每天讀一點(diǎn)英文 那些激勵(lì)我前行的身影 04 布什總統(tǒng)告別演說(shuō)

THE President: Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence — a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.

各位公民：八年來(lái)，我有幸擔(dān)任你們的總統(tǒng)。新世紀(jì)的第一個(gè)十年是一段意義重大的時(shí)期——一個(gè)時(shí)間分界點(diǎn)。今晚，我懷著一顆感謝的心，請(qǐng)求一個(gè)最后的機(jī)會(huì)，就我們一起走過(guò)的旅程以及國(guó)家的未來(lái)，與諸位分享一些想法。

Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land.

五天后，世界將目睹美國(guó)民主的活力。按照我們立國(guó)時(shí)的傳統(tǒng)，總統(tǒng)之位將傳給你們——美國(guó)人民所選擇的繼任者。站在國(guó)會(huì)山的臺(tái)階上的，將是一個(gè)其故事可以說(shuō)明我們國(guó)家持久承諾的人。

This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-Elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.

這是我們?nèi)珖?guó)的希望與驕傲的深刻。我和所有美國(guó)人一起，向總統(tǒng)當(dāng)選人奧巴馬、他的妻子米歇兒以及他們兩個(gè)美麗的女兒致以最美好的祝愿。

Tonight I am filled with gratitude — to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me.

今晚，我滿懷感激——感激副總統(tǒng)切尼以及行政成員們;感謝勞拉，她給這個(gè)家?guī)?lái)歡樂(lè)，給我的生活帶來(lái)愛(ài);感謝我們了不起的女兒芭芭拉和詹娜;感謝我的父母親，他們的榜樣為我提供了畢生的力量。

I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.

最重要的是，我感謝美國(guó)人民給我的信任。我感謝你們的祈禱鼓舞了我的靈魂。我感謝你們?cè)谶^(guò)去八年讓我目睹了無(wú)數(shù)體現(xiàn)勇氣、慷慨與仁慈的行動(dòng)。

This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house — September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.

今晚，我的思緒回到我站在這個(gè)地方向你們致辭的第一個(gè)晚上——2001年9月11日。那天早上，恐怖分子奪走了近3000性命，這是自珍珠港事件以來(lái)，美國(guó)遭遇的最嚴(yán)重的襲擊。我記得于三天后站在世貿(mào)中心的廢墟中的情形，周?chē)侨旌蚬ぷ鞯木仍藛T。我記得我跟那些在五角大樓煙霧彌漫的走廊里工作的勇敢靈魂談話，跟那些登上93號(hào)航班最終成為英雄的人們的妻子們談話。我記得阿琳·霍華德(Arlene Howard)，她把已經(jīng)隕落的兒子的警察勛章給了我，提醒我我們失去了什么。我仍然戴著他的徽章。

As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.

隨著時(shí)間的流逝，大多數(shù)美國(guó)人可以回歸911之前的生活，但我就不能。每天早上，我都收到一份關(guān)于我國(guó)面臨威脅的簡(jiǎn)報(bào)。我發(fā)誓要盡我所能保證我們的安全。

Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community, and the FBI have been transformed. Our nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists’ movements, freeze their finances, and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.

在過(guò)去七年，一個(gè)新的國(guó)土安全部成立了。軍隊(duì)、情報(bào)界以及FBI已經(jīng)警告改造。我們的國(guó)家裝備了新的工具去監(jiān)控恐怖分子的活動(dòng)，凍結(jié)他們的金融，打破他們的陰謀。而且在強(qiáng)大盟友的支持下，我們向恐怖分子以及那些支持他們的人們發(fā)起了戰(zhàn)斗。阿富汗已經(jīng)從塔利班窩藏基地組織、在大街上對(duì)婦女行石刑的國(guó)家變成一個(gè)年輕的民主體，與恐怖主義斗爭(zhēng)，鼓勵(lì)女孩子去上學(xué)。伊拉克已經(jīng)從一個(gè)殘暴的獨(dú)裁國(guó)家和美國(guó)的死敵變成一個(gè)位于中東之心的阿拉伯民主體，變成美國(guó)的朋友。

There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil night and day to keep us safe — law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.

很多這些決定引起合法性的爭(zhēng)論，但其結(jié)果卻是無(wú)須爭(zhēng)論的。七年多里，美國(guó)領(lǐng)土沒(méi)有再遭遇又一次恐怖襲擊。這要?dú)w功于那些日夜辛勤工作保衛(wèi)我們的安全的人們——執(zhí)法人員，情報(bào)分析家，國(guó)土安全和外交人員，以及美國(guó)武裝部隊(duì)的男女成員。

Our nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families. And America owes you a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has been no higher honor than serving as your Commander-in-Chief.

在危險(xiǎn)時(shí)刻，公民自愿捍衛(wèi)國(guó)家，這是我們國(guó)家之福。我珍惜與這些無(wú)私的愛(ài)國(guó)者以及他們的家人的會(huì)晤。美國(guó)欠你們一份感激。致今晚所有在聆聽(tīng)的全體男女軍人：作為你們的三軍總司令是至高無(wú)上的榮耀。

The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.

我們的部隊(duì)發(fā)起的戰(zhàn)斗屬于更為廣泛的、兩種根本不同的制度之間的斗爭(zhēng)的一部分。在其中一種制度下，一小撮狂熱分子要求全體服從一種壓制性的意識(shí)形態(tài)，迫使婦女卑屈，殺害不信仰者。而另一種制度則是基于這樣的信念：自由是萬(wàn)能的上帝賦予所有人的禮物，自由與正義照亮和平之路。

This is the belief that gave birth to our nation. And in the long run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity. We’re standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to dying patients — to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.

這是我們的立國(guó)信仰。從長(zhǎng)期來(lái)看，推廣這種信仰是保護(hù)我們公民的唯一可行辦法。當(dāng)人們生活在自由之中，他們就不會(huì)愿意選擇追求恐怖主義運(yùn)動(dòng)的領(lǐng)袖。當(dāng)人們對(duì)未來(lái)充滿希望，他們就不會(huì)愿意把生命交給暴力與極端主義。因此，美國(guó)在全世界推廣人的自由、人的權(quán)利以及人的尊嚴(yán)。我們支持異見(jiàn)人士及年輕的民主體，提供愛(ài)滋病藥物讓瀕臨死亡的病人恢復(fù)生機(jī)，不讓瘧疾傷害母親與嬰兒。這個(gè)僅為自由而生的偉大共和國(guó)帶領(lǐng)世界走向自由屬于所有國(guó)家的新時(shí)期。

For eight years, we’ve also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America’s air and water and lands are measurably cleaner. And the federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.

八年來(lái)，我們還努力擴(kuò)大國(guó)內(nèi)的機(jī)會(huì)與希望。在全國(guó)，學(xué)生們正起來(lái)滿足公立學(xué)校提高了的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。一種新的醫(yī)療處方藥福利正為長(zhǎng)者及殘疾人帶來(lái)內(nèi)心的平靜。每一個(gè)納稅人要支付的收入稅減少了。透過(guò)以信仰為基礎(chǔ)的項(xiàng)目，上癮者與受苦者找到了新希望。脆弱的生命得到更好的保護(hù)。用于退伍軍人的資金幾乎翻了一番。美國(guó)的空氣、水和陸地更加清潔。而且聯(lián)邦法官席上有了像法官阿利托(Sam Alito)和首席法官羅伯茨(John Roberts)這樣睿智的新成員。

When challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America’s free enterprise system.

當(dāng)我們的繁榮面臨挑戰(zhàn)，我們起來(lái)面對(duì)。面對(duì)金融崩潰的前景，我們采取了果斷措施保護(hù)我們的經(jīng)濟(jì)。努力工作的家庭面臨非常困難的時(shí)刻，但如果我們不采取行動(dòng)，損失會(huì)嚴(yán)重得多。所有美國(guó)人團(tuán)結(jié)在一起，憑著決心以及努力的工作，我們將讓經(jīng)濟(jì)重上增長(zhǎng)之路。我們將再一次向世界展示美國(guó)自由企業(yè)體系的彈性。

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I’ve always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

和此前負(fù)責(zé)這個(gè)辦公室所有人一樣，我曾經(jīng)歷挫折。如果還有機(jī)會(huì)，在一些事情上我會(huì)改變做法。然而，我在做事的時(shí)候總是心懷我們國(guó)家的最佳利益。我按照我的良心，并做了我認(rèn)為正確的事情。你可能不會(huì)同意我所作出的一些艱難決定。但我希望你們明白我愿意作出這些艱難的決定。

The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.

未來(lái)十年，我們的國(guó)家將面臨更多艱難的選擇，一些指引性的原則可以指明我們的方向。

While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

盡管我們的國(guó)家比七年前安全，我們的民眾所面臨的最嚴(yán)重威脅仍然是再度發(fā)生的恐怖襲擊。我們的敵人很有耐心，決心再次襲擊。美國(guó)沒(méi)有尋求挑起沖突，也不應(yīng)該遭受這些沖突。但我們已經(jīng)肩負(fù)莊嚴(yán)的責(zé)任，我們必須面對(duì)。我們必須抵制自滿。我們必須保持決心。我們絕不能放松警惕。

At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

與此同時(shí)，我們必須繼續(xù)懷著信心與明確的目標(biāo)與世界接觸。面對(duì)海外的威脅，轉(zhuǎn)向內(nèi)部尋求安慰是很有誘惑力的。但是我們必須拒絕孤立主義及作為其同伴的保護(hù)主義。在21世紀(jì)，國(guó)內(nèi)的安全與繁榮有賴于自由在海外的擴(kuò)大。如果美國(guó)不帶領(lǐng)自由事業(yè)，這項(xiàng)事業(yè)就得不到指引。

As we address these challenges — and others we cannot foresee tonight — America must maintain our moral clarity. I’ve often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense — and to advance the cause of peace.

在我們解決這些挑戰(zhàn)——以及其他一些我們無(wú)法在今晚預(yù)測(cè)的挑戰(zhàn)時(shí)，美國(guó)必須維持我們的道德明確性。我經(jīng)常跟你們說(shuō)善與惡。這令一些人感到不舒服。但善惡存在于世上，兩者之間不會(huì)有任何妥協(xié)。無(wú)論在何時(shí)何地，把殺害無(wú)辜者作為推廣意識(shí)形態(tài)的手段都是錯(cuò)誤的做法。

President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.

讓人們擺脫壓迫和絕望是永遠(yuǎn)正確的。國(guó)家必須繼續(xù)為正義和真理發(fā)言。我們必須始終愿意行動(dòng)起來(lái)捍衛(wèi)它們，推進(jìn)和平的事業(yè)。杰斐遜總統(tǒng)曾寫(xiě)道，“我喜歡未來(lái)的夢(mèng)想更甚于過(guò)去的歷史。”在我離開(kāi)這個(gè)他于兩個(gè)世紀(jì)前所在的地方時(shí)，我贊成他的這種樂(lè)觀精神。美國(guó)是一個(gè)年輕的國(guó)家，充滿活力、不斷成長(zhǎng)和自我更新。甚至在最艱難的時(shí)刻，我們都會(huì)放眼前面廣闊的地平線。]\

I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger, and compassion in the face of suffering. We see examples of America’s character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.

我對(duì)美國(guó)的諾言有信心，因?yàn)槲抑牢覀內(nèi)嗣竦奶刭|(zhì)。這是一個(gè)鼓勵(lì)移民為自由的夢(mèng)想而冒險(xiǎn)的國(guó)家。這是一個(gè)公民可以在危險(xiǎn)的時(shí)刻表現(xiàn)平靜，在苦難面前展示憐憫的國(guó)家。我們看到，我們周?chē)陀忻绹?guó)特質(zhì)的榜樣。勞拉和我已經(jīng)邀請(qǐng)當(dāng)中一些人今晚到白宮。

We see America’s character in Dr. Tony Recasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We’ve seen it in Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.

我們看到里卡斯鈉博士(Dr. Tony Recasner)的美國(guó)特質(zhì)，這位校長(zhǎng)在卡特里娜颶風(fēng)的廢墟中開(kāi)辦一所新的特許學(xué)校。我們看到麥地那(Julio Medina)身上的美國(guó)特質(zhì)，這位前囚犯帶領(lǐng)一個(gè)以信仰為基礎(chǔ)的項(xiàng)目，幫助囚犯重回社會(huì)。我們?cè)谏鲜葵溸_(dá)德(Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade)身上的美國(guó)特質(zhì)，他負(fù)責(zé)伊拉克的一次埋伏并拯救了三名同伴的海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊(duì)隊(duì)員。

We see America’s character in Bill Krissoff — a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan — a Marine — gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old — 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America’s wounded warriors — and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.

我們?cè)诳死锼雇蟹?Bill Krissoff)這位來(lái)自加州的外科醫(yī)生身上看到美國(guó)特質(zhì)。他的兒子內(nèi)森(Nathan)是一位海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊(duì)隊(duì)員，在伊拉克獻(xiàn)出了生命。當(dāng)我和克里斯托夫及其家人會(huì)面時(shí)，他帶來(lái)了一些令人吃驚的新聞：他告訴我，他像加入海軍醫(yī)療隊(duì)以紀(jì)念他的兒子。這位好人60歲了——比年齡上限大了18歲。但他的豁免申請(qǐng)得到了批準(zhǔn)，而且在過(guò)去的一年里，他已經(jīng)接受戰(zhàn)地醫(yī)學(xué)訓(xùn)練?？死锼狗蛏傩＝裢聿荒艹鱿?yàn)樗芸炀鸵渴鸬揭晾?，在那里，他將幫忙拯救美?guó)受傷的勇士，維護(hù)他已逝兒子的遺產(chǎn)。

In citizens like these, we see the best of our country - resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there’s more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.

從這些公民身上，我們看到了我們國(guó)家最美好的一面——彈性與希望，關(guān)懷與強(qiáng)大。這些優(yōu)點(diǎn)讓我對(duì)美國(guó)懷著不可動(dòng)搖的信念。我們?cè)媾R危險(xiǎn)與考驗(yàn)，前面還會(huì)有更多危險(xiǎn)與考驗(yàn)。但憑著人民的勇氣，以及我們對(duì)理想的信心，這個(gè)偉大的國(guó)家永不疲憊……永不動(dòng)搖……永不失敗。

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your President. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other - citizen of the United States of America.

擔(dān)任你們的總統(tǒng)是我一生的榮幸。我們有過(guò)好日子也有過(guò)艱難日子。但每一天，我都因我們國(guó)家的偉大而受到鼓舞，都因我們民眾的善良感到振奮。能夠代表我們所愛(ài)的這個(gè)國(guó)家，這是我的福份。我將永遠(yuǎn)為一個(gè)比其他任何頭銜更有意義的身份而感到榮幸：美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)公民。

And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you. (Applause.)

最后，我的美國(guó)同胞們：晚安。愿上帝保佑白宮和我們的下一任總統(tǒng)。愿上帝保佑你們和我們了不起的國(guó)家。謝謝你們。(星島環(huán)球網(wǎng)翻譯)

【人物簡(jiǎn)介】

布什家族 - 幾代宦海沉浮造就兩位總統(tǒng),美國(guó)當(dāng)選總統(tǒng)布什的家族，是當(dāng)今美國(guó)聲名最顯赫的政治世家。自20世紀(jì)50年代以來(lái)，布什家族上演了一幕幕政治傳奇，它造就了一位參議員、兩位州長(zhǎng)和兩位總統(tǒng)，成為美國(guó)最顯赫的政治王朝。