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At the News Station
在新闻台
“Did you read the news facsimile?” Tom asked.
“看了新闻传真通信了吗？”汤姆问，
“Another fanatical religious faction has taken hostages at the embassy.
“又有一个狂热的宗教派别在大使馆扣押了人质。
These factious groups are more violent than their predecessors and their fanaticism is even more irrational.
这些宗教派组织比他们的前辈更残暴，他们的狂热变得越发丧失理性了。
I am pretty sure it will be a major factor in their demise.
我敢断定这将是导致他们灭亡的一个主要因素。
Their strength will fade in a few years.”
他们的势力几年后就回渐渐衰弱下去。”
“I'm not sure about that,” Bill replied.
“对此我还不敢断定，”比尔回答，
“Their followers are pretty faithful.
“他们的追随者很忠诚。
Part of the problem is that they cannot distinguish between a true religious leader and a fake.
部分原因在于他们区分不开真假宗教领袖。
Many of the followers are extremely poor.
很多追随者都很穷，
They come from villages that are suffering from famine.
他们来自正遭受饥荒的农村。
They are willing to listen to anyone who will give them a warm meal and a promise of a better life.
谁能给他们一口热饭、一个改善生活的许诺，他们就听谁的。
As a result, they often follow leaders with fancy houses and fanciful clothing.
所以，他们常常跟那些拥有豪华住宅和穿着花哨衣服的人身后。
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.
我想无论你的心里承受能力有多强，食物匮乏会使你挨饿，这会使你急于相信任何能改善生活的许诺。
I just hope our negotiators don't falter and give in to those fanatics.”
我只希望我们去谈判的人不会退缩，不要屈服于这些狂热之徒。”
“Desperation makes all of us fallible,” Tom said.
“绝望使我们都容易犯错误，”汤姆说，
“However, we should familiarize ourselves with the facts before we make any judgments.
“我们自己应先熟悉情况，再作出判断。
I'm going to send you there to obtain a factual account.
我要派你去获得真实的报道。
I know you'll report the story fairly and accurately.”
我知道你会公正准确地报道这一事件的。”
“Thanks, but what should I do about the story I was working on?” asked Bill.
“谢谢，可我目前手头的报道怎么办？”比尔问。
“The story about the falcon?” asked Tom.
“那个关于猎鹰的报道？”汤姆问，
“Give it to the new reporter in the faint blue dress.
“交给哪儿穿暗蓝色衣服新来的记者吧。
As a beginner, she's still fallible. She'll be glad to receive an easy assignment.”
她初出茅庐，仍然是容易出错的。她会很高兴接受这个轻松的任务。”
