Help...... About " The West Wing" (3)

[english-learner]

How do I understand the phrase " fringe group " in this context? Can you give me a few examples about how to use this phrase? Thanks a lot for your help!!!


BARTLET
Of course.

VAN DYKE
If our children can buy pornography on any street corner for five dollars, isn’t
that too high a price to pay for free speech?

BARTLET
No.

VAN DYKE
Really?

BARTLET
On the other hand, I do think that five dollars is too high a price to pay for
pornography.

C.J.
Why don’t we all sit down?

BARTLET
No. Let’s not, C.J. These people won’t be staying that long. May I have some coffee, Mr. Lewis? Al, how many times have I asked you to denounce the practices of a fringe group that calls itself The Lambs of God?

CALDWELL
Sir, it’s not up to me to...

BARTLET
Crap. It is up to you, Al. You, know, my wife, Abbey, she never wants me to do anything while I’m upset. [a staffer hands him coffee] Thank you, Mr. Lewis. 28 years ago, I come home from a very bad day at the State House. I tell Abbey I’m going out for a drive. I get in the station wagon, and put it in reverse, and pull out of the garage full speed. [Leo and Sam appear in the doorway and quietly enter into the room.] Except I forgot to open the garage door.

[Tdol]

A fringe group is one that relfects opinions only held by a small number of people. I presume the Lambs of God are Christians, but they probably have unorthodox ideas.

[MadHorse]

Originally Posted by english-learner

BARTLET
Crap. It is up to you, Al. You, know, my wife, Abbey, she never wants me to do anything while I’m upset. [a staffer hands him coffee]

Is there a difference between staff and staffer, when both are used to describe a member of a group of assistants?

Thanks.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by MadHorse

Is there a difference between staff and staffer, when both are to describe a member of a group of assistants?

Thank.

A "staff" is a number of individuals.
A "staffer" is an individual member of a staff.