But some critics contend that some of these mines are ripe for the sort of expansion that could greatly boost their value when times are less tough.

ECONOMIST: Face value

And then the critics say, 'Her voice is too big for these roles.

WSJ: Anna Netrebko | So Long, Ing��nues | Cultural Conversation by David Mermelstein

Brennan defended himself against such accusations, saying, "the fact that I was not involved in the decision-making process for any of these controversial policies and actions has been ignored" by his critics.

CNN: Gates expected to stay on as Obama's defense secretary

The results appear unlikely to resolve the ongoing controversy over the value, or lack of value, of this procedure, but, as an accompanying editorial states, both advocates and critics of PFO closure will find source material for their arguments in these papers.

FORBES: Controversial PFO Closure Trials Published In NEJM

These critics cite an overly lax regulatory process, trials that are far less demanding than those for drugs and a lack of follow-up after treatment.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But critics say it would be difficult in practice for authorities to monitor how buyers are making use of these purchases.

WSJ: Big Players Cash Out of Hong Kong Property

These include an "under occupancy" penalty - dubbed a "bedroom tax" by critics - for social housing tenants in properties judged to have more rooms than they need.

BBC: Supply of council housing

Why should farmers enjoy special protection? (A silly question, perhaps, in a world where governments routinely stuff rustic pockets with taxpayers' money, but one that needs to be asked.) Another worry, says John Copeland, a professor at the National Centre for Agricultural Law Research and Information in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is that tobacco firms might use these laws to bankrupt their critics.

ECONOMIST: Food-disparagement laws