2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys

By Scott Stearns
White House
22 November 2006

U.S. President George Bush is preparing for America's Thanksgiving holiday with the traditional pardon of two turkeys. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.

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Flyer and Fryer Turkey are not avian counterfeiters. Or international grain kingpins. The two white birds have committed no known crime against man or beast. Their only offense¹? Being turkeys the day before the Thanksgiving holiday when Americans traditionally eat turkey.

But unlike millions of other less fortunate birds, Flyer and Fryer were spared the chopping block and won pardons from President Bush.

President Bush, right, pets 'Flyer' after pardoning ceremony in Rose Garden, 22 Nov. 2006

"This morning I am granting a full presidential pardon so they can live out their lives as safe as can be," the president announced.

The birds, from the Midwest state of Missouri, are on their way to California where they will be the honorary Grand Marshals of the Thanksgiving Day parade at the Disneyland theme park.

This was the 59th presidential pardon of the National Thanksgiving Turkey, an event organized by the men and women who raise turkeys.

In the Rose Garden ceremony, President Bush said the holiday is a time for all Americans to be grateful for their blessings².

"In our journey across the centuries, from a few tiny settlements to a prosperous and powerful nation, Americans have always been a grateful people," he noted³. "And we are this year as well. We are grateful for our beautiful land. We are grateful for a harvest big enough to feed us all, plus much of the world. We are grateful for our freedom. We are grateful for our families. And we are grateful for life itself."

Mr. Bush thanked members of the U.S. military who he says have set aside their own comfort and safety to defend the nation.

The president and Mrs. Bush will spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the presidential retreat of Camp David in the mountains outside the nation's capital.

They return to Washington Saturday before leaving for Estonia and Latvia, where the president will take part in a summit of the NATO alliance.

He will also travel to Jordan for a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

1 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

2 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 override   

vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于

参考例句：

• The welfare of a child should always override the wishes of its parents.孩子的幸福安康应该永远比父母的愿望来得更重要。
• I'm applying in advance for the authority to override him.我提前申请当局对他进行否决。

5 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。