1.   But Gramm is perhaps more closely associated with the NRA and its strident opposition to even moderate forms of gun control.

2.   But runway construction is up to local airports, which frequently face strident opposition from surrounding neighborhoods.

3.   Even more strident opposition has come from Minnesota.

4.   Prosecutors consider him the leader of the conspiracy, but defense lawyers say he is being persecuted for his strident opposition to American policies in the Middle East.

5.   Prime ministers David Ben Gurion, Menachem Begin, and Yitzhak Rabin all faced strident opposition as they embarked on fateful decisions, they noted.

6.   Within his own party, Likud, which is ideologically divided, he has weathered strident opposition as he moved closer to a deal.

7.   His supporters claim he is being targeted for his strident opposition to Cuban leader Fidel Castro.