The narrator expresses skepticism about reading The New York Times, noting the exceptional use of the semicolon in the headlines. He references a specific headline regarding Reagan's stance on the Gulf, suggesting that it embodies a contradiction he finds frustrating. The phrase "Unclear firmness" illustrates a typical American approach to policy that combines decisiveness with ambiguity.

This observation highlights a sense of irony in political communication, where certainty is often undermined by vague intentions. The narrator criticizes this kind of rhetoric, implying that it complicates understanding and reflects broader issues within American governance.