VOA常速英语2020--美国司法部长就系统性种族主义为联邦政府辩护

Two months of protests in Portland now intensify¹ nightly into clashes between federal law enforcement and protesters around the city's federal courthouse. The controversial use of scheduled tactical units and reported arrests by unidentified federal authorities defended by the nation's top justice official Tuesday. What unfolds nightly around the courthouse cannot reasonably be called protest. It is by any objective measure and assault on the government of the United States. Across the nation, protesters say systematic² racism³ is a serious problem in the country's policing. Barr disputed that claim. The number of unarmed black men killed by police so far this year is eight. The number of unarmed white men killed by police over the same period of time is 11. And the overall numbers of police shootings have been decreasing.

波特兰的抗议活动已经持续了两个月，且每晚的事态愈演愈烈，联邦执法部门和抗议者在联邦法院周围爆发冲突。不明身份的联邦当局使用战术武器并实施逮捕的行为引发了争议，周二，美国最高司法官员为其进行辩护。公平合理的讲，每晚在法院周围发生的事情不能称为抗议。以任何客观的衡量标准来看，这样的行为都算是对美国政府的攻击。抗议者表示，全国性的系统性种族主义是国家警务中存在的一个严重问题。巴尔对这一说法提出异议。今年以来，被警方杀害的手无寸铁的黑人男性有8人。同期，被警察杀害的手无寸铁的白人男性有11人。警察枪杀案的总数一直在减少。

Barr's appearance marks the first in his time as attorney general that he has appeared before the democratic controlled US House of Representatives. And democrats⁴ were ready. Your tenure⁵ has been marked by a persistent⁶ war against the department's professional corps⁷ in an apparent attempt to secure favors for the president. Democrats say the attorney generals use of federal force is politically driven ahead of the november presidential election. Americans are very suspicious of your motives⁸ here. There are those who believe you are sending federal law enforcement into these cities not to combat violent crime but to help with the presidents re-election efforts. The president has made clear that he wants that he wants conflict between protesters and police to be essential claim as a central theme of his campaign. Barr also defended Trumps⁹ June 1st clearing of protesters around the White House, saying it was necessary to protect the president who later stood in front of the defaced Saint Johns church for a photo opportunity. Catherine Gibson VOA News Washington

巴尔此次露面是他担任司法部长期间的首秀，他已经在民主党之前控制了美国众议院。民主党人也准备好了。在你的任期内，你与该部门的专业团队展开持续不断的战争，显然是为了支持总统。民主党人说，司法部长在11月总统选举之前使用联邦武力是出于政治目的。美国人也对你此举的动机表示非常怀疑。有些人认为你会派联邦执法人员进入这些城市不是为了打击暴力犯罪，而是为了帮助总统连任。特朗普总统明确表示，他希望抗议者和警察之间的重要冲突成为他竞选活动的核心主题。巴尔还为特朗普6月1日清除白宫周围的抗议者进行了辩护，声称有必要保护总统，而特朗普后来站在损毁的圣约翰教堂前拍照。美国之音记者凯瑟琳·吉布森华盛顿报道

1 intensify   

vt.加强；变强；加剧

参考例句：

• We must intensify our educational work among our own troops.我们必须加强自己部队的教育工作。
• They were ordered to intensify their patrols to protect our air space.他们奉命加强巡逻，保卫我国的领空。

2 systematic   

adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的

参考例句：

• The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
• The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。

3 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

4 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》

5 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

6 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

7 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

8 motives   

n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
• His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。

9 trumps   

abbr.trumpets 喇叭；小号；喇叭形状的东西；喇叭筒v.（牌戏）出王牌赢（一牌或一墩）( trump的过去式 )；吹号公告，吹号庆祝；吹喇叭；捏造

参考例句：

• On the day of the match the team turned up trumps. 比赛那天该队出乎意料地获得胜利。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Every time John is late getting home he trumps up some new excuse. 每次约翰晚回家都会编造个新借口。 来自《简明英汉词典》