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Notes -
Citation needed? Sorry to be annoying; usually when I see an unsupported claim that looks like hyperbole I'll try to be the change I want to see in the world and find references myself rather than just asking for them, or even do the sample counting myself if I have to ... but I'm happily married and "I swear I only downloaded that dating app to tally statistics! Statistics!!" is the sort of idiot plot that I wouldn't even want to watch in a sitcom.
I'll admit to some hyperbole there, but I'm pretty sure being a Leftist requires you to hate cops, and "I'm a Leftist and you must be one too" IS on 25% of the Hinge profiles I see.
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