第一篇:奧巴馬在第69屆聯(lián)合國大會演講
奧巴馬在第69屆聯(lián)合國大會演講
主席先生,秘書長先生,各位代表,女士們、先生們:我們在這里集會,正處在一個戰(zhàn)爭與和平、混亂與整合、恐懼與希望的十字路口。
在全球各地,豎立著進步的路標。這個機構創(chuàng)建之時曾有過的世界大戰(zhàn)的陰影已被驅散;大國之間爆發(fā)戰(zhàn)爭的可能性已然減少。成員國的數(shù)量已增至原來的3倍多,還有更多的人民生活在他們選舉產生的政府之下。數(shù)億民眾得到解救擺脫了貧困的牢籠,生活在極端貧困中的人口比例已經(jīng)減半。世界經(jīng)濟在經(jīng)歷了我們有生之年最嚴重的金融危機之后繼續(xù)發(fā)展壯大。
今天,不論你居住在紐約(New York)市中心,還是居住在距內羅畢(Nairobi)200多英里的我祖母的村莊,你能握于掌中的信息都將比全世界最大的圖書館所收藏的信息還多。我們一起學會了如何治愈疾病,以及如何利用風能和太陽能。這個機構的存在本身就是一個獨一無二的成就——全世界人民致力于以和平方式解決它們之間的分歧,并共同解決他們的問題。我經(jīng)常對美國的年輕人說,這是人類歷史上最好的時候,出生在這個時候比以往任何時候都更有可能讀書識字、身體健康并自由地追求自己的夢想。
然而,我們的世界中卻存在著一種無處不在的不安感——感到將我們團結在一起的那些力量帶來了新的危險,令任何一個國家都難以讓自己同全球性勢力隔絕。
就在我們在這里集會的時候,埃博拉(Ebola)疫情的爆發(fā)令西非地區(qū)的公共衛(wèi)生系統(tǒng)不堪重負,而且還構成了迅速地跨境蔓延的威脅。俄羅斯在歐洲的進犯行徑讓人們回想起大國為了實現(xiàn)領土擴張野心而踐踏小國的日子。敘利亞和伊拉克的恐怖主義分子的殘忍行徑迫使我們直視黑暗的腹地。這些問題必須刻不容緩地一一得到關注。但它們也顯示出一個更廣泛的問題的征兆,那就是我們的國際體制趕不上一個緊密相連的世界的步伐。我們沒有適當?shù)赝顿Y于發(fā)展中國家的公共衛(wèi)生能力。我們往往在不便于嚴格執(zhí)行國際準則的時候未能執(zhí)行。而且,在全世界許許多多的地區(qū),我們沒有以足夠的力度應對助長暴力極端主義的偏執(zhí)、宗派主義和絕望情緒。
各位代表,我們作為聯(lián)合國匯聚在一起要作出一個抉擇。我們可以重振這個讓如此之多的進步得以實現(xiàn)的國際體制,我們也可以聽任動蕩的逆流讓我們倒退。我們可以重申我們應對國際性問題的共同責任,也可以面對越來越多的**的爆發(fā)手足無措。
對于美國而言,這個抉擇是明確的:我們選擇希望,而不是恐懼。我們眼中的未來并不是我們無法掌控的,而是我們通過協(xié)調一致的共同努力能夠打造得更好的。我們駁斥有關人類事務的宿命論或玩世不恭的言論。我們選擇為世界應有的面貌、為我們的子孫后代應有的未來而努力……
這提出了我們這個全球時代的一個核心問題:我們是從共同利益出發(fā)本著相互尊重的精神共同解決我們的問題,還是陷入過去具有毀滅性的敵對狀態(tài)。當各國找到共同的立足點時——不簡單地基于威力,而是基于原則——我們便能取得巨大進展。
……如果我們放眼于我們的邊境以外,如果我們以全球觀念思考問題,如果我們合作地采取行動,我們就能打造這個世紀的軌跡,就像我們的先輩打造二戰(zhàn)后的時代一樣。但當我們矚望未來時,有一個問題構成了導致沖突迭起并阻礙許許多多的進步的風險,那就是在穆斯林世界的眾多地區(qū)肆虐的暴力極端主義的毒瘤……
我們駁斥有關文明沖突的說法。宣揚宗教戰(zhàn)爭永不停止的信條是極端主義分子蠱惑人心的藉口,他們不能建設或創(chuàng)造任何東西,因而只能宣揚狂熱和仇恨。毫不夸張地說,人類的未來取決于我們團結一致地反對那些利用部落或教派、種族或宗教的人為界線在我們之間制造隔閡的人……
作為一個國際社會,我們必須集中于4個領域來應對這一挑戰(zhàn)。
首先,必須削弱并最終摧毀這個被稱為伊斯蘭國(ISIL)的恐怖主義組織…… 任何神靈都不會容忍這種恐怖行徑。任何冤情都不能成為這類行徑的藉口。同這伙邪惡之徒?jīng)]有任何道理可講,也沒有任何討價還價的余地。只有用武力說話才能讓這樣的劊子手聽懂。因此,美利堅合眾國將同一個廣大的聯(lián)盟共同摧毀這個死亡網(wǎng)絡。
在展開這一努力時,我們并非獨自行動,我們也不計劃派遣美國軍隊進駐外國土地。但我們將會支持正在為收復自己的社區(qū)而戰(zhàn)斗的伊拉克人和敘利亞人。我們將發(fā)揮我們的軍事威力展開擊退伊斯蘭國的空中打擊。我們將訓練并裝備在當?shù)嘏c這些恐怖主義分子作戰(zhàn)的武裝力量。我們將努力切斷他們的資金來源并阻止外國武裝分子進出該地區(qū)。而且已經(jīng)有40多個國家愿意加入這個聯(lián)盟……
第二,現(xiàn)在全世界——特別是穆斯林群體——應該以明確、強有力的聲音堅持不懈地表示擯棄“基地”組織和伊斯蘭國的意識形態(tài)。
促使虔誠的信仰與現(xiàn)代多元文化的世界相互協(xié)調是所有偉大宗教的任務。任何兒童——不論在什么地方——都不應該受到仇恨他人的教育。不應該再允許所謂的牧師蠱惑人們傷害無辜,只因為他們是猶太人、基督教徒或穆斯林。現(xiàn)在需要全世界文明的人民達成新的約定,要求從最基本的源頭徹底消滅戰(zhàn)爭:年輕的頭腦受暴力意識形態(tài)的腐蝕。這意味著切斷點燃仇恨的資金來源。有人通過全球經(jīng)濟聚斂財富,然后向那些唆使兒童進行破壞的人輸送經(jīng)費。現(xiàn)在應該制止他們的虛偽行徑。
這意味著從恐怖主義分子手中奪回被占據(jù)的空間——包括因特網(wǎng)和社會媒體。他們的宣傳已經(jīng)逼迫年輕人到海外為他們作戰(zhàn),將學生變成自殺炸彈。我們必須提供另外一種前途。這意味著團結各種不同信仰的信徒。所有的宗教都在某些時候受到極端主義分子從內部發(fā)動的攻擊。所有的信眾都有責任弘揚所有宗教的核心價值:你們希望人們怎樣對待你們,你們也要怎樣對待他人。
伊斯蘭國,或“基地”組織(al Qaeda)及博科圣地(Boko Haram)的意識形態(tài)如果經(jīng)常被暴露在光天化日之下并受到批評和駁斥,就將逐漸枯萎和消亡。請看看新的穆斯林社會促進和平論壇(Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies)——謝赫·本·比亞(Sheikh bin Bayyah)道出了其宗旨:“我們必須向戰(zhàn)爭宣戰(zhàn),實現(xiàn)為和平爭取和平的結果。”請看看年輕的英國穆斯林,他們對恐怖主義宣傳做出的反應是開始發(fā)起“拒絕以我的名義”(notinmyname)運動,宣告——“伊斯蘭國以伊斯蘭的假面具為掩飾”。請看看一些基督教和穆斯林領袖,他們在中非共和國共同表示拒絕接受暴力——聆聽一位伊馬目所說的,“政治力圖分裂我們國家的宗教,但是宗教不應該是仇恨、戰(zhàn)爭和沖突的原因。” 今天晚些時候,安理會(Security Council)將通過決議,強調各國有責任抗擊暴力極端主義。但是決議通過后,必須隨之拿出具體承諾,使我們?yōu)樽约旱娜笔С袚熑巍C髂辏覀兌紤撟龊脺蕚洌嘉覀円呀?jīng)為抗擊極端主義意識形態(tài)采取的具體步驟——消除學校的不寬容現(xiàn)象,將激進行為消除在萌芽狀態(tài),促進為理解架設新橋梁的機構和項目。第三,我們必須解決沖突周而復始的問題——特別是宗派沖突——這為恐怖主義分子創(chuàng)造了可以利用的條件。宗教內部的戰(zhàn)爭并不是新現(xiàn)象。基督教曾經(jīng)歷了幾個世紀殘酷的宗派沖突。今天,穆斯林群體內部的暴力成為人類如此眾多悲慘遭遇的來源。現(xiàn)在應該承認中東(Middle East)各地遜尼派(Sunni)和什葉派(Shia)之間的代理型戰(zhàn)爭和恐怖運動造成的破壞。現(xiàn)在,政治、公民社會和宗教領袖應該擯棄宗派紛爭。我們必須明確指出:這場戰(zhàn)爭沒有勝利者。敘利亞的殘酷內戰(zhàn)已經(jīng)導致近200,000人喪生,數(shù)百萬人流離失所。伊拉克曾面臨重新墮入深淵的危險。這場沖突已經(jīng)為恐怖主義分子培養(yǎng)了招兵買馬的溫床,他們最終必然會對外輸出暴力。
但是,我們也看到,這股潮流可以被逆轉——一個新的包容性政府在巴格達(Baghdad)成立;伊拉克新總理受到鄰國的歡迎;黎巴嫩各派拒絕接受試圖挑起戰(zhàn)爭的人。在采取這些步驟后,必須隨之實現(xiàn)更廣泛的休戰(zhàn)。沒有任何地方比敘利亞更需要做到這一點。美國與我們的夥伴一起,正在為敘利亞反對派提供訓練和裝備,用于抗衡伊斯蘭國恐怖主義分子和阿薩德的殘暴統(tǒng)治。但政治是敘利亞內戰(zhàn)唯一持久的解決途徑——包容性的政治過渡,反映全體敘利亞人民的合理愿望,不論種族和宗教歸屬。
我最后的第四點意見很簡單:阿拉伯國家和穆斯林世界必須高度重視本國人民非凡的潛力——特別是年輕人的潛力。在這里,我想直接對穆斯林世界的年輕人說幾句話。你們擁有一種偉大的傳統(tǒng),提倡教育,而不是無知;提倡創(chuàng)新,而不是毀滅;提倡生命的尊嚴,而不是殺戮。那些蠱惑你們偏離這條道路的人是在背叛這一傳統(tǒng),而不是在捍衛(wèi)這一傳統(tǒng)。
你們已經(jīng)顯示出當年輕人擁有取得成功的工具時——好學校、接受數(shù)學和科學教育、培養(yǎng)創(chuàng)造力和創(chuàng)業(yè)精神的經(jīng)濟——社會便會繁榮發(fā)展。因此,美國將同那些提倡這一構想的人結成夥伴。
當婦女全面參與一個國家的政治或經(jīng)濟時,各國社會更有可能成功發(fā)展。因此,我們支持婦女在議會及和平進程中以及在學校和經(jīng)濟中進行參與……
歸根結底,駁斥宗派主義及駁斥極端主義的使命將由一代人來承擔,將由中東人民自己來承擔。任何外部力量都不能帶來心靈和頭腦的轉變。但美國將是一個持尊重態(tài)度的、具有建設性的合作夥伴。美國已準備好作出努力,采取行動應對眼前的威脅,同時力爭建設一個越來越不需要這類行動的世界。美國永遠不會在捍衛(wèi)我們的利益時退縮,而我們也不會在堅持這個機構的承諾及其《世界人權宣言》(Universal Declaration of Human Rights)時退縮——其理念是和平不僅是沒有戰(zhàn)爭,而且是有著更好的生活……
在這個十字路口,我可以向你們保證,美利堅合眾國不會在完成必須完成的使命時分散精力,也不會卻步不前。我們是令人自豪的自由傳統(tǒng)的傳承者,而且我們已準備好盡一切努力將這一傳統(tǒng)傳給子孫后代。我請求你們同我們一起完成這個共同的使命,為了今天的兒童以及子孫后代。2014-09-28 19:46
第二篇:奧巴馬演講
奧巴馬演講
Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.
第三篇:奧巴馬演講
Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)
Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?
Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?
Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)
第四篇:奧巴馬演講
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address Saturday, May 14, 2011
Washington D.C.Recently, there have been signs that the economy is picking up steam.Last month, we saw the strongest job growth in five years, and have added more than three-quarters of a million private sector jobs in just three months.But there are still too many Americans who are either looking for work, or struggling to pay the bills and make the mortgage.Paychecks aren’t getting any bigger, but the cost of everything from groceries to college tuition keeps on rising.Without a doubt, one of the biggest burdens over the last few months has been the price of gasoline.In many places, gas is now more than $4 a gallon, meaning that you could be paying more than $60 to fill up your tank.These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense.First, we should make sure that no one is taking advantage of consumers at the pump.That’s why we’ve launched a task force led by the Attorney General that has one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.Second, we should increase safe and responsible oil production here at home.Last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.But I believe that we should expand oil production in America – even as we increase safety and environmental standards.To do this, I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and gas resources in the mid and south Atlantic.We plan to lease new areas in the Gulf of Mexico as well, and work to create new incentives for industry to develop their unused leases both on and offshore.We’re also taking steps to give companies time to meet higher safety standards when it comes to exploration and drilling.That’s why my Administration is extending drilling leases in areas of the Gulf that were impacted by the temporary moratorium, as well as certain areas off the coast of Alaska.And to streamline that permitting process, I am establishing a new team to coordinate work on Alaska drilling permits.Finally, the third step we should take is to eliminate the taxpayer subsidies we give to oil and gas companies.In the last few months, the biggest oil companies made about $4 billion in profits each week.And yet, they get $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.Four billion dollars at a time when Americans can barely fill up their tanks.Four billion dollars at a time when we’re trying to reduce our deficit.This isn’t fair, it makes no sense.Before I was President, the CEOs of these companies even admitted that the tax subsidies made no sense.Well, next week, there is a vote in Congress to end these oil company giveaways once and for all.And I hope Democrats and Republicans come together and get this done.The American people shouldn’t be subsidizing oil companies at a time when they’re making near-record profits.As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the ultimate solution to high-gas prices.That’s why we’re investing in clean energy technology, helping businesses that manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and making sure that our cars and trucks can go further on a tank of gas – a step that could save families as much as $3,000 at the pump.These are investments worth making – investments that will save us money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the health and safety of our planet.That’s an energy policy for the future, and it’s what I’ll be fighting for in the weeks and months to come.Thanks.
第五篇:奧巴馬演講
奧巴馬演講:為未來清潔能源投資
來源:http:// Hi, everybody.I’m speaking to you this week from a factory in Petersburg, Virginia, where they’re bringing on more than 100 new workers to build parts for the next generation of jet engines.It’s a story that’s happening more frequently across the country.Our businesses just added 233,000 jobs last month – for a total of nearly four million new jobs over the last two years.More companies are choosing to bring jobs back and invest in America.Manufacturing is adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s, and we’re building more things to sell to the rest of the world stamped with three proud words: Made in America.And it’s not just that we’re building stuff.We’re building better stuff.The engine parts manufactured here in Petersburg will go into next-generation planes that are lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient.That last part is important.Because whether you’re paying for a plane ticket, or filling up your gas tank, technology that helps us get more miles to the gallon is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The recent spike in gas prices has been another painful reminder of why we have to invest in this technology.As usual, politicians have been rolling out their three-point plans for two-dollar gas: drill, drill, and drill some more.Well, my response is, we have been drilling.Under my Administration, oil production in America is at an eight-year high.We’ve quadrupled the number of operating oil rigs, and opened up millions of acres for drilling.But you and I both know that with only 2% of the world’s oil reserves, we can’t just drill our way to lower gas prices – not when consume 20 percent of the world’s oil.We need an all-of-the-above strategy that relies less on foreign oil and more on American-made energy – solar, wind, natural gas, biofuels, and more.That’s the strategy we’re pursuing.It’s why I went to a plant in North Carolina earlier this week, where they’re making trucks that run on natural gas, and hybrid trucks that go further on a single tank.And it’s why I’ve been focused on fuel efficient cars since the day I took office.Over the last few years, the annual number of miles driven by Americans has stayed roughly the same, but the total amount of gas we use has been going down.In other words, we’re getting more bang for our buck.If we accelerate that trend, we can help drivers save a significant amount of money.That’s why, after 30 years of inaction, we finally put in place new standards that will make sure our cars average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – nearly double what they get today.This wasn’t easy: we had to bring together auto companies, and unions, and folks who don’t ordinarily see eye to eye.But it was worth it.Because these cars aren’t some pie in the sky solution that’s years away.They’re being built right now – by American workers, in factories right here in the U.S.A.Every year, our cars and trucks will be able to go further and use less fuel, and pretty soon, you’ll be able to fill up every two weeks instead of every week – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.We’ll reduce our oil consumption by more than 12 billion barrels.That’s a future worth investing in.So we have a choice.Right now, some folks in Washington would rather spend another $4 billion on subsidies to oil companies each year.Well you know what? We’ve been handing out these kinds of taxpayer giveaways for nearly a century.And outside of Congress, does anyone really think that’s still a good idea? I want this Congress to stop the giveaways to an oil industry that’s never been more profitable, and invest in a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.We should be investing in the technology that’s building the cars and trucks and jets that will prevent us from dealing with these high gas prices year after year after year.Ending this cycle of rising gas prices won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.But that’s why you sent us to Washington – to solve tough problems like this one.So I’m going to keep doing everything I can to help you save money on gas, both right now and in the future.I hope politicians from both sides of the aisle join me.Let’s put aside the bumper-sticker slogans, remember why we’re here, and get things done for the American people.Thank you, God bless you, and have a great weekend.大家好。本周我來到了維吉尼亞州匹茲堡市的一家工廠,這家工廠帶來了100多個新的工作崗位,他們正在生產下一代噴氣發(fā)動機的零部件。
這樣的景象在全國各地不斷涌現(xiàn)。上個月我們的企業(yè)又新增23.3萬個就業(yè)崗位,過去兩年總共新增約400萬個就業(yè)崗位。越來越多的企業(yè)選擇回國投資并將工作崗位帶回來。制造業(yè)也從上世紀90年代以來首次增加就業(yè)崗位,我們制造的產品被銷往世界各地,產品上印著讓我們自豪的四個字:美國制造。
我們不僅僅是正在制造一些東西,我們是在制造更棒的東西。在匹茲堡這里生產的引擎零部件將用于下一代的更輕、更快、更節(jié)省燃料的飛機上。
最后一個特點很重要。因為無論你是買機票還是給自己的汽車加油,提高單位燃料的行駛里程是幫助我們節(jié)約支出和降低對海外石油依賴的最直接的方式。而最近油價的上漲也深深刺痛著我們,我們必須在這一技術上進行投資。一些政客一直在兜售他們實現(xiàn)2美元油價的三項計劃:開采、開采以及更多的開采。好吧,我的回應是,我們一直都在開采。在政府領導下,美國國內的石油產量處在8年來的最高點。我們開放了數(shù)百萬英畝的開采區(qū)域,正在運轉的石油鉆井平臺也增加了4倍。但你我都知道我們僅僅擁有2%的世界石油儲量,我們不能單獨依靠開采來降低油價,何況我們還消費了全球20%的石油。我們需要一個最高的能源戰(zhàn)略,減少我們對海外石油的依賴,更多使用國產能源:太陽能、風能、天然氣以及生物燃料等等。
這才是我們追求的戰(zhàn)略。這也是我本周早些時候到訪北卡的一家工廠的原因,那里的工人們正在生產使用天然氣的卡車,混合動力卡車用一箱油能行駛的更遠。
這也是我自主政以來就一直關注高能效汽車的原因。在過去的幾年里,美國人每年的汽車行駛里程基本保持不變,但總的汽油消耗量在不斷下降。換句話說,我們花同樣的錢,得到的利益增加了。如果我們加速推進這一趨勢,我們就可以幫助駕駛員們節(jié)約一筆可觀的費用。這也是我們實施新的能效標準的原因,老的標準還是30年前制定的,這樣我們能在未來15年內實現(xiàn)汽車平均用1加侖汽油行駛55英里的目標,這是現(xiàn)狀的兩倍。實現(xiàn)這一目標并不容易,我們需要將汽車生產廠家、產業(yè)聯(lián)盟以及意見并不一致的人們團結到一起。但這么做是值得的。
因為這樣的汽車并不像前幾年那樣還是空中樓閣。我們的工人,國內的工廠現(xiàn)在正在生產這樣的汽車。每年,我們的汽車、卡車都能用更少的油跑的更遠,很快,你們將能每兩周加一次油而不用每周都去加油站。這樣假以時日,將為一般家庭在油費支出上節(jié)省8000多美元。我們將減少超過120億桶的石油消費量。這是值得我們投資的未來。因此,我們要做出選擇。但現(xiàn)在華盛頓的一些人卻寧愿每年花40億美元給石油公司提供補貼。你們可知道。我們已經(jīng)用納稅人的錢給它們提供了將近一個世紀的補貼了。在國會之外,難道就有人真的認為這是個好主意嗎?我希望國會終止對石油產業(yè)的補貼,它們的利潤已經(jīng)高的不能再高了,我們應該把這些錢投資到更有希望的清潔能源產業(yè)上。我們應該投資于生產高能效汽車、卡車和飛機的技術上,避免我們年復一年的受高油價的麻煩。
走出不斷上漲的油價這一惡性循環(huán)并不容易,也不能在一夜間完成。但這正是你們選擇我們來到華盛頓的原因,我們就是來解決這樣的難題的。因此我將繼續(xù)竭盡所能幫助我們節(jié)約油費支出,現(xiàn)在如此將來亦如此。我希望兩黨的政客們都能與我一道。讓我們把空洞的口號放置一邊,牢記使命,為美國人民把事情做好。謝謝,上帝保佑大家,祝大家周末愉快。