Object to/ oppose/ be opposed to; sweep; ironically

Hi,

1. How are "object to", "oppose" and "be opposed to" different?

President Obama led the strong US criticism of the decision. "We have been in contact with the Scottish government, indicating that we objected to this," he said. "We thought it was a mistake."

2. Can I replace "objected to" with "opposed" or "were opposed to"?

At 2.37pm, a small convoy of six police vehicles flanked by a police outriders swept him under the prison's arch. A small cluster of about 80 onlookers – local residents – had gathered outside the gate. Some shouted abuse while some cheered ironically, as the convoy passed.

3. What does "swept" here mean?

4. In "Some shouted abuse while some cheered ironically", was the fact that some shouted abuse and some cheered ironic, or were the cheers ironic, meaning they didn't really like seeing him?





At 3.09pm, Megrahi stepped from the van onto the airport tarmac, his face obscured by a white baseball cap and the scarf. After a handshake with prison guards, Megrahi leaned on a wooden walking stick and pulled himself up the aircraft steps, the scarf dangling at his knees.


5. Was the lowest end of the scarf around his knees?

"In Scotland, we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic," he told a packed press conference in Edinburgh. "The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live.

6. Why isn't it "we are a people who prides itself on its humanity"?

Thanks in advance