VOA标准英语2009年-Obama: Higher US Unemployment A 'Sobering

By Kent Klein
Washington
02 October 2009

 
President Obama speaks at White House, 2 Oct 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama says the higher U.S. unemployment rate in September shows that economic recovery will not be smooth or easy. The president also expressed regret that Chicago did not win the 2016 Summer Olympics bid.

Unemployment in the United States reached 9.8 percent in September, and President Obama says employment is often the last indicator¹ that a recession is over.

"Since the period last winter when we were losing 700,000 jobs per month, we have certainly made some progress on this front. But today's job report is a sobering reminder² that progress comes in fits and starts, and that we are going to need to grind out this recovery, step by step," he said.

At the White House Friday, Mr. Obama acknowledged that employers cut more jobs than expected last month, which means he has more work to do.

"And I want to let every single American know that I will not let up until those who are seeking work can find work, until businesses that are seeking credit are able to get credit and thrive, until all responsible homeowners can stay in their homes," he said.

The president had just returned to Washington from Copenhagen, where he and first lady Michelle Obama unsuccessfully campaigned for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be awarded to Chicago.

Mr. Obama says he called Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to congratulate him on winning the Olympics for Rio de Janeiro.

The president says he wishes he had brought back better news from the International Olympic Committee vote, and has no doubt that Chicago put together the strongest bid it could. And Mr. Obama is defending his decision to travel to the Danish capital to make Chicago's case.

"I believe it is always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States of America and invite the world to come see what we are all about," he said.

Some U.S. critics say Mr. Obama should have stayed home and concentrated on solving domestic problems.

Despite not getting the 2016 games, the president is inviting³ people to visit the United States anyway.

1 indicator   

n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

2 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

3 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。