美国有线新闻 CNN 2013-09-03

 The representatives from the United Nations describes the situation in Syria as the most serious crisis facing the international community. UN inspectors¹ are in Syria. They are working to figure out if chemical weapons are used in the country. UN described chemical weapons use as outrageous² and unacceptable. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, considers chemical weapon a threat to international peace. Tom explains the impact of one of these kinds of weapons.

Sarin can be launched in an artillery³ shell or a missile. It can be dropped from an airplane. It goes out as liquid, but, as it spreads out, it very quickly and easily turns into a gas. The truth is, it is colorless, it is odorlessYou have no idea you were even being attacked by it, even though it’s much[img]lethal[/img] than cyanide. What does it do to people? Well, it can cause blur⁴ vision, rack of breathing, heavy sweat, confusion, headaches, in the worst cases, nausea⁵, convulsion, paralysis⁶, and it shuts down the ability of the body to breath, even death. And, in the worst cases, that can come very, very quickly, perhaps within even one minute.

US and other countries are considering whether to take actions against Syria. On Tuesday the White House said President Obama was reviewing his options, but had not decided⁷ anything yet at that time. One option could be a military strike. US warships⁸, like CNN mention , are in the Mediterranean⁹ Sea. Military officials say they are ready if the president gives an order to strike. Most of viewers who participate in a quick poll on our blog think US should not take military actions in Syria. Here’s where the latest number were last night. 59 percent said US should not strike. 36 percent said it should. 5 percent were undecided. Cathy said we had nothing to do with what’s going on there and we shouldn’t get involved even if chemical weapons were involved. Mike writes that while there are many tragic¹⁰ situations in the world, I question if the USA should always be likely step up and lead a response. Chang says chemical weapons are serious and in that region of the world they can not be ignored. US has the responsibility to exert influence in the situation. From Anthony Nick, we don’t need to jump in another war right now. We need to focus on our own problems. Noah Allalany said the US should take actions. Serious civil war can get way out of hand soon. We need to control it before it does. And from Georgia, let’s forget about violence and work and the economy. We’ve got enough on our play.

US military jury says Majors Nickdull Hassan should be put to death. That verdict yesterday comes nearly four years after a shooting in a US army base. 13 people were killed in the attck, ??? Texas in 2009, 32 others were wounded. Hassan was convicted of murder and attempted murder charges for all of those victims. Hassan served as his own attorney in the trial, and refused to offer much of his defense¹¹ or any closing arguments in the sentencing phase. Jury’s recommendation of the death penalty goes to an army general that they revere¹².

1 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。

3 artillery   

n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队)

参考例句：

• This is a heavy artillery piece.这是一门重炮。
• The artillery has more firepower than the infantry.炮兵火力比步兵大。

4 blur   

n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚

参考例句：

• The houses appeared as a blur in the mist.房子在薄雾中隐隐约约看不清。
• If you move your eyes and your head,the picture will blur.如果你的眼睛或头动了，图像就会变得模糊不清。

5 nausea   

n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶)

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕期常有恶心的现象。
• He experienced nausea after eating octopus.吃了章鱼后他感到恶心。

6 paralysis   

n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症)

参考例句：

• The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。
• The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

9 Mediterranean   

adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的

参考例句：

• The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
• Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。

10 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

11 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

12 revere   

vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏

参考例句：

• Students revere the old professors.学生们十分尊敬那些老教授。
• The Chinese revered corn as a gift from heaven.中国人将谷物奉为上天的恩赐。