On Friday we talked about a controversy1 surrounding the NSA, the US National Security Agency. A lot of this goes back to a man named Edward Snowden. He was a contractor2 who worked for the NSA. Earlier this year, he leaked information about secret NSA programs. Snowden fled to Russia to avoid US prosecution3. The document's detail how the US intercepted4 and collected phone and email data of Americans. They've also accusations5 of spying on foreign leaders. White House leader said the surveillance activities are necessary to combat threats against the US and its allies. Lisa Monical is an adviser6 to President Obama on the issue of homeland security and counter terrorism. She says the president has ordered an review of government surveillance programs. Monical says: "We want to ensure we're collecting information because we need it and not just because we can." But meanwhile, some members of Congress, both Democrats7 and Republicans are speaking out against NSA programs. They are proposing a law to limit the amount of data that NSA can collect. This weekend, a protest outside the US Capital pushed for the same goal.
Organizers said this rally is significant because it's the largest one yet protesting the mass surveillance by the NSA and Edward Snowden, the whistle blower who opened up the entire controversy earlier this year, made a contribution it. He provided a statement that was read by a representative at the rally. Take a listen.
"We have not forgotten that the 4th
amendment8 in our bill of rights prohibit government not only from searching our personal affects without a warrant but from seizing them in the first place and doing so in secret. Holding to this principle, we declared the mass surveillance has no place in this country. It is time for reform. Elections are coming and we are
vouching9 you."
Now, it's important to know that these protesters were engaging over the domestic piece of peace, data collection for the personal devices or private citizens here in the United States. Now, Hillary Clinton said in a remarks on Friday night that she understands the
frustration10 of this kind of intrusion and things all to be a bigger conversation about why the United States practices this kind of techniques now. On a broader scale, the White House is also facing hits from other countries, especially our allies over surveillance of foreign leaders and they have tired to come tensions over that.
点击
收听单词发音
1
controversy
|
|
n.争论,辩论,争吵 |
参考例句: |
- That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
- We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。
|
2
contractor
|
|
n.订约人,承包人,收缩肌 |
参考例句: |
- The Tokyo contractor was asked to kick $ 6000 back as commission.那个东京的承包商被要求退还6000美元作为佣金。
- The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land.承包商所建房屋的式样,有几分要看地势而定。
|
3
prosecution
|
|
n.起诉,告发,检举,执行,经营 |
参考例句: |
- The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
- He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。
|
4
intercepted
|
|
拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 ); 截住; 截击; 拦阻 |
参考例句: |
- Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆,记者们把他拦截住了。
- Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走,记者把他截住了。
|
5
accusations
|
|
n.指责( accusation的名词复数 );指控;控告;(被告发、控告的)罪名 |
参考例句: |
- There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
- He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。
|
6
adviser
|
|
n.劝告者,顾问 |
参考例句: |
- They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
- Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。
|
7
democrats
|
|
n.民主主义者,民主人士( democrat的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
- The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
|
8
amendment
|
|
n.改正,修正,改善,修正案 |
参考例句: |
- The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
- The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。
|
9
vouching
|
|
n.(复核付款凭单等)核单v.保证( vouch的现在分词 );担保;确定;确定地说 |
参考例句: |
- These are references vouching for his ability. 这些都是证明他能力的介绍信。 来自互联网
- If you want to test, to test a Vouching Clerk is also more useful to some. 你如果要考,去考个单证员还更有用一些。 来自互联网
|
10
frustration
|
|
n.挫折,失败,失效,落空 |
参考例句: |
- He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
- He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
|