Word: squirm
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...waves from the attack on the Stark raised even more fundamental questions about what America is prepared to do. The issue of what global commitments it is willing to make has caused the U.S. to squirm ever since its disastrous involvement in Viet Nam. Each succeeding tragedy involving American lives twitches a neo-isolationist nerve. The lesson of Viet Nam, many argue, is that the U.S. should resist the urge to send troops blundering into explosive regions where they are destined to be snared in regional quarrels and nationalist conflicts. Vague, lofty notions of maintaining an American empire...
...season. McMahon slipped out the door ostensibly because his tee time had arrived; of course, he was simply trying to avoid having to answer my searing, gut-wrenching inquiries. I let him go. I had already pierced to the man's soul; no need to make him squirm any longer...
...party contest and jump straight into a three- way general election as a black independent running against a white Democrat and a white Republican. Washington clearly relishes forcing his opponents to play a guessing game. "I am getting a tremendous amount of pleasure out of watching the opposition squirm and wonder what I'm doing," he gloats. "Let 'em sweat...
ANYONE WITH THAT much self-awareness absolutely shames 90 percent of the real hacks out there, who pirouette about with pretentions of literary grace. Crude as hell, but damn if you don't know what he means. King grabs you in places that make you squirm, places you'd rather not talk about, but nevertheless he grabs you and WHAM! That's why his writing is so good even when it's dealing with the most ridiculous of subjects: he knows you, knows your culture, knows where to slice and to squeeze...
...Democratic Party, has failed to challenge D'Amato's hold over the state. Hardly a flashy speaker, the senator has used back-room politicking to amass a $7-million war-chest, and judging from Cuomo's bungled attempt to have the party nominate Dyson, the governor doesn't squirm at having New York represented by an ardent conservative...