1.  Maryland tried to argue that the practice was justified, despite data showing little overall difference in drug use between blacks and whites.

2.  The thing that is most remarkable about day trading, though, is the almost complete absence of a coherent investment theory that could justify the practice.

3.  American officials, while not defending or justifying such practices, tend to shrug them off and look to the future.

4.  American officials, while not defending or justifying such practices, shrug them off and point to the future.

5.  But relatives of the victims have justified the practice, citing first-hand experience of policemen or soldiers either heading or being members of kidnap gangs.