Word: underpin
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Some such logic must underpin the recent state of cinematic adaptations of Shakspeare's work; Kenneth Branagh, Franco Zeferelli, Derek Jarman (substitute Marlowe for the bard), and now Christine Edzard, director of "As You Like It," all strive to expose the movie-going public to the genius of Shakespeare. Everyone should have a chance to see his work; they, quite rightly, porvide...
Fleeing Hungary, Soros and his brother ended up in Britain in 1947. George enrolled at the London School of Economics, where, from philosopher Karl Popper, he learned about the links between communism and fascism and the importance of "open societies." The lessons stuck with Soros and now underpin his efforts on behalf of the part of Europe that bore the brunt of both repressive isms and where, he fears, freedom may be at risk if economic and political chaos provokes a return to authoritarian rule. "There are two reasons why I support open societies," he explains. "One is the possibility...
Perfect Wagnerites know that the operas are built from short musical phrases, called leitmotivs, that symbolize characters and ideas. There are themes for Siegfried's sword and Wotan's spear, for renunciation of love and for its redemption. Artfully intertwined, they underpin Wagner's own libretto, based on the sagas of Norse and Germanic legend. In presenting what the composer called a "stage-festival play," Kupfer found physical leitmotivs to complement the musical ones and give his production a visual as well as a musical unity. Characters do not just stand and sing; they stand and deliver, fighting with fury...
Hence, Kennedy detects a pattern repeated over and over: "Wealth is usually needed to underpin military power, and military power is usually needed to acquire and protect wealth." While worrying about their foes, states playing in the world arena must constantly maintain a delicate internal equilibrium. Armies are required for security, but they cost money. Military superiority by itself is often deceiving, since it may be weakening a state's ability to compete economically and fund future conflicts...
Such attitudes are not altogether unknown in the 3,000-member Mustang Club, an S.M.U.-based organization whose dollars have helped underpin S.M.U.'s record as a jock palace (three Bowl games and a No. 2 national ranking in the past six years). Says one faculty member: "Only being No. 1 counts for anything . . . getting there is all that counts as long as you don't land in jail." Advocates of this hard-line boosterism hoped that S.M.U. could skate past the death penalty and be back to business as usual in '88 after the probation ends...