Chapters on the western and eastern fronts chart the slow descent into mutual slaughter and operational stalemate.

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The Bernie Madoff scandal is making its slow descent into the background.

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Another thing to remember: globally, Lipitor will remain a big drug, and if Read can slow its descent that will have a bigger impact than any research-based news he can deliver.

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Given the choice of joining the massive, lifelong ladder climb, they prefer a slow and scattershot descent.

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