1.   It was a timid first step as to what, compared with what we ought to be doing.

2.   Americans would surely regard the step as a drastic violation of traditional safeguards.

3.   Analysts saw the step as continuation of a purge of senior officers opposed to a confrontation with the West which could cost the country much precious military hardware.

4.   A misdemeanor plea, if one is struck, would let both sides claim victory while providing a potentially important evidentiary step as the prosecutors build their case.

5.   Bush has taken steps as governor of Texas that impressed some teachers, but snubbing the teachers unions could cost him some votes.

6.   But he and the president both portrayed the step as striking an appropriate balance.

7.   But he indicated that he opposed taking that step as part of the budget agreement.

8.   But it is an ambitious step as those of Texas first ladies go.

9.   But local authorities around the country have criticized that step as simply an encouragement to additional land invasions.

10.   But some consumer groups, such as Public Citizen, worry that it would prevent countries from such steps as reaching out to minority and women contractors.