Word: benignant
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...city. But at least in its current form, the Net brings no visual (much less tactile) contact, and so doesn't fully gratify the social machinery in our minds. More generally the Net adds to the information overload, whose psychological effects are still unknown but certainly aren't wholly benign...
...outward appearances, Elliot is a perfectly normal middle-aged businessman. Despite an operation a decade ago for removal of a benign brain tumor the size of a small orange, he remains intelligent and seemingly rational, with a wry sense of humor. Yet his behavior makes it clear that there is something very wrong. After years of rock-solid competence, Elliot now has trouble keeping appointments and making decisions. He has squandered much of his life savings on a series of bad investments. And, strangest of all, the very fact that his behavior is self-destructive doesn't seem to bother...
What could be more benign than that boy scout of financial instruments, the municipal bond? What town has not floated an issue to build a road? What little old lady (or big mutual fund) has not heard an accountant extol "munis" as the most foolproof of investments? Lending to companies is risky: they fold overnight, leaving squabbling creditors. But municipalities don't disappear from the map; and knowing they will borrow more tomorrow, they will do anything -- even raise taxes-to avoid defaulting today...
Things I slept on during my first year includethe Boston club scene and parties at Harvard'svarious social clubs. In small doses, both scenescan be at worst benign and at best amusing...
...strong runner-up has emerged. California Governor Pete Wilson remained sidelined last week after the removal of a benign nodule from his right vocal cord and missed his staff's planned deadline to enter the race officially by Memorial Day. There is also internal strife: top Wilson aide George Gorton went on "vacation" after Wilson tapped former Bush aide Craig Fuller to run the campaign. Phil Gramm of Texas, still smarting from the disclosure of his R-rated movie endeavor in 1974, has watched his approval ratings stay flat even as he becomes better known. Meanwhile, former Tennessee Governor Lamar...