莫聽穿林打葉聲，何妨吟嘯且徐行

某天跟我弟聊天，聊到台灣的政治，我跟我弟一樣對政治都很感冒，我弟尤其對政治人物不屑。

「但是啊，我覺得重點不是檯面上的政治人物喔，」我對我弟說：「重點是這些政治人物背後代表的廣大人民喔。」

「我想，大概從我們這代起會好一些吧～」我這樣跟我弟說，也算是安慰自己。

在我倆都有些不勝噓唏時，我突然想起高爾這位上屆美國總統候選人（因為他最近拍了不願面對的真相，提醒大家不要輕忽溫室效應。），他之前選輸給布希後承認敗選的賀詞讓我深深感動著，於是我便找出來跟我弟分享。

在這裡也分享給大家。在我們要求政治人物時，我們同時也反觀自省。如果僅是一味地要求別人，世界是不會變更好的。

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在佛羅里達州已開出的九九．九％選票中，兩位候選人僅相差一千二百票左右，佛州選務單位則表示，小布希總得票數為2905033票，只比高爾2904107票多出926票。佛羅里達州選舉法規定，兩造票數差距在一％以內時，得申請重新計票，高爾選舉陣營就是根據這條法令，指出高爾在某一選區與小布希只有二千五百票之差，且有好幾個郡海外僑民不在籍票尚未計算，因而提出重新計票申請。

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.
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，也向他保證這次不會再收回敗選聲明。

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.
我表示希望能盡快與他會面，以彌合我們剛經歷過因競選和抗辯所造成的分裂。

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."
在將近一個半世紀前，參議員道格拉斯告訴剛剛在總統大選中擊敗他的對手林肯：「國家重於黨派意識。我支持你，總統先生，願上帝保佑你。」

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.
基於同樣的精神，我在此要向總統當選人小布希表示，政黨之間的積怨必須擺在一邊，願上帝保佑他的領導。

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.
我們兩人都未曾料到這場選戰會如此漫長艱辛，我們當然也不願意見到這樣的情況發生。然而這還是發生了，透過我們尊敬的民主體制，現在已經解決，結束了，也必須結束了。

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.
國內有一所傑出法學院的圖書館內，刻著「非臣服於人，而是臣服於上帝與法律之下」的格言，這是美國自由精神的準則，也是美國民主自由的來源。在這次的選票爭議中，我努力以此作為自己的行事原則，而這句話也指引美國在過去五週仔細重議複雜議題。

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. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy,I offer my concession.
現在，美國最高法院已經做出判決，一切爭議就到此為止。我對最高法院的判決極不認同，但我接受這項裁決，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，我在此承認敗選。

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.
我同時接受責任，無條件遵從新的總統當選人，並盡一切力量協助他促進人民的團結，以實現我國獨立宣言所規劃、憲法所保障捍衛的願景。

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.
我在此對支持本人及支持我們奮鬥目標的民眾表示感激。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。

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.
這是一場非比尋常的大選。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，帶領我們走向新共識，因為選舉結果的難分軒輊，反而提醒我們，我們是擁有相同歷史與命運的同胞。

Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.
的確，歷史上有多次大選也因為其結果與多數民意相左，而引起同樣的激烈爭辯和抗爭。

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.
其他的爭議在得到結果之前也曾延宕數週之久，每一次勝選者及敗選者都能抱著和解的精神，心平氣和地接受結果。

So let it be with us.
讓我們這次也如此吧。

I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.
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。

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.
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。從美國所克服的困難中，正好淋漓展現了美國民主的力量。

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.
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。我並不認為定會如此。

President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities.
總統當選人布希所接掌的國家，是一個舉國上下均準備好協助他執行重責大任的國家。

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.
我個人將聽其差遣，而且我要呼籲所有的美國人—尤其是支持我的民眾，團結一致力挺下屆總統。這就是美國：輸贏難分時我們全力以赴；但競選結束後我們捐棄前嫌、團結一致。

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.
儘管仍有足夠的時間就我們彼此的差異繼續爭論下去，但此刻我們必須承認：在這些差異中，將我們團結在一起的，遠比會分化我們的重要。

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.
雖然我們仍抱持著不同的理念，並未放棄；但在遵從政黨之外有更崇高的職責，這兒是美國，我們將國家放置於政黨之上，我們將一起支持新總統。

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.
至於我日後的動向，我目前還沒有答案。就像各位一樣，我期待和家人、老朋友一起共度佳節。我想我會回田納西州修修籬笆（喻為改善關係）。

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.
有人問我是否會有任何遺憾，我的確有個遺憾，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，需要幫助的人、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。

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.
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。

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.
就今晚結束的選戰而言，我相信家父所言，無論敗得多慘，失敗與勝利一樣，淬練我們的靈魂，使它綻放出光芒。

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.
對我而言，這場選戰的結束一如開始時：有著蒂波和我的家人給予我的愛、對上帝的信念、對國家—這個從我參加越戰到擔任副總統以來一直引以為榮的國家—的信念、以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。

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.
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，並為世界上寄望我們領導爭取自由的廣大人民而努力不懈。

In the words of our great hymn, "America, the Beautiful": "Let us crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."
「美麗的美國」這首偉大的讚美詩中有一句名言：「讓我們以同胞愛加冕汝之善行，從此岸到彼岸。」

And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time for me to go.
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。

Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
謝謝各位，晚安，願上帝保佑美國。

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「如果當初是高爾當選，這個世界現在會是怎樣？」

雖然知道這問題無濟於事，但的確會讓我挺好奇的。

「台灣又何時能出一個這樣的人物哩？」

只要一打開電視新聞就讓我對這問題啞口無言了。