Word: binding
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...cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interest, and when the reasons that made him bind himself no longer exist...
SPENDING CUTS The White House is in something of a bind. Tax increases can be made, or made to appear, equitable by spreading them over enough people. Spending cuts tend to target particular people -- worse, constituents of particular Congressmen, often Democrats who have won re-election by boasting that they kept in the budget spending programs that benefit their district. On the other hand, some Republicans who are scarcely enthralled by tax increases might buy them as the price for reducing the size of government. "If he does what he promises, he's going to get a lot of bipartisan...
...only thing your silly ignorance will let you do to escape the momentary bind you're in: wave your hand in the general direction of the truth, tighten your shoulders vaguely and shrug, "oh, you know what I mean." Quickly, quickly, you pass the buck on to the listener, displace your responsibility for whatever nonsense you're mumbling...
...support of Hatch and other conservative Republicans had an easy explanation: her strong probusiness credentials. And if they could push through her nomination, the conservatives would have a large chit to call in from the new Administration. The Democrats on the committee, however, were caught in a painful bind. After the Anita Hill debacle, they desperately wanted the Baird confirmation to go smoothly. They also did not want to embarrass the new President. But after so many tainted Attorneys General, they were determined to confirm someone with an unblemished record...
...classic self-defense plea also demands a fair fight. A person who is punched can punch back, but if he shoots, he runs the risk of being charged with murder or manslaughter. This leaves women and children, who are almost always smaller and weaker than their attackers, in a bind. They often see no way to escape an assault without using a weapon and the element of surprise -- arguing, in essence, that their best hope of self-defense was a pre-emptive strike. "Morally and legally a woman should not be expected to wait until his hands are around...