布什会见阿富汗省长讲话(2008-04-08)

THE PRESIDENT: I just had a fascinating opportunity to discuss Afghanistan with eight governors. I started off the meeting by telling them I was a governor once. And I -- and they were then telling me their stories, their concerns. First of all, they universally thanked the American people for standing¹ with them as this new democracy takes hold.
　　Secondly², there's concerns about unemployment, about economic development. Some provinces are quiet, and the governor wondered whether or not, because it's quiet, people remember the people in the province exist. Other provinces have got some difficult security problems.
　　They shared with me very candidly³ their concerns about different types of operations; their desire to see to it that the police get better training and better equipment.
　　And I shared with them our desire to help them succeed, because one of the things that really matters in democracy is that local governance is strong and good and honest, that the people are being able to see the benefits of democracy. And it's hard work in Afghanistan, but I told these leaders that I think it's necessary work.
　　And I want to thank them for coming to America. They've got a very busy schedule. They've been to several states. And I think it's going to be very important for our fellow citizens to meet these good men, and to understand the problems they face, and their desire to have their families live in peace, and young girls go to school, and be people treated with dignity.
　　So I want to thank you all for coming. Thank you for the wonderful gift, and I'm proud you're here.
　　I'm now going to show them the Oval Office -- a shrine⁴ to democracy. Thank you.

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 secondly   

adv.第二，其次

参考例句：

• Secondly,use your own head and present your point of view.第二，动脑筋提出自己的见解。
• Secondly it is necessary to define the applied load.其次，需要确定所作用的载荷。

3 candidly   

adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地

参考例句：

• He has stopped taking heroin now,but admits candidly that he will always be a drug addict.他眼下已经不再吸食海洛因了,不过他坦言自己永远都是个瘾君子。
• Candidly,David,I think you're being unreasonable.大卫，说实话我认为你不讲道理。

4 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。