1.   A comforting curtain of pine used to hide the sad reality of encroaching new development, new roads nearby, and the closeness of nearby traffic.

2.   A sad reality is that almost four decades since the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the disenfranchised are overwhelmingly people of color.

3.   A sad reality of the criminal justice system is that in all too many cases, defendants are convicted of serious crimes on the flimsiest of evidence.

4.   It is the sad reality of inaugural speeches that no political leader can please everybody, but on Saturday President-elect George W. Bush is required to try.

5.   It is the sad reality of inaugural speeches that no political leader can please everybody, but on Saturday President-elect Bush is required to try.

6.   Meanwhile, both Fromm and Gitomer said the sad reality was that many retailers did not realize what a golden opportunity this time of year presented.

7.   That sad reality is to begin tonight, when Dodger Stadium will be eerily silent.

8.   The sad reality is that the prominent publisher will no doubt have plenty of company.

9.   The sales pitch plays on a sad Russian reality of soaring alcoholism and unemployment rates among men, often leaving women as the sole providers and caregivers.

10.   The sad reality is that ballot disputes and imperfections are a feature of every election.