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If you hear someone say, "I'm not scared of that," or, "I didn't want that promotion anyway," it doesn't necessarily mean they're mentally strong. In fact, there's a good chance it's just a facade.

To illustrate this, let's look at the subreddit which we at Bored Panda call "I Am Very Bad". From gun nuts to overly-protective boyfriends, this online community has plenty of examples to prove that overcompensation can be very, very obvious.

Here are the posts that got the most upvotes from the sub's 1.2 million members.

To learn more about "I Am Very Bad" we contacted its moderators and one of them, u/ergoegthatis, agreed to have a little chat.

"Some of the most popular ['tough' people on the subreddit are the ones who see] injustice in the news (e.g. someone being insulted or bear up), and say, 'If that happened to me I'd so and so and so and so!' With everyone on social media having a platform to air any opinion they have, this is incredibly common," u/ergoegthatis told Bored Panda.

"Also in the US, there are many intense political/social statements related to politics and guns. For some reason, Americans are religiously addicted to expressing their opinions on everything, in every possible way (including car decals)."

#2

And Murdered By Words Of Another Vet

And Murdered By Words Of Another Vet

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, the 'us' and 'them' mentality. Also the result of brainwashing. If someone cuts in line, say something. You don't immediately have to resort to violence like a little coward who can't communicate his feelings like a normal adult. (edited the bad word to coward)

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#3

Vaping In Front Of A Water Service Vehicle Thinking It's A Cop Car

Vaping In Front Of A Water Service Vehicle Thinking It's A Cop Car

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even though it's not a cop car, why would it matter if he was vaping in front of one. Is it coz he is possibly under-age or something?

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According to the moderator, the subreddit's 'characters' usually overcompensate due to their fear of a scary, unpredictable, and hostile world.

"It depends on society too: we rarely see these ... expressions coming from Europe, the Arab world, Southern and Central America, Russia, China, Japan, etc. America is witnessing social, political, and economic implosions, so this seems to be a way for them to cope with that," they added.

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The subreddit's community, on the other hand, is way more diverse. "It's heterogeneous, [and has] got all sorts of people," u/ergoegthatis said. "I don't think there's any common factor in our userbase, except the desire to have fun and laugh at people who take their purported [toughness] to comical levels in public."

#4

A Birthday Well Wish Escalates To ”there Will Be Consequences”

A Birthday Well Wish Escalates To ”there Will Be Consequences”

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#5

Even My Local Police Department Had To Call Out This Guy's Bulls**t

Even My Local Police Department Had To Call Out This Guy's Bulls**t

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Marcellus II
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm wondering in this scenario, what's the motivation of criminal nr 1000 to go test the door, when there's already a stack of 999 corpses festering in the spring sunshine?

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While acting tough may meet a person's needs in the short term by artificially boosting their ego or by getting others to back off, it's not a good long-term strategy. In fact, one study conducted by psychologists at Rutgers University found that guys who act tough may suffer serious consequences.

The paper, published in The Journal of Health Psychology, found that these men visit doctors less often. They're also less forthcoming about their medical symptoms when they see a male physician (interestingly, these same men were more likely to choose a male doctor because they believe male doctors are more competent than females).

#6

My Friend And His Wife Are Going Through A Mutual Divorce, Her New Boyfriend Is Wasting No Time Asserting Dominance

My Friend And His Wife Are Going Through A Mutual Divorce, Her New Boyfriend Is Wasting No Time Asserting Dominance

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#7

If You Have To Advertise It, It’s Probably Not True

If You Have To Advertise It, It’s Probably Not True

ReformedCanine Report

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Dee Hunter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't "Alpha" mean a version that's full of bugs and not in a condition to be released to the public?

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#8

She Always Told Me He Was Jealous But Dang

She Always Told Me He Was Jealous But Dang

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Researchers suspect that delaying medical appointments and minimizing symptoms could be one of the reasons why men in the US die, on average, five years earlier than women.

If you want to see whether or not you have a tendency to act this way, this article by Inc. provides a 7-point checklist that could help in evaluating yourself.

If you're also putting up a fake exterior that helps you feel superior, consider the toll it may take on your life. Instead, try to invest in building mental strength, so the way you feel on the inside matches how others see you on the outside. As your mental strength increases, your need to act tough decreases.

#9

Comment On A Post About An Old Couple Having To Slowly Put Back Potatoes One At A Time At A Grocery Store Until The Price Was Low Enough Because They Are Poor

Comment On A Post About An Old Couple Having To Slowly Put Back Potatoes One At A Time At A Grocery Store Until The Price Was Low Enough Because They Are Poor

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#10

If A Cop Is A D*ck You Are Legally Allowed To Beat Him Up Apparently

If A Cop Is A D*ck You Are Legally Allowed To Beat Him Up Apparently

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#11

You Never Know What Will Go Down At A Subway Sandwich Shop

You Never Know What Will Go Down At A Subway Sandwich Shop

RichPaulsBurner Report

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Penny Fan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's necessary because his masculinity is too fragile to survive without them.

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#12

Bad**s Boomer Responds To Being Ok'ed By A Journalist He Yelled At About Climate Change

Bad**s Boomer Responds To Being Ok'ed By A Journalist He Yelled At About Climate Change

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His wife is an animal? Pretty sure that's not legal.

ng avatar
N G
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's living like a rock star, so it's a normal relationship to have.

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Ryan-James O'Driscoll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"SNOWFLAKE!" He wails, before launching into a full blown temper tantrum.

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Wonderful
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He’s one of those guys that gets out of their car at stop lights to yell at the person behind them. Then as they wide leg man step towards their target with their chest puffed out like a gorilla their car starts going forward cause they didn’t put their car in park. The scramble to stop the car is always hilarious. Silly cargo short, soccer sandals, sunglasses hanging off the back of their balding heads, wishing to have a pissing contest with the world.

sanchorb avatar
LSR
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha haaa, this has to be one of the most wonderful and descriptive comments I have read in a long time, lol Excellent depiction.

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David Beaulieu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"bang my wife an animal" AND "have healthy relationships" dude, take it easy.

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sanchorb avatar
LSR
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She has a big nose with two big holes and a pair uf curved teeth tusks to die for, lol

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Patti Vance
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

probably didn't need to read the rest of it after the 'in texas'.

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mdr_1 avatar
Potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe because TX doesn't have income tax? Not sure, but I do know that it only costs a few hundred to incorporate a business there.

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varwenea
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So he's a rockstar who is into best**lity. Gotcha. Well, I guess it is Texas with all them cowboys and cows.

armond_franklin1973 avatar
Ozymandias73
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He noted something alluding to intelligence. So far, I'm seeing none. Just a loud, overbearing, blowhard.

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Translation : "I AM OLD AND RICH SO I AM ALWAYS RIGHT!"

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Shane S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your sexlife is a brag, you’re a tool. One’s sexlife should never come up in a discussion on climate change.

lisachambers2018 avatar
Salty Wild Hair
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So did he learn that anyone aged 50 is not a boomer? Maybe "jack ryan" needed to talk to the guy's grandparents?

jaybird3939 avatar
Jaybird3939
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooh, makes money like a rockstar and lives in TX. Your bravado is basically as good as the TX power grid.

kfidei avatar
GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am not ok with "OK boomer". It's meant as a derogatory remark and an unnecessary put down. Asshats come in ALL ages.

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alex
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why do so many people think they have something to prove??

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Luka Verheijen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could it be tgat old people trying to sound badass so often make you think "okay, they're defenitely old". Get ofc my lawn would've sounded younger

jaynekyra avatar
Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... bang my wife an animal? I really hope he means "like an animal". Ugh.

bigmamabadger avatar
Penny Fan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a wife, I can say that we rarely appreciate being banged like animals. A certain amount of finesse is still required, no matter how hard and fast. We are not cows to be serviced by bulls

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Helmut Kok
Community Member
2 years ago

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Leesa DeAndrea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly what kind of animal is his wife? A 🐑? A 🐴? A 🐷?🦍?

danieleribolla avatar
Daniele Ribolla
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

his wife couldn't be other than an animal, and he bang it, of course, being an animal! bad people.

rileyhquinn avatar
Riley Quinn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically, not a Boomer (we have more than enough a-holes in this group). But he is the snowflake, because only a fragile person like this would take the time to rant about nothing.

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That post says a lot more about the guy posting it than it does about the guy he's posting it to.

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J Gund
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope he just replied to this message with another "ok, boomer."

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DrGirlfriend
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he write his wife an like as in and his animal... like he's doing both? Punctuation would be smarter than insisting your banging your pets with your wife....

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Jill Hojnacki
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, technically, he is Gen-X, not Boomer. As a Boomer, myself (by birth date; a recent Buzzfeed quiz assures me that I am actually a millennial which does seem to fit better as stereotypes go), I will say that I’ve had to learn to accept that the term has become a generation-independent catch-all stereotype. I was born in ‘55 and grew up in the ‘60s. You know . . . Hippies fighting for civil rights, abortion rights, equal rights, LGBTQ+ rights, doing sit-ins to get the EPA adopted and fight for the environment, and to end to the war in Vietnam, plus on the forefront of technology, women/POC fighting to be accepted in the workforce, and all. But with age comes wisdom (one hopes). If it doesn’t apply to you, there’s no reason to take umbrage. The epithet does still sting sometimes, though.🥺

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Seabeast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A 50 year old is not a "boomer". You have to be at least 58 to have been born in that demographic.

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K R
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get it. Who's the a..hole in their situation?

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Kim Kermes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I agree this Texan is a pluperfect jerk, quit blaming an entire generation for things. I don't call all men rapists and babykillers just because a few are.

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the epitome of American-ness: things that make me better than you... power, money, sex and imagined mental superiority, oh, and violence against children.

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Honu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do I get the feeling this guy has a goatee and is recently featured on r/HermanCainAwards?

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Karen Wenzel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sooo, they are BOTH idiots then. one can't come up with a rebuttal and uses a tired stupid trope to try and insult, and the other is a moron who needed that one upsmanship...

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Dave In MD
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP is a AH for calling someone a "Boomer" who at fifty is clearly not a Baby Boomer.

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S.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok Boomer is all about the mentality, not the actual age. Even if a 15 year old said anything like this nonsense, it would've still made sense to "ok boomer" them.

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#13

High School Is A Hell Of A Drug

High School Is A Hell Of A Drug

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#14

His Daughter Took A Laptop Home From School To Message A Boy. So He Decides To Shoot The Laptop That Wasn’t Even His Property

His Daughter Took A Laptop Home From School To Message A Boy. So He Decides To Shoot The Laptop That Wasn’t Even His Property

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Ivo H
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what happens when people are allowed to have more guns than IQ.

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#15

A Challenge From A Bad**s

A Challenge From A Bad**s

2DeadMoose Report

#17

Oh Man... Stay Away From This Guy!

Oh Man... Stay Away From This Guy!

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#18

Shooting A Target From A Mile Away? Light Work

Shooting A Target From A Mile Away? Light Work

ANailBlaster Report

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The (approximate) equivalent to the 13th furthest recorded sniper kill according to wiki.

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#19

Do Not Underestimate People With Multiple Font Tattoos

Do Not Underestimate People With Multiple Font Tattoos

ne_credibile Report

#20

Coronavirus Is Scared Of Catching Me

Coronavirus Is Scared Of Catching Me

irich Report

#21

Accidentally Added The Wrong Guy On Facebook. Guess I'm A Coward Now

Accidentally Added The Wrong Guy On Facebook. Guess I'm A Coward Now

HodlMeNow Report

#22

He Doesnt Need A Bed Just Sleeps In A Holster

He Doesnt Need A Bed Just Sleeps In A Holster

AnonymousAnalAssasin Report

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That doesn't translate well to Scottish, calling someone a weapon up here isn't a compliment.

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#23

I Love My Friend But I Get These Often

I Love My Friend But I Get These Often

friendlynood Report

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet you threw your aluminum can in the trash instead of the recycling bin and jaywalked next, and everyone on the street begged you not to hurt them!

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#24

Vegans Can’t Even Make A Dent

Vegans Can’t Even Make A Dent

Sasha__fierce Report

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Iapetos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I'm an asshole and I can't stand it when people try to make things better for anyone."

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#25

A Warm Welcome Back From My “Bad**s” Roommate

A Warm Welcome Back From My “Bad**s” Roommate

poser-genocide Report

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Girlfriend is being held captive. Save that text and use it as reason to move out. . .

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#26

Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone!

Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone!

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure, because no one would call the police if they actually believed these were bodies. No, they'd go about their business and be nice and polite to the psycho killer.

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#28

School Dropouts Are Very Bad**s

School Dropouts Are Very Bad**s

kenziiefox Report

#30

U Can Use Your Zip Ties To Make Sure Your Legs Stay Together In The New Wheelchair

U Can Use Your Zip Ties To Make Sure Your Legs Stay Together In The New Wheelchair

highvolkage Report

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Jihana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obviously he does park like a jerk and feels threatened now.

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#31

Walmart Patriot

Walmart Patriot

domsak Report

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Wonderful
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let me translate “I was walking down the aisle when a guy wearing a mask passed by me and we briefly made eye contact. Then when I got home and went to take my daily poop I thought up this story to make me look like a bad ass.”

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#32

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later, I Guess

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later, I Guess

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#33

Going To The Gym Makes You Invincible

Going To The Gym Makes You Invincible

Here-For-The-Comment Report

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#34

A Comment: "I Bet You Spent More On This Than Your Kids Since They Were Born"

A Comment: "I Bet You Spent More On This Than Your Kids Since They Were Born"

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#35

Who Would Dare After That

Who Would Dare After That

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Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.