Henry Allen: There's something about the word "disembowel." Or "depravity," or "disfigurement" — about so many words that begin with the letter "d." Divorce, destitution, doubt, drugs, dirt, dwindle. So many of them are on our lips just now — though not "disembowel," and we should be thankful for that much. Once more, as a nation, we have entered Sector D.
As in: debacle, depression, debt and debauchery.
Which is to say: mission unaccomplished in Iraq, world stock markets on tumble-dry, subprime mortgages imploding, Britney Spears.
People watch their houses plummet in value and say: "We'll just have to make do."
Do. D. Do as in doom, which is mood spelled backward, as in the national mood that…
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