第一篇:奧巴馬西點軍校2014年畢業(yè)演講中英文對照
奧巴馬西點軍校2014年畢業(yè)演講
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.Thank you so much.Thank you.Thank you, General Caslen, for that introduction.General Trainor, General Clarke, faculty and staff at West Point, you have been outstanding stewards of this proud institution and outstanding mentors for the newest officers in the United States Army.美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬:謝謝!非常感謝!謝謝!謝謝卡斯蘭將軍的介紹!特雷納將軍、克拉克將軍、西點軍校的教職工們,你們一直以來都是這所令人自豪的學(xué)府的優(yōu)秀管理者,也是美國陸軍新晉軍官的杰出導(dǎo)師。
I’d like to acknowledge the Army’s leadership--General McHugh--Secretary McHugh, General Odierno, as well as Senator Jack Reed who is here and a proud graduate of West Point himself.To the class of 2014, I congratulate you on taking your place on the Long Gray Line.我要向陸軍領(lǐng)導(dǎo)層表示感謝,包括陸軍部長麥克休將軍以及參謀長奧迪耶諾將軍,同時也要感謝到場的杰克-里德參議員,他是西點軍校引以為榮的畢業(yè)生之一。2014級的畢業(yè)生們,祝賀你們承接了西點軍魂的使命。
Among you is the first all-female command team: Erin Mauldin and Austen Boroff.In Calla Glavin, you have a Rhodes Scholar, and Josh Herbeck proves that West Point accuracy extends beyond the three point line.(Laughter.)在你們當(dāng)中,有美國首支女子指揮團隊,包括艾琳-墨登和奧斯丁-波洛夫??ɡ?格萊文展現(xiàn)了一位羅茲學(xué)者的風(fēng)采,而喬希-赫貝克則證明了西點的精準(zhǔn)度遠在三分線之外。(笑聲)
To the entire class, let me reassure you in these final hours at West Point, as commander in chief, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses.(Laughter, applause.)
全體學(xué)員們,請安心度過你們在西點的最后時光,我以最高統(tǒng)帥的名義在此赦免所有因犯輕罪而關(guān)禁閉的學(xué)員。(笑聲、掌聲)
Let me just say that nobody ever did that for me when I was in school.容我說一句,我當(dāng)學(xué)生的時候,可從未有人這么做過。
I know you join me in extending a word of thanks to your families.Joe DeMoss, whose son James is graduating, spoke for a whole lot of parents when he wrote me a letter about the sacrifices you’ve made.“Deep inside,” he wrote, “we want to explode with pride at what they are committing to do in the service of our country.” Like several graduates, James is a combat veteran, and I
would ask all of us here today to stand and pay tribute not only to the veterans among us, but to the more than 2.5 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as their families.(Applause.)
我知道,你們和我一樣都要向自己的家人表示感謝。喬-狄摩斯是本屆畢業(yè)生詹姆斯的父親,他給我來信講訴你們所作出的犧牲,也道出了許多父母的心聲。他寫道:“在我們的內(nèi)心深處,我們?yōu)樗麄兞⒅緢笮叶械綗o比自豪。”和多位畢業(yè)生一樣,詹姆斯也是位戰(zhàn)場老兵。我請今天在座的各位起立,向我們當(dāng)中的老兵,也向250多萬曾在伊拉克和阿富汗服役的美國人及其家屬致敬。(掌聲)It is a particularly useful time for America to reflect on those who’ve sacrificed so much for our freedom, a few days after Memorial Day.You are the first class to graduate since 9/11 who may not be sent into combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.(Cheers, applause.)
這是繼數(shù)天前陣亡將士紀(jì)念日后的又一個極有意義的時刻,讓美國人民得以回想那些為我們的自由作出巨大犧牲的英雄。你們將是自911恐怖襲擊以來,第一屆不會被派到伊拉克或阿富汗參戰(zhàn)的畢業(yè)生。(歡呼聲、掌聲)
When I first spoke at West Point in 2009, we still had more than 100,000 troops in Iraq.We were preparing to surge in Afghanistan.Our counterterrorism efforts were focused on al-Qaida’s core leadership--those who had carried out the 9/11 attacks.And our nation was just beginning a long climb out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.2009年,我首次在西點發(fā)表演講時,我們?nèi)杂?0萬多名士兵駐扎在伊拉克,也正準(zhǔn)備增兵阿富汗。而我們的反恐重心則是基地組織的核心頭目——正是他們發(fā)動了911恐怖襲擊。此外,我們的國家正開始一段擺脫大蕭條以來最嚴(yán)重經(jīng)濟危機的漫長歷程。
Four and a half years later, as you graduate, the landscape has changed.We have removed our troops from Iraq.We are winding down our war in
Afghanistan.Al-Qaida’s leadership on the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been decimated, and Osama bin Laden is no more.(Cheers, applause.)And through it all, we’ve refocused our investments in what has always been a key source of American strength: a growing economy that can provide opportunity for everybody who’s willing to work hard and take responsibility here at home.四年半以后,就在你們畢業(yè)之際,情況已發(fā)生了轉(zhuǎn)變。我們已從伊拉克撤軍,正逐步結(jié)束阿富汗的戰(zhàn)爭。潛伏在巴基斯坦和阿富汗邊境地區(qū)的基地組織頭目已被斬草除根,而奧薩馬-本-拉登也早已命喪黃泉。(歡呼聲、掌聲)在經(jīng)歷了這一切之后,我們又將關(guān)注重心調(diào)整到美國實力的重要源頭上來,這個源頭就是不斷發(fā)展的經(jīng)濟,為每一個愿意努力工作并愿意承擔(dān)起家國責(zé)任的人提供機會。
In fact, by most measures America has rarely been stronger relative to the rest of the world.Those who argue otherwise--who suggest that America is in decline or has seen its global leadership slip away--are either misreading history or engaged in partisan politics.事實上,與世界上其他國家相比,美國在很多方面都處于強勢地位。有些人持不同觀點,他們認(rèn)為美國正在衰弱或正失去世界的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)地位,這些人不是對歷史存在誤讀,就是陷入了黨派政治的泥潭。
Think about it.Our military has no peer.The odds of a direct threat against us by any nation are low, and do not come close to the dangers we faced during the Cold War.Meanwhile, our economy remains the most dynamic on Earth, our businesses the most innovative.Each year, we grow more energy
3independent.From Europe to Asia, we are the hub of alliances unrivaled in the history of nations.你們想一想,我們的軍隊天下無敵,任何國家對我們構(gòu)成直接威脅的幾率極小,而且與我們在冷戰(zhàn)時期所面臨的危險相差甚遠。同時,我們的經(jīng)濟活力仍居世界第一,企業(yè)的創(chuàng)新性也名列前茅。我們的能源獨立性都在逐年增強。從歐洲到亞洲,我們是各國有史以來無人能敵的聯(lián)盟軸心。
America continues to attract striving immigrants.The values of our founding inspire leaders in parliaments and new movements in public squares around the globe.And when a typhoon hits the Philippines, or schoolgirls are kidnapped in Nigeria, or masked men occupy a building in Ukraine, it is
America that the world looks to for help.(Applause.)So the United States is and remains the one indispensable nation.That has been true for the century past, and it will be true for the century to come.美國將繼續(xù)吸納奮發(fā)圖強的外國移民。我們的建國理念激勵著各國議會的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人,也激勵著世界各地在公共廣場上發(fā)起的新運動。當(dāng)臺風(fēng)襲擊菲律賓的時候,當(dāng)尼日利亞女學(xué)生遭到綁架的時候,當(dāng)蒙面歹徒攻占烏克蘭政府大樓的時候,全世界都翹首以待美國的援助之手。(掌聲)因此,美國始終是一個無可取代的國家,上個世紀(jì)如此,下個世紀(jì)亦是如此。
But the world is changing with accelerating speed.This presents opportunity, but also new dangers.We know all too well, after 9/11, just how technology and globalization has put power once reserved for states in the hands of individuals, raising the capacity of terrorists to do harm.但是,如今的世界瞬息萬變。這為我們帶來了機遇,也帶來了新的危險。911恐怖襲擊事件讓我們清楚地認(rèn)識到,科技和全球化發(fā)展是如何讓原本由國家掌控的權(quán)力落入個人之手,令恐怖分子為非作歹的。
Russia’s aggression towards former Soviet states unnerves capitals in Europe while China’s economic rise and military reach worries its neighbors.4不久前,俄羅斯派兵入侵前蘇聯(lián)加盟共和國——烏克蘭,這一軍事動作牽動歐洲各國神經(jīng),與此同時,中國經(jīng)濟崛起及其軍事走向則引發(fā)鄰國擔(dān)憂。
From Brazil to India, rising middle classes compete with us, and governments seek a greater say in global forums.And even as developing nations embrace democracy and market economies, 24-hour news and social media makes it impossible to ignore the continuation of sectarian conflicts, failing states and popular uprisings that might have received only passing notice a generation ago.從巴西到印度,新興中產(chǎn)階級在與我們展開競爭,此外,各國謀求在國際事務(wù)中爭取更多話語權(quán)。盡管發(fā)展中國家擁護民主、認(rèn)同市場經(jīng)濟,但全天候新聞以及社交媒體報道使得人們無法對接連發(fā)生在這些國家的派系沖突、國家衰敗與民眾暴動等事件視而不見。然而,這些對于上一代人而言,只能引來他們的“側(cè)目”罷了。
It will be your generation’s task to respond to this new world.The question we face, the question each of you will face, is not whether America will lead but how we will lead, not just to secure our peace and prosperity but also extend peace and prosperity around the globe.如何能在新形勢下有所作為的重?fù)?dān)就要落在你們這一代的肩上了。擺在我們面前的問題,不是美國是否處在領(lǐng)導(dǎo)地位,而是她將如何引領(lǐng)各國;不只是美國能否實現(xiàn)繁榮發(fā)展,而是她如何能在全球范圍內(nèi)“播撒”和平與繁榮的“種子”,而這也是你們將來要面對的問題。
Now, this question isn’t new.At least since George Washington served as commander in chief, there have been those who warned against foreign entanglements that do not touch directly on our security or economic well-being.這個問題并非新鮮。至少,自喬治-華盛頓就任總司令——即美國爆發(fā)獨立戰(zhàn)爭以來,就存在一些警告的聲音,表示反對美國卷入與本國國家安全或經(jīng)濟福祉無直接關(guān)聯(lián)的外部紛爭之中。
Today, according to self-described realists, conflicts in Syria or Ukraine or the Central African Republic are not ours to solve.And not surprisingly, after costly wars and continuing challenges here at home, that view is shared by many Americans.現(xiàn)在,那些自詡為現(xiàn)實主義者的人認(rèn)為,美國無需理會發(fā)生在敘利亞、烏克蘭,以及中非共和國的沖突。的確,在經(jīng)受了戰(zhàn)爭以及來自國內(nèi)的多重挑戰(zhàn)之后,這種觀點為許多美國人所認(rèn)同,這并不意外。
第二篇:奧巴馬西點軍校演講
奧巴馬西點軍校演講
奧巴馬
本周一是陣亡將士紀(jì)念日,所以在今天這個場合,美國來緬懷那些為捍衛(wèi)自由犧牲的人們,特別合適。你們是“911”以來第一屆不用奔赴伊拉克或阿富汗前線的畢業(yè)生。當(dāng)我2009年第一次在西點演講時,我們在伊拉克還有10萬多名駐軍。我們還準(zhǔn)備增兵阿富汗。我們反恐行動的重點還集中在基地組織的核心領(lǐng)導(dǎo)層——那些策劃了“911”襲擊的人。我們的國家才剛剛從大蕭條以來最嚴(yán)重的經(jīng)濟危機中爬起身來。
四年半之后,當(dāng)你們畢業(yè)之時,局面已經(jīng)改變了。我們從伊拉克撤出了軍隊。我們正在阿富汗收縮戰(zhàn)線。盤踞在巴基斯坦和阿富汗邊境地區(qū)的若干基地組織領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人已被誅殺,奧薩馬?本—拉登已不復(fù)存在。經(jīng)此巨變,我們已將資源重新集中于美國實力的本源:不斷成長的經(jīng)濟——能夠為每一個愿在國內(nèi)勤勉工作、盡職盡責(zé)的人創(chuàng)造機會。
實際上,以大多數(shù)指標(biāo)來衡量,相對于世界其他國家,美國很少像今天這樣強大。那些持不同論調(diào)——說美國正在衰落,或說她已喪失全球領(lǐng)導(dǎo)地位——的人,要么是誤解了歷史,要么就是被黨派立場蒙住了雙眼。想想看。我們的軍事實力舉世無匹。來自任何一個國家的直接威脅都很低,遠不能同冷戰(zhàn)時期的危險相比。同時,我們的經(jīng)濟仍是全球最具活力的經(jīng)濟,我們的企業(yè)是最富創(chuàng)新能力的企業(yè)。我們在能源供應(yīng)上一年比一年更獨立。從歐洲到亞洲,如此眾多的盟友簇?fù)碓谖覀冎車?,為萬國歷史上所僅見。
美國仍在吸引努力奮斗的移民前來。我們的建國理念在世界各地激勵著議會中的領(lǐng)袖和廣場上參與運動的人群。當(dāng)菲律賓受臺風(fēng)肆虐,尼日利亞女學(xué)童遭到劫持,或是烏克蘭的蒙面槍手占據(jù)大樓,美國仍然是全世界尋求幫助的對象。我國是而且仍然是一個不可或缺的國家。上一個世紀(jì)是這樣,下一個世紀(jì)仍將如此。
然而,世界正在加速變遷。這種變遷帶來機遇,但也帶來新的危險。“911”以后我們深刻地認(rèn)識到,新技術(shù)和全球化如何讓個人掌握了原本只有國家才有的力量,提升了恐怖主義者實施傷害的能力。俄羅斯對前蘇聯(lián)加盟國的侵凌踩痛了歐洲各國的神經(jīng),而中國的經(jīng)濟和軍事崛起則引發(fā)其鄰國的緊張。從巴西到印度,新興的中產(chǎn)階級社會同我們展開競爭,它們的政府在國際議題上尋求更大的發(fā)言權(quán)。盡管許多發(fā)展中國家擁抱民主和市場經(jīng)濟,但24小時新聞和社交媒體讓人難以忽視派系沖突、國家失靈和民眾暴動的持續(xù)存在,而這一切在10年前只會偶爾受到關(guān)注。
應(yīng)對這樣一個新世界,是你們這一代的任務(wù)。我們所面臨的問題,你們每一個人所要面臨的問題,不是美國還會不會領(lǐng)導(dǎo)世界,而是我們將如何領(lǐng)導(dǎo)世界——不僅僅確保我們自身的和平和繁榮,還要把和平和繁榮擴展到全世界。
其實,這個問題并不是新問題。最晚從華盛頓在獨立戰(zhàn)爭中擔(dān)任大陸軍總司令以來,總有人說,干嘛要關(guān)心那些并不直接牽涉我國安全和經(jīng)濟福利的外國爛攤子?如今,按照那些自詡為現(xiàn)實主義者的人的說法,不管是敘利亞、烏克蘭還是中非共和國的紛爭,都不關(guān)我們的事。并不奇怪,在經(jīng)歷了靡費的戰(zhàn)爭和國內(nèi)的重重挑戰(zhàn)之后,很多美國人都有類似想法。
左的和右的干涉主義者則持另一種看法,他們說,無視這些沖突,最終會令我們自己遭殃。他們說,美國在全世界運用實力的意志是防止世界陷入混亂的終極保障,如果美國面對敘利亞的暴行或俄羅斯的挑釁而無所行動,不僅違背我們的良心,而且也是在縱容未來更加肆無忌憚的行徑。
兩邊都可以從歷史上找到論據(jù)。但我認(rèn)為,上面兩種觀點都沒有充分滿足當(dāng)今時代所提出的要求。毫無疑問,在21世紀(jì),美國孤立主義絕對行不通。我們不可能對國境之外的事態(tài)坐視不理。如果國外的核材料得不到妥善保存,美國的城市就會遭受威脅。當(dāng)敘利亞內(nèi)戰(zhàn)向境外蔓延,經(jīng)過戰(zhàn)爭歷練的極端組織攻擊美國的能力只會有增無減。如果地區(qū)擴張行為得不到約束——不論是在烏克蘭南部還是南中國海,或是其他地方——最終會觸及我們的盟友,并將我們自己的軍隊卷入沖突。我們不能對國境外的種種事態(tài)袖手旁觀。
除了上面那些利益計算,我相信我們還有一個真實的關(guān)切、一個長遠利益:保證我們的子孫后代在一個女學(xué)童不被劫持,人們不因部落、信仰或政治立場而遭屠戮的世界里長大。我堅信,建設(shè)一個更自由、更寬容的世界不僅是一種道德要求,也有助于保障我們本國的安全。
然而,說我們有必要在國境之外推進和平與自由,并不是說所有所有問題都要用軍事手段解決。自第一次世界大戰(zhàn)以來,我們所犯過的一些代價最高昂的錯誤不是來自我們的克制,而是因為我們在貿(mào)然投入軍事冒險前對后果考慮不周——沒有為我們的行動獲得國際支持與合法性;沒有對美國人民坦陳需要他們做出的犧牲。強硬言辭容易博取新聞版面,但戰(zhàn)爭的真相很少能夠符合口號。對這個問題理解深刻的艾森豪威爾將軍1947年在這個典禮上說得好:“戰(zhàn)爭是人類最可悲、最愚昧的蠢行。故意挑起戰(zhàn)爭,不論是自己決斷還是出謀劃策,都是對全人類犯下的邪惡罪行。”
像艾森豪威爾一樣,這一代的男女軍人對戰(zhàn)爭的代價理解甚深,你們西點畢業(yè)生也是如此。當(dāng)我5年前在此宣布增兵阿富汗的時候,聽眾中的四人后來就在那個戰(zhàn)場上捐軀。還有很多西點生負(fù)傷。我相信美國的國家安全需要采取那次軍事部署。但那些傷亡者的英靈和苦痛令我寢食難安。如果我把你們送去冒生命危險,只是因為覺得世界上的哪個地方出了問題得有人管管,或者因為怕別人說不派兵干涉就會顯得美國很軟弱,那我就是背叛了我對你們、對我所愛的這個國家所負(fù)有的責(zé)任。
這是我的底線:在世界舞臺上,美國必須堅持發(fā)揮領(lǐng)導(dǎo)作用。如果我們不做,就沒人會去承擔(dān)那份責(zé)任。你們加入的美國軍隊一直是支持美國領(lǐng)導(dǎo)作用的中堅力量。但是美國的軍事行動不能在所有情況下都構(gòu)成美國領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的唯一內(nèi)容,甚至不能總是其首要內(nèi)容。我們手中握有最好的榔頭,并不意味著所有的問題就都成了釘子。而且,正因為軍事行動成本高昂,你們理當(dāng)期待,每一位平民政府的總統(tǒng)——尤其他又是你們的總司令——在動用這種令人敬畏的力量之時,都應(yīng)該懷著何種戒慎恐懼的心情。
所以,我將用接下來的時間,描述一下我設(shè)想的前景:美利堅合眾國及其軍隊如何在未來若干年內(nèi)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)世界,因為你們都將組成那種領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的一部分。
首先,請允許我重復(fù)我在初任總統(tǒng)時所說的一句話:美國將運用軍事力量,如必要時甚至是單邊運用,如果我們的核心利益要求如此——如果我們的人民受到威脅,如果我們的生計蒙受風(fēng)險,如果我們的盟友陷入危難。在這些情況下,我們?nèi)皂氉穯?,我們的行動是否適度、有效和正義。國際輿論很重要,但保護我們的人民、國土和生活方式,美國不需要請求允許。
另一方面,如果全球關(guān)心的問題并沒有直接威脅到美國,卻也有所關(guān)涉的時候——當(dāng)國外的危機刺痛了我們的良心,或者將世界推向一個更危險的方向卻并未直接威脅到我們時,軍事行動的門檻必須提高。在這些情況下,我們不應(yīng)獨自動武。而是必須動員盟友和伙伴采取集體行動。我們必須拓展手段,包括外交和國際開發(fā)、制裁和孤立、訴諸國際法和采取多邊軍事行動——前提是正義、必要和有效性。我們必須同其他方面合作,因為在此類情況下,集體行動更容易成功,更容易持久,也更不容易導(dǎo)致嚴(yán)重的錯誤。
這就引出我的第二個論點:在可預(yù)見的未來,在國內(nèi)外對美國構(gòu)成最直接威脅的還是恐怖主義。但是入侵所有庇護恐怖主義網(wǎng)絡(luò)的國家,這種戰(zhàn)略既是天真的,也是不可持續(xù)的。我認(rèn)為我們必須改變我們的反恐戰(zhàn)略,吸取我們在伊拉克和阿富汗的經(jīng)驗教訓(xùn),更有效地同那些恐怖主義試圖滲透的國家合作。
之所以需要新戰(zhàn)略,是因為現(xiàn)在的主要威脅不在來自一個集中化的基地組織核心,而是來自分散化的基地外圍和在各國各自為戰(zhàn)的極端勢力。這種變化降低了“911”式大規(guī)模襲擊美國本土的可能性,但它卻加劇了美國人員在海外遇襲的危險,就像我們在班加西領(lǐng)館遇襲事件中看到的情況一樣。它也加劇了防衛(wèi)薄弱的目標(biāo)遇襲的危險,就像我們在內(nèi)羅畢購物中心襲擊事件中看到的情況一樣。
所以我們必須設(shè)計出一套戰(zhàn)略,以應(yīng)對此類分散化的威脅。那套戰(zhàn)略要能讓我們在擴大干預(yù)范圍的同時,不至于把我們的軍力過度攤薄,或引發(fā)當(dāng)?shù)厝说某鸷?。我們需要伙伴來和我們并肩打擊恐怖主義。培養(yǎng)伙伴的能力正是我們在阿富汗所做的主要工作之一。
與盟友攜手,美國重拳打擊了基地組織核心,并反擊了旨在推翻阿富汗政權(quán)的暴動。但要保住這些果實,前提是阿富汗方面有足夠的能力完成任務(wù)。所以我們在訓(xùn)練數(shù)十萬的阿富汗士兵和警察。今年年初,正是那些阿富汗部隊保障了這個國家完成其歷史上首次民主的政權(quán)交接。今年年末,一位新的阿富汗總統(tǒng)將會走馬上任,而美國的戰(zhàn)斗任務(wù)屆時也就結(jié)束了。
那是美國武裝部隊幫助完成的一個了不起的成就。當(dāng)我們在阿富汗轉(zhuǎn)向訓(xùn)練和顧問任務(wù),我們在該國的收縮讓我們可以更有效地應(yīng)對在中東與北非出現(xiàn)的新威脅。所以,今年早些時候,我要求我的國家安全團隊制定一套計劃,從南亞到非洲薩赫勒地區(qū)打造一個伙伴網(wǎng)絡(luò)。今天,作為這一努力的一部分,我呼吁國會支持設(shè)立一個50億美元的反恐怖主義伙伴基金,以使我們訓(xùn)練和裝備處于反恐前線的伙伴。這些資源將使我們能夠靈活勝任各種不同任務(wù),包括幫助受到基地滲透的也門訓(xùn)練安全部隊、在索馬里部署多國維和部隊、同歐洲盟友一起訓(xùn)練利比亞安全部隊和邊界巡邏隊以及協(xié)助法國在馬里采取行動等。
這一切努力的一個關(guān)鍵焦點是曠日持久的敘利亞危機。這場令人沮喪的危機沒有容易的解決辦法,用任何軍事手段都不可能很快消除那里令人發(fā)指的暴行。作為總統(tǒng),我決定不讓美國的部隊介入那場日益演變成派系戰(zhàn)爭的沖突,我相信這一決定是正確的。但那并不意味著我們不應(yīng)該幫助敘利亞人民反抗那轟炸、餓死自己人民的獨裁者。通過幫助那些為全體敘利亞人決定自身命運的權(quán)利而戰(zhàn)的人,我們也就是在反擊那些試圖從這場混亂中漁利的極端主義者。
依靠我今天倡議設(shè)立的這個新基金,我們將幫助敘利亞的鄰國約旦、黎巴嫩、土耳其和伊拉克,幫助他們在敘利亞邊境疏導(dǎo)難民,拒斥恐怖分子。我將和國會通力合作,支持?jǐn)⒗麃喎磳ε芍凶钣邢M娲植婪肿雍蜌埍┆毑谜叩哪切┝α?。我們還會繼續(xù)同我們在歐洲和阿拉伯世界的盟友協(xié)調(diào),推動這場危機得到政治解決,確保那些國家而不僅僅是美國在幫助敘利亞人民的過程中做出一份合理的貢獻。
關(guān)于反恐怖主義,我還有最后一點要講。我所描述的伙伴關(guān)系并不意味著,不需要采取任何直接行動,實施必要的自衛(wèi)了。當(dāng)我們掌握了可以據(jù)以采取行動的充分情報以后,我們就會采取行動。例如抓捕1998年陰謀炸毀美國使館的恐怖分子、在也門和索馬里實施無人機打擊等等。在必須行動的時候,我們不能猶豫。
但就像我去年所說,在采取直接行動時我們必須堅持標(biāo)準(zhǔn),持守我們的價值觀。那意味著僅當(dāng)面對持續(xù)的、實質(zhì)性的威脅時才進行打擊,而且要盡量確保不會造成平民傷亡。因為我們的行動要符合一條簡單標(biāo)準(zhǔn):我們不能在清除敵人的過程中,制造更多的敵人。
我也相信,關(guān)于反恐行動的基礎(chǔ)和實施方式,我們必須更加透明。我們必須對公眾作出解釋。我會更多地讓軍方主導(dǎo)并向公眾提供行動信息。我們的情報部門做了很多出色的工作,我們還會繼續(xù)保護它們的信息源和工作方法。但如果我們無法清楚、公開地解釋我們的行為,我們就得應(yīng)付恐怖分子的宣傳和國際上的質(zhì)疑,我們在伙伴和人民眼里的合法性會遭到削弱,我們對自己政府的報告義務(wù)會遭到忽視。
透明度問題直接關(guān)系到美國領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的第三個層面,那就是加強國際秩序。
第二次世界大戰(zhàn)以后,美國智慧地創(chuàng)造出一些制度,以維護和平,促進人類進步——從北約到聯(lián)合國再到世界銀行和國際貨幣基金組織。這些制度并不完美,但它們是力量的放大器。它們減少了美國采取單邊行動的需要,增加了對其他國家的約束。
如今,正如這個世界已經(jīng)變化,這一國際治理架構(gòu)也需要因時而變。在冷戰(zhàn)高潮時期,肯尼迪總統(tǒng)說過,和平需要建立在“人類制度的漸進演化”之上。促使這些國際制度進一步演化,以應(yīng)今時今日之需,是美國領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的關(guān)鍵內(nèi)容。
現(xiàn)在有不少人、不少懷疑論者老是要貶低多邊行動的有效性。在他們看來,通過聯(lián)合國這種國際組織來做事或遵守國際法是軟弱的標(biāo)志。我說他們錯了。容我舉兩個例子來說明為什么。
俄羅斯最近在烏克蘭的行動讓人回想起蘇聯(lián)坦克碾壓東歐的年代。但這并不是冷戰(zhàn)重演。我們塑造世界輿論的能力幫助我們成功孤立了俄羅斯。由于美國的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力,各國都很快對俄羅斯的行徑做出譴責(zé),歐洲和七國集團聯(lián)合我們實施制裁,北約加強了對東歐盟友的承諾,國際貨幣基金組織協(xié)助穩(wěn)定烏克蘭經(jīng)濟,歐洲安全與合作組織的監(jiān)督將全世界的目光引向了烏克蘭南部的動蕩。這場對世界輿論和國際組織的動員有力地抗衡了俄羅斯的宣傳攻勢、其部署在俄烏邊境的軍隊和滲透在烏克蘭的蒙面武裝分子。
上周周末,數(shù)以百萬計的烏克蘭公民投了票。昨天我同烏克蘭當(dāng)選總統(tǒng)通了話。我們不知道局勢會怎樣演變,不知道前方還會有何種兇險,但同盟友并肩、同國際組織攜手捍衛(wèi)國際秩序的做法,已經(jīng)給了烏克蘭人民一個選擇未來的機會,而我們并沒有費一槍一彈。
與此類似,盡管美國、以色列和其他國家反復(fù)警告,伊朗近年來一直在穩(wěn)步推進核計劃。但就在我擔(dān)任總統(tǒng)的初期,我們組成了一個聯(lián)盟,對伊朗經(jīng)濟實施制裁,并對伊朗政府伸出外交之手。如今我們有機會和平地化解分歧。
雖然談?wù)摮晒闀r尚早,我們也為防止伊朗擁有核武器而保留一切手段。但十年來,我們首次有機會達成突破性的協(xié)議。這份協(xié)議比我們用武力所能達成的更有效,更牢靠。在所有這些談判中,我們自愿通過多邊渠道開展工作,讓全世界站到我們一邊。
這就說明,這才是美國的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力。這才是美國的強項。在上述兩個例子中,我們打造同盟應(yīng)對挑戰(zhàn)。如今我們需要進一步加強這些制度,使其能夠預(yù)見并組織問題擴散。例如北約是全世界迄今為止最強大的軍事聯(lián)盟。我們正著眼于新的任務(wù)加強同北約盟友的合作,一方面在東歐鞏固新獲得的盟友,另一方面要求北約盟友在歐洲以外參與反恐,應(yīng)對崩潰國家的挑戰(zhàn)并且訓(xùn)練伙伴網(wǎng)絡(luò)。
與之相似,聯(lián)合國提供了一個在沖突不斷的各國之間維持和平的平臺?,F(xiàn)在我們需要確保參與維和行動的國家有足夠的訓(xùn)練和設(shè)備來完成使命,以避免剛果(金)和蘇丹戰(zhàn)亂那樣的大屠殺再次出現(xiàn)。我們要深化對那些參與維和國家的投入,因為如果其他國家能夠就近維持有關(guān)地區(qū)的秩序,我們就無需投入自己的軍隊去冒險。這是一筆劃算的投資。這是正確的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)方式。
請記住,并不是所有的國際規(guī)則都直接關(guān)乎武裝沖突。網(wǎng)絡(luò)攻擊是一個棘手問題,因此我們正在努力塑造和加強網(wǎng)絡(luò)治理規(guī)則,以保障網(wǎng)絡(luò)和公民安全。在亞太地區(qū),我們支持東南亞國家同中國談判,以在南中國海島嶼爭端中制定行為準(zhǔn)則。我們也試圖通過國際法解決那些爭端。我們也需要發(fā)揚合作精神,來為全球應(yīng)對氣候變化重振活力。氣候變化這個悄無聲息的國家安全危機會影響你們一代軍人所面對的形勢,諸如難民潮、自然災(zāi)害和爭搶水資源以及食物的各種挑戰(zhàn)。因此明年我將努力確保在美國引領(lǐng)下建立全球框架,保護我們的星球。
諸君請看,美國的影響力最強之際,都是我們用榜樣的力量領(lǐng)導(dǎo)世界之時。我們不能把自己排除于規(guī)則之外,而讓他人遵守規(guī)則。我們不能一邊呼吁其他國家應(yīng)對氣候變化,另一邊許多我們自己的政治領(lǐng)袖卻在否認(rèn)氣候變化的存在。我們不能一邊試圖解決南中國海問題,另一邊卻無法確?!秶H海洋法公約》在美國參議院獲得批準(zhǔn),盡管我們的高級將領(lǐng)也認(rèn)為該公約有利于國家安全。那不是領(lǐng)導(dǎo),那是退卻。那不是強大,那是軟弱。在羅斯福、杜魯門、艾森豪威爾和肯尼迪那樣的領(lǐng)袖身上,完全看不到這些東西。
我全身心地信仰美國例外論。但讓我們成為例外的不是我們違反國際規(guī)則和法治的能力,而是我們以實際行動來肯定它們的意愿。正是因此,我將繼續(xù)推動關(guān)閉關(guān)塔那摩監(jiān)獄,因為美國的價值觀和司法傳統(tǒng)不允許在海外無限期關(guān)押犯人。正是因此,我將設(shè)立新規(guī),規(guī)范美國收集使用情報的行為,因為如果人們都認(rèn)定我們監(jiān)聽普通公民,我們會失去朋友,工作效率也會大打折扣。美國不僅僅代表著不惜一切代價謀求穩(wěn)定或沒有沖突。我們代表著更長遠的和平,而只有當(dāng)其他地方的人們獲得機會和自由,那種和平才會來臨。
這就關(guān)系到美國領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的第四個也是最后一個要素:我們捍衛(wèi)人類尊嚴(yán)的意志。美國對民主和人權(quán)的支持超乎理想主義,它也是國家安全的一個考量。民主國家是我們最親近的朋友,也最不易走向戰(zhàn)爭?;谧杂?、開放市場的經(jīng)濟體表現(xiàn)更佳,也會成為我們產(chǎn)品的市場。尊重人權(quán)則有助于克服不穩(wěn)定因素,有利于消解滋生暴力與恐怖的仇恨土壤。
新世紀(jì)的來臨并沒有帶來暴政的黃昏。在世界各國,甚至是美國的一些伙伴,對公民社會的壓制依然存在。腐敗的癌癥讓太多的政府官員和他們的圈內(nèi)人一夜暴富,激怒了從偏遠鄉(xiāng)村到偉大廣場上的普通公民。看到這些趨勢以及阿拉伯世界的一些暴力行徑,很容易讓人變得玩世不恭。
但也請記得,恰恰是因為美國的努力,因為美國的外交和對外援助,因為美國軍隊的犧牲,很多人如今已經(jīng)生活在民選的政府之下,比人類歷史上的任何時期都要多。技術(shù)使公民社會變得更有力量,讓鐵拳更難對它們加以控制。各種新突破讓數(shù)以億計的人脫離貧困。即便是阿拉伯世界的動蕩也表現(xiàn)出拒斥威權(quán)統(tǒng)治的傾向——它們絕不穩(wěn)固——而且也預(yù)示了更負(fù)責(zé)、更有效的治理前景。
我們承認(rèn),我們同埃及等國家的關(guān)系是出于安全利益考量,包括巴以和平進程和共同反對暴力極端勢力等等。所以我們并未切斷同新政府的聯(lián)系,但我們能夠也將會繼續(xù)施壓,敦促埃及政府實施其民眾所要求的改革。
與此同時,像緬甸,幾年前還是不可理喻、對美國充滿敵意的專制國家,那可是4千萬人口的國家啊。依靠該國人民巨大的勇氣以及我們的外交努力,我們已經(jīng)看到一個曾經(jīng)封閉的社會開啟了政治改革的進程,緬甸領(lǐng)導(dǎo)層開始疏遠朝鮮,轉(zhuǎn)向美國和盟友。我們正在支持該國的改革和亟需的民族和解進程,通過勸說和偶爾公開批評的方式。那里的進步還有陷入倒退的可能,不過,如果緬甸能夠成功,我們就是未開一槍而贏得了新的伙伴。這就是美國的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力。
在所有這些例子中,我們不能期待改變一夜之間完成。因此我們不僅同政府結(jié)盟,也同普通人民交好。和其他一些國家不同,美國不懼怕個體的人變得強大,有力的個人是美國的力量之源。公民社會、新聞自由令我們的力量有增無減。勤奮的企業(yè)家和小業(yè)主夯實我們的經(jīng)濟實力。教育交流和為一切男人、女人和兒童提供機會,這種開放性讓我們近悅遠來。那才是我們美國。那是我們所代表的一切。
去年在訪問非洲的時候,我看到美國的援助令許多年輕人免受艾滋病的感染,同時也使得非洲居民能夠照顧自己的病人。我們幫助農(nóng)夫把出產(chǎn)送往市場,讓饑民獲得口糧。我們讓撒哈拉以南非洲的電力供應(yīng)翻番,讓當(dāng)?shù)厝说靡苑窒砣蚪?jīng)濟的繁榮。這一切都在為我們贏得新的伙伴,擠壓恐怖主義和暴力沖突的空間。
不幸的是,美國的安全努力都不足以消除博科圣地等極端組織造成的威脅,該組織劫持了200多名女學(xué)生。所以我們不能只顧營救學(xué)生,還要幫助尼日利亞教育他們的青年。這是我們在伊拉克和阿富汗來之不易的經(jīng)驗之一,美國駐軍要成為外交和當(dāng)?shù)亟?jīng)濟社會發(fā)展的最有力推動者。我們的部隊明白了,對外援助不是細枝末節(jié),不是可以跟國防分開考慮的事情。它是壯大我們的重要一環(huán)。
歸根結(jié)底,全球領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力要求我們直面世界的本來面目,看清其全部危險和不確定性。我們得做最壞打算,防備一切意外。但美國的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力也要求我們前瞻世界的應(yīng)然狀態(tài):個人的愿望得到尊重,統(tǒng)治人們的是希望而非恐懼,我們的立國文獻中所寫下的真理可以引導(dǎo)世界歷史潮流走向正義的方向。
資料來源:一財網(wǎng)
第三篇:奧巴馬演講中英文對照學(xué)習(xí)
Hi, everybody.大家好!
Restoring the idea of opportunity for all requires a year of action from all of us.Wherever I can acton my own, I will – and whenever I can ask more Americans to help, I’ll do that too.為所有人恢復(fù)機會的想法,需要我們大家在今年做出不懈努力,在我能獨自采取行動的地方,我會毫不猶豫地這樣去做——在我可以請求美國人民幫助的時候,我也會毫不遲疑地發(fā)出聲音。
In my State of the Union Address, for example, I asked more business leaders to take action toraise their employees’ wages.Because even though our economy is growing, and our businesseshave created about eight and a half million new jobs over the past four years, average wages havebarely budged.例如,在國情咨文中,我請求更多的企業(yè)領(lǐng)袖采取行動,提高員工工資。因為,盡管我們的經(jīng)濟正在增長,過去四年中,我們的企業(yè)已創(chuàng)造了八百五十萬個新工作,可我們的平均工資卻幾乎沒有增加。
So it’s good news that, earlier this week, one of America’s largest retailers, The Gap, decided to raisewages for its employees beginning this year.Their decision will benefit about 65,000 workers in theU.S.That means more families will be able to raise their kids, finish their studies, or keep up on theirbills with a little less financial stress and strain.所以,本周早些時候,美國最大零售商之一蓋普公司決定,今年開始為員工提高工資,這是個好消息。他們的決定將惠及約65,000名美國工人。這意味著更多的家庭,將能以更小的財政壓力和負(fù)擔(dān),撫養(yǎng)孩子、完成學(xué)業(yè)或支付賬單。Gap’s CEO explained their decision simply – he said, ―[It’s] right for our brands, good for ourpeople, and beneficial to our customers.‖ And he’s right – raising Americans’ wages isn’t just agood deed;it’s good business and good for our economy.It helps reduce turnover, it boostsproductivity, and it gives folks some more money to spend at local businesses.蓋普的首席執(zhí)行官簡單解釋了他們的決定——他表示:―[這一決定]對我們的品牌是合適的,對我們的員工是有幫助的,對我們的客戶也是有益的?!钦_的——提高美國人民的工資,不只是件善事;它是件好事,有益于我們的經(jīng)濟。它幫助減少人員流動率、它提高生產(chǎn)力,它給人們更多的錢可以花到當(dāng)?shù)仄髽I(yè)身上。
And as a chief executive myself, that’s why I took action last week to lift more workers’ wages byrequiring federal contractors to pay their employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an hour.正是出于這一理由,作為美國總統(tǒng),我上周采取行動,要求聯(lián)邦承包商支付員工每小時至少10.10美元的合理工資,以此提高更多工人的工資。
In the year since I first asked Congress to raise the minimum wage, six states have passed laws toraise theirs, and more states are working on it as we speak.But only Congress can finish the joband lift Americans’ wages across the country.自我首先請求國會提高最低工資以來的一年中,六個州已通過提高最低工資的立法,就在我們談話過程中,更多的州正在完成立法程序。但是,只有國會可以完成這一工作,在全國范圍提高美國人民的工資。
Right now, there’s a bill before Congress that would boost America’s minimum wage to $10.10 anhour.That’s easy to remember –
―ten-ten.‖ That bill would lift wages for more than 16 millionAmericans without requiring a single dollar in new taxes or spending.But even though a majorityof Democrats, Independents, and Republicans across the country support raising the minimumwage, Republicans in Congress don’t want to give it a vote.此刻,就有一份把美國最低工資提高到每小時10.10美元的法案已送達國會。這很容易記住——―兩個10‖。不需要增加一美元的稅收或財政支出,這份法案將為1600萬美國人提高工資。不過,盡管全國絕大多數(shù)民主黨人、無黨派人士和共和黨人都支持提高最低工資,國會共和黨人卻不想就該法案進行表決。
Hardworking Americans deserve better than ―no.‖ Let’s tell Congress to say ―yes.‖ Pass that bill.Give America a raise.Because here in America, no one who works hard should have to live inpoverty – and everyone who works hard should have a chance to get ahead.勤奮工作的美國人民應(yīng)該得到比―不‖更好的答案。讓我們告訴國會說―同意‖吧。通過這一法案!給美國加薪吧!努力工作的人,不應(yīng)該生活在貧困之中——每位努力工作的人,都應(yīng)該擁有獲得成功的機會!Thanks, and have a great weekend.謝謝!祝周末愉快!
In the Garden:Getting the Most Out of Mums
This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.People have grown chrysanthemums for more than two thousand years.Chinese and other Asian cultures make tea with the flowers.But mums also make bright and colorful gardens.One basic kind of mum is the hardy or garden mum.The other basic kind is the florist mum.The garden mum is better able to handle different growing conditions than the florist mum.There are many varieties of mums.The decorative mum is often seen in gardens.Another popular type, the quill mum, has long, straight petals like a tube or needle.Chrysanthemum blooms can be white, yellow, gold, red or other colors.The plants often grow to one meter in height.The soil should be kept moist but well drained so it does not get too wet.Newly planted mums should be watered two or three times a week, depending on conditions.Plants established in the ground may do well just with normal rainfall.In dry conditions they will need more water.Mums grow best in full sunshine.They produce colorful blooms when days get shorter and nights get longer.The life cycle of the plant depends on the amount of daylight.This is why experts advise against placing mums near nightlights or streetlights.The light may interfere with their normal growth cycle.The plants may develop buds too soon.In climates where temperatures fall below freezing, plant mums at least six weeks before the first frost is expected.That way, the plants will be well established for cold weather.Placing mulch around the plants can protect them from the cold.Doug Akers from the cooperative extension service at Purdue University in Indiana suggests straw or shredded leaves for the mulch.The material will also add nutrients to the soil.Some gardeners say the most beautiful presentation comes from planting mums close together.But they also advise leaving enough space between the plants so air can flow.If not, the chance of disease may increase.To get more blooms, gardeners pinch back the branches when new growth has extended to fifteen centimeters.Squeeze about five to seven centimeters off each branch.Pinch again when a branch grows another twelve to fifteen
centimeters.Stop pinching about one hundred days before you want the plants to bloom.And that's the VOA Special English Agriculture Report, written by Jerilyn Watson.You can find all of our reports with transcripts and MP3s at /20100629/22404.html
第四篇:2012奧巴馬獲勝演講中英文對照
2012奧巴馬獲勝演講中英文對照
Transcript of President Obama’s Victory Speech
November 7, 2012
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Thank you.Thank you.Thank you so much.(Sustained cheers, applause.)
Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward.(Cheers, applause.)
It moves forward because of you.It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people.(Cheers, applause.)
Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.(Cheers, applause.)
I want to thank every American who participated in this election.(Cheers, applause.)Whether you voted for the very first time —(cheers)— or waited in line for a very long time —(cheers)— by the way, we have to fix that.(Cheers, applause.)Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone —(cheers, applause)— whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference.(Cheers, applause.)
I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign.(Cheers, applause.)We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future.From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service.And that is a legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.(Cheers, applause.)In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.(Cheers, applause.)
I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America’s happy warrior, the best vice president anybody could ever hope for, Joe Biden.(Cheers, applause.)
And I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago.(Cheers, applause.)Let me say this publicly.Michelle, I have never loved you more.(Cheers, applause.)I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you too as our nation’s first lady.(Cheers, applause.)Sasha and Malia —(cheers, applause)— before our very eyes, you’re growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful young women, just like your mom.(Cheers, applause.)And I am so proud of you guys.But I will say that for now, one dog’s probably enough.(Laughter.)
To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics —(cheers, applause)— the best — the best ever —(cheers, applause)— some of you were new this time around, and some of you have been at my side since the very beginning.(Cheers, applause.)But all of you are family.No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together.(Cheers, applause.)And you will have the lifelong appreciation of a grateful president.Thank you for believing all the way —(cheers, applause)— to every hill, to every valley.(Cheers, applause.)You lifted me up the whole day, and I will always be grateful for everything that you’ve done and all the incredible work that you’ve put in.(Cheers, applause.)
I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly.And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics who tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests.But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym or — or saw folks working late at a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you’ll discover something else.You’ll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer who’s working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity.(Cheers, applause.)You’ll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who’s going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift.(Cheers, applause.)You’ll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse who’s working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head when they come home.(Cheers, applause.)
That’s why we do this.That’s what politics can be.That’s why elections matter.It’s not small, it’s big.It’s important.Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated.We have our own opinions.Each of us has deeply held beliefs.And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.That won’t change after tonight.And it shouldn’t.These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty, and we can never forget that as we speak, people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter —(cheers, applause)— the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America’s future.We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers —(cheers, applause)— a country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation —(scattered cheers, applause)— with all of the good jobs and new businesses that follow.We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt, that isn’t weakened up by inequality, that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.(Cheers, applause.)We want to pass on a country that’s safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this — this world has ever known —(cheers, applause)— but also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America open to the dreams of an immigrant’s daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag —(cheers, applause)— to the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner —(cheers, applause)— to the furniture worker’s child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president.That’s the —(cheers, applause)— that’s the future we hope for.(Cheers, applause.)That’s the vision we share.That’s where we need to go — forward.(Cheers, applause.)That’s where we need to go.(Cheers, applause.)Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there.As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts.It’s not always a straight line.It’s not always a smooth path.By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won’t end all the gridlock, resolve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward.But that common bond is where we must begin.Our economy is recovering.A decade of war is ending.(Cheers, applause.)A long campaign is now over.(Cheers, applause.)And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you.I have learned from you.And you’ve made me a better president.And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.(Cheers, applause.)Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual.(Cheers, applause.)You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours.And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together — reducing our deficit, reforming out tax code, fixing our immigration system, freeing ourselves from foreign oil.We’ve got more work to do.(Cheers, applause.)
But that doesn’t mean your work is done.The role of citizens in our democracy does not end with your vote.America’s never been about what can be done for us;it’s about what can be done by us together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government.(Cheers, applause.)That’s the principle we were founded on.This country has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich.We have the most powerful military in history, but that’s not what makes us strong.Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores.What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on Earth, the belief that our destiny is shared —(cheers, applause)— that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations, so that the freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights, and among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism.That’s what makes America great.(Cheers, applause.)
I am hopeful tonight because I have seen this spirit at work in America.I’ve seen it in the family business whose owners would rather cut their own pay than lay off their neighbors and in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see a friend lose a job.I’ve seen it in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back.(Cheers, applause.)I’ve seen it on the shores of New Jersey and New York, where leaders from every party and level of government have swept aside their differences to help a community rebuild from the wreckage of a terrible storm.(Cheers, applause.)
And I saw it just the other day in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his 8-year-old daughter whose long battle with leukemia nearly cost their family everything had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.(Cheers, applause.)I had an opportunity to not just talk to the father but meet this incredible daughter of his.And when he spoke to the crowd, listening to that father’s story, every parent in that room had tears in their eyes because we knew that little girl could be our own.And I know that every American wants her future to be just as bright.That’s who we are.That’s the country I’m so proud to lead as your president.(Cheers, applause.)And tonight, despite all the hardship we’ve been through, despite all the frustrations of Washington, I’ve never been more hopeful about our future.(Cheers, applause.)I have never been more hopeful about America.And I ask you to sustain that hope.AUDIENCE MEMBER: We got your back, Mr.President!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: I’m not talking about blind optimism, the kind of hope that just ignores the enormity of the tasks ahead or the road blocks that stand in our path.I’m not talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines or shirk from a fight.I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.(Cheers, applause.)
America, I believe we can build on the progress we’ve made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunities and new security for the middle class.I believe we can keep the promise of our founding, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love(ph).It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, abled, disabled, gay or straight.(Cheers, applause.)You can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.(Cheers, applause.)
I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests.We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe.We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and forever will be, the United States of America.(Cheers, applause.)
And together, with your help and God’s grace, we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on earth.(Cheers, applause.)Thank you, America.(Cheers, applause.)God bless you.God bless these United States.(Cheers, applause.)
謝謝,謝謝,非常感謝。
兩百多年前,人民在這塊曾經(jīng)的殖民地上贏得了自己的命運;今夜,我們向?qū)崿F(xiàn)完美聯(lián)邦的目標(biāo)又邁近了一步。
這一步,是因為你們;這一步,是因為你們證明了克服戰(zhàn)爭和蕭條的那種精神仍在,那份把我們國家從絕望的深淵帶向希望之巔的精神。我們每個人都可以追逐自己的夢想。美國同胞血濃于水,作為一個國家和民族,我們共起落、同榮辱。
今晚,在這次選舉中,你們,美國人民們,提醒了我們:盡管路程艱辛,歷程漫長,我們?nèi)阅苷褡骶?,奮起反擊。我們心中堅信,美利堅的每天更加美好。我想感謝每一位親身參與大選的美國人。無論這是你的第一次投票,又或是在隊伍中等待了很久。順便說一句,排隊這個問題真是亟待解決。無論你是步行前往,還是拿起電話;無論你舉的牌子上,寫的是奧巴馬還是羅姆尼… 你的聲音都會被聽到,你也一樣帶來了改變。我剛剛和羅姆尼州長通了話,向他和保羅·瑞安,就這場艱難的戰(zhàn)役,表示了我的祝賀。雙方的選戰(zhàn)之所以慘烈,正是因為我們都如此深愛這個國家,如此關(guān)心它的未來。從喬治到蘭諾夫婦,再到他們的兒子米特,羅姆尼一家選擇通過獻身公務(wù)來報效國家。今晚,我們向這一份寶貴的政治遺產(chǎn)致以我們的敬意和掌聲。在未來的幾個星期,我還希望能和羅姆尼州長坐下來,討論在哪些方面,我們可以共同努力,推動這個國家向前。我想謝謝我的朋友,我過去四年的搭檔,美國的快樂戰(zhàn)士—喬·拜登。能有他做副總統(tǒng)。夫復(fù)何求。
另外,假如沒有那位20年前同意嫁給我的女人,我今天也不可能站在這里。讓我告訴所有人吧:米歇爾,我對你的愛,是如此深切。
我目睹著我之外的美國人都愛上了你,作為第一夫人的你,我對你的驕傲,也是如此深切。薩莎和瑪利亞(奧巴馬的兩個女兒),就在我們的注視下,你們已經(jīng)成長為兩位堅強、智慧、美麗的年輕女士,就像你們的媽媽一樣。我真得為你們驕傲。不過我還是要說,一條狗應(yīng)該已經(jīng)夠了。
至政治史上最好的競選團隊和志愿者們:你們是最好的,最最好的。你們中有些人是新鮮加入,有些人從一開始就與我們共同進退,但你們都是我的家人。無論你在做什么,以后要做什么,你們都能帶上這段我們共同創(chuàng)造的歷史,以及這位感恩的總統(tǒng)對你們一生的感激。謝謝你們的一路堅信,陪我翻過每座丘嶺,穿越每座山谷。一路走來,多虧你們的輔佑。我會永遠為你們所付出的一切和所有卓越之至的工作而心懷感激。
我知道有時候政治競選看起來渺小,甚至愚蠢,這為憤世嫉俗者們提供了很多素材。他們告訴我們,政治不過是為特殊利益集團服務(wù)的猴戲。但如果你曾經(jīng)同參加過我們的集會的普通人,或是在高中體育館圍線外排隊的人們交談過;或是看到在遠離家鄉(xiāng)的小郡縣競選辦公室里工作到很晚的人們,你一定會有新的認(rèn)識。
你會在一位半工半讀的年輕活動現(xiàn)場組織者聲音中,聽到無比的堅定。他想讓每個孩子都能有均等的機會;
你會在一名志愿者聲音中,聽到他的自豪。她挨家挨戶的告訴每一個人,她的哥哥終于有了工作,因為當(dāng)?shù)氐钠嚬驹黾恿艘粋€輪班; 你會在一位軍嫂聲音中聽到她的愛國主義情懷。她深夜也不放下電話是為了要讓每一位保家衛(wèi)國的戰(zhàn)士,都不用在回家后,卻為一份工作、一片屋檐,苦苦求而不得。
這就是我們做這些的原因。政治也可以說這樣的。這就是為什么,選舉是重要的。它并不渺小,它是件大事,很重要的大事。
在有三億人口的國家中,民主會顯得喧嘩、混亂、復(fù)雜。我們有自己的觀點,每個人都有自己堅定的信仰。當(dāng)面對困難的時期,當(dāng)我們的國家需要作出重大的決定時,它必然會激發(fā)熱情,也掀起爭議。這些在今晚之后都不會改變,也不應(yīng)該被改變。這些爭論是我們自由的印記。
我們永遠不能忘記,就在此時此刻,在一些遙遠的國家,人民正在冒著生命的危險,只為了能有討論那些重要話題的機會,為了能有像我們今天這樣投出自己一票的機會。
盡管我們有不同,我們中的大多數(shù),對美國的未來懷有一樣的希望。我們希望自己的孩子成長在這樣一個國家:他們能去到最好的學(xué)校,有最好的老師;它不會辜負(fù)前人留下的遺產(chǎn),繼續(xù)成為全球科技、探索、創(chuàng)新的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者,有好的工作、新的產(chǎn)業(yè)隨之而來;我們希望自己孩子成長的美國,不會被債務(wù)負(fù)累,不會因不平等而有所削弱,也不會被地球變暖而帶來的危害所威脅。
我們想要傳承的,是一個安全并受全球尊敬與愛戴的國家。
我們想要傳承的,是一個由世界最強軍事力量保衛(wèi),擁有最好的軍隊的國家。同時,也是一個自信前行的國家——走出戰(zhàn)爭的陰霾,塑造和平景象,保障每個人的自由與尊嚴(yán)。
我們相信美國是一個慷慨大度的國家,一個悲天憫人的國家,更是一個海納百川的國家。我們要接納在我國學(xué)校學(xué)習(xí)并對我們的國旗宣誓,滿懷夢想的移民;要接納身處芝加哥南部市井之中卻能志存高遠的男孩;還要接納北卡州家具工人的孩子,他們夢想著成為醫(yī)生、科學(xué)家、工程師、企業(yè)家、外交官,甚至是總統(tǒng)。那正是我們所期望的未來,是我們共有的愿景,是我們需要“前進”的方向,那是我們的目標(biāo)。對于如何實現(xiàn)這一目標(biāo),我們可能會意見相左,有時分歧甚大,兩個多世紀(jì)以來,一直如此。我們總會斷斷續(xù)續(xù)地取得進步,前行的路線總有曲折,不會一直是平坦通途。認(rèn)識到我們擁有共同的希望與夢想,單靠這一點無法終結(jié)所有的政治僵局,或解決我們所有問題。建立共識,作出推動這個國家向前所必要的艱難妥協(xié),這些艱辛的工作也無法得以替代。但我們必須以這一共同紐帶為起點。
我們的經(jīng)濟正在復(fù)蘇,為期十年的戰(zhàn)爭已近尾聲,一場漫長的競選現(xiàn)已結(jié)束。
無論我是否贏得了你的選票,我都傾聽了你的呼聲,從你身上得到了教益,你使我成長為更優(yōu)秀的總統(tǒng)。
帶著你們的故事與掙扎,我回到白宮時,對面臨的任務(wù)與未來,更為堅定,更有激情。今晚,你們投票換來的將會是積極的行動,而不是以往那樣的政治游戲。你們選擇了我們,是讓我們關(guān)注你們的就業(yè),而非我們自己的官位。
在接下來的數(shù)周、數(shù)月中,我期待著與兩黨領(lǐng)袖進行接觸與合作,共同應(yīng)對我們必須攜手攻克的難關(guān),降低赤字、改革稅法、完善移民體系、擺脫對進口石油的依賴…我們還有更多的工作要完成,但這并不意味著你們的任務(wù)已經(jīng)結(jié)束。公民在我們的民主體系中所扮演的角色,并不止于投票。
美利堅的意義,并不在于別人能為我們做什么,而是在于我們能一起做什么,而這依靠的就是公民自治。這雖然困難而又往往令人灰心,卻是不可或缺的。這是我們的建國理念。我們國家的財富多于其他任何國家,可我們的富有并不源于此。我們有史上最強的軍事力量,可這并不是我們力量的源頭。
我們的大學(xué),我們的文化,為全世界所欽羨,可這并非吸引各國人民前來我國的根源。美國的卓爾不群之根源在于,將全球最為多元化的國家團結(jié)起來的紐帶,在于信奉我們的命運緊密相連。信奉只有當(dāng)我們對彼此,對下幾代人負(fù)起一定責(zé)任,我們國家才有希望。美國的卓爾不群之根源,在于無數(shù)美國人為之奮斗與獻身的自由,這自由背后,既有義務(wù)又有權(quán)利,其中就包括仁愛、慈善、責(zé)任和愛國。美國的偉大,就是靠這些精神鑄就而成的。我今晚充滿希望,因為我目睹了美國上下洋溢著的精神: 在寧愿扣自己薪水,也不愿裁掉鄰里員工的家族企業(yè)中; 在寧愿自己少干些,也不愿讓朋友失業(yè)的工人們身上; 在手腳傷殘,卻仍延長服役年限的士兵身上;
在海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊員身上,他們無畏地沖上樓梯,沖進黑暗與危險,只因心知有人會照顧他們。在新澤西與紐約的海岸上也可以見到,各黨領(lǐng)袖、各級政府撇開分歧,共同幫助一個社區(qū)重建被可怕的風(fēng)暴摧毀的家園。
前些天,我在俄亥俄州的曼圖爾市見到了一位父親,他跟我講了他8歲女兒的故事。女兒與白血病的斗爭差點使他們傾家蕩產(chǎn),幸好醫(yī)保改革在保險公司停止支付,其醫(yī)療費用前數(shù)月得以通過。我不僅與這位父親進行了交談,也遇到了他堅強的女兒。當(dāng)她向聽眾發(fā)言時,在場的每一位父母都眼含熱淚。因為我們知道,這個小女孩的遭遇也可能發(fā)生在我們的孩子身上。
我知道每一位美國同胞,都希望她有同樣光明的未來。這就是我們,這就是我非常自豪地以總統(tǒng)身份領(lǐng)導(dǎo)的國家。
今晚,縱有我們所經(jīng)歷的磨難,縱有華盛頓諸般挫折,我從未對我們的未來如此充滿希望,我從未對美利堅如此充滿希望。
我請求你們,保持這份希望。我不是指盲目樂觀,無視眼前艱巨任務(wù)與障礙的那種希望,我也不是指讓我們袖手旁觀或逃避斗爭的那種一廂情愿的理想主義。我一直認(rèn)為,希望是我們心中頑強不屈的那樣?xùn)|西。
雖有各種不利證據(jù),卻仍堅持有更好的未來等待著我們。只要我們有勇氣去不斷爭取、不斷努力、不斷奮斗。
美利堅,我相信,我們能百尺竿頭更進一步,繼續(xù)奮斗,為中產(chǎn)階級創(chuàng)造就業(yè)、創(chuàng)造機會、創(chuàng)造保障。
我相信,我們能繼續(xù)履行國父們的承諾——只要你踏實肯干,你是誰,從哪兒來,什么種族,愛哪里,都不重要。無論你是黑人、白人、西班牙裔、亞裔,還是印第安居民,無論你年輕與否、富有與否、健全與否、性向如何,你都能在美國有所成就,只要你愿意努力。我相信,我們可以共同把握這一未來。因為有別于政壇所表現(xiàn)的,我們其實并沒有那么分裂,我們并不像評論員們所認(rèn)為的那樣憤世嫉俗。
我們的偉大,勝于我們個人野心的總和,我們不僅僅是紅藍州的集合。我們現(xiàn)在是,也將永遠是,美利堅合眾國。在你們的幫助下和上帝的眷顧下,我們將繼續(xù)前進,向全世界昭示,我們?yōu)楹尉佑诘厍蛏献顐ゴ蟮膰?。感謝你們,美利堅的人民們!上帝保佑你們!上帝保佑美國!
第五篇:奧巴馬獲勝演講全文(中英文對照)
奧巴馬獲勝演講全文
President-elect Barack Obama smiles as he gives his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday night, Nov.4, 2008.以下是奧巴馬(Barack Obama)競選總統(tǒng)成功后在芝加哥演講準(zhǔn)備的講稿: If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible;who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time;who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen;by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different;that their voice could be that difference.It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain.He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama.Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House.And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am.I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy;who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep;from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers;from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth.This is your victory.I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college.There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created;new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you – we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It cannot happen without you.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism;of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation;as one people.Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends?though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security – we support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.For that is the true genius of America – that America can change.Our union can be perfected.And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can.Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.如果還有人對美國是否凡事都有可能存疑,還有人懷疑美國奠基者的夢想在我們所處的時代是否依然鮮活,還有人質(zhì)疑我們的民主制度的力量,那么今晚,這些問題都有了答案。
這是設(shè)在學(xué)校和教堂的投票站前排起的前所未見的長隊給出的答案;是等了三四個小時的選民所給出的答案,其中許多人都是有生以來第一次投票,因為他們認(rèn)定這一次肯定會不一樣,認(rèn)為自己的聲音會是這次大選有別于以往之所在。
這是所有美國人民共同給出的答案--無論老少貧富,無論是民主黨還是共和黨,無論是黑人、白人、拉美裔、亞裔、原住民,是同性戀者還是異性戀者、殘疾人還是健全人--我們從來不是“紅州”和“藍州”的對立陣營,我們是美利堅合眾國這個整體,永遠都是。
長久以來,很多人一再受到告誡,要對我們所能取得的成績極盡諷刺、擔(dān)憂和懷疑之能事,但這個答案讓這些人伸出手來把握歷史,再次讓它朝向美好明天的希望延伸。
已經(jīng)過去了這么長時間,但今晚,由于我們在今天、在這場大選中、在這個具有決定性的時刻所做的,美國已經(jīng)迎來了變革。
我剛剛接到了麥凱恩參議員極具風(fēng)度的致電。他在這場大選中經(jīng)過了長時間的努力奮斗,而他為自己所深愛的這個國家奮斗的時間更長、過程更艱辛。他為美國做出了我們大多數(shù)人難以想像的犧牲,我們的生活也因這位勇敢無私的領(lǐng)袖所做出的貢獻而變得更美好。我向他和佩林州長所取得的成績表示祝賀,我也期待著與他們一起在未來的歲月中為復(fù)興這個國家的希望而共同努力。
我要感謝我在這次旅程中的伙伴--已當(dāng)選美國副總統(tǒng)的拜登。他全心參與競選活動,為普通民眾代言,他們是他在斯克蘭頓從小到大的伙伴,也是在他回特拉華的火車上遇到的男男女女。
如果沒有一個人的堅決支持,我今晚就不會站在這里,她是我過去16年來最好的朋友、是我們一家人的中堅和我一生的摯愛,更是我們國家的下一位第一夫人:米歇爾?奧巴馬(Michelle Obama)。薩莎(Sasha)和瑪麗亞(Malia),我太愛你們兩個了,你們已經(jīng)得到了一條新的小狗,它將與我們一起入駐白宮。雖然我的外祖母已經(jīng)不在了,但我知道她與我的親人肯定都在看著我,因為他們,我才能擁有今天的成就。今晚,我想念他們,我知道自己欠他們的無可計量。
我的競選經(jīng)理大衛(wèi)?普勞夫(David Plouffe)、首席策略師大衛(wèi)?艾克斯羅德(David Axelrod)以及政治史上最好的競選團隊--是你們成就了今天,我永遠感激你們?yōu)閷崿F(xiàn)今天的成就所做出的犧牲。
但最重要的是,我永遠不會忘記這場勝利真正的歸屬--它屬于你們。
我從來不是最有希望的候選人。一開始,我們沒有太多資金,也沒有得到太多人的支持。我們的競選活動并非誕生于華盛頓的高門華第之內(nèi),而是始于得梅因、康科德、查爾斯頓這些地方的普通民眾家中。
我們的競選活動能有今天的規(guī)模,是因為辛勤工作的人們從自己的微薄積蓄中拿出錢來,捐出一筆又一筆5美元、10美元、20美元。而競選活動的聲勢越來越大則是源自那些年輕人,他們拒絕接受認(rèn)為他們這代人冷漠的荒誕說法;他們離開家、離開親人,從事報酬微薄、極其辛苦的工作;同時也源自那些已經(jīng)不算年輕的人們,他們冒著嚴(yán)寒酷暑,敲開陌生人的家門進行競選宣傳;更源自數(shù)百萬的美國民眾,他們自動自發(fā)地組織起來,證明了在兩百多年以后,民有、民治、民享的政府并未從地球上消失。這是你們的勝利。
我知道你們的所做所為并不只是為了贏得大選,我也知道你們做這一切并不是為了我。你們這樣做是因為你們明白擺在面前的任務(wù)有多艱巨。因為即便我們今晚歡呼慶祝,我們也知道明天將面臨我們一生之中最為艱巨的挑戰(zhàn)--兩場戰(zhàn)爭、一個面臨危險的星球,還有百年來最嚴(yán)重的金融危機。今晚站在此地,我們知道伊拉克的沙漠里和阿富汗的群山中還有勇敢的美國士兵醒來,甘冒生命危險保護著我們。會有在孩子熟睡后仍難以入眠的父母,擔(dān)心如何償還按揭月供、付醫(yī)藥費或是存夠錢送孩子上大學(xué)。我們亟待開發(fā)新能源、創(chuàng)造新的工作機會;我們需要修建新學(xué)校,還要應(yīng)對眾多威脅、修復(fù)與許多國家的關(guān)系。
前方的道路會十分漫長艱辛。我們可能無法在一年甚至一屆任期之內(nèi)實現(xiàn)上述目標(biāo),但我從未像今晚這樣滿懷希望,相信我們會實現(xiàn)。我向你們承諾--我們作為一個整體將會達成目標(biāo)。
我們會遭遇挫折和不成功的開端。對于我作為總統(tǒng)所做的每項決定和政策,會有許多人持有異議,我們也知道政府并不能解決所有問題。但我會向你們坦陳我們所面臨的挑戰(zhàn)。我會聆聽你們的意見,尤其是在我們意見相左之時。最重要的是,我會請求你們參與重建這個國家,以美國221年來從未改變的唯一方式--一磚一瓦、胼手胝足。
21個月前那個寒冬所開始的一切不應(yīng)該在今天這個秋夜結(jié)束。今天的選舉勝利并不是我們所尋求的改變--這只是我們進行改變的機會。而且如果我們?nèi)匀话凑张f有方式行事,我們所尋求的改變不可能出現(xiàn)。沒有你們,也不可能有這種改變。
因此,讓我們發(fā)揚新的愛國精神,樹立新的服務(wù)意識和責(zé)任感,讓我們每個人下定決心全情投入、更加努力地工作,并彼此關(guān)愛。讓我們銘記這場金融危機帶來的教訓(xùn):我們不可能在金融以外的領(lǐng)域備受煎熬的同時擁有繁榮興旺的華爾街--在這個國家,我們患難與共。
讓我們抵制重走老路的誘惑,避免重新回到令美國政治長期深受毒害的黨派紛爭和由此引發(fā)的遺憾和不成熟表現(xiàn)。讓我們牢記,正是伊利諾伊州的一名男子首次將共和黨的大旗扛到了白宮。共和黨是建立在自強自立、個人自由以及全民團結(jié)的價值觀上,這也是我們所有人都珍視的價值。雖然民主黨今天晚上贏得了巨大的勝利,但我們是以謙卑的態(tài)度和彌合阻礙我們進步的分歧的決心贏得這場勝利的。林肯在向遠比我們眼下分歧更大的國家發(fā)表講話時說,我們不是敵人,而是朋友??雖然激情可能褪去,但是這不會割斷我們感情上的聯(lián)系。對于那些現(xiàn)在并不支持我的美國人,我想說,或許我沒有贏得你們的選票,但是我聽到了你們的聲音,我需要你們的幫助,而且我也將是你們的總統(tǒng)。
那些徹夜關(guān)注美國大選的海外人士,從國會到皇宮,以及在這個世界被遺忘的角落里擠在收音機旁的人們,我們的經(jīng)歷雖然各有不同,但是我們的命運是相通的,新的美國領(lǐng)袖誕生了。那些想要顛覆這個世界的人們,我們必將擊敗你們。那些追求和平和安全的人們,我們支持你們。那些所有懷疑美國能否繼續(xù)照亮世界發(fā)展前景的人們,今天晚上我們再次證明,我們國家真正的力量并非來自我們武器的威力或財富的規(guī)模,而是來自我們理想的持久力量:民主、自由、機會和不屈的希望。
這才是美國真正的精華--美國能夠改變。我們的聯(lián)邦會日臻完善。我們?nèi)〉玫某删蜑槲覀儗砟軌蛉〉玫囊约氨仨毴〉玫某删驮鎏砹讼M?/p>
這次大選創(chuàng)造了多項“第一”,也誕生了很多將世代流傳的故事。但是今天晚上令我難忘的卻是在亞特蘭大投票的一名婦女:安?尼克松?庫波爾(Ann Nixon Cooper)。她和其他數(shù)百萬排隊等待投票的選民沒有什么差別,除了一點:她已是106歲的高齡。
她出生的那個時代奴隸制度剛剛結(jié)束;那時路上沒有汽車,天上也沒有飛機;當(dāng)時像她這樣的人由于兩個原因不能投票--一是她是女性,另一個原因是她的膚色。
今天晚上,我想到了她在美國過去一百年間所經(jīng)歷的種種:心痛和希望;掙扎和進步;那些我們被告知我們辦不到的世代,以及那些堅信美國信條──是的,我們能做到──的人們。
曾幾何時,婦女沒有發(fā)言權(quán),她們的希望化作泡影,但是安?尼克松?庫波爾活了下來,看到婦女們站了起來,看到她們大聲發(fā)表自己的見解,看到她們?nèi)⒓哟筮x投票。是的,我們能做到。
當(dāng)30年代的沙塵暴和大蕭條引發(fā)人們的絕望之情時,她看到一個國家用羅斯福新政、新就業(yè)機會以及對新目標(biāo)的共同追求戰(zhàn)勝恐慌。是的,我們能做到。
當(dāng)炸彈襲擊了我們的海港、獨裁專制威脅到全世界,她見證了美國一代人的偉大崛起,見證了一個民主國家被拯救。是的,我們能做到。
她看到蒙哥馬利通了公共汽車、伯明翰接上了水管、塞爾馬建了橋,一位來自亞特蘭大的傳教士告訴人們:我們能成功。是的,我們能做到。
人類登上月球、柏林墻倒下,世界因我們的科學(xué)和想像被連接在一起。今年,就在這次選舉中,她用手指觸碰屏幕投下自己的選票,因為在美國生活了106年之后,經(jīng)歷了最好的時光和最黑暗的時刻之后,她知道美國如何能夠發(fā)生變革。是的,我們能做到。
美國,我們已經(jīng)走過漫漫長路。我們已經(jīng)歷了很多。但是我們?nèi)杂泻芏嗍虑橐?。因此今夜,讓我們自問--如果我們的孩子能夠活到下個世紀(jì);如果我們的女兒有幸活得和安一樣長,他們將會看到怎樣的改變?我們將會取得怎樣的進步?
現(xiàn)在是我們回答這個問題的機會。這是我們的時刻。這是我們的時代--讓我們的人民重新就業(yè),為我們的后代敞開機會的大門;恢復(fù)繁榮發(fā)展,推進和平事業(yè);讓“美國夢”重新煥發(fā)光芒,再次證明這樣一個基本的真理:我們是一家人;一息尚存,我們就有希望;當(dāng)我們遇到嘲諷和懷疑,當(dāng)有人說我們辦不到的時候,我們要以這個永恒的信條來回應(yīng)他們:
是的,我們能做到。感謝你們。上帝保佑你們。愿上帝保佑美利堅合眾國。