奥巴马每日发言Speaks to the Troops(2009-4-7)

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On February 27th, President Obama announced his plan to bring the War in Iraq to a responsible end.  Today he addressed the troops in Iraq in a surprise visit before coming home from Europe. Find the full transcript¹ below:
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you, guys.  Let me say Multinational² Force Iraq, Multinational Corps³ Iraq, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq First Corps, America's Corp Band:  Thanks to all of you.
 
Listen, I am so honored.
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I love you back.  (Applause.)  I am honored -- I'm honored and grateful to be with all of you.  And I'm not going to talk long because I want to shake as many hands as I can.  (Applause.)  And I've been talking all week.  (Laughter.)
 
But there's a couple of things I want to say.  Number one, thank you.
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You're welcome.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  You know, when I was at Camp Lejeune I spoke⁴ about what it means for America to see our best and brightest, our finest young men and women serve us.  And what I said then is something that I want to repeat to you, which is:  You have performed brilliantly in every mission that has been given to you.
 
AUDIENCE:  Ooh-ah.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Under enormous strain and under enormous sacrifice, through controversy⁵ and difficulty and politics, you've kept your eyes focused on just doing your job.  And because of that, every mission that's been assigned -- from getting rid of Saddam, to reducing violence, to stabilizing⁶ the country, to facilitating elections -- you have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country.  That is an extraordinary achievement, and for that you have the thanks of the American people.  (Applause.)  That's point number one.
 
Point number two is, this is going to be a critical period, these next 18 months.  I was just discussing this with your commander, but I think it's something that all of you know.  It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis.  (Applause.)  They need to take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty.  (Applause.)
 
And in order for them to do that, they have got to make political accommodations.  They're going to have to decide that they want to resolve their differences through constitutional means and legal means.  They are going to have to focus on providing government services that encourage confidence among their citizens.
 
All those things they have to do.  We can't do it for them.  But what we can do is make sure that we are a stalwart partner, that we are working alongside them, that we are committed to their success, that in terms of training their security forces, training their civilian⁷ forces in order to achieve a more effective government, they know that they have a steady partner with us.
 
And so just as we thank you for what you've already accomplished⁸, I want to say thank you because you will be critical in terms of us being able to make sure that Iraq is stable, that it is not a safe haven⁹ for terrorists, that it is a good neighbor and a good ally, and we can start bringing our folks home.  (Applause.)
 
So now is not the time to lose focus.  We have to be even more focused than we've been in order to achieve success.
 
The last point I want to make is I know how hard it's been on a lot of you.  You've been away from your families, many of you for multiple rotations¹⁰.  You've seen buddies¹¹ of yours injured and you remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
 
AUDIENCE:  Ooh-ah.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  There are probably some people here who have seen children born and have been missing watching them grow up.  There are many of you who have listened to your spouse¹² and the extraordinary sacrifices that they have to make when you're gone.
 
And so I want you to know that Michelle and myself are doing everything -- (applause) -- are doing everything we can to provide additional support for military families.  The federal budget that I have introduced increases support for military families.  We are going to do everything required to make sure that the commitment we make to our veterans is met, and that people don't have to fight for what they have earned as a consequence of their service.
 
The main point I want to make is we have not forgotten what you have already done, we are grateful for what you will do, and as long as I am in the White House, you are going to get the support that you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation.  (Applause.)
 
So thank you very much everybody.  (Applause.)  God bless you.  (Applause.)  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 multinational   

adj.多国的，多种国籍的；n.多国籍公司，跨国公司

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm.这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He analyzed the relationship between multinational corporations and under-developed countries.他分析了跨国公司和不发达国家之间的关系。

3 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。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

6 stabilizing   

n.稳定化处理[退火]v.（使）稳定， （使）稳固( stabilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The disulfide bridges might then be viewed primarily as stabilizing components. 二硫桥可以被看作是初级的稳定因素。 来自辞典例句
• These stabilizing design changes are usually not desirable for steady-state operation. 这些增加稳定性的设计改变通常不太符合稳态工作的要求。 来自辞典例句

7 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

8 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

9 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

10 rotations   

旋转( rotation的名词复数 )； 转动； 轮流； 轮换

参考例句：

• Farmers traditionally used long-term rotations of hay, pasture, and corn. 农民以往长期实行干草、牧草和玉米轮作。
• The crankshaft makes three rotations for each rotation of the rotor. 转子每转一周，曲轴转3周。

11 buddies   

n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人

参考例句：

• We became great buddies. 我们成了非常好的朋友。 来自辞典例句
• The two of them have become great buddies. 他们俩成了要好的朋友。 来自辞典例句

12 spouse   

n.配偶(指夫或妻)

参考例句：

• Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday.她的丈夫星期天要来看她。
• What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?在婚姻中保持配偶幸福的最好方法是什么？