I was a little bit surprised that some of you were not familiar with the issues happening in your own time. Here is the note of the previous class for the past Thursday: 語言與文化(21)
(1) Al Gore Concession Speech (2) Electoral College (3) Checks and Balances (4) Manifest Destiny (5) Common Sense and The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine (管得最少的政府就是管得最好的政府) (6) 美國, 美國總統, 美國總統列表
[The best government is that which governs least] 1, 2, 3
Al Gore's Concession Speech
Good evening. Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States, and I promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time.
I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just passed.
Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."
Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country. Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.
Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto, "Not under man but under God and law. That's the ruling principle of American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks.
Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. In addition, tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor the new president-elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.
Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to Joe and Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our country.
This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny.
Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.
Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation. So let it be with us.
I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.
And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome.
Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not believe it need be so.
President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities. I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans - I particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president.
This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done. And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president.
As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences, literally and figuratively.
Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I heard you and I will not forget.
I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worth fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.
As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father once said, that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out.
So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly tireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so hard in Florida for the last 36 days.
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.
In the words of our great hymn, "America, America": "Let us crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea." (Manifest destiny)
And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time for me to go. Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
高爾退出大選
晚安。
我稍早與小布希聯絡過，恭賀他成為第四十三任美國總統，我也答應不會像上次一樣收回他的敗選承諾。
我表示希望能盡快與他會面，以彌合選戰與佛州選票爭議期間雙方相互攻訐所引起的社會分裂。
在將近一個半世紀前，參議員道格拉斯向剛剛在總統大選中擊敗他的對手林肯表示：「國家重於黨派的利益。我支持你，總統先生，願上帝保佑你。」基於同樣的精神，我在此要向總統當選人小布希表示，政黨之間遺留下的積怨必須擺在一我們兩人並未預見會走上這條漫長且艱辛的道路。我們當然也不樂見這樣的情況發生。然而這還是發生了，我們所崇敬的民主體制必會結束並解決之。邊，願上帝保佑美國的元首。
國內有一所傑出的法學院的圖書館內，刻著「並非基於人治，而是基於法治與上帝的旨意」的格言。這是美國式自由的準則，也是美國民主自由的來源。在這段佛州的選票爭議中，我努力以此作為自己的行事原則，而這句話也協助全國上下對在過去五週以來所發生的各項複雜議題達成協議。
現在，美國最高法院已經做出判決了。雖然我對最高法院的判決極不認同，但大家不必再有爭議，我接受這項裁決，接受下週一選舉人團所將確認的結果。今晚，為了人民的團結以及美國民主的健全，我在此宣佈參選失敗。
我同時接受責任，無條件遵從新的總統當選人，並盡一切力量協助促進人民的團結，以完成我國獨立宣言所解釋、以及憲法所提出並保障的願景。
我要在此表達支持本人及支持我們奮戰目標的民眾表示感謝。內人和我均十分感謝李伯曼夫婦，他們為我們的合作關係帶來熱誠與崇高的目標，並為我們的競選活動以及國家開啟了新的一扇門。
這是一場不凡的大選。但正如上帝其他不可預期的安排，這場好不容易打破的僵局為全國民眾帶來了新的相同立場，因為選舉結果的不相上下可以提醒雙方民眾，我們同為美國人民，擁有相同歷史及使命。
而其他的爭議在得到結果之前也延宕數週之久，但在各次的選舉中，勝選者及敗選者都心平靜氣、並抱者和解的精神接受選舉結果。
我知道許多我的支持者心裡很失望，我也是一樣。但我們必須以對國家的熱愛來取代我們的失望。
我還要告訴世界上的其他人，不要把這次選票爭議看作是美國衰弱的象徵。從美國所能克服的困難，正好淋漓展現了美國民主的力量。
有些人擔心這次特別的選舉會對下屆總統推行政務造成不利的影響。我不認為會這樣。
總統當選人布希承繼了一個國家，其國民將做好準備協助他所託付的任務。我個人將聽其差遣，而且我要呼籲所有的美國人一我特別要求和我同一陣線的人士團結在我們下屆總統的身後。
這就是美國：戰況膠著時我們全力以赴；但競賽結束後我們會團結一致、不分你我。儘管仍有足夠的時間就我們彼此的差異繼續爭論下去，但此刻我們必須看清：在這些不同的地方中，將我們團結在一起的，遠比會分化我們的重要。
至於我日後的方向，我目前還沒有答案。就像各位一樣，我打算和家人、老朋友一起共度假期。我想我會回田納西州修修籬笆，還有象徵性的「籬笆」。
有人問我是否後悔；我的確是有一件事感到遺憾，那就是我失去在未來四年為美國人民奮鬥的機會，尤其是那些面臨困難及障礙，需要接受幫助的人；尤其是那些覺得自己的聲音被忽略的人；我聽見了你們的心聲，而我永誌難忘。
我在這場選戰中看見了美國，而我樂見我所見。它值得我們奮鬥，而我會一直奮鬥下去。
就今晚結束的選戰而言，我想我的父親說得不錯，無論敗得多慘，失敗將如同勝利一樣昇華我們的靈魂，使它放出光茫。
對我而言，這場選戰在以下種種開始時就已經圓滿完成了：蒂波和我的家人給予我的愛、從參加越戰到擔任美國總統時對上帝及我所引以為傲的國家的信念及對努力不懈的競選工作人員和義工的感激；包括過去卅六天來所有在佛羅里達州賣力工作的人們。
現在，政爭已經告一段落，我們必須再次為美國人民爭取利益，並把焦點放在世界大事上。全世界正等著我們領導他們爭取自由。
「美國、美國」這首偉大的讚美詩中有一句名言：「讓我們以兄弟情誼為汝的善行加冕，從大西洋到太平洋」。
現在，我的朋友們，套用一句我曾向別人說過的話：我離開的時候到了。
晚安，謝謝各位，願上帝保佑美國。
What can Taiwan learn from Al Gore's concession speech?
政治人脈的經濟利潤- 雙語閱讀- FT中文網
