美国总统每周电台发言(2009-01-17)
President’s Radio Address
Good morning. For the last eight years, I have had the honor of speaking to the American people Saturday mornings through this radio address. In hundreds of broadcasts, I have talked to you about important issues affecting our security and our prosperity. And today, in my final address, I want to send a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you.
Eight years ago, Laura and I left our home in Texas to come to Washington. Through two terms in the White House, we have been blessed by your kind words and generous prayers. We have been inspired by those of you who reach out to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and care for the sick. We have been moved by the courage and devotion of those of you who wear the uniform. Serving as your President has been an incredible honor.
Like every individual who has 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 tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.
The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course. 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.
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.
As we address these challenges — and others we cannot foresee today — America must maintain our moral clarity. I’ve often spoken to you about good and evil. This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two 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.
Eight years ago, on a cold January morning, I stood on the steps of the United States Capitol, placed my hand on the Bible, and swore a sacred oath to defend our people and our Constitution. On that day, I spoke of “our Nation’s grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.” Next week, my term of service will come to an end — but that story and that dream will continue.
On Tuesday, Laura and I will join all Americans in offering our best wishes to President Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls. And later that day, we will return to the love of family and friends in Texas. I will depart office proud of my Administration’s record. And I will spend the rest of my life grateful for the opportunity to have served as President of the greatest nation on Earth.
Thank you for listening.
早上好。在过去的八年里，我有幸获得每周六通过电台向美国人民讲话的机会。我在数百次广播中曾向大家讲述过影响我们的安全和繁荣的因素。今天是我最后一次讲话，我只是想传达一个简单的，衷心的信息：感谢你们。
八年前，我和劳拉离开得克萨斯的家来到华盛顿。在两届总统任期之内，我们受到你们善良的言辞和慷慨的祈祷的祝福。你们中间很多人为饥寒交怕的人和需要帮助的人伸出援助之手，我们被这些深深地鼓舞着。我们被身穿支付的军人的勇气和奉献精神感动着。能够作为总统为你们服务是我无比的荣幸。
像在我之前担任总统的每个人一样，我也遭遇过挫折。如果有机会，我的所作所为将会有所不同。但是，无论我做什么，都牢记祖国的最大利益。我所作的对得起自己的良心，我做了自己认为正确的事情。或许你不赞同我做的某些强硬的决策。但是我希望你能赞同我做强硬决定的良好愿望。
未来的几十年，我们的国家将会面临更多艰难的选择，有一些指导方针形成了我们的道路。虽然我们的国家和民族相对于七年前更加安全，但是我们的国家可能面临的另外一次恐怖袭击是最大的威胁。我们的敌人非常有耐心，他们决心再次抗争。美国没有制造冲突，但是既然我们被赋予这种庄严的职责，我们就必须完成。我们必须杜绝自满情绪，坚定必胜的决心。我们永远不能放松警惕。
同时，我们必须充满信心，目标明确地参与国际事务。面临来自国外的威胁，回到国内寻找安逸是充满诱惑的。但是我们必须拒绝孤立主义和保护主义。闭关自守只会招致更大的危险。二十一世纪，国家的安定繁荣取决于国外自由的蓬勃发展。如果美国不领导自由事业，我们的自由就会遭到践踏。
面对我们今天列举的挑战——以及我们今天没有预测到的其他威胁——美国人必须保持我们的道德准则。我经常跟你们探讨善和恶。这可能让有些人不太自在。但是，善与恶确实在这个世界上存在，两者之间没有任何折中和妥协。为了意识形态的进步而残杀无辜在何时何地都是错误的。将人们从压抑和绝望中解救出来永远是正确的。我们的国家必须继续讲究正义和真理。我们的行为必须时时刻刻捍卫正义和真理——并且推崇和平事业。
八年前的一月份一个寒冷的早上，我站在美国国会大厦，把手放在圣经上，宣誓保卫美国人民和美国宪法。那天我说到“我们的民族充满勇气的光辉历史和追求尊严的简单梦想。”下周，任期即将结束——但是这个故事，这个梦想还将继续。
周二，我和劳拉将和所有美国人民一起，为奥巴马总统，第一夫人米歇尔和他们两个漂亮的女儿致以最良好的祝愿。之后，我们将回到得克萨斯的亲人和朋友中间。我将会充满自豪的离开白宫。在我的余生，我将会为曾有机会作为地球上最伟大的国家的总统而充满感激。
谢谢收听。（参考翻译：QIHUI QQ:21767317）
NSDA“SDcamps”全国英语演讲与辩论大赛（大学组）/SDcamps全国中小学生英语演讲与辩论大会（中小学及幼儿组）/美式辩论赛（以下简称大赛/大会）现诚招全国省市合作伙伴或城市合伙人，共同进行推广NSDA赛事品牌、举办赛事及培训活动、开展素质教育、美式营地项目等多方面合作。
我们希望认同NSDA理念，有赛事组织经验，或有教育资源，特别是有理想有热情的机构或个人一起携手，共同推广NSDA品牌、赛事及素质教育。以机构的形式，或以城市合伙人的方式均可。具体的赛事组织、盈利模式，欢迎电话或微信咨询。
微信：0012133598196
