"It's a direct slap at historic Irish Catholic Democrats in this country."

Venter saw the announcement as a direct slap, and he felt the sting.

"If they endorse Schwartz," he said, "it would be interpreted as arrogance, as a direct slap in the face."

That, in light of the many wonders he had heard Ancar's other mages promise and fail to perform, was a direct slap at most of them.

This was a direct slap in the face to every Western country, most particularly the United States.

The very name suggested connections to the Shadow, not to mention being a direct slap at the White Tower.

Mr. Yekutieli felt that this was a direct slap at Israel's existence and refused to sign it.

The response was a direct slap at the Wilmington newspaper and its reporter, Valerie Helmbreck.

It is a direct slap at basic justice for all human beings.