Word: confrontational
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 2000-2009
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...lesbian daughter, 26. "It's not lawsuits with a bunch of lawyers arguing. I think a lot of people who maybe aren't decided, when they see that human element, probably will be swayed by it." That's true, although those same images are asking a wary nation to confront an issue it was happy to leave aside, and there's a chance politicians on both sides of the divide could be punished for it. --Reported by Perry Bacon Jr., John F. Dickerson, Viveca Novak and Douglas Waller/Washington; Chris Taylor and Laura Locke/San Francisco; Anne Berryman/Athens, Ga.; and Barbara Maddux/New...
Wartime leaders have always faced the worst fear: defeat in battle. But in democracies at least, war leaders also confront another danger: success. The qualities that make for great statesmanship in wartime--determination, a single focus on victory, a black-and-white conviction of who is friend or foe--can often seem crude or overbearing when peace comes around. The most dramatic example of this in Western history is Winston Churchill. It is no exaggeration to say that without him, Britain may well have been destroyed by Hitler. He was the difference between victory and defeat. But almost the minute...
...constant invocation of incendiary words like war and evil--suggests a portentous, emotional year in the offing. It is possible that the passions raised by such images will lead to an intense national debate over the decisions made by President Bush: to go to war in Iraq and confront the threat of terrorism the way he has, to drastically cut taxes, to create an expensive new Medicare prescription-drug entitlement. But it is also possible that a public besotted with the sensational will be unable to engage in a substantive argument--and instead be deflected into periphera like the quality...
There are quasi-plausible reasons for Edwards' odd unwillingness to confront Kerry. He has defined himself as Mr. Sunshine, and since his future in politics is probably brighter than his present, he doesn't want to sully the white suit. He may also be pulling his punches because he wants to be Vice President. That would be foolish: his prospects aren't as obvious as most citizen pundits think. Kerry will surely want a running mate eager to eviscerate the opposition, particularly in the debate against Vice President Cheney (or, failing that, a Vice President who will bring his home...
...Confront Criminals, Drive Them To Distraction. That seems to be the theory behind a new wave of tactical tricks becoming more popular among urban cops. These "touch-free" techniques use sounds, smells and subterfuge to thwart crime and pose less risk of violence. For police departments faced with budget cuts, limited manpower and accusations of police brutality, they can be a kinder, gentler--and cheaper--way of keeping the streets safe...