Reply
Mon 9 May, 2011 05:04 am
You name the company = whatever company that you can name?
Context:
That is his intent, says Wolf, who has
long criticized China’s suppression of reli-
gious and minority groups and political dis-
sidents, as well as its policies toward Tibet.
He’s also used his position as chair of the
House of Representatives spending panel on
commerce, justice, and science to urge fed-
eral agencies to beef up their defenses against
cyberterrorism, much of which Wolf believes
originates in China. At one recent hearing, for
example, Wolf grilled the National Science
Foundation’s (NSF’s) inspector general about
a December 2010 attack on NSF computers
that, ironically, affected grant applications to
its Offi ce of Cyberinfrastructure.
Wolf says his rider is meant to deter the
Obama Administration from expanding
its relationship with China. “China is spy-
ing against us, and every U.S. government
agency has been hit by cyberattacks,” Wolf
says. “They are stealing technology from
every major U.S. company. They have taken
technology from NASA, and they have hit the
NSF computers. … You name the company,
and the Chinese are trying to get its secrets.”
–JEFFREY MERVIS
Yes, any company which you care to name.
Quote:. . . a December 2010 attack on NSF computers that, ironically, affected grant applications to its Office of Cyberinfrastructure.
"Attack" is, in simple terms, the subject of the verb affected. However, the entire phrase which i have underlined is functionally the subject, and the clue for you is the use of "that."
@Setanta,
Thank you.
But it is "ironically?" I cannot get it for the time being.
Wolf / grilled / inspector general
about / attack
on/ computers
that . . . affected / applications
The "that . . ." clause is called a restrictive relative clause and refers back to the attack.
The author is saying that it is ironic that grant applications to study cyberinfrastructure were affected by a cybernetic attack. NSF, the National Science Foundation, provides grants for scientific studies. Cyberinfrastructure would be the area in which one would study ways to prevent cybernetic attacks.
@PUNKEY,
PUNKEY wrote:
Wolf / grilled / inspector general
about / attack
on/ computers
that . . . affected / applications
The "that . . ." clause is called a restrictive relative clause and refers back to the attack.
Thanks. But the "ironically" is in the center of confusion. If Wolf's grant application was affected, this it's ironical. But now it is not his grant application...