Line of thought

Posted by Sphinx on March 28, 2004

In Reply to: Line of thought posted by sphinx on March 28, 2004

: : : : Look into the middle of the passage... see 'In the two and a half years since 9/11...'?
: : : : Could you explain the phrase 'preening sophistication' here?
: : : : And could you rephrase what kind of VOICE it is at all? What is the attitude of the people in the article towards the war on terror, briefly?

: : : : Thanks!

: : : The writer is saying that right after 9/11 people had the right idea -- go kill the bastards. But, after some time passed, some people had second thoughts and began to doubt the wisdom of this war. We are too sophisticated to approve of something so primitive as war. And the writer thinks that line of thought will lead all of us down the path of destruction. Lambs to slaughter.

: Can you explain this phrase?

And another question:
how can "appeasement" (the notorious policy of granting concessions) be put side by side with "preening sophistication", -- go kill the bastards?

• Line of thought and other issues Smokey Stover 29/March/04