Lesson 38 Losing Control 失控
Words：
clinic n. 门诊所
clinical adj. 临床的
clip vt. 修剪
clockwise adj. 顺时针方向的
clog vt. 阻碍；堵塞，阻塞
clumsy adj. 笨拙的，愚笨的
cluster n. 簇，串，群；vt. 丛生；聚焦
clutch n./v. 抓紧，紧握
clutter n. 混乱；v. 使混乱；乱堆在，塞满
coalesce vi. 联合，合并
coalescence n. 合并，联合
coalition n. 联合，同盟
coarse adj. 粗糙的
coax vt. 哄诱，巧言诱哄
coddle v. 娇生惯养的，溺爱；悉心照料
code of laws 法典
codify vt. 编成法典，编辑成书
coexist vi. 同时存在，共存
cogent adj. （辩论等）有说服力的
cognitive adj. 认知的，感知的
I love to coddle babies. I have a little one of my own. That’s why I was protesting against the opening of an abortion clinic in our neighborhood. I still recollect how we clustered in front of the clinic and tried to clog the front entrance. We would march in a clockwise way to get our message across.
I also remember how we tried to form a coalition in the legislature to enact a code of laws that would limit abortions. We made a lot of cogent arguments. We tried to coax legislators into voting our way. Although several proposed laws were accepted for consideration, none were passed or codified. Eventually, our group began to coalesce with other anti-abortion groups. The coalescence gave us a stronger voice, but we also lost an element of control over the group’s activities.
I never believed in using violence to achieve our cause. However, somebody in out group did and I’ll never forget that day. He shot and killed a clinical psychologist who was entering the abortion clinic. It was a cognitive act of brutality and it happened right in front of my eyes. I quickly ran to give aid to the wounded psychologist. She grabbed my arm to hold herself up, but her clutch loosened as she lost consciousness.
Since then, I’ve never taken part in any protest activities. Why can’t people with opposing opinions peacefully coexist in the same environment?