Because of longstanding ethno-sectarian divisions, British identity in Northern Ireland is controversial, but it is held with strong conviction by unionists.

Odessa voters, however, voted down the proposal, reflecting longstanding divisions between the two municipalities of common size and different focus in neighboring Midland and Ector counties.

Similarly, the argument over what to do with his body is a symbolic expression of longstanding divisions in the body politic.

The seeming lack of concern for the corruption accusations, analysts say, reflects both deep cynicism and longstanding ethnic divisions.

If only for this vote, the Democrats overcame the longstanding divisions over national security that critics love to highlight as "Democrats in disarray."

But instead of quelling the rancor, the appointments may have increased the longstanding divisions between Mr. Purcell and the pre-merger Morgan Stanley bankers and traders.

Rather, the $87 billion request has become a surrogate for the longstanding political divisions between the two parties.

The deals narrowed the longstanding divisions between banks and brokerage firms and widened the gap between the global giants of finance and their regional competitors.

Search committee members say they were looking for a director who not only understood farmers' markets but who could also overcome longstanding divisions and make Greenmarket a forward-thinking model of sustainable agriculture.

Now those longstanding divisions are coming under attack, not so much by local residents as by blacks from other parts of the country who are being drawn here as tourists or to live.