VOA标准英语2014--US Muslim Congressman Faces Reelection, Islamic State

 

US Muslim Congressman¹ Faces Reelection, Islamic State

MINNESOTA— 

American voters say the fear of the Islamic State group is one of their most important concerns in the upcoming mid-term elections.

President Barack Obama’s decision to attack Islamic State militants² in Iraq and Syria, and the fact that some American Muslims have joined the Islamic State fighters has put some Democratic candidates in a tough spot.

It may have put Congressman Keith Ellison in a tougher spot than most. He is the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress.

Ellison entered Congress in 2006 - as a Democrat³ opposed to the Iraq War.

Ways to reduce IS threat

As he hopes to retain his seat for a fifth consecutive⁴ term, he is now a supporter of the president’s war against the Islamic State group.

“It’s tough. I do think that ISIS is a threat. But I also believe that the most important ways to confront ISIS are not necessarily military in nature," Ellison said, referring to another term for the Islamist group.

"Cutting off their ability to sell oil. Cutting off their financial flows. Stopping their recruits from going through Turkey or countries in the region. Making sure the government of Iraq rules in an inclusive way and minimizes sectarianism. These are all non-military things that will reduce the threat of ISIS," he said.

Approximately 100 Americans have fought for the Islamic State group. At least 10 are from Minnesota's capital, Minneapolis, which Ellison represents.    

“We have to tell our young people, if they want to do something good and constructive⁵ for their faith, what they need to do is help the poor. Help the less fortunate," Ellison said.

"They need to get involved in the civic⁶ life of America. They can criticize any U.S. policy that they want to, but it needs to be through the ballot⁷ box, use their First Amendment⁸ rights. To take up arms with a foreign power against their own country, is simply not acceptable," he said.

Republican opponent

Doug Dagget, Ellison’s Republican opponent in the elections, believes that the policies of Democrats⁹ influenced some of the Somali Americans who joined Islamic State fighters in Syria.

“It is very concerning. Somalian Americans came here to prosper¹⁰. We have the biggest Somalian community right here in Minneapolis," Dagget said.

"The community leaders tell me that it’s lack of jobs, lack of education, lack of hope. They don’t believe that Congressman Ellison has been doing enough. He’s been absent," Dagget said.

Ellison was the first congressman to be sworn in with his hand on the Quran.

Has being a Muslim in America’s political climate helped him or has it been a difficult challenge?

“It’s helped me because no matter what struggles or difficulties I’ve faced, I can always go to prayer and it always strengthens me. It helps me. It’s an overall benefit," Ellison said.

"I look forward to fasting, prayer and it’s made me a happier person than I believe I would be otherwise. Sometimes there are acts of violence and these are always sad, but when a Muslim is involved in it, they always attribute it to Islam. Sometimes I have to deal with anti-Islamic actions, but these are small things and they don’t bother me at all," he said.

1 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

4 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

5 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

6 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

7 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

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 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》

10 prosper   

v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣

参考例句：

• With her at the wheel,the company began to prosper.有了她当主管，公司开始兴旺起来。
• It is my earnest wish that this company will continue to prosper.我真诚希望这家公司会继续兴旺发达。