小布什的“慷慨”救助

中国英语学习网，你最好的英语学习伙伴 24en.com
“我的麻烦比你还多！”

　　How much should America pay to help the victims of the earthquake and tidal waves that killed thousands of people on the shores of the Indian Ocean? Americans like to think of themselves as generous people, so there was incredulity when President Bush first announced an aid grant of $15 million. The figure was quickly raised, but even at $35 million still seemed paltry. Many believed that Bush hadn’t understood the extent of the losses -- or hadn’t troubled himself to find out.

　　Just how fierce the ensuing criticism was in America can be gauged from today’s cartoon by the great Pat Oliphant. Bush, wearing the cowboy hat Oliphant so often portrays him in, is a very unwilling giver. The poor tsunami survivor must plead for money, as Bush reluctantly ("I suppose" -- in spoken English this usually indicates a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the speaker) offers $5, which he then doubles to $10, adding a load of excuses. Things really get bad when Bush makes himself out to be a victim too ("You think you[’ve] got troubles!", a colloquial phrase meaning "My troubles are even worse or more numerous than yours!").

　　Finally the president raises the offer to a more adequate $350 million (but Japan is still giving more: $500 million) and stomps off. To sweeten the deal, Flori

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