Word: naivete
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...quite grew up." Who ever said that was a shortcoming? Tolulope Ogunlesi Lagos German Chancellor Helmut Kohl undoubtedly brought together East and West Germany, but George H.W. Bush's description of him "as the greatest European leader of the second half of the 20th century" shows a degree of naiveté. Kohl was yet one more politician who wanted to leave his mark on history, at the cost of neglecting the country's failing health-care system and the problems of unemployment. Cheryl Bartlett-Büttner Niedersachsen, Germany The admiration that Czech president Vaclav Klaus' article showed for Margaret...
...Boot's article was just another example of neoconservative naiveté. According to Boot, all the U.S. has to do to rid itself of terrorists is find a list of nondemocratic countries that support jihadists and set the people of those countries free with democracy. In fact, Iraqis may not vote themselves free from sectarian violence, and Iranian people, if liberated, may not want to give up access to nuclear resources. The U.S., after several years of failure, should have learned that those issues have to be dealt with in a pragmatic, case-by-case manner. Hanting Teng Taipei...
...dramatic impact, you can see how the painting has been carefully planned and built up in layers. Franco-Swiss painter Félix Vallotton wrote that it "ought not to be missed; it's the alpha and omega of painting," though he couldn't resist adding the words "childlike naiveté," which would so often be used to undervalue the artist. Rousseau was never in any doubt about his own talent. Tate Modern curator Frances Morris admires the self-taught painter for sticking to his vision. "Until he was far on, he received very little encouragement," she says. Even when...
...Counting All the Moral Votes In a remarkable display of naiveté, a majority of Americans voted for Bush, thinking they were voting for moral values [Nov. 15]. They have instead elected a duplicitous group of war profiteers whose only interest is self-interest. The Republican juggernaut has seized control of all three branches of government. Religious conservatives will dictate how we live our lives. Toll the bells, my fellow citizens: democracy is dead in America. Francine Pasetti Tampa, Florida...
...some students will leave Harvard having never had a meal at Annenberg. Every fall and spring 30 to 60 students from all over the country come to Harvard as transfer students. They have the wide-eyed optimism of freshmen without the oft-accompanying naivet...