Word: deflections
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Every so often, an inexperienced reporter attempts to describe a dwelling as "attractive" or "impressive." This is incorrect. In journalese, all homes are either modest or stately. When confronted with a truly ramshackle fixer-upper, knowing scribes will deflect attention to the surrounding area, describing the residence as "off the beaten track" or "in a developing area," that is, a slum. Distaste for the suburbs is conveyed by mentioning "trimmed lawns and neat flower beds," thus artfully suggesting both compulsiveness and a high level of intolerance for life in its hearty, untrimmed state...
...missiles with more powerful rocket thrusters and toughening their skins so that they could withstand a faster trip through the atmosphere. Missiles could also be made to spin like rifle bullets, so that laser or particle beams could not dwell on one spot, and be given reflective coatings to deflect or diffuse the beams. To be sure, the Soviets would pay a price: such measures would reduce the numbers of warheads and decoys that a missile could carry, and that would make post- boost or mid-course interception somewhat easier for the U.S. But there are clever ways...
Part of the reason for this conviction is that the ACSR was roundly lambasted by several of the speakers for being a puppet of the Harvard Corporation. These student and alumni spokesmen asserted that the ACSR serves as a lighting rod to deflect criticism and protest from the real policy makers, the seven members of the Harvard Corporation, whom the ACSR is supposed to advise. These speakers contended further that the Corporation then proceeds to ignore practical: all of the ACSR's counsel regarding South Africa policy. One student went so far as to say that when examined in historical...
Some diplomatic sources feel that Viet Nam's latest concession may be intended to deflect further U.S. criticism of its attacks on Khmer resistance camps in neighboring Kampuchea. Laos' accommodating attitude may be in response to recent U.S. overtures, including an American shipment in December of 5,000 tons of rice to alleviate the effects of a poor Laotian harvest. But no major breakthrough of the M.I.A. problem in Laos or Viet Nam seems near. "The timing has made everyone open their eyes," says one U.S. official in Bangkok. "But nothing has happened that hasn't been in the works...
...says, however, that some of the donations were motivated by a desire to deflect accusations that Lampoon humor capitalized on the popularity of racial slurs...