本日未明、オバマ新大統領が就任式を行っていました。ライブ中継で午前３時くらいまでは見ていましたが、さすがにその後は覚えていません。
私は英語は、とんと駄目なので、誤解があるかもしれませんが、英文を見ていると、いくつかの印象的なフレーズがありました。
But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions – that time has surely passed.
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
We honor them not only because they are the guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.
アメリカという巨大な国は、問題点も多いけれども、その問題点を克服する力もまだ内に秘めた懐の深い国かもしれない、と思わせる演説でした。