     textNodes = []
     for node in parentNode.childNodes
       # is text node, append text
-      if node.nodeType == 3 # nodeType 3 is a text node
+      if node.nodeType == TEXT_NODE
         textNodes.push node.data
         # is br node, append newline
       else if node.nodeName.toUpperCase() == 'BR'

  # recurses into child nodes
  _cleanNode: (node)->
    # dont clean text nodes or mention nodes
    if node.nodeType == 3
      # do nothing
    else if node.nodeName.toUpperCase() == 'BR'
      $(node).replaceWith(' ') unless @multiline # clean breaks in single line inputs

###
class @MentionsKinder
  KEY = { RETURN: 13, ESC: 27 }
  TEXT_NODE = 3
  # default options, exposed under $.mentionsKinder.defaultOptions
  defaultOptions:
    trigger:
