VOA标准英语2013--Voters in US Heartland Wary of Military Action in Syria

 

Voters in US Heartland Wary¹ of Military Action in Syria 

GREENTOWN, INDIANA  As President Barack Obama seeks authorization² from Congress for U.S. military strikes on Syria, voters in the U.S. are expressing concerns about another engagement in the Middle East. Though a possible military strike is on the minds of many voters, it's not necessarily the top issue in their discussions with members of Congress still on recess³ in their home districts.

The rural farmlands of Indiana seem about as far away from Syria as most Americans get.

In many ways, life here doesn't change much. The passage of time is marked by how tall the crops are growing.

At the heart of this farmland is Greentown, population under 2,500.

Local U.S. Air Force veteran Robert Millspaugh calls it a very secure little town.

It has a business district awash with flags, no surprise given the towns strong connection to the U.S. military.

There are many World War I and II vets⁴ here, a lot of people in Vietnam who have served are here, and then the current wars, many are here from that as well, says Millspaugh.

Which explains why many here are war-weary.

I am, says Millspaugh. I would like to be able to go, if we go into a war. I would like to be able to go in and win and come home, and thats not easily done now.

It absolutely is a war-weary part of the country, says freshman⁵ Republican Representative Susan Brooks⁶, within whose congressional district Greentown falls. I think the entire country is weary of war, she adds.

Brooks is in Greentown to meet one-on-one with voters like Karen Swann to understand their concerns. A U.S. military strike against Syria doesn't appear to be one of them. 

Thats in Syria, and were here dealing⁷ with our day-to-day issues," says Swann.

Brooks says she hears more here about the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable⁸ Care Act, known as Obamacare, calling it by far the biggest issue.

Karen Swann says just because the debate over U.S. military action in Syria is not prominent at her meeting with Brooks doesn't mean people are insensitive to the plight⁹ of the Syrian people.

It says a little bit that we think we need to mind our business for one thing, and not be the caretaker of the world. But I dont think that we are insensitive to the people in Syria. I just think we are tired of taking care of the worlds problems, says Swann.

Brooks says that even far beyond Greentown this seems to be the prevailing¹⁰ attitude.

There is certainly a sentiment across the country against intervening in Syria& However, I believe it is incumbent¹¹ upon the president - and then will be with respect to the Congress if we would vote to strike - to explain to the American people, and do a far better job explaining what the American interest is.

A vote on U.S. military action could come soon after Congress reconvenes September 9. 

1 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

2 authorization   

n.授权，委任状

参考例句：

• Anglers are required to obtain prior authorization from the park keeper.垂钓者必须事先得到公园管理者的许可。
• You cannot take a day off without authorization.未经批准你不得休假。

3 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。

4 vets   

abbr.veterans （复数）老手，退伍军人；veterinaries （复数）兽医n.兽医( vet的名词复数 )；老兵；退伍军人；兽医诊所v.审查（某人过去的记录、资格等）( vet的第三人称单数 )；调查；检查；诊疗

参考例句：

• I helped train many young vets and veterinary nurses too. 我还帮助培训了许多年青的兽医和护士。 来自互联网
• In fact, we've expanded mental health counseling and services for our vets. 实际上，我们已经扩大了退伍军人的心理健康咨询和服务。 来自互联网

5 freshman   

n.大学一年级学生(可兼指男女)

参考例句：

• Jack decided to live in during his freshman year at college.杰克决定大一时住校。
• He is a freshman in the show business.他在演艺界是一名新手。

6 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

8 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

9 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

10 prevailing   

adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的

参考例句：

• She wears a fashionable hair style prevailing in the city.她的发型是这个城市流行的款式。
• This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.这反映了社会上盛行的态度和价值观。

11 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。