"We seem to have an obsession with government bookkeeping, " he says.

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Urban authorities in Britain have their hands full these days chasing explosives, yet some of them seem to have an obsession with a less dangerous substance: chicle.

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Indeed, as financial historian Niall Ferguson observed in his book The Ascent Of Money, English speaking peoples already have an obsession with property, with or without tax breaks.

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In Kuwait, French president Nicolas Sarkozy said he hoped Israel's new leadership would "have an obsession with peace... which is the guarantee of Israel's security, " AFP quoted him saying.

BBC: Israel rivals vie to head cabinet

Do I have an unhealthy obsession with Baylor College of Medicine?

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It's clear that the pressures of being the South Africa's first black female winemaker have been replaced by an obsession with her craft.

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"We have had for decades now an obsession with thinness and an obsession with weight and how to lose it, " he said.

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Concerned about staying active and youthful has always been an obsession for boomers, who have already become heavy consumers of vitamins and purchasers of exercise equipment and health-club memberships.

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Winning the football gold medal has become an obsession for Brazil - it is the only trophy they have never lifted.

BBC: Brazil boss faces exit

And it was, you know, an obsession that I think that a lot of people generally don't have to have with what they eat.

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