Word: softener
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...study released last week by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) evaluated 14 air fresheners off the shelf of a local Walgreens and found that 12 contained variable amounts of substances called phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates), a group of chemicals that are used to dissolve and carry fragrances, soften plastics and also as sealants and adhesives. Phthalates are commonly found in a variety of products, including cosmetics, paints, nail polish and children's toys - and have long been at the center of a larger international controversy over their health effects...
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama already has a Letterman appearance under his belt, as well as one on Oprah. He did The Daily Show With Jon Stewart last week, where he offered a sample of his wit to soften serious talk. When Stewart, referring to his oft-cited lack of experience, asked if he'd consider running a smaller country, Obama quipped: "No, what I did think about though was invading a smaller country...
...White House, Bush backers were quick to try to soften any public relations damage the decision might cause. They claimed Solomonic wisdom had been applied to a thorny case, leaving untouched the verdict while sparing a former loyalist the "excessive" penalty of time in the slammer. Bush's lengthy written statement - unnecessary given the absolute authority he has under the Constitution to grant clemency - claimed respect for the verdict and the jury. "There'd been a lot of questions about intervening at points along the way," said one senior White House official, "And the President had always been clear that...
Choosing Darfur as his first major initiative was perhaps inevitable for Kouchner, who remains at heart a humanitarian activist. Although his Darfur summit failed to soften China, which resolutely opposes sanctions on Sudan, or to settle which foreign troops would be sent there, the tragedy in that region had clearly been given top priority by France, thanks in large part to its new Foreign Minister. In Khartoum, even Bashir - not known for his humor - appeared charmed by his French visitor. Like many African leaders, Bashir has known Kouchner for decades, since the Frenchman's days at MSF. In an anteroom...
...soldiers were following orders, why did they photograph themselves in the act? The MPs claim the pictures too were meant to serve as a psychological tool to scare new prisoners into talking. Frederick's uncle says the platoon had tried to soften them up with techniques like sleep deprivation, "but they found the best way was with these photographs, and it apparently worked very effectively." Lawson says his nephew complained about some of the measures and was told, "Don't worry about it." Yet the photos, showing MPs smiling and mugging as they degrade their prisoners, suggest that the accused...