Despite Mr Sarkozy's campaign talk of a rupture with the past, on almost every measure, from the reform of universities to pensions to the labour market, his reforms in office have turned out to be half-hearted.

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Some retailers may be giving it a half-hearted effort thanks to the bad timing of where the holiday falls.

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But they also note that the steps taken so far to reactivate the plant have been half-hearted, signaling it may be more of a negotiating ploy.

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Such an admission, if it were ever to be made, would usually occur orally as part of the sheepish smile, half-hearted handshake, and shrug that would accompany the handing over of a settlement payment from the offending party to the victim.

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Governments have also realised that although a sluggish and half-hearted approach to e-government will not put them out of business, they may not be as immune from competition as they thought.

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