Word: backdrop
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...there--first of direct military rule, and following that, as headquarters of the U.S. embassy. Though U.S. officials removed some of the more egregious reminders of Saddam--like massive stone carvings of the dictator's head--the palace's marble floors and soaring ballrooms still make an incongruously imperial backdrop for the civilians and soldiers working to bring democracy to Iraq...
...more investment, more jobs and more growth. But these are far from ordinary times. Banks, already burdened with bad consumer and commercial debts, are desperate to clean up their balance sheets and avoid risk - they are not eager to take on more risk by issuing new loans against the backdrop of a deteriorating business climate. American consumers, too, are trying to reduce household debt, so borrowing more money for a new car or to remodel the kitchen is not a high priority. And without greater consumer spending, most companies have little need for new loans to expand operations. "Interest rate...
...large part a tragedy that deals with the consequences arising from humanity’s underlying intolerance and prejudice, Albee’s success stems from his ability to exaggerate the dramatic quality to comic proportions. To achieve that paradoxical effect of hilarity juxtaposed against a morbid backdrop, Albee utilized wordplay, black humor, and even slapstick to counter the mounting tension between the characters as the action progresses to its catastrophic climax. It was precisely this dichotomy that drew director Davida Fernandez-Barkan ’11 to “The Goat...
...John McCain did—as not an Arab, but a “good family man”—is to concede that Muslim heritage is somehow intrinsically disturbing. The notion of fighting over whether someone is or is not Muslim seems especially preposterous against the backdrop of chaos and crisis gripping Turkey right now over a terrorism trial unprecedented in its scale. Turkey may seem exotic and far removed from the American collective consciousness with Nov. 4 fast approaching, but the long-term importance of this crisis over Muslim identity cannot be dismissed. On Monday...
...elitist politicians who govern by focus groups rather than personal convictions. Says Steven Schier, chairman of the political-science department at Minnesota's Carleton College, of Ventura: "He's charismatic, he's warm, he's colorful. Coleman and Humphrey were much more conventional politicians and provided a nice gray backdrop. Every act needs a straight man, and he had two of them." Ventura's campaign manager, Doug Friedline, says, "He's very straightforward and honest. You may not like his answers, but you're gonna get them anyway...