VOA Reading - Nuts and Bolts

geopolitics · 2010-01-21 10:04:34Z

VOA Reading - Nuts and Bolts简介

来源: geopolitics 于 2010-01-21 10:04:34 [档案] [旧帖] [给我悄悄话] 阅读数 : (3806 bytes)

本帖于 2010-01-21 10:08:38 时间, 由版主林贝卡编辑

This is my first English recording. It came out as a total shock. In my imagination, I sound much better.

Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.

Every machine is held together by its nuts and bolts. Without them, the machine would fall apart. That is also true of an organization. Its nuts and bolts are its basic, necessary elements. They are the parts that make the organization work.

In government, industry, diplomacy -- in most anything -- those who understand the nuts and bolts are the most important. Success depends more on them than on almost anyone else.
In government, the president or prime minister may plan and shape programs and policies. But, it takes much more work to get them approved and to make them successful.

There is a mass of detailed work to be done. The nuts and bolts. This is often put into the hands of specialists. The top leaders are always well-known, but not those who work with the nuts and bolts.

This is equally true in the day-to-day operation of Congress. The majority leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, together with the chairmen of committees, keep the business of Congress moving.
Behind every Senator and Congressman, however, are assistants. These people do all the detailed work to prepare congressmen to vote wisely on each issue.

In diplomacy, the chief ministers are unquestionably important in negotiations. But there are lesser officials who do the basic work and preparations on the different issues to be negotiated.
A recent book tells of a British prime minister who decided to send an ambassador to Washington to learn if details could be worked out for joint action on an issue. The talks in Washington, the minister said, would be "of nut and bolts." He meant, of course, the talks would concern all the necessary elements to make joint action successful.

In a military operation, strategy decisions are important. But much more time is spent on the nuts and bolts -- generally called logistics -- of how to transport and supply an army. It has been said that Napoleon was successful because he knew the field position of every one of his guns. He gave careful attention to the nuts and bolts of his operations.

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我这人有点完美主义，什么事情做不到最好就不肯端出来。蹉跎半生，终于明白在人生的任何方面我都不可能做到最好。（其实早就明白，不肯接受罢了。）

我的包子永远是捏不出折子的，我的孩子是永远不可能PG的,（在子女坛新学的，不知道的同学就不必知道了，知道了只有更泄气的。）我的英文是永远不可能说得像某些人那样好的...既然这样那就不用藏着掖着了，干脆献声得了。请大家多多砸砖。完美是不指望了，可进步的愿望还是强烈的。

So here is my belated New Year resolutions.

Perfectly accept my imperfections ( posting this is the first step )

Try to be nicer to my hubby who can't fix a thing around the house ( not entirely true, he is marginally handy )

Cherish my child who is not a tag student ( he may still have a shot at this, we are awaiting the test result ) and treasure every day with him

Call my parents everyday ( already doing so )

Throw more parties for friends ( I am planning the menu )

Gain five ponds, ( this is hard, I am talking about muscles, not fat )

Be more active in wenxuecity ( this is totally doable )

Thanks for reading and listening my post. Have a great Thursday.