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Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
I know hacking is illegal, plain and simple. However, I'm unsure of the status of nonhacked FTA satellite service. I've heard that some FTA receiver manufacturers have been sued by Dish Network. Is this because those FTA receivers are too easy to hack? Or is it because a glitch in the FTA receivers allowed nonhacked receivers to still receive payed programming? So that begs these questions.

Is it legal to own an ordinary nonhacked FTA receiver?

Is the act of receiving FTA satellite TV signals legal?

Is it legal for FTA broadcasters to even do what they do, or are they committing a crime by catering to people with FTA receivers?
30 Replies · 6602 views
digiblur
Technically it is non-encrypted signals :) If you are watching unencrypted signals without paying for them that is a bad thing.
B.J.
The last few posts about non-encrypted, unencrypted, decrypted has me a bit dizzy. :) Personally, I think I'll continue to consider unencrypted and non-encrypted as the same thing.

However back to the original post:

I know hacking is illegal, plain and simple. ....

I strongly disagree with this. I think that this and other groups, both in the satellite and other subject matter have unfairly given "HACKERS" a bad rap. There is nothing wrong, or illegal or bad about being a hacker. Hacking is nothing more than taking something you own, and engineering it or reverse-engineering it to do something that it wasn't designed to do. Like using a drinking straw as an insulator, or using the combination of a shortwave receiver and the baseband output of an analog receiver to determine the SR of a digital signal, or modifying a ham radio to increase the bandwidth to allow transmission of higher speed digital or video transmissions, or reverse engineering the drivers for some PCI sat receiver so that it can be used on another OS, or adding a converter to a VHF receiver to allow it to receive HF signals, or piggy-backing a Ku lnbf onto the side of a C-band feedhorn to receive Ku band, or taking the body and motor off an old car, and turning it into a trailer , or taking the boxes that some hardware item was shipped in, and converting it into unique storage units, etc, etc, etc. For lack of a better word, HACKING is GOOD. {sorry}
Yes, it requires hacking to accomplish the illegal activities that we're talking about here, but that doesn't mean that hacking is bad anymore than it is say that it is illegal to drive a car just because it is illegal to exceed the speed limit in a car. Ie it's the speeding that is illegal, not driving the car. Similarly, it is circumventing encryption that is illegal here, not hacking. There are lots of aspects about hacking that are perfectly legal, good for the environment (ie less obsolete equipment thrown away), good for the hobby, good from an educational standpoint, ie just plain good.

Anyway, I am tired of people being critical of hackers, and not just in the TVRO sense. Hacking in general is a good thing. I consider myself to be a hacker, and am proud of it, and it really annoys me that people have changed the definition of what it means to be a hacker over the past decade or two.

Sorry for getting off topic.
V
Technically it is non-encrypted signals :) If you are watching unencrypted signals without paying for them that is a bad thing.

Nobody would want to watch a channel on encrypted signal without decrypting it anyway. Not sure if it's legal or not, but that would be useless anyway, which is the whole point of encrypting it to start with obviously.

Now you talked about FTA signals being legal, but don't the FTA signals use the SAME satellites as the encrypted "Satelite TV" signals like Dish Network? And isn't the it ILLEGAL to receive transmissions (even if they are intentionally NOT encrypted, and meant to be a free signal) from a "Satellite TV" satellite? Unless the signal is coming from a satellite which is itself owned by an FTA broadcaster themself, isn't it ILLEGAL to attempt to receive it?




Maybe the term "cracker" should be used to describe people that make modifications or alter code to illegally obtain TV programs. A cracker is defined as a black hat hacker, also. I'm not sure of what the legal definitions are.

Maybe the correct term should be "modder". Modifyining equipment isn't illegal, unless:

1) It is being modified for illegal purposes.
example: disabling your VCR's automatic gain control, thereby breaking its ability to utilize Macrovision copy protection

2) It is being modified for a legal purpose, but in a way which might also allow the modified equipment to be used for illegal purposes.
example: modifying an Xbox to play Japnese region coded games, but the mod might also enable it to play pirated copies of games

As long as you use unmodified store-bought equipment, you are safe in legal terms.

If you buy stuff (I mean ANY electronic equipment, not just FTA receivers) on Ebay though, watch out, as many are Hong Kong made rip offs, which might not be up to manufacturers specifications, and might allow for illegal uses. Even legit products which are simply the overseas verision of a product might have different standards. For example I saw the international version of the ICOM-PCR1000 computer controlled all band receiver on Ebay. Because it is the international version, it does NOT meet the FCC requirement of blocking the cell-phone frequency band. In fact, that was the selling point, was as an "unblocked" receiver. While modern cell phones send audio as digital data and the voice can't be heard without the proper decoder and digital to analog converter on the receiving end, it is still illegal to listen in that band. And the truth is there's no reason to WANT to listen in that band unless trying to illegally intercept a phone conversation, as that band ONLY contains cellphone signals, and nothing that would be legal to listen to.



There are services that cater to FTA - they want you to have and use a FTA receiver to view their programing. Look at:

Free Christian Satellite Television - No Monthly Fees from Glorystar Christian Satellite!

Charlie doesn't like the word "Free" used in the USA!:rant:
Bob


While there is no subscription, it looks like they sell you the receiver, which means it's encrypted and only THEIR receiver can decrypt it. A generic FTA receiver would be useless.
Tron
Now you talked about FTA signals being legal, but don't the FTA signals use the SAME satellites as the encrypted "Satelite TV" signals like Dish Network? And isn't the it ILLEGAL to receive transmissions (even if they are intentionally NOT encrypted, and meant to be a free signal) from a "Satellite TV" satellite? Unless the signal is coming from a satellite which is itself owned by an FTA broadcaster themself, isn't it ILLEGAL to attempt to receive it?

Charlie would like you to think so, but it is not illegal to receive a NON-ENCRYPTED signal from ANY satellite, including his. If he turns off the encryption on a given channel, it is fair game, pure and simple.

As for FTA on other satellites (of which there are plenty across the sky), you must realize what most FTA channels are... They are uplinks of programs that are usually meant for reception by commercial entities, such as cable TV headends and broadcasters. We eavesdrop on these signals, which is PERFECTLY LEGAL, as long as the signal is not encrypted. If it is encrypted, and that encryption is circumvented using altered firmware or other unauthorized means, that is when a crime is committed (a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, to be specific).
C
Nobody would want to watch a channel on encrypted signal without decrypting it anyway. Not sure if it's legal or not, but that would be useless anyway, which is the whole point of encrypting it to start with obviously.

It is only legal to decrypt channels with the equipment and authorization prescribed by the transmitting party or agent thereof.

Using a modified card or CAS system, or whole other receiver running software designed to defeat the authorization system is the illegal thing.

Now you talked about FTA signals being legal, but don't the FTA signals use the SAME satellites as the encrypted "Satelite TV" signals like Dish Network? And isn't the it ILLEGAL to receive transmissions (even if they are intentionally NOT encrypted, and meant to be a free signal) from a "Satellite TV" satellite? Unless the signal is coming from a satellite which is itself owned by an FTA broadcaster themself, isn't it ILLEGAL to attempt to receive it?
What satellites are used and who owns them is beside the point. What matters is if the channels are transmitted with or without encryption.

If no encryption is used, it is legal to receive on your own home.

Now, there are feeds and things not intended for home viewers, but those are still technically legal to watch in your home, but could be construed as a copyright violation.

A small side note. Most satellite broadcasters do not own satellites, they only lease bandwidth owned by the satellite owner. Often even, they subleas their bandwidth alotment from an uplinker, such as Globecast or Pittsburgh Telecom.
hile there is no subscription, it looks like they sell you the receiver, which means it's encrypted and only THEIR receiver can decrypt it. A generic FTA receiver would be useless.
Not correct. The Glorystar channels can be viewed with any FTA receiver. The Glorystar receiver adds the benefit of automatic management for the less technically inclined, much like a pay DBS receiver.
JimmyMcGee
(snip)

Anyway, I am tired of people being critical of hackers, and not just in the TVRO sense. Hacking in general is a good thing. I consider myself to be a hacker, and am proud of it, and it really annoys me that people have changed the definition of what it means to be a hacker over the past decade or two.

Sorry for getting off topic.

I agree. I just wanted to post my favorite part of the manifesto :D

+++The Mentor+++ said:
This is our world now... the world of the electron and the switch, the beauty of the baud. We make use of a service already existing without paying for what could be dirt-cheap if it wasn't run by profiteering gluttons, and you call us criminals. We explore... and you call us criminals. We seek after knowledge... and you call us criminals. We exist without skin color, without nationality, without religious bias... and you call us criminals. You build atomic bombs, you wage wars, you murder, cheat, and lie to us and try to make us believe it's for our own good, yet we're the criminals.

Yes, I am a criminal. My crime is that of curiosity. My crime is that of judging people by what they say and think, not what they look like. My crime is that of outsmarting you, something that you will never forgive me for.

I am a hacker, and this is my manifesto. You may stop this individual, but you can't stop us all... after all, we're all alike
C
I agree. I just wanted to post my favorite part of the manifesto :D

thank you. we live under the rule of criminals who make laws to capatilize of our behaviour. fta will soon be a movement rather than a hobby as long as we make it known.

crackt out,.
Pepper
somebody in the FTA forum who has the time could probably write a real interesting article for 2600 magazine.

true hacking is not signal theft

receiving a non encrypted signal is 100% perfectly legal for now, until someone with too much power decides otherwise.
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
No idea what improvements might be involved.
25 Replies · 1184 views
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N
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
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jsmit86
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
It's a known issue.
For a temporary fix, go into the menu, Audio, and turn Dolby Audio "OFF". You will have PCM stereo audio.

I was able to give the tech ops team some data logs so they could diagnose the problem, and they rolled me back to H708 temporarily. It fixed that issue.

They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
long_time_Dish
They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
Oh, you mean "soon"? :biggrin
Almighty1
It's a known issue.
For a temporary fix, go into the menu, Audio, and turn Dolby Audio "OFF". You will have PCM stereo audio.

I was able to give the tech ops team some data logs so they could diagnose the problem, and they rolled me back to H708 temporarily. It fixed that issue.

They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
I guess they will be busy when lots of people start asking for rollbacks to H708 now that you mention that downgrades of software does exist because it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner and the IR Remote problems in H710-H713.
navychop
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner

:popcorn
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dishstaller
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner
🤣

Oh....you were serious
Almighty1
So after some heavy research, it looks like the issue I mentioned with the DISH 50.0/52.0/54.0 remotes where on the 50.0/52.0 remotes, the dedicated TV Power button or on the 54.x remotes where it is using the TV button on the side followed by Power works correctly on a Hopper 3 which runs Linux but not on a Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 which are Android TV (ATV) has to do with the Android TV software itself. In all instances, the remotes had always sent out a dual RF and Infrared signal when the TV Power signal is sent from the remote. The Hopper 3 without the Plus would ignore the incoming RF power packet signal which is identified as a TV-specific toggle event, and does not trigger a system-wide standby state. The Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 as Android TV devices initially worked the same way as well up to sometime in 2025 as there was the legacy pass-through mode in the original software versions used since the Hopper Plus/Joey 4/Wireless Joey 4 launch, the receiver's underlying software essentially ignored the secondary RF payload that the 50.0/52.0/54.x remotes blasted out whenever the TV Power signal was sent. The Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 recognized it was a TV-specific command and discarded the RF packet, letting the standalone IR signal do its job on the tv.

When the software for the Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 were updated in 2025 and newer versions of the software for those Android TV (ATV) devices, it overhauled how the receiver handles remote commands to tighter integrate the Android TV environment which resulted in the software starting to treat any RF power toggle payload as a global command. As the newer software verion(s) no longer filters out the concurrent RF blast from the 50.0/52.0/54.0 remotes, the moment one sends a TV Power signal from the remote, the Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 catches that unintended RF payloadand interpets it as a command to drop the system into standby.

The fix is really simple since the Android TV (ATV) software for the Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 just needs to be programmed to drop or ignore the specific RF power packets associated with the TV Power signal sequence.

brittanygarden and Rick Durham
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dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

5559 Replies · 460924 views
harshness
I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.
dishstaller
Diesel is all over the place around here. Saw it yesterday from $5.37 to $6.17...not sure what the obsession was with ending in 7
dfergie
$4.09 - $4.29, real gas $4.69...
harshness
I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.
It turns out I was justified in my suspicion.

Gavin Newsom somehow authorized the temporary move of the distribution date of the Winter blend to September 28th.
Foxbat
It turns out I was justified in my suspicion.

Gavin Newsom somehow authorized the temporary move of the distribution date of the Winter blend to September 28th.
Does that raise, or lower, the overall price? Our State Government has been doing everything it can to minimize the impact of the current situation and put a freeze on the State Taxes on fuel sales at the pump. That's why we're still under $4.00/gal. while across the border in Michigan it's much higher.
Bobby
Does that raise, or lower, the overall price? Our State Government has been doing everything it can to minimize the impact of the current situation and put a freeze on the State Taxes on fuel sales at the pump. That's why we're still under $4.00/gal. while across the border in Michigan it's much higher.
Winter blend is cheaper than Summer blend.
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jokeworm
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Ok, I'm bored .... actually - to be more precise - I'm bored of eating the same rotation of 9 or 10 meals that are currently my "go-to" meals. My wife works the long hours - I work from home as and when i feel like it ... which means i generally do most of the cooking ... and so by default - i also make out the shopping list ...

We cook at home 5 or even 6 nights a week - but we always seem to fall back on the same old tried and tested "quick and easy but tastes ok" meals. Week in week out.

Pot Roast - mash and Peas.
Spaghetti
Chicken Pasta in cheese sauce.
Curry & rice
(these are some of mine)

Now it's not that I'm not adventurous in the kitchen ... I'll try anything once or twice ... but we all do it. Unless your name is Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray .. we all eventually fall back on our 8-10 favorite "meals"

So i thought - if we shared some of our own go-to meals with each other ... we might be able to add a few "new" ones to our own arsenal of meals.

So again - I ask you ...

What's for dinner tonight ?

Please give me something new to add to my rotation ... its our weekly shop tomorrow - so i want to pull together a few idea's and try and eat a meal each day next week that I've never had before .. or at least something that is not on my current "go-to" meal plan.

What meal do you always seem to fall back on in your house ? Maybe its something that I've never tried or not had in a while. I need inspiration !! I've got a blank shopping list in front of me - and nothing sounds good .. HELP !
4333 Replies · 331302 views
Bobby
Chili Cheesebugers, Tater Tots.
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TRG
TRG
I made shrimp parmesan with spaghetti and a salad.
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S
venison lasagna
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dishstaller
Smoked some salmon on the grill while enjoying some Blue Moon beer. Kinda cool tonight so I fired up the heaters. Here in FL, we fire up heaters once the temps get below 60 :cool As for the salmon, I seared them first, then flipped them off to the side not over the coals and brushed on some lemon pepper marinade followed by some salmon seasoning. Threw some hickory chips on the coals and then closed the vents to about 10% airflow. Yum.
TRG
TRG
Light dinner tonight before fasting for blood-work tomorrow. Salad and a half turkey sandwich. Water.
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
120 Replies · 1953 views
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Foxbat
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
rvvaquero
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.
Foxbat
Jeeez, Week 6, no lead is safe…
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b4pjoe
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.
Yes the Cowboys owner needs to fire the general manager (himself), co-owner, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Vice President, Director of Player Personnel, and President of AT&T Stadium (his son) and then he should jump off of a cliff. Only then can they recover.
rvvaquero
Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.
dfergie
I was a devout Cowboy fan in the Landry era, grudgingly gave Jimmy his due, since then not so much, the Jones family took care of that...
b4pjoe
Nice knowing you Brian…

IMG_0356.webp
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dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
43 Replies · 3768 views
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navychop
Bob Evans Sage.
R
Bob Evans Sage.
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
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TRG
TRG
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
Kroger stores carry Bob Evans Sage Sausage. For me that means Smiths.

1631.webp
R
Kroger stores carry Bob Evans Sage Sausage. For me that means Smiths.

View attachment 194848
No Kroger's near me. I live in the heart of Walmart land. The only option besides Walmart is Harp's.
TRG
TRG
I live in the heart of Walmart land.
My deepest condolences.
R
My deepest condolences.
Surprisingly I moved here from the Gulf Coast due to the heat. But it has been hotter here due to the heat domes than it did down there.
S
make homemade dog food to :)
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68547 Replies · 2674510 views
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dishstaller
Detroit Rock City - KISS
long_time_Dish
We Built This City - Jefferson Starship
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sdfntx
Built For Comfort - Omar & the Howlers
harshness
On a Bicycle Built for Two [originally "Daisy Bell"] - Nat King Cole
long_time_Dish
The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert
K
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Season 2 order already in hand:

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1

I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
84 Replies · 3380 views
K
I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.
K
I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.
Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.
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MikeD-C05
Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.
Yeah, the foot stuff was just nasty. I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less. Funny, I love being shoe less at home and never wear shoes indoors in my home for long, but seeing her laying on all her furniture with her bare feet hanging out just kind of grossed me out.
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harshness
I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less.
Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?
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MikeD-C05
Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?
There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure. So walking around the station like she did she would get stuff on her feet. I am sure the robot vacuum is still going to miss stuff, with all those different alien species running around there.
harshness
There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure.
Where is it going to come from -- specifically?

Why do you think cleaning technology won't improve in the next few hundred years? HEPA filtration was invented as part of the Manhattan Project.
MikeD-C05
Where is it going to come from -- specifically?

Why do you think cleaning technology won't improve in the next few hundred years? HEPA filtration was invented as part of the Manhattan Project.
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that. ;)
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osu1991
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that. ;)
Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home though :clapping
K
I just thought her behavior, including the bare feet thing, was disrespectful to her position.
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harshness
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes.
That is your right.

I couldn't buy hiding behind the dirty-feet argument.