They are pragmatic, anti-ideological and results-oriented, hostile to both Big Labour and Big Government but quite prepared to see the government take an active role in dealing with problems like global warming.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

We took months to adjust the organization, training, and support structures of our active combat forces, we experienced major problems with some aspects of the call up and training of our reserves, and we literally had to make thousands of modifications to our combat equipment, munitions, support equipment, and battle management and communications systems.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Section IV: Building a Two-MRC Force for the 21st Century

They have also requested five active duty military communications teams to avoid the communications problems that isolated victims of Hurricane Katrina.

CNN: The latest on Rita and Katrina

Most time is spent answering questions, doing exercises, working through problems, games and other activities that encourage active learning.

UNESCO: Introducing the TLSF Dissemination & Training Toolbox

"I'm taking an active interest and will welcome further discussions if there are further problems in the future because these delays are unacceptable, " he said.

BBC: James Cook Hospital

The European Parliament's budget committee, meanwhile, has been active in trying to call the commission to account, saying its members knew about the problems as early as 1999 but failed to act.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Q and A: Eurostat scandal

By mid-May, Bush said, if funding is not law, problems would grow "more acute, " and would include the curtailing of training for active duty forces.

CNN: No yielding on war funding as Bush proposes talks