In both cases, higher oil prices bear the brunt of the blame.

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If shoddy drilling practices have poisoned tens of thousands of Ecuadoreans, as Donziger alleges, surely the owner of the business should bear some of the blame.

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Poor management is another problem, although Italy's politicians must bear some of the blame in their choice of bosses and their reluctance to allow the radical restructuring that the airline has long needed.

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In general, despite some heroic achievements, the relief effort must bear some of the blame for the unfolding disaster.

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If that happens, then America's politicians will bear much of the blame (see article).

ECONOMIST: America's economy

Defendants bear a lot of the blame for these settlements as well, however.

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Rig operator Transocean and contractor Halliburton must also bear portions of the blame for the explosion and resulting spill, Lamar McKay said.

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However, America must bear much of the blame for its failure to do anything to curb household and government borrowing and so boost saving.

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Where there is inaction, institutional investors bear part of the blame.

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Congressional Republicans, too, bear some of the blame.

ECONOMIST: Trade

It's easy enough to blame the bear market for some of the problems in Singapore and Hong Kong.

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Neither party wants to take the blame for a recession or bear market when control of the government is at stake.

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