Student activism in 70s shaped Argentine first lady

Title: Student activism in 70s shaped Argentine first lady
Source: Reuters

Author: By Nicolas Misculin
Date of Publication: Fri Oct 26, 2007

 Summary:

The article details Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s leftist background and political style. Her character and temper is leading her to be the next and first elected female President in Argentina. In the article she explains how in her times she was considered a stubborn for being so determined in her thoughts. She plans to stay in the same frame of mind. With a long political career, she has stand by her husband’s side since they met in university. Their political believes have shaped her husband’s presidency and Cristina Fernandez intends to keep the same political line. In the last months, she invested a lot of time trying to be noticed in international backgrounds, foreshadowing her victory in the next elections.
Personal Reaction:

No one can deny Cristina Fernandez’s background; she has been an activist from the beginning of her political involvement. She has the charisma of a person who has polished her thoughts and principles. At the moment of writing about the article, Cristina has already been elected and she won the elections. She is the next and first female President in Argentina. When she began her campaign, I believed that a change was going to take place, maybe because that same charisma which takes us to believe that she is strong enough to struggle and to manage this country. Now that she won the elections, I just do not know, I hope she is all she seems to be, and that activism from the 70’s won’t be left aside.

Vocabulary:
Dissent Show phonetics
noun [U] SLIGHTLY FORMAL
strong difference of opinion on a particular subject; disagreement, especially about an official suggestion or plan or a popular belief:
When the time came to approve the proposal, there were one or two voices of dissent.
Compare assent.

Dissent
verb [I] SLIGHTLY FORMAL
to disagree with other people about something:
Anyone wishing to dissent from the motion should now raise their hand.

Dissenter
noun [C] SLIGHTLY FORMAL
someone who dissents

dissenting
adjective SLIGHTLY FORMAL
The jury found it an easy decision to make – in fact there was only one dissenting voice (= person who disagreed).
Hotbed
noun
a hotbed of sth a place or situation where a lot of a particular activity, especially an unwanted or unpleasant activity, is happening or might happen:
The police department was a hotbed of corruption.
In the 60’s the city was a hotbed of crime.

Opinionated
adjective DISAPPROVING
describes someone who is certain about what they think and believe, and who expresses their ideas strongly and often:
He was opinionated and selfish, but undeniably clever.

Oust
verb [T]
to force someone to leave a position of power, job, place or competition:
The president was ousted (from power) in a military coup in January 1987.
Police are trying to oust drug dealers from the city centre.
The champions were defeated by Arsenal and ousted from the League Cup.

Ouster
noun [C or U] US
the removal of someone from an important position or job:
The committee’s chairperson is facing a possible ouster.
Coup (d’état)
noun [C] plural coups (d’état)
a sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, especially by (part of) an army:
a military coup
Tout (MAKE KNOWN)
verb
1 [T] to advertise, make known or praise something or someone repeatedly, especially as a way of encouraging their sale, popularity or development:
As an education minister, she has been touting these ideas for some time.
He is being widely touted as the next leader of the Social Democratic party.
Several insurance companies are now touting their services/wares on local radio.

2 [I] to repeatedly try to persuade people to buy your goods or services:
There were hundreds of taxis at the airport, all touting for business/custom.

Take pains:
Make a special effort or take extra trouble to do something