Jackson_Bartlett

We the Youth

We the Youth a Documentary by Jackson Bartlett

by Jackson Bartlett

We the Youth

Written, Designed and Photographed by:

Jackson Bartlett

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to all of the passionate young people who strive to make this world a better place.

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Acknowledgements , ZRXOG OLNH WR SHUVRQDOO\ WKDQN D KRVW RI SHRSOH ZKR VDFULĂ&#x;FHG their precious time to answer my incoherent babble of questions DQG PDNH WKH SURGXFWLRQ RI WKLV ERRN D UHDOLW\ 7KDQN \RX Ă&#x;UVWO\ to my teachers at Freestyle, Mr. Greco for your keen insight on what could be made better and more informative, Ms. Parkinson for \RXU VKDUS DHVWKHWLF H\H DQG SURĂ&#x;FLHQF\ ZLWK ,Q'HVLJQ DQG 0U Flo, for your nonstop hustle and bustle across the web room HYHU\ IHZ PLQXWHV WR Ă&#x;[ VRPH QHZ WHFKLFDO SUREOHP ZH KDYH KDG at least twice before. Beyond that I would like to thank my interv LHZHHV &UDLJ 0DUNHU VSHFLĂ&#x;FDOO\ IRU VXFK DQG LQ GHSWK DQG ULFK source of information. And to each and every Youth and Govern PHQW SDUWLFLSDQW IRU WKHLU FRORUIXO SHUVRQDOLW\ DQG FDQ GR DWWLWXGH

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Drafting new legislation is a long and involved process

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Table of Contents 1....................................................................................................................................Front Cover 'HGLFDWLRQ $FNRZOHGJHPHQWV 7 2 & )RUHZRUG ,QWURGXFWLRQ :H WKH <RXWK &KDSWHU 2QH &KDSWHU 7ZR &KDSWHU 7KUHH &KDSWHU )RXU 28...................................................................................................................................Afterword %LELOLRJUDSK\ 77

Foreword

I am a youth, the product of California as we know it today. I am DOVR D WZR \HDU YHWHUDQ RI &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V <RXWK DQG *RYHUQPHQW SUR gram. I was thrust headlong into this unfamiliar organization upon a reccomendation from my friend Cody as a freshman. Every day in the car as we drove to school he would rave about how he had found his voice and how passionate he was about this strange YMCA pro JUDP 7HQWDWLYH , VLJQHG XS WKUHH PRQWKV ODWH WKH QH[W \HDU ,Q WKH duration of two weekly meetings, I had an entirely new friend group ERWK LQVLGH DQG RXW RI P\ VFKRRO 2Q WRS RI WKDW , ZDV EHJLQQLQJ 88

to emerge from my social turtle shell. A year and a half later stand KHUH XS WR GDWH RQ SROLWLFV SROLWLFDOO\ VDYY\ FRQĂ&#x;GHQW DQG IULHQGV ZLWK KXQGUHGV RI SHRSOH DFURVV &DOLIRUQLD 7KLV H[SHULHQFH KDV WUXO\ DOWHUHG my life and I wish to share it with the world as so few high school students have even heard of it, much less take the time to join each \HDU , KRSH WKLV WH[W VZD\V WKRXVDQGV RI NLGV DFURVV WKH VWDWH WR H[SDQG WKH SURJUDP DQG OHDG ULFKHU OLYHV WKHPVHOYHV 6R FRPH DQG MRLQ us as we take over California.

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Introduction Youth and Government is an immersive program that carries it par ticipants upon positive paths through this competitive world. It prepares students for the real world through education and real OLIH H[SHULHQFH , IHHO WKDW LW VKRXOG EH VSUHDG WR D EURDGHU UDQJH RI youth in California and eventually across the nation.

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We the Youth +RZ +LJK 6FKRRO 6WXGHQWV 7RRN &DOLIRUQLD E\ 6WRUP

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<RX VWDUH DURXQG WKH URRP IHHOLQJ DQ XQH[SHFWHG PL[ RI VKRFN DZH DQG XWWHU GLVEHOLHI $ ULRW RI QRLVH DQG PRYHPHQW KDYH H[SORGHG DOO DURXQG \RX ZLWKRXW DV PXFK DV D VHFRQG RI ZDUQLQJ 6HJUHJDWHG E\ FRORU RI FORWKLQJ thousands of young people cry out in passionate vehemence. This is standard SURFHGXUH HDFK DQG HYHU\ WLPH &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V <RXWK DQG *RYHUQPHQW FRQYHQHV DV D ZKROH HLWKHU LQ &HQWUDO &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V &DPS 5REHUWV RU RXU VWDWH FDSLWRO RI 6DFUDPHQWR 3DVVLRQDWH DQG LQVSLUHG \RXWK MRLQ DV D FROOHFWLYH WR FKDQJH WKH world for good. Driven by the passion to learn, grow, and become more involved citizens, high school students across California devote hundreds of hours to the Y&G program. Youth and Government provides an unparalleled opportunity for youth to participate in something bigger than themselves, mature socially and mentally, and become active participants in the local, state and global com munity. The program consists of various program areas that model every as SHFW RI &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V SROLWLFDO V\VWHP

Delegate-­produced  newspapers  churn  out  the  latest  stories  and  trends

It also emphasizes delegates putting themselves beyond their comfort zone and challenging themselves. It empowers the young people of California and gives them the feeling they can do anything, save California, and eventually the world. Four year Y&G program veteran Craig Marker gives his perspective RQ WKH EHQHĂ&#x;WV RIIHUHG E\ <RXWK DQG *RYHUQPHQW ¸7KH SURJUDP HPSKDVL]HV public speaking a lot. . . There are clinics, advisors, and other opportunities to help improve public speaking skills. This skill is not only used in the program, but in school and other aspects of the real world.â&#x20AC;?

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Many uninformed citizens make the argument that adolescents DUH WRR LPPDWXUH DQG LQH[SHULHQFHG WR PDNH UDWLRQDO GHFLVLRQV WKDW KDYH LQĂ XHQFH RYHU DQ HQWLUH VWDWH EXW , KDYH SHUVRQDOO\ observed a collective group of youth who have hypothetically VROYHG RYHU Ă&#x;IW\ SHUFHQW RI &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V FXUUHQWO\ RXWVWDQG LQJ LVVXHV 6R EHIRUH FULWLFL]LQJ SHRSOH MXVW EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH young, take stock of the fact they are so intellectual, so phisticated and committed to bettering the state that they of ten have more passion than current politicians.To summarize, this unmatched program gives the rising generation stricken with apathy a chance to solve the problems the world faces E\ WKH WLPH WKH\ UHDFK HDUO\ DGXOWKRRG EXW LW Ă&#x;UVW PXVW EH H[SRVHG WR DOO \RXQJ SHRSOH

Legislation,  Legislation,  and.  .  .  .  .  More  Legislation!

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Delegates  are  all  smiles  all  the  time

&KDSWHU 2QH When Boys Become Men

The long standing Youth and Government program has been doing some thing no other program in the state has been able to offer, letting adolescents become adults. Not in physical stature, but in respon sibility, maturity and mentality. By putting them in the shoes of real justices, legislators, cabinet members and senators, they are allowed D JOLPSVH LQWR WKH OLIH RI UHDO ZRUOG SROLWLFV 7KLV ZLQGRZ RI RSSRU tunity fosters the hope in all participants that no matter how young they may be, how small their opinion may feel, their voice is as impor tant as any in the world. That with just the choices they make, they could alter the future of the state, or even the world. Along with this sensation of personal empowerment comes real world prepara tion. As wonderful as being important is, it walks hand in hand with a heavy burden of responsibility. Power is a dangerous drug, and can be abused.

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The allure is felt at all levels, even ones that have no real impact. In addition, the social, economic and political impact of legislative deci sions must be taken into account. In light of this fact, delegates are VKRZQ H[DFWO\ KRZ LW IHHOV WR PDNH WRXJK GHFLVLRQV RQ WKH LQWHUHVW RI &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V IXWXUH 2Q WKDW QRWH LW LV LQĂ&#x;QLWHO\ EHQHĂ&#x;FLDO WR WKH VWDWH LQ WKDW KDUQHVVLQJ WKH PLQGV RI H[XEHUDQW DQG SDVVLRQDWH \RXWK LV FRQ GXFLYH RI FUHDWLYH DQG HIIHFWLYH VROXWLRQV WR &DOLIRUQLDÂ&#x203A;V FXUUHQWO\ RXW standing issues. I have been an eyewitness to the hypothetical solution RI GR]HQV RI WKH VWDWHÂ&#x203A;V PRVW SUHVVLQJ LVVXHV LQFOXGLQJ QXPHURXV budgets, water shortage issues, and matters regarding public transpor WDWLRQ 7KLV SURJUDP LV DQ XQSDUDOOHOHG OHDUQLQJ H[SHULHQFH WKDW QRW RQO\ EHQHĂ&#x;WV LWV SDUWLFLSDQWV EXW DOVR WKH KHDOWK RI RXU JORULRXV VWDWH

¸, WKLQN WKH SURJUDP GRHV HPSKDVL]H VWDQGLQJ XS and speaking out because it emphasizes staying up to date with what is happening in the world.â&#x20AC;? &UDLJ 0DUNHU 16 16

0H OHIW DQG P\ IULHQG /LOD VLJQLQJ WKH 多QDOL]HG VWDWH &RQVWLWXWLRQ

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Chapter Two Breaking it Down From a more factual and informative standpoint, Youth and Government consists of dozens of varying political programs. The entire program LV KHDGHG E\ D JRYHUQRU ZKR UXQV IRU RIĂ&#x;FH WKH \HDU EHIRUH KH WDNHV SRZHU +LV HOHFWLRQ WDNHV URXJKO\ Ă&#x;YH PRQWKV DQG LQYROYHV PXOWLSOH URXQG of elimination via a speech from all the candidates, followed by a vote XQWLO WKH Ă&#x;QDO WZR FDQGLGDWHV UHPDLQ DQG RQH LV HOLPLQDWHG 7KH SUHVLGHQW has a cabinet whose responsibility it is to aid him as he maintains order DQG FLYLOLW\ 7KH FRXUW SURJUDP LV D EURDG DQG HQFRPSDVVLQJ Ă&#x;HOG ZLWK D FHQWUDO IRFDO SRLQW SHUWDLQLQJ WR LPLWDWLQJ WKH OHJDO V\VWHP 6HYHUDO SXE licly elected justices often preside over the various courts. Below them, delegates assume the roles of lawyers, judges, witnesses, defendants, SURVHFXWRUV DQG DQ\ERG\ HOVH \RX PLJKW Ă&#x;QG LQ D UHDO FRXUW URRP 7KH\ WDNH RQ UHDO FDVHV IURP DFURVV WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV SOD\ WKHP RXW DQG eventually reach a verdict. The media program is tasked with keeping all of Youth and Government informed, a formidable task at that. Print media employs writers, editors, photographers and aesthetic designers to pro GXFH D IXOO OHQJWK GDLO\ QHZVSDSHU HQFRPSDVVLQJ DOO RI WKH FXUUHQW HYHQWV 18 18

Photographers with press passes can be seen in almost every room at any time, busy looking to capture the epitome of the program. Broadcast media works equally strenuously to produce a daily newscast, packed with in WHUYLHZV Ă DVK EXOOHWLQV DQG HYHQ WKH ZHDWKHU 3URGXFHUV HGLWRUV DQG Ă&#x;HOG reporters spend hours trying to get the scoop, or make sure the show will DLU RQ WLPH DQG ZLWKRXW D KLWFK :KLOH LQ 6DFUDPHQWR WKH FXOPLQDWLRQ RI everything in Youth and Government, any delegate may pick up a newspaper, or tune in to local television channels to have this information and entertainment VWUHDPHG GLUHFWO\ WR WKHP 2QO\ D IHZ DGXOWV RYHUVHH WKH HQWLUH SURFHVV IURP VWRU\ERDUGLQJ WR GUDIWLQJ VNHWFKLQJ DFWLQJ Ă&#x;OPLQJ HGLWLQJ DQG SURGXFLQJ

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¸)URP P\ HQFRXQWHUV ZLWK WKH \RXWK LQ WKH SURJUDP ,Â&#x203A;G DUJXH WKDW WKH \RXWK DUH ready to take over the capitols of states and the nation. Their ideas are fresh and put a new perspective on current issues.â&#x20AC;? &UDLJ 0DUNHU %RWK UHQRZQHG DQG LQIDPRXV LQ SROLWLFV DUH WKH 6HQDWH DQG $VVHPEO\ ZKLFK DUH LQ UHDO OLIH JDWKHULQJV RI SROLWLFDO Ă&#x;JXUHV ZKR GHEDWH DQG GH cide on new laws to be enacted. This is modeled component for compo QHQW LQ < * Ă DZOHVVO\ DQG KXQGUHGV RI ELOOV SDVV WKURXJK ERWK Ă RRUV LQ WKH UHDO FKDPEHUV LQ WKH VWDWH FDSLWRO LQ 6DFUDPHQWR DV OLYLQJ KLVWRU\ LV written. The anonymous author of the YMCA Youth & Government Parent +DQGERRN VKHGV OLJKW RQ WKH H[FOXVLYH RSSRUWXQLW\ JLYHQ WR SDUWLFLSDQW LQ VD\LQJ ¸<RXWK *RYHUQPHQW LV WKH RQO\ \RXWK SURJUDP DOORZHG WR XVH WKH DFWXDO FDSLWRO FKDPEHUV Âś 7KH SURFHHGLQJV RIWHQ FRQIXVH Ă&#x;UVW \HDU SDU ticipants because of the seeming chaos created by the election process, PDVV H[RGXVHV IURP WUDLQLQJ VHVVLRQ WR VHVVLRQ JDWKHULQJ DV D ZKROH DQG RWKHU JHQHUDO PDGQHVV 2QFH WKH LQLWLDO VKRFN GLHV GRZQ RQH Ă&#x;QGV RUGHU LQ WKH KHFWLF SURFHHGLQJ DQG VHWWOHV LQ TXLWH FRPIRUWDEOH 6HVVLRQV ZKLFK DUH JDWKHULQJV RI GHOHJDWHV IURP VSHFLĂ&#x;F SURJUDPV LQ RQH ORFDWLRQ DUH the perfect way to meet people, share ideas, and make lifelong friendships.

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, MRLQHG WKH SURJUDP DV D VRSKRPRUH DQG ZDV LPPHUVHG LQ DQ H[SORVLRQ RI H[SHULHQFHV $V D SDJH , KDG QR SROLWLFDOO\ LQYROYHG UROH EXW ZDV VWLOO D YLWDO FRPSRQHQW LQ NHHSLQJ HYHU\WKLQJ Ă RZLQJ , ZDV D SDJH 3DJHV DUH tasked with delivering notes containing information from delegate to del egate, often with critical messages. I got a taste of each and every pro JUDP DUHD DV , Ă LWWHG IURP RQH WR DQRWKHU , HYHQ KDG WKH IRUWXQH WR GH liver an incredibly important note, from the hand of the governor himself.

Working hard primarily on behalf of the senate, my efforts were recog QL]HG E\ VHQDWRUV DQG RWKHU SDJHV DOLNH , PDGH D ZKROH KRVW RI H[WUHPHO\ WLJKW IULHQGVKLSV 2QH JLUO LQ SDUWLFXODU 5DFKHO KDV EHFRPH D GHDU IULHQG RI PLQH DQG ZH KDYH H[HPSOLĂ&#x;HG WUXH IULHQGVKLS RYHU WKH SDVW \HDU DQG D KDOI ,W VWDUWHG ZLWK XV H[FKDQJLQJ RXU IDYRULWH VRQJ O\ULFV RYHU SDJH notes to one another, it ended with a mock marriage and ceremony. Her WDNH LV ¸1HYHU LQ P\ HQWLUH OLIH KDYH , HYHU PHW VXFK ZRQGHUIXO SHRSOH who actually really care about just how you feel and are absolutely will LQJ WR JR WKDW H[WUD PLOH WR KHOS \RX DQG WR VHH KRZ \RX DUH IHHOLQJ ,WÂ&#x203A;V an indescribable feeling. I love it.â&#x20AC;?

¸, GRQÂ&#x203A;W DJUHH ZLWK D ZRUG \RX VD\ EXW , will defend to the death your right to say it.â&#x20AC;?

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Chapter Three A Bond Unbreakable

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It is common knowledge that high school friendships are often tainted ZLWK MHDORXV\ GUDPD DQG EDFN VWDEELQJ $GROHVFHQWV MRFNH\ DQG VKRYH one another to scale the rungs of the social ladder. Yes many friend ships survive these trials and tribulations intact, or stronger than be fore, but often it is not so. I am here to tell you, that the human connections formed in Youth and Government are unbreakable. Against WKH RQVODXJKW RI WLPH DQG GLVWDQFH WKH\ KROG Ă&#x;UP DV VWRQH 7KH YHU\ engine of the program is geared to give participants a push towards reaching beyond their comfort zone. Many embrace this eagerly and, with a smile on their face, greet every person they see and befriend WKHP ZLWKRXW ELDV RU MXGJHPHQW 2WKHUV DUH VOLJKWO\ PRUH WHQWDWLYH EXW EORVVRP LQWR FRQĂ&#x;GHQW VRFLDOLWHV LQ D PDWWHU RI KRXUV , KDYH VHHQ LW happen time and time again. The most reserved and timid delegated leave 6DFUDPHQWR ZLWK D KRVW RI ERQGV SKRQH QXPEHUV DQG QRWHV IURP QHZ IRXQG IULHQGV 7KH VPLOHV WKH ODXJKWHU WKH H[SHULHQFHV PXWXDOO\ IHOW by all are insurmountable and everlasting.

Rushing  to  and  from  session

This is the product of packing together a host of teens in a small environment for dozens of hours and having them pit their wits against one another. The more you argue and debate with somebody, the more you clash with them, the closer you will become to them ultimately. Well known is the fact that the more you speak, the more you engage in debate, the more people will approach you later. Be ing loud, passionate, objective, a pain in the butt, in a socially acceptable manner, all of those things will have a host of delegates crowding around you, asking if \RXÂ&#x203A;G OLNH WR MRLQ WKHP IRU OXQFK RU KDQJ RXW DIWHU VHVVLRQ )LUVW \HDU SDUWLFL SDQW .HYLQ %DVWRXOÂ&#x203A;V WDNH RQ WKH VRFLDO DVSHFW LV ¸5HDOO\ WKH PRUH \RX VWLFN \RXU ZRUGV LQ VRPHRQHÂ&#x203A;V WKURDW WKH PRUH \RX KRXQG WKHP ZLWK FRXQWHU DUJXPHQWV the more you prove them wrong, the more annoying you are in session, the closer WR WKHP \RXÂ&#x203A;OO EHFRPH Âś 7KHVH VNLOOV QRW RQO\ HDUQ WKH DOOXULQJ PHULW RI VWURQJ friendships, but also instill real world advocacy and speaking skills that teach one not to fear voicing their opinion to a group, controversial or not. Facebook activity VSLNHV WKH LQVWDQW 6DFUDPHQWR FRQFOXGHV DQG VWXGHQWV DUULYH KRPH +XQGUHGV RI thousands of pictures and uploaded and tagged, friend requests spiderweb across WKH VWDWH DQG SLQJ XS RQ \RXU QRWLĂ&#x;FDWLRQV KXQGUHGV RI QRVWDOJLF VWDWXVHV DUH posted. Delegates may be separated by the high mountain peaks and low rolling val leys of our beautiful state, but their hearts beat together as one.

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3D\LQJ DWWHQWLRQ GXULQJ VHVVLRQ EHFRPHV GLI¿FXOW DIWHU EHLQJ VHDWHG IRU XS WR IRXU KRXUV at a time

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Chapter Four A Nation of Youth

7KH HQOLJKWHQPHQW WKH SXUH XQEULGOHG IHHOLQJ RI VHOI ZRUWK DQG KDYLQJ RQHÂ&#x203A;V RSLQLRQ PDWWHU VLJQLĂ&#x;FDQWO\ DUH XQSDUDOOHOHG HPRWLRQV EHVWRZHG upon thousands of young Californians. This empowerment bolsters students to make something of themselves in this world and strive to make a difference. The impact their community, to impact their county, to impact their state, to impact their country, to impact the world. Change starts small. It begins with an idea, a passion, it grows from one or two people and it spreads. Eventually, it runs rampant like a disease. This strain is a plague of positive change. It runs like ZLOGĂ&#x;UH LQ WKH YHLQV RI \RXQJ &DOLIRUQLD KLJK VFKRRO VWXGHQWV who want to change the world. They have been instructed in the prin ciples of leadership, friendship, government structure, maturity and LQGHSHQGHQFH 7KHVH DFTXLUHG WDOHQWV JLYH JURZLQJ DGROHVFHQWV D OHJ XS in the real world.

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,I D SHUVRQ FDQ VHOI DGYRFDWH PDUNHW WKHPVHOYHV EH SHUVRQDEOH DQG H[XGH DQ DLU RI FRQĂ&#x;GHQFH WKH\ DUH DV JRRG DV VHW IRU WKH working world. Not only are these skills applicable in politics and VRFLDO VLWXDWLRQV EXW JLYH GHOHJDWHV WKH FRQĂ&#x;GHQFH DQG VNLOOV WKH\ need to become successful in modern day America. This program LV DQ XWWHU EHQHĂ&#x;W WR WKH \RXWK RI &DOLIRUQLD ,W LQYROYHV UH spects, teaches, involves and gives them unmatched opportunities and hurtles them towards success. It allows for social matu ration, a chance to make inseparable friendships and a window of opportunity to make a difference. This program is truly the epit RPH RI FUHDWLQJ D QHZ JHQHUDWLRQ RI \RXWK ([SRVLQJ DV PDQ\ KLJK VFKRRO VWXGHQWV WR WKLV SURJUDP DV SRVVLEOH RSHQV XS D Ă RRG gate of potential reform for California. The more kids you can educate, involve and teach, the greater possibility for solving the numerous problems currently plaguing our great state.

¸7KH IXWXUH LV QRW DQ LQKHULWDQFH LW LV DQ RS portunity and an obligation.â&#x20AC;? %LOO &OLQWRQ 26 26

Delegates not only pride themselves on clean-­cut looks, but on smelling their best as well

Speaking is a critical element in every program area 2727

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Bibliography

Works Cited Page $QRQ\PRXV ¸<0&$ <RXWK *RYHUQPHQW 3DUHQW +DQGERRN ¶ <PFDOD RUJ 6HSW ,QWHUQHW VRXUFH $FFHVVHG 0DUFK KWWS ZZZ \PFDOD RUJ DVVHWV GRFXPHQW SGI 0DUNHU &UDLJ 3HUVRQDO ,QWHUYLHZ -DQ 0DVO\N 5DFKHO 3HUVRQDO ,QWHUYLHZ 0DU 4. Bastoul, Kevin. Personal Interview. 18 Mar. 2012

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