21.   In the service industries, where the recession did not hit as hard, employment levels are slightly above those in the year-ago period.

22.   Insurance companies were hit as growing concern that the U.S. would default on its debt worsened pulled bond prices down.

23.   It rolls over and under just as it hits the beach.

24.   No good team has been hit as hard in free agency as the Cowboys.

25.   Nobody could hit it as far, or as far as often, as he did.

26.   Not if he continues to hit as he has been and the Mets are able to slip through the wild-card door and into the playoffs.

27.   Now, McLemore switch hits as a means of survival.

28.   One result is an opening, not only for the big carriers but also for some of the small ones that have not been hit as hard.

29.   Or, if that sort of thing hits you as gloomy, you could take the money and have a nice, high-calorie meal.

30.   Retailers with smaller credit card businesses may not be hit as hard by bad debt come earnings time, but all investors in retailing should be vigilant.