51.   But even the chemical companies that lobbied for the changes concede that the existing program has merit.

52.   But for a yachtswoman like Autissier, who has competed in three round-the-world sailboat races, any kind of life-saving device has merit.

53.   But he added that the look of the old Koss had its merits as well.

54.   But competing legal and political claims also have merit.

55.   But he was unsure whether the idea had any merit.

56.   But Homer Lear of San Antonio, who has been speaker of the Silver-Haired Legislature, said the idea has merit.

57.   But if by chance the study does have merit, it means that you are either a clueless and incompetent boob, or you think you are.

58.   But he said he had asked the Air Force and the Army to search their records from the Vietnam War era to determine whether the accusations have merit.

59.   But it still has its merits, and while not particularly frightening, warrants a look.

60.   But Johnson said the claims have no merit and it would have been one of many scenarios.