11.   Asked by a Detroit reporter if he pitched Scheffer because of his local ties, Mariners manager Lou Piniella smiled.

12.   Asked by a discussion facilitator how many of them had been arrested during protests, half of the group attending that session raised their hands.

13.   Asked by a friend if he had ever seen a tunnel.

14.   Asked by Koizumi directly to prepare a list of heavily indebted government enterprises for privatization, Ishihara reportedly balked.

15.   Asked by reporters at the White House Monday if he favored making his tax cut retroactive to the beginning of this year, Bush said yes.

16.   At the time, the horses ran under the name Tega Stable, and stable employees declined to reveal the name of the owner when asked by reporters.

17.   Bauer hinted at the matter when asked by a Commonwealth Club audience member if he has enjoyed running for president.

18.   -- asked by a female voice.

19.   After several years practicing law, he returned to the White House when asked by an old friend, Richard Nixon, to become secretary of state.

20.   Brown himself responded noncommittally when asked by reporters outside the offices of the Nicole Brown Simpson Charitable Foundation today whether his family intended to pursue a custody battle.