"Whenever the Shiv Sena is in political trouble, it looks for soft targets, " he says.

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Last year councils were warned they were seen as soft targets by metal thieves as new figures revealed the cost to them.

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"Women's rights and music are soft targets, " said Ms. Ershad, a former government adviser on gender issues and a mother of two.

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"We've seen a rash of terrorist incidents at resorts, places that are traditionally soft targets and vacation destinations, " says Dave Johnson , director of training for The Steele Foundation , a California-based risk-management company.

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That makes us vulnerable as soft targets.

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Kenya Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said it was likely resorts close to the border were seen as "soft targets" -- despite the presence of police and security guards -- an attractive proposition given the clampdown on 'traditional' pirate attacks.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Ministers had hoped to smooth over dissent by introducing the cards gradually, beginning with students, foreigners, airport workers and other soft or sensible targets.

ECONOMIST: The database state