Environmentalists say it would be the first road built through a designated wilderness area in 34 years, and thus a terrible precedent.

"It would have been a terrible precedent," said one senior law enforcement official.

The essay suggests a terrible precedent: that students be denied access to a basic right.

If we give these masks back, it would set a terrible precedent.

"This is a blow to religious freedom that sets a terrible precedent," he said.

"I think this sets a terrible precedent for historic preservation."

It's also a terrible precedent for the pharmaceutical industry.

"Will it set a terrible precedent if I admit you have been right."

"More than that, this sets terrible precedent for refugee protection, not only here but anywhere else in the world."

A leading international human rights official here said, "The law sets a terrible precedent."