Word: earnest
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Syrian opposition, President Gemayel urged Secretary of State Shultz to return to the Middle East immediately for a round of face-to-face talks with Syrian President Assad. But Shultz took the position that some time would have to pass before the Syrians would be prepared to negotiate in earnest. In the meantime, U.S. diplomats emphasized that they did not consider the latest Syrian rebuffs "a final closing of the door." They noted that only two Arab states, Libya and South Yemen, have joined Syria in denouncing the agreement, while Egypt and Algeria have expressed their support. Most Arab leaders...
Richard Stone's first lesson in the delicate art of diplomacy was a rough one. In February the Administration dispatched him to persuade El Salvador's leaders to advance the date of their elections as an earnest gesture of democratic progress. It was deemed desirable that the U.S. role be secret, so that the move would seem to be a Salvadoran initiative. But on the flight back to Washington, a Tampa reporter sitting near by overheard the former Democratic Senator from Florida and his aides discussing the mission. The reporter confirmed the story with a flustered Stone...
...partisan to-and-fro has also been reflected in his campaign's inattention to grass-roots organizing and political stroking. "We were unorganized in January on purpose," Glenn says, making the reasonable point that a full year before the first primaries is soon enough to begin electioneering in earnest. At the center of the "right stuff-wrong staff' controversy is Glenn's campaign manager, William White, a smalltown lawyer with a notable lack of political savvy, who has been Glenn's closest aide for nine years. Admits White: "Kennedy's withdrawal did leave us temporarily...
...Monday forum, eight earnest candidates tried. They smiled for the cameras, rehashed their campaign platforms, and made every effort not to be offensive to the press or to the 150-odd women of Simmons College in the audience. And when the two hours were over, none of the candidates had said anything brilliant or gave any sign of being set to "break from the pack," as one candidate aptly put it. The most constructive input came from two candidates who clarified once and for all that they will not do so. City Councilor Frederick C. Langone, a crusty old codger...
...hits rock bottom in Act H, the rest can only improve. In the more professional third act, the actors seemed to internalize their characters. Cecily and Gwendolyn, for example, argue seriously over trifles--lumps of sugar for their tea and cake--for the first time. Algernon declares with true earnestness about food, "One has to be serious about something in life to be amused." As the intricate plot unravels and the couples happily unite, the laughter subsides and Finnegan declares, "We have now realized the vital importance of being earnest." Maybe he has, but it would have helped...