Historically and generally, tokens are nonsense strings of characters, designed to abstractawayfrom and hide the true goodies, your credit card number.
It said focusing on an abstract target could draw attention awayfrom the effectiveness of aid, and its possible corrosive impact on the political systems in recipient countries.
Polls suggest that Californians are keen to restrict marriage in the abstract, but much less keen on taking rights awayfrom people who already have them.