2006年VOA标准英语-Gerald R. Ford, 38th US President, Dies

By Mike O'Sullivan
Los Angeles
27 December 2006

Former President Gerald Ford¹ - the longest-living American president - has died at the age of 93. A statement from his wife, Betty, did not cite a cause of death. Mike O'Sullivan reports, Mr. Ford took office in the troubled days that followed the Watergate scandal surrounding President Richard Nixon.

Gerald R. Ford (File)

Gerald Ford is the only unelected president in American history. He came to office following two political scandals. President Nixon appointed him vice² president following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew, amid bribery³ charges stemming from Agnew's time as governor of Maryland. Then, the Watergate scandal erupted, surrounding a bungled⁴ burglary at Democratic Party headquarters, leading President Nixon to resign rather than face impeachment⁵.

As Mr. Ford took office as 38th American president in 1974, he promised to end the nation's long national nightmare. However, he upset many voters when he pardoned Mr. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed as president. Years later, many critics came to agree that the move was necessary for the health of the nation.

Mr. Ford, a Republican, served in office fewer than 900 days and, in 1976, was narrowly defeated by his Democratic Party challenger, Jimmy Carter.

Gerald Ford is remembered for his candor⁶ and down-to-earth style. President Bush has issued a statement saying of Mr. Ford, "With his quiet integrity, common sense and kind instincts, Mr. Ford helped heal the country and restore public confidence in the presidency⁷."

Mr. Ford's wife, Betty, became a noted⁸ advocate of programs for drug and alcohol addiction⁹, after she overcame her own addiction problems. Mr. Ford spent his retirement¹⁰ years quietly in the desert, east of Los Angeles. He had been in declining health and was hospitalized following two small strokes in 2000. In January of this year, he was treated for pneumonia¹¹, and underwent two heart procedures in August.

1 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

2 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

3 bribery   

n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿

参考例句：

• FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
• He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。

4 bungled   

v.搞糟，完不成( bungle的过去式和过去分词 )；笨手笨脚地做；失败；完不成

参考例句：

• They bungled the job. 他们把活儿搞糟了。
• John bungled the job. 约翰把事情搞糟了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 impeachment   

n.弹劾；控告；怀疑

参考例句：

• Impeachment is considered a drastic measure in the United States.在美国，弹劾被视为一种非常激烈的措施。
• The verdict resulting from his impeachment destroyed his political career.他遭弹劾后得到的判决毁了他的政治生涯。

6 candor   

n.坦白，率真

参考例句：

• He covered a wide range of topics with unusual candor.他极其坦率地谈了许多问题。
• He and his wife had avoided candor,and they had drained their marriage.他们夫妻间不坦率，已使婚姻奄奄一息。

7 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。

8 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。

9 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

10 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

11 pneumonia   

n.肺炎

参考例句：

• Cage was struck with pneumonia in her youth.凯奇年轻时得过肺炎。
• Pneumonia carried him off last week.肺炎上星期夺去了他的生命。