第一篇：奥巴马在利比亚的演讲
President Obama's Speech on Libya
March 28, 2011
Photo: AP
President Obama delivers his address on Libya at the National Defense University in Washington, March 28, 2011
Explaining his decision to authorize the use of U.S.military force as part of international operations in Libya, President Barack Obama said Monday night that the United States must act when its interests and values are threatened.The president ruled out seeking regime change in Libya through military means, but he said the United States and other nations will continue to seek Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's departure.Listen to President Obama's Speech on Libya:
Tonight, I’d like to update the American people on the international effort that we have led in Libya-what we’ve done, what we plan to do, and why this matters to us.I want to begin by paying tribute to our men and women in uniform who, once again, have acted with courage, professionalism and patriotism.They have moved with incredible speed and strength.Because of them and our dedicated diplomats, a coalition has been forged and countless lives have been saved.Meanwhile, as we speak, our troops are supporting our ally Japan, leaving Iraq to its people, stopping the Taliban’s momentum in Afghanistan, and going after al Qaeda all across the globe.As Commander-in-Chief, I’m grateful to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and to their families.And I know all Americans share in that sentiment.For generations, the United States of America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and as an advocate for human freedom.Mindful of the risks and costs of military action, we are naturally reluctant to use force to solve the world’s many challenges.But when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act.That’s what happened in Libya over the course of these last six weeks.Libya sits directly between Tunisia and Egypt-– two nations that inspired the world when their people rose up to take control of their own destiny.For more than four decades, the Libyan people have been ruled by a tyrant-– Muammar Qaddafi.He has denied his people freedom, exploited their wealth, murdered opponents at home and abroad, and terrorized innocent people around the world –-including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents.Last month, Qaddafi’s grip of fear appeared to give way to the promise of freedom.In cities and towns across the country, Libyans took to the streets to claim their basic human rights.As one Libyan said, “For the first time we finally have hope that our nightmare of 40 years will soon be over.”
Faced with this opposition, Qaddafi began attacking his people.As President, my immediate concern was the safety of our citizens, so we evacuated our embassy and all Americans who sought our assistance.Then we took a series of swift steps in a matter of days to answer Qaddafi’s aggression.We froze more than $33 billion of Qaddafi’s regime’s assets.Joining with other nations at the United Nations Security Council, we broadened our sanctions, imposed an arms embargo, and enabled Qaddafi and those around him to be held accountable for their crimes.I made it clear that Qaddafi had lost the confidence of his people and the legitimacy to lead, and I said that he needed to step down from power.In the face of the world’s condemnation, Qaddafi chose to escalate his attacks, launching a military campaign against the Libyan people.Innocent people were targeted for killing.Hospitals and ambulances were attacked.Journalists were arrested, sexually assaulted, and killed.Supplies of food and fuel were choked off.Water for hundreds of thousands of people in Misurata was shut off.Cities and towns were shelled, mosques were destroyed, and apartment buildings reduced to rubble.Military jets and helicopter gunships were unleashed upon people who had no means to defend themselves against assaults from the air.Confronted by this brutal repression and a looming humanitarian crisis, I ordered warships into the Mediterranean.European allies declared their willingness to commit resources to stop the killing.The Libyan opposition and the Arab League appealed to the world to save lives in Libya.And so at my direction, America led an effort with our allies at the United Nations Security Council to pass a historic resolution that authorized a no-fly zone to stop the regime’s attacks from the air, and further authorized all necessary measures to protect the Libyan people.Ten days ago, having tried to end the violence without using force, the international community offered Qaddafi a final chance to stop his campaign of killing, or face the consequences.Rather than stand down, his forces continued their advance, bearing down on the city of Benghazi, home to nearly 700,000 men, women and children who sought their freedom from fear.At this point, the United States and the world faced a choice.Qaddafi declared he would show “no mercy” to his own people.He compared them to rats, and threatened to go door to door to inflict punishment.In the past, we have seen him hang civilians in the streets, and kill over a thousand people in a single day.Now we saw regime forces on the outskirts of the city.We knew that if we wanted--if we waited one more day, Benghazi, a city nearly the size of Charlotte, could suffer a massacre that would have reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the world.It was not in our national interest to let that happen.I refused to let that happen.And so nine days ago, after consulting the bipartisan leadership of Congress, I authorized military action to stop the killing and enforce U.N.Security Council Resolution 1973.We struck regime forces approaching Benghazi to save that city and the people within it.We hit Qaddafi’s troops in neighboring Ajdabiya, allowing the opposition to drive them out.We hit Qaddafi’s air defenses, which paved the way for a no-fly zone.We targeted tanks and military assets that had been choking off towns and cities, and we cut off much of their source of supply.And tonight, I can report that we have stopped Qaddafi’s deadly advance.In this effort, the United States has not acted alone.Instead, we have been joined by a strong and growing coalition.This includes our closest allies-– nations like the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey –-all of whom have fought by our sides for decades.And it includes Arab partners like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, who have chosen to meet their responsibilities to defend the Libyan people.To summarize, then: In just one month, the United States has worked with our international partners to mobilize a broad coalition, secure an international mandate to protect civilians, stop an advancing army, prevent a massacre, and establish a no-fly zone with our allies and partners.To lend some perspective on how rapidly this military and diplomatic response came together, when people were being brutalized in Bosnia in the 1990s, it took the international community more than a year to intervene with air power to protect civilians.It took us 31 days.Moreover, we’ve accomplished these objectives consistent with the pledge that I made to the American people at the outset of our military operations.I said that America’s role would be limited;that we would not put ground troops into Libya;that we would focus our unique capabilities on the front end of the operation and that we would transfer responsibility to our allies and partners.Tonight, we are fulfilling that pledge.Our most effective alliance, NATO, has taken command of the enforcement of the arms embargo and the no-fly zone.Last night, NATO decided to take on the additional responsibility of protecting Libyan civilians.This transfer from the United States to NATO will take place on Wednesday.Going forward, the lead in enforcing the no-fly zone and protecting civilians on the ground will transition to our allies and partners, and I am fully confident that our coalition will keep the pressure on Qaddafi’s remaining forces.In that effort, the United States will play a supporting role--including intelligence, logistical support, search and rescue assistance, and capabilities to jam regime communications.Because of this transition to a broader, NATO-based coalition, the risk and cost of this operation--to our military and to American taxpayers--will be reduced significantly.So for those who doubted our capacity to carry out this operation, I want to be clear: The United States of America has done what we said we would do.That’s not to say that our work is complete.In addition to our NATO responsibilities, we will work with the international community to provide assistance to the people of Libya, who need food for the hungry and medical care for the wounded.We will safeguard the more than $33 billion that was frozen from the Qaddafi regime so that it’s available to rebuild Libya.After all, the money doesn’t belong to Qaddafi or to us--it belongs to the Libyan people.And we’ll make sure they receive it.Tomorrow, Secretary Clinton will go to London, where she will meet with the Libyan opposition and consult with more than 30 nations.These discussions will focus on what kind of political effort is necessary to pressure Qaddafi, while also supporting a transition to the future that the Libyan people deserve--because while our military mission is narrowly focused on saving lives, we continue to pursue the broader goal of a Libya that belongs not to a dictator, but to its people.Now, despite the success of our efforts over the past week, I know that some Americans continue to have questions about our efforts in Libya.Qaddafi has not yet stepped down from power, and until he does, Libya will remain dangerous.Moreover, even after Qaddafi does leave power, 40 years of tyranny has left Libya fractured and without strong civil institutions.The transition to a legitimate government that is responsive to the Libyan people will be a difficult task.And while the United States will do our part to help, it will be a task for the international community and –-more importantly –-a task for the Libyan people themselves.In fact, much of the debate in Washington has put forward a false choice when it comes to Libya.On the one hand, some question why America should intervene at all-– even in limited ways –-in this distant land.They argue that there are many places in the world where innocent civilians face brutal violence at the hands of their government, and America should not be expected to police the world, particularly when we have so many pressing needs here at home.It’s true that America cannot use our military wherever repression occurs.And given the costs and risks of intervention, we must always measure our interests against the need for action.But that cannot be an argument for never acting on behalf of what’s right.In this particular country-– Libya--at this particular moment, we were faced with the prospect of violence on a horrific scale.We had a unique ability to stop that violence: an international mandate for action, a broad coalition prepared to join us, the support of Arab countries, and a plea for help from the Libyan people themselves.We also had the ability to stop Qaddafi’s forces in their tracks without putting American troops on the ground.To brush aside America’s responsibility as a leader and-– more profoundly-– our responsibilities to our fellow human beings under such circumstances would have been a betrayal of who we are.Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries.The United States of America is different.And as President, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action.Moreover, America has an important strategic interest in preventing Qaddafi from overrunning those who oppose him.A massacre would have driven thousands of additional refugees across Libya’s borders, putting enormous strains on the peaceful –-yet fragile-– transitions in Egypt and Tunisia.The democratic impulses that are dawning across the region would be eclipsed by the darkest form of dictatorship, as repressive leaders concluded that violence is the best strategy to cling to power.The writ of the United Nations Security Council would have been shown to be little more than empty words, crippling that institution’s future credibility to uphold global peace and security.So while I will never minimize the costs involved in military action, I am convinced that a failure to act in Libya would have carried a far greater price for America.Now, just as there are those who have argued against intervention in Libya, there are others who have suggested that we broaden our military mission beyond the task of protecting the Libyan people, and do whatever it takes to bring down Qaddafi and usher in a new government.Of course, there is no question that Libya-– and the world –-would be better off with Qaddafi out of power.I, along with many other world leaders, have embraced that goal, and will actively pursue it through non-military means.But broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake.The task that I assigned our forces-– to protect the Libyan people from immediate danger, and to establish a no-fly zone-– carries with it a U.N.mandate and international support.It’s also what the Libyan opposition asked us to do.If we tried to overthrow Qaddafi by force, our coalition would splinter.We would likely have to put U.S.troops on the ground to accomplish that mission, or risk killing many civilians from the air.The dangers faced by our men and women in uniform would be far greater.So would the costs and our share of the responsibility for what comes next.To be blunt, we went down that road in Iraq.Thanks to the extraordinary sacrifices of our troops and the determination of our diplomats, we are hopeful about Iraq’s future.But regime change there took eight years, thousands of American and Iraqi lives, and nearly a trillion dollars.That is not something we can afford to repeat in Libya.As the bulk of our military effort ratchets down, what we can do--and will do--is support the aspirations of the Libyan people.We have intervened to stop a massacre, and we will work with our allies and partners to maintain the safety of civilians.We will deny the regime arms, cut off its supplies of cash, assist the opposition, and work with other nations to hasten the day when Qaddafi leaves power.It may not happen overnight, as a badly weakened Qaddafi tries desperately to hang on to power.But it should be clear to those around Qaddafi, and to every Libyan, that history is not on Qaddafi’s side.With the time and space that we have provided for the Libyan people, they will be able to determine their own destiny, and that is how it should be.Let me close by addressing what this action says about the use of America’s military power, and America’s broader leadership in the world, under my presidency.As Commander-in-Chief, I have no greater responsibility than keeping this country safe.And no decision weighs on me more than when to deploy our men and women in uniform.I’ve made it clear that I will never hesitate to use our military swiftly, decisively, and unilaterally when necessary to defend our people, our homeland, our allies and our core interests.That's why we’re going after al Qaeda wherever they seek a foothold.That is why we continue to fight in Afghanistan, even as we have ended our combat mission in Iraq and removed more than 100,000 troops from that country.There will be times, though, when our safety is not directly threatened, but our interests and our values are.Sometimes, the course of history poses challenges that threaten our common humanity and our common security-– responding to natural disasters, for example;or preventing genocide and keeping the peace;ensuring regional security, and maintaining the flow of commerce.These may not be America’s problems alone, but they are important to us.They’re problems worth solving.And in these circumstances, we know that the United States, as the world’s most powerful nation, will often be called upon to help.In such cases, we should not be afraid to act-– but the burden of action should not be America’s alone.As we have in Libya, our task is instead to mobilize the international community for collective action.Because contrary to the claims of some, American leadership is not simply a matter of going it alone and bearing all of the burden ourselves.Real leadership creates the conditions and coalitions for others to step up as well;to work with allies and partners so that they bear their share of the burden and pay their share of the costs;and to see that the principles of justice and human dignity are upheld by all.That’s the kind of leadership we’ve shown in Libya.Of course, even when we act as part of a coalition, the risks of any military action will be high.Those risks were realized when one of our planes malfunctioned over Libya.Yet when one of our airmen parachuted to the ground, in a country whose leader has so often demonized the United States –-in a region that has such a difficult history with our country –-this American did not find enemies.Instead, he was met by people who embraced him.One young Libyan who came to his aid said, “We are your friends.We are so grateful to those men who are protecting the skies.”
This voice is just one of many in a region where a new generation is refusing to be denied their rights and opportunities any longer.Yes, this change will make the world more complicated for a time.Progress will be uneven, and change will come differently to different countries.There are places, like Egypt, where this change will inspire us and raise our hopes.And then there will be places, like Iran, where change is fiercely suppressed.The dark forces of civil conflict and sectarian war will have to be averted, and difficult political and economic concerns will have to be addressed.The United States will not be able to dictate the pace and scope of this change.Only the people of the region can do that.But we can make a difference.I believe that this movement of change cannot be turned back, and that we must stand alongside those who believe in the same core principles that have guided us through many storms: our opposition to violence directed at one’s own people;our support for a set of universal rights, including the freedom for people to express themselves and choose their leaders;our support for governments that are ultimately responsive to the aspirations of the people.Born, as we are, out of a revolution by those who longed to be free, we welcome the fact that history is on the move in the Middle East and North Africa, and that young people are leading the way.Because wherever people long to be free, they will find a friend in the United States.Ultimately, it is that faith--those ideals--that are the true measure of American leadership.My fellow Americans, I know that at a time of upheaval overseas--when the news is filled with conflict and change--it can be tempting to turn away from the world.And as I’ve said before, our strength abroad is anchored in our strength here at home.That must always be our North Star--the ability of our people to reach their potential, to make wise choices with our resources, to enlarge the prosperity that serves as a wellspring for our power, and to live the values that we hold so dear.But let us also remember that for generations, we have done the hard work of protecting our own people, as well as millions around the globe.We have done so because we know that our own future is safer, our own future is brighter, if more of mankind can live with the bright light of freedom and dignity.Tonight, let us give thanks for the Americans who are serving through these trying times, and the coalition that is carrying our effort forward.And let us look to the future with confidence and hope not only for our own country, but for all those yearning for freedom around the world.Thank you.God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)Thank you.
第二篇：奥巴马演讲
奥巴马演讲
Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.
第三篇：奥巴马演讲
Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)
Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?
Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?
Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)
第四篇：奥巴马演讲
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address Saturday, May 14, 2011
Washington D.C.Recently, there have been signs that the economy is picking up steam.Last month, we saw the strongest job growth in five years, and have added more than three-quarters of a million private sector jobs in just three months.But there are still too many Americans who are either looking for work, or struggling to pay the bills and make the mortgage.Paychecks aren’t getting any bigger, but the cost of everything from groceries to college tuition keeps on rising.Without a doubt, one of the biggest burdens over the last few months has been the price of gasoline.In many places, gas is now more than $4 a gallon, meaning that you could be paying more than $60 to fill up your tank.These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense.First, we should make sure that no one is taking advantage of consumers at the pump.That’s why we’ve launched a task force led by the Attorney General that has one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.Second, we should increase safe and responsible oil production here at home.Last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.But I believe that we should expand oil production in America – even as we increase safety and environmental standards.To do this, I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and gas resources in the mid and south Atlantic.We plan to lease new areas in the Gulf of Mexico as well, and work to create new incentives for industry to develop their unused leases both on and offshore.We’re also taking steps to give companies time to meet higher safety standards when it comes to exploration and drilling.That’s why my Administration is extending drilling leases in areas of the Gulf that were impacted by the temporary moratorium, as well as certain areas off the coast of Alaska.And to streamline that permitting process, I am establishing a new team to coordinate work on Alaska drilling permits.Finally, the third step we should take is to eliminate the taxpayer subsidies we give to oil and gas companies.In the last few months, the biggest oil companies made about $4 billion in profits each week.And yet, they get $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.Four billion dollars at a time when Americans can barely fill up their tanks.Four billion dollars at a time when we’re trying to reduce our deficit.This isn’t fair, it makes no sense.Before I was President, the CEOs of these companies even admitted that the tax subsidies made no sense.Well, next week, there is a vote in Congress to end these oil company giveaways once and for all.And I hope Democrats and Republicans come together and get this done.The American people shouldn’t be subsidizing oil companies at a time when they’re making near-record profits.As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the ultimate solution to high-gas prices.That’s why we’re investing in clean energy technology, helping businesses that manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and making sure that our cars and trucks can go further on a tank of gas – a step that could save families as much as $3,000 at the pump.These are investments worth making – investments that will save us money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the health and safety of our planet.That’s an energy policy for the future, and it’s what I’ll be fighting for in the weeks and months to come.Thanks.
第五篇：奥巴马演讲
奥巴马演讲:为未来清洁能源投资
来源:http:// Hi, everybody.I’m speaking to you this week from a factory in Petersburg, Virginia, where they’re bringing on more than 100 new workers to build parts for the next generation of jet engines.It’s a story that’s happening more frequently across the country.Our businesses just added 233,000 jobs last month – for a total of nearly four million new jobs over the last two years.More companies are choosing to bring jobs back and invest in America.Manufacturing is adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s, and we’re building more things to sell to the rest of the world stamped with three proud words: Made in America.And it’s not just that we’re building stuff.We’re building better stuff.The engine parts manufactured here in Petersburg will go into next-generation planes that are lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient.That last part is important.Because whether you’re paying for a plane ticket, or filling up your gas tank, technology that helps us get more miles to the gallon is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The recent spike in gas prices has been another painful reminder of why we have to invest in this technology.As usual, politicians have been rolling out their three-point plans for two-dollar gas: drill, drill, and drill some more.Well, my response is, we have been drilling.Under my Administration, oil production in America is at an eight-year high.We’ve quadrupled the number of operating oil rigs, and opened up millions of acres for drilling.But you and I both know that with only 2% of the world’s oil reserves, we can’t just drill our way to lower gas prices – not when consume 20 percent of the world’s oil.We need an all-of-the-above strategy that relies less on foreign oil and more on American-made energy – solar, wind, natural gas, biofuels, and more.That’s the strategy we’re pursuing.It’s why I went to a plant in North Carolina earlier this week, where they’re making trucks that run on natural gas, and hybrid trucks that go further on a single tank.And it’s why I’ve been focused on fuel efficient cars since the day I took office.Over the last few years, the annual number of miles driven by Americans has stayed roughly the same, but the total amount of gas we use has been going down.In other words, we’re getting more bang for our buck.If we accelerate that trend, we can help drivers save a significant amount of money.That’s why, after 30 years of inaction, we finally put in place new standards that will make sure our cars average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – nearly double what they get today.This wasn’t easy: we had to bring together auto companies, and unions, and folks who don’t ordinarily see eye to eye.But it was worth it.Because these cars aren’t some pie in the sky solution that’s years away.They’re being built right now – by American workers, in factories right here in the U.S.A.Every year, our cars and trucks will be able to go further and use less fuel, and pretty soon, you’ll be able to fill up every two weeks instead of every week – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.We’ll reduce our oil consumption by more than 12 billion barrels.That’s a future worth investing in.So we have a choice.Right now, some folks in Washington would rather spend another $4 billion on subsidies to oil companies each year.Well you know what? We’ve been handing out these kinds of taxpayer giveaways for nearly a century.And outside of Congress, does anyone really think that’s still a good idea? I want this Congress to stop the giveaways to an oil industry that’s never been more profitable, and invest in a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.We should be investing in the technology that’s building the cars and trucks and jets that will prevent us from dealing with these high gas prices year after year after year.Ending this cycle of rising gas prices won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.But that’s why you sent us to Washington – to solve tough problems like this one.So I’m going to keep doing everything I can to help you save money on gas, both right now and in the future.I hope politicians from both sides of the aisle join me.Let’s put aside the bumper-sticker slogans, remember why we’re here, and get things done for the American people.Thank you, God bless you, and have a great weekend.大家好。本周我来到了维吉尼亚州匹兹堡市的一家工厂，这家工厂带来了100多个新的工作岗位，他们正在生产下一代喷气发动机的零部件。
这样的景象在全国各地不断涌现。上个月我们的企业又新增23.3万个就业岗位，过去两年总共新增约400万个就业岗位。越来越多的企业选择回国投资并将工作岗位带回来。制造业也从上世纪90年代以来首次增加就业岗位，我们制造的产品被销往世界各地，产品上印着让我们自豪的四个字：美国制造。
我们不仅仅是正在制造一些东西，我们是在制造更棒的东西。在匹兹堡这里生产的引擎零部件将用于下一代的更轻、更快、更节省燃料的飞机上。
最后一个特点很重要。因为无论你是买机票还是给自己的汽车加油，提高单位燃料的行驶里程是帮助我们节约支出和降低对海外石油依赖的最直接的方式。而最近油价的上涨也深深刺痛着我们，我们必须在这一技术上进行投资。一些政客一直在兜售他们实现2美元油价的三项计划：开采、开采以及更多的开采。好吧，我的回应是，我们一直都在开采。在政府领导下，美国国内的石油产量处在8年来的最高点。我们开放了数百万英亩的开采区域，正在运转的石油钻井平台也增加了4倍。但你我都知道我们仅仅拥有2%的世界石油储量，我们不能单独依靠开采来降低油价，何况我们还消费了全球20%的石油。我们需要一个最高的能源战略，减少我们对海外石油的依赖，更多使用国产能源：太阳能、风能、天然气以及生物燃料等等。
这才是我们追求的战略。这也是我本周早些时候到访北卡的一家工厂的原因，那里的工人们正在生产使用天然气的卡车，混合动力卡车用一箱油能行驶的更远。
这也是我自主政以来就一直关注高能效汽车的原因。在过去的几年里，美国人每年的汽车行驶里程基本保持不变，但总的汽油消耗量在不断下降。换句话说，我们花同样的钱，得到的利益增加了。如果我们加速推进这一趋势，我们就可以帮助驾驶员们节约一笔可观的费用。这也是我们实施新的能效标准的原因，老的标准还是30年前制定的，这样我们能在未来15年内实现汽车平均用1加仑汽油行驶55英里的目标，这是现状的两倍。实现这一目标并不容易，我们需要将汽车生产厂家、产业联盟以及意见并不一致的人们团结到一起。但这么做是值得的。
因为这样的汽车并不像前几年那样还是空中楼阁。我们的工人，国内的工厂现在正在生产这样的汽车。每年，我们的汽车、卡车都能用更少的油跑的更远，很快，你们将能每两周加一次油而不用每周都去加油站。这样假以时日，将为一般家庭在油费支出上节省8000多美元。我们将减少超过120亿桶的石油消费量。这是值得我们投资的未来。因此，我们要做出选择。但现在华盛顿的一些人却宁愿每年花40亿美元给石油公司提供补贴。你们可知道。我们已经用纳税人的钱给它们提供了将近一个世纪的补贴了。在国会之外，难道就有人真的认为这是个好主意吗？我希望国会终止对石油产业的补贴，它们的利润已经高的不能再高了，我们应该把这些钱投资到更有希望的清洁能源产业上。我们应该投资于生产高能效汽车、卡车和飞机的技术上，避免我们年复一年的受高油价的麻烦。
走出不断上涨的油价这一恶性循环并不容易，也不能在一夜间完成。但这正是你们选择我们来到华盛顿的原因，我们就是来解决这样的难题的。因此我将继续竭尽所能帮助我们节约油费支出，现在如此将来亦如此。我希望两党的政客们都能与我一道。让我们把空洞的口号放置一边，牢记使命，为美国人民把事情做好。谢谢，上帝保佑大家，祝大家周末愉快。
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