voa标准英语2008-Bush Highlights National Security Progress

President Bush says the United States is safer now than before the attacks of September 11, 2001, but that the battle against terrorism will continue long after leaves office. Mr. Bush made the comments to military personnel at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
　

President Bush speaking at US Army War College, 17 Dec 2008

In what was likely his final major national security address, Mr. Bush paid tribute to America's fighting men and women and took stock of momentous¹ events that happened during his time in office.

He acknowledged the country and his presidency² changed dramatically on September 11th, when hijacked³ planes struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and another crashed in Pennsylvania.

"By nightfall, the sun had set on a very different world. With rumors⁴ of more attacks swirling⁵, Americans went to bed wondering what the future would bring," he said.

Mr. Bush said the country rose to the challenge posed by terrorists.

The president outlined steps taken to enhance security since the attacks. He noted⁶ greater intelligence sharing, increased border security, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. He said U.S. forces are also now more easily deployed⁷ to trouble-spots.

Mr. Bush acknowledged some decisions made in the war against terror have provoked debate, but said no one can argue with the end result.

"This is for certain, since 9/11, there has not been another terrorist attack on American soil," he said.

One of Mr. Bush's most controversial decisions was the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However the president said U.S. efforts there have struck an important blow against global terrorism.

"Thanks to the success of the [U.S. troop] surge, courage of our troops, and the determination of the Iraqi people, we have delivered a devastating⁸ blow to al-Qaida in the land Osama bin⁹ Laden¹⁰ once called the central battleground in the war on terror," he said.

Despite progress, the president said the fight against terror is far from over and will test his successors.

1 momentous   

adj.重要的，重大的

参考例句：

• I am deeply honoured to be invited to this momentous occasion.能应邀出席如此重要的场合，我深感荣幸。
• The momentous news was that war had begun.重大的新闻是战争已经开始。

2 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

3 hijacked   

劫持( hijack的过去式和过去分词 )； 绑架； 拦路抢劫； 操纵（会议等，以推销自己的意图）

参考例句：

• The plane was hijacked by two armed men on a flight from London to Rome. 飞机在从伦敦飞往罗马途中遭到两名持械男子劫持。
• The plane was hijacked soon after it took off. 那架飞机起飞后不久被劫持了。

4 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 swirling   

v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Snowflakes were swirling in the air. 天空飘洒着雪花。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• She smiled, swirling the wine in her glass. 她微笑着，旋动着杯子里的葡萄酒。 来自辞典例句

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

8 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

9 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

10 laden   

adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的

参考例句：

• He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
• Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。