That historical reticence -- coupled with a life of fame that often finds celebs of all races surrounded by entourages who may not be willing to offer tough love -- can contribute to the issue.

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But each time Roberts walks down the steps of the Capitol to administer the oath, he may well be surrounded and eventually outvoted by Supreme Court colleagues appointed by Barack Obama.

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Wherever George Washington may have slept, if he were alive today the place would be surrounded by iron barricades, shut-down roadways and government sharpshooters bearing automatic weapons.

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The Maliau Basin may be one of the most primeval destinations in Sabah: a bowl-shaped jungle depression surrounded by unscalable jungle mountains that was unexplored until World War II, when it was spotted from the air by an Allied pilot.

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Mr Roh is surrounded by former outsiders who are at last getting a chance to govern, and may be too optimistic about what can be achieved.

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