Bring in the big guns / of the world

Question

Hi teachers,Bring In the Big Guns  (from last year)Ratifying START won't be easy.  It takes 67 votes in the Senate to approve treaties, which means that the Democrats need to bring along eight Republicans to win.  Sen. Jon Kyl, the minority whip, is a bright guy who has apparently spent too much time with the John Boltons of the world: George W. Bush-era conservatives who oppose almost all treaties.  With some concessions (which might not be acceptable to the Russians), Kyl will likely come around on the deal.  But next year or the year later, he'll lead the opposition to ratifying the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban treaty, which didn't even get a majority of votes when it went to the Senate floor in 1999, much less two thirds.  Unless the heads of the weapons labs (and Defense Secretary Robert Gates) say yes to the test ban, Obama can forget about that oneCan you please help me with the following?  I have a lot I don't understand in the text.1.  What is "bring in the big guns"?2.  What is "of the world"?3.  What is "opposition"?4.  What is "much less two thirds" refer to?5.  Why "Obama can forget about that one", what is "one"?Thank you.Tinanam

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

The text has a lot of symbolism and allegory.

tinanam01021. What is "bring in the big guns"?

The "big guns" are the most powerful weapons that you have, but used only as a last resort. It is a metaphor for the most powerful and convincing individuals who are on your side. You don't want to use them too often, because they lose their effectiveness.

tinanam01022. What is "of the world"?

The phrase is: the John Boltons of the world. That is, people who are similar to John Bolton in the way they behave.

tinanam01023. What is "opposition"?

The people who do not vote with the party in control. For example, if the liberals are in the majority, the opposition will be the conservatives.

tinanam01024. What is "much less two thirds" refer to?

They didn't even get a majority of votes in 1999, much less two thirds.

It is an expression of contrast, a bit sarcastic. To pass the treaty, they need two-thirds to vote in favor. Several years ago they didn't even get half the votes. So why would they even hope to get two-thirds?

tinanam01025. Why "Obama can forget about that one", what is "one"?

It refers to the START treaty. Obama will not win it, no matter how hard he tries. But if the military supports him, he might have a chance.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi AlpheccaStars,

Thank you for your time on this passage.

I think I am puzzled by "Unless sentence". I thought if they say yes, Obama can forget about that one. That would be logic in my mother tongue. Same trouble as "until".

1. Does it mean: Unless they say yes, (or / otherwise) Obama can forget about that one.

2. Someone owes you money, and you have a file recording this amount that they owe you. Is it correct to say:

Until you receive the money, you can close the file

Until you receive the money, you shouldn't close the file.

Thank you again

Tinanam

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Here is the sentence:

Unless the heads of the weapons labs (and Defense Secretary Robert Gates) say yes to the test ban, Obama can forget about that one.

Unless is the same as if not. So, re-write the sentence with if:

If the heads of the weapons lab say no (or - if they don't say yes)..., Obama can forget about that one.

The only way Obama can win is if they support him (by saying "yes").

If they don't say "yes", then Obama can forget about a winning vote.

------------------------------------

Until is is a time reference, marking a future time event. The continuous action goes on up to the point of "until," followed by a one-time event.

For example, "I leave" happens once, at a point in time:

I won't leave until they arrive. I might leave after they arrive.

Stay here until they arrive. After they arrive, you can leave.

You shouldn't close the file until (or before) you receive the money.

After you receive the money, you can close the file.

This does not make sense, because closing the file is a one-time event - it can't continue up to the point of "until."

** Until you receive the money, you can close the file.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

AlpheccaStarsThis does not make sense, because closing the file is a one-time event - it can't continue up to the point of "until."** Until you receive the money, you can close the file.

Hi AlpheccaStars,

This is how we say it in our first language, and now I am starting to understand why everyone has been saying that the structure of English sentences is the opposite of Chinese sentences. It is indeed how a lot of locals (me included) saying Until you receive the money, you can close the file. This is why I was confused by the obama sentence.

Thank you again for your time on this

Tinanam

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Hi;

It is just the logic of a sequence of events. The conjunctive adverbs relating to time sequences are before, after, when and until.

Consider this sequence in time, and we can illustrate these adverbs.

The file is open. It is waiting for the money. (Do not close the file, keep it open.)

The money arrives. You put it in the file. Now you can close the file.

Here are ways to give instructions in one sentence:

If the money arrives, close the file.

Please close the file AFTER the money arrives. (The file closing happens some time following the time you get the money.)

Please close the file WHEN the money arrives. (The file closing happens at the same time you get the money.)

Do not close the file BEFORE the money arrives. (It does not say when to close the file, but you have to wait for the money. BEFORE is the opposite of AFTER.)

Do not close the file UNTIL the money arrives. (Same as the last sentence. UNTIL means up to and including that point in time.)

Keep the file open UNTIL the money arrives.

Here is the dictionary definition of UNTIL:

until
— conj
1. up to (a time) that: he laughed until he cried
2. ( used with a negative ) before (a time or event): until you change your shirt, you can't go out

— prep
3. ( often preceded by up ) in or throughout the period before: he waited until six
4. ( used with a negative ) earlier than; before: he won't come until tomorrow

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi AlpheccaStars,

I understand now. Thank you very much.

Have a lovely day.

Tinanam

Bring in the big guns / of the world

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