Divisions on contentious issues are becoming political footballs every day of the year -- even on Super Bowl Sunday.
I've heard some C.E.O.'s say they insist that people talk in person or over the phone if it seems as if an e-mail exchange is becoming contentious.
Still, MGM's unexpected re-entry into the production business is sowing dissent among its financial backers, with conference calls becoming "contentious" at times, according to one participant, who, like other investors, insisted on anonymity to avoid upsetting other partners.
China's resistance to taking a higher international profile on difficult foreign policy issues, and its desire to keep away from contentious problems, is becoming much more challenging.
Access to resources is becoming fiercely contentious.
"This is becoming quite contentious," admits Poole.
The use of taxpayers' money to support ailing enterprises is becoming a contentious political issue in Washington.
But behind the scenes, legal and financial conflicts between the academy and the Roosevelt Union School Free District are becoming increasingly contentious.
Companies have also, sensibly, been switching from defined-benefit schemes, under which the company bears the risk of maintaining pension payments, to defined-contribution plans, in which the risk lies with individual pensioners.Poison-pill pensionsPension funds are also becoming a contentious issue in takeover battles: the thought of a hole has put buyers off.
"Judge it - if they don't want to talk about it, don't run the risk of it becoming a contentious issue.
