VOA标准英语2009年-US Secret Service Accepts Responsibili

The director of the U.S. Secret Service says his agency was responsible for allowing an unauthorized couple to attend a White House state dinner last week.

Chris Simkins | Washington 04 December 2009

MIchaele and Tareg Salahi, greet President Barack Obama during State Dinner at white House.

"Although these individuals went through magnatometers and other levels of screening, their entry into the White House is unacceptable and indefensible," said Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan.

The director of the U.S. Secret Service says his agency was responsible for allowing an unauthorized couple to attend a White House state dinner last week. But he told the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Thursday that President Barack Obama was never at risk.

The Secret Service says Tareq and Michaele Salahi were not invited to the White House.  But they still got into the state dinner for the Prime Minister of India, along with more than 300 other guests. And they even met President Obama.

"Although these individuals went through magnatometers and other levels of screening, their entry into the White House is unacceptable and indefensible," said Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan.

Former FBI agent Brad Garrett.

  "The real concern is if they would have had a different intent," former FBI agent Brad Garrett added. "Could they have possibly physical attacked somebody ? Of course they could have."

Director Sullivan would not discuss details of his agency's investigation¹ into the incident, but he did not rule out criminal charges against the couple. He said at no time was President Obama in danger.

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan

"I feel confident that based on what I have heard, based on what I have seen, based on what I have been briefed on that they did not provide a risk to the President," Sullivan said.

He told lawmakers that when it was discovered that the Salahis were not on any guest list, Secret Service personnel should have contacted the White House staff for assistance. He said the three agents responsible for the breach² have been put on administrative³ leave. 

Republican Congressman⁴ Michael McCaul and other committee members found the story remarkable⁵.

 

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul

"How in the world could this couple get past the Secret Service?" he asked.

"Sir, I have asked myself that question a thousand times over the last week," Sullivan responded. "Do I like to see this?  Do any of our people like to see this? Believe me, we are beating ourselves up over it. We do not like to see this."

The event was President Obama's first state dinner. The Secret Service says the Salahis were not on a list of invited guest, but they maintain they were.

"We were invited, not [gate] crashers and there is not anyone who would have the audacity⁶ or the poor behavior to do this. Our lives have really been destroyed," Michaele and Tareq Salahi insisted.

The Salahis and White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers were asked to testify Thursday, but declined. The Salahis are aspiring⁷ television reality show celebrities⁸. They released a statement Wednesday saying they had already provided information to the Secret Service and members of the House committee.

 

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 breach   

n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破

参考例句：

• We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
• He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。

3 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

4 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

5 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

6 audacity   

n.大胆，卤莽，无礼

参考例句：

• He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。
• He had the audacity to pick pockets in broad daylight.他竟敢在光天化日之下掏包。

7 aspiring   

adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求

参考例句：

• Aspiring musicians need hours of practice every day. 想当音乐家就要每天练许多小时。
• He came from an aspiring working-class background. 他出身于有抱负的工人阶级家庭。 来自辞典例句

8 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目