QUES: " This moves us a lot closer to saying that the foam can do this kind of damage , " said Hubbard , a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board .

" I think this moves us a lot closer toward saying that foam can do this kind of damage , " Hubbard said .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: yes

QUES: " But that does not clear them of the obligation to do everything possible to protect civilians , and that is not what we 're seeing . "

" But that does not clear them of the responsibility to do everything possible to minimize civilian harm . "

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: no

QUES: After 9 / 11 , Connolly said , agents spent thousands of hours investigating al-Bayoumi .

Connolly said FBI agents in San Diego and abroad spent thousands of hours investigating al-Bayoumi .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS:
yes