 million, I am still out $10,000s. The funny part is that the utility company is probably gonna get sued because they were negligent in securing the site or he wouldn't have had the opportunity to fry himself. -- People thought cybersex was a safe alternative, until patients started presenting with sexually acquired carpal tunnel syndrome.-Howard Berkowitz |
#28
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On 8/4/2011 10:14 AM, Home Guy wrote:
What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. I am pretty sure the AP is not part of the judicial system. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Sure would save a lot of time in investigations and crimes if we could just turn to the AP and let them make the final pronouncement. Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? I don't know? Where you there? Have you reviewed the evidence? Should we always simply go with the trained forensic team from the local newspaper? ================================================== ======= http://www.wafb.com/story/15201683/m...tealing-wiring Man electrocuted while allegedly stealing wiring Posted: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT Updated: Aug 03, 2011 11:33 AM EDT HOUMA, LA (AP) - A 34-year-old man was electrocuted while allegedly breaking in to steal copper wiring. According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, electric company workers found the body of Timothy Lewis of Houma after getting a call early Wednesday about lost power. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. A Houma newspaper reported Lewis broke through a fence at a substation there and was killed when he cut a ground line with a pair of wire cutters. The death was still being investigated, though no foul play is suspected. |
#29
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
On 8/4/2011 7:23 PM, Home Guy wrote:
Kurt Ullman wrote: Libel or slander was the reason we were told in J-School to use alleged until the jury returned and the gavel went down. The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. His estate can. And what's more, there will never be a determination (legal or otherwise) that he was infact trying to steal the wire. He'll never be tried or convicted of the crime. You are right. We should always run with whatever the local newspaper prints. That would sure save a lot of time for the police and the courts. The only public opportunity to label him or describe him as a thief, or to say in a public venue that he died while thieving, was lost. |
#30
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
"Home Guy" wrote in message ... What gets me is that the AP feels some sort of idiosyncratic need to report that this guy was "allegedly" trying to steal copper wire. Would it kill them to NOT use the word "allegedly" in their reporting? Could it be more obvious that he was absolutely trying to steal copper wire? It's a standard tactic, it protects them if someone sues them for being falsely identified as a criminal. Granted, that is unlikely in this case. |
#31
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
"HeyBub" wrote in message m... Sigh. If only there were such a tort as "false reporting." You pals at Fox wouldn't like that, they went to court in defense of the position that they are under no obligation to report the news accurately, or more specifically they can report the news falsely if they want to. Of course if they commit defamation in the process they can be sued, but the news can be slanted all over the map without committing libel. |
#32
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Man electrocuted while "allegedly" stealing wiring (HOUMA, LA)
"Home Guy" wrote in message ... The guy is dead. He's not going to sue. And what's more, there will never be a determination (legal or otherwise) that he was infact trying to steal the wire. He'll never be tried or convicted of the crime. The only public opportunity to label him or describe him as a thief, or to say in a public venue that he died while thieving, was lost. Unless his family sues the electric company, claiming that the company's negligence led to the death of this poor guy who wandered into their facility by accident. Think that's unlikely? There have been such cases, no question the victim was trespassing, had to climb over a fence and ignore warning signs, but that didn't stop the family from suing. I remember one case where two kids were badly burned after climbing a fence into an electrical substation, the jury apparently figured the power company (or its insurance carrier) could afford the lengthy medical treatment the kids would need. It keeps happening too.... http://gothamist.com/2006/09/19/family_to_sue_d.php Family to Sue Department of Education for $10 Million Over Son's Death Last week, a Brooklyn teenager died after being electrocuted while climbing a fence at PS 217 in Ditmas Park. Luis Rivera and friends were leaving the school's basketball courts (which had been closed) around 8PM, and when Rivera climbed the fence, he brushed up against a light fixture which was not properly "grounded" and was shocked. Now his family has filed a notice of claim to sue the Department of Education for $10 million. The DOE isn't commenting now that there's a lawsuit, but it had initially said that Rivera was trespassing and that he wasn't even a student at PS 217. NY1 reports Rivera's brother as saying, "My brother really was a very special, special person who was trying to make a change for better in his life. And the opportunity was taken from him drastically, and I just want to make sure that someone takes [responsibility] for what happened that day." And Con Ed isn't involved in this case - the electrical fixtures are all the school's responsibility. Last week, the DOE told the Daily News that because the fixture was so high (see this picture), the problem wasn't noticed. http://www.khou.com/news/Family-of-b...-91534619.html Family of boy shocked while climbing electrical tower considers lawsuit |
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