評論
打印
At the News Station
在新聞臺
“Did you read the news facsimile?” Tom asked.
“看了新聞傳真通信了嗎？”湯姆問，
“Another fanatical religious faction has taken hostages at the embassy.
“又有一個狂熱的宗教派別在大使館扣押了人質。
These factious groups are more violent than their predecessors and their fanaticism is even more irrational.
這些宗教派組織比他們的前輩更殘暴，他們的狂熱變得越發喪失理性了。
I am pretty sure it will be a major factor in their demise.
我敢斷定這將是導致他們滅亡的一個主要因素。
Their strength will fade in a few years.”
他們的勢力幾年后就回漸漸衰弱下去。”
“I'm not sure about that,” Bill replied.
“對此我還不敢斷定，”比爾回答，
“Their followers are pretty faithful.
“他們的追隨者很忠誠。
Part of the problem is that they cannot distinguish between a true religious leader and a fake.
部分原因在于他們區分不開真假宗教領袖。
Many of the followers are extremely poor.
很多追隨者都很窮，
They come from villages that are suffering from famine.
他們來自正遭受饑荒的農村。
They are willing to listen to anyone who will give them a warm meal and a promise of a better life.
誰能給他們一口熱飯、一個改善生活的許諾，他們就聽誰的。
As a result, they often follow leaders with fancy houses and fanciful clothing.
所以，他們常常跟那些擁有豪華住宅和穿著花哨衣服的人身后。
I suppose a dearth of food can famish you and make you anxious to believe any promise of a better life, regardless of your mental faculty.
我想無論你的心里承受能力有多強，食物匱乏會使你挨餓，這會使你急于相信任何能改善生活的許諾。
I just hope our negotiators don't falter and give in to those fanatics.”
我只希望我們去談判的人不會退縮，不要屈服于這些狂熱之徒。”
“Desperation makes all of us fallible,” Tom said.
“絕望使我們都容易犯錯誤，”湯姆說，
“However, we should familiarize ourselves with the facts before we make any judgments.
“我們自己應先熟悉情況，再作出判斷。
I'm going to send you there to obtain a factual account.
我要派你去獲得真實的報道。
I know you'll report the story fairly and accurately.”
我知道你會公正準確地報道這一事件的。”
“Thanks, but what should I do about the story I was working on?” asked Bill.
“謝謝，可我目前手頭的報道怎么辦？”比爾問。
“The story about the falcon?” asked Tom.
“那個關于獵鷹的報道？”湯姆問，
“Give it to the new reporter in the faint blue dress.
“交給哪兒穿暗藍色衣服新來的記者吧。
As a beginner, she's still fallible. She'll be glad to receive an easy assignment.”
她初出茅廬，仍然是容易出錯的。她會很高興接受這個輕松的任務。”
