1.   By the time the ban was lifted, the country was in the midst of a difficult fire season that taxed firefighting resources.

2.   Its resources are being taxed like never before.

3.   A crime wave taxes the resources of a government facing staggering social needs for millions of impoverished blacks.

4.   A crime wave taxes the resources of a government facing staggering social needs.

5.   Ashcroft said the hoaxes tax the resources of an already overburdened law enforcement system.

6.   Chechen refugees have taxed the resources of the remote mountain region and Georgian villagers have accused them of stealing livestock and dealing drugs.

7.   Khan said both Pakistan and India were maintaining large armies that taxed their resources.

8.   With FBI Director Robert Mueller at his side, Ashcroft said a rash of hoaxes across the country have taxed the resources of an already burdened law enforcement system.

9.   Officials have complained that the congressional trips are sorely taxing their resources.