胡敏读故事记单词托福词汇038（在线收听）

Lesson 38 Losing Control 失控

Words：

clinic n. 门诊所

clinical adj. 临床的

clip vt. 修剪

clockwise adj. 顺时针方向的

clog vt. 阻碍；堵塞，阻塞

clumsy adj. 笨拙的，愚笨的

cluster n. 簇，串，群；vt. 丛生；聚焦

clutch n./v. 抓紧，紧握

clutter n. 混乱；v. 使混乱；乱堆在，塞满

coalesce vi. 联合，合并

coalescence n. 合并，联合

coalition n. 联合，同盟

coarse adj. 粗糙的

coax vt. 哄诱，巧言诱哄

coddle v. 娇生惯养的，溺爱；悉心照料

code of laws 法典

codify vt. 编成法典，编辑成书

coexist vi. 同时存在，共存

cogent adj. （辩论等）有说服力的

cognitive adj. 认知的，感知的

I love to coddle babies. I have a little one of my own. That’s why I was protesting against the opening of an abortion clinic in our neighborhood. I still recollect how we clustered in front of the clinic and tried to clog the front entrance. We would march in a clockwise way to get our message across.

I also remember how we tried to form a coalition in the legislature to enact a code of laws that would limit abortions. We made a lot of cogent arguments. We tried to coax legislators into voting our way. Although several proposed laws were accepted for consideration, none were passed or codified. Eventually, our group began to coalesce with other anti-abortion groups. The coalescence gave us a stronger voice, but we also lost an element of control over the group’s activities.

I never believed in using violence to achieve our cause. However, somebody in out group did and I’ll never forget that day. He shot and killed a clinical psychologist who was entering the abortion clinic. It was a cognitive act of brutality and it happened right in front of my eyes. I quickly ran to give aid to the wounded psychologist. She grabbed my arm to hold herself up, but her clutch loosened as she lost consciousness.

Since then, I’ve never taken part in any protest activities. Why can’t people with opposing opinions peacefully coexist in the same environment?

我喜欢悉心照料宝宝，我自己就有个小宝贝。所以，我非常反对在附近开一家专门堕胎的诊所。我还记得我们聚集在诊所门口、试图堵住诊所正门的场面。我们几乎一整天都在诊所前以顺时针方向徘徊。我们在那里胡乱堆些宣传册和事先剪下的婴儿照片。我们传达信息的方式相当粗野笨拙。

我还记得，当时为了制定有关限制堕胎的法典，我们曾力图在立法机关里形成一个联盟。我们提出许多有说服力的论点，并试图以巧言诱哄立法委员会为我们投赞成票。尽管有几个法律议案被接受并予以考虑，没有一个议案被通过或形成法律条文。后来，我们的组织开始联合其他反堕胎组织，这一联合使我们的呼声更具威力，但组织活动还缺少些许控制。

我从不相信使用暴力能实现我们的目标。但我们组织中有人相信，我永远忘不了那一天。他开枪打死了一位正往诊所里走的临床心理医生。我认为这是极其残忍的行为，而这一暴行就发生在我眼前。我忙跑过去帮助那位受伤的心理医生。她抓住我的手臂想站起来，但她紧握的手松开了，她已不省人事。

此后，我再也没参加任何抗议活动。为什么意见相左的人就不能在同一屋檐下和平共处呢？