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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Descriptive Words

AN EDITED VERSION OF THIS POST APPEARS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ON JUNE 24, 2011

("0bama Will Speed Pullout From War In Afghanistan")

The writers' choice of descriptive words speaks volumes: "fragile" gains, "elusive" transfer of responsibility, "unprepared" Afghanistan troops,"rampant" corruption in Afghan government "sapping" confidence of locals, "disenchanted" in US over "ballooning" national debts, "whopping" price tag of Afghan conflict.

As the President wrestles over the "responsible" way to make an exit, the language of your article only reinforces the obvious: there is no gentle way to articulate the "mess" that remains.

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