41.   Pentagon officials defend the practice.

42.   Patterson defends the practice on the ground of political realism.

43.   Raytheon defended its practices.

44.   Researchers defend their practices, saying they disclose what is necessary, the studies do not injure, and the subjects willingly give consent.

45.   Sather defends the practice.

46.   Representatives of the insurance companies that have hired the firm defended the practice, playing down any implication that they were seeking political help.

47.   School district officials defend the practice, saying it would be impossible to pay for construction management any other way.

48.   Rochell defended the practice of auctioning relics, even those from historically symbolic places like the Old Summer Palace.

49.   Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., said he was disappointed at hearing the sweepstakes officials defend their practices.

50.   Sheriff deputies defended their practice of not putting a deputy in the back of the van with prisoners, who are handcuffed, under transport.