The year of 2008 would be remembered
and cherished by many American people in
that the first African American president was elected as their commander in
chief in the U.S. history. As might have been expected, the past eight years
have been peppered with political logjam and economic turbulence. Mr.
Barack Obama’s presidential campaign promises have been viewed and examined
from different angles. Some may argue
that his plans and commitments were disappointing and have fallen short of people’s expectation as
one could see in the gun control getting out of hand and the technically botched health care system.
Others may still be pulling for
Obama administration’s achievement by claiming that he has kept his words when
it comes to the 2008 catchphrase “CHANGE” just by the fact that they had a
black President.
With all the excitement, anger,
disappointment, kudos, and things that leave much to be desired about his
presidency on the wane and running out of steam, President Obama
reminisced not only the unsubdued
debates on immigration or gun control but hope as well in his valedictory State of the Union speech
on January 12, 2016. He was quoted as saying that “It's one of the few regrets
of my presidency that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten
worse instead of better.” However, President Obama confidently wrapped up his
speech by going on to say that
“America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period.” Yes, no matter what,
this is the spirit that a nation’s leader needs to ensure in front of his
people. It is strong conviction and unity, not a division or polarization, that
keep the motto of the U.S. “E Pluribus
Unum” stay alive. Mr. President, I know you have grubbed out in such a harsh world of bare-knuckle politics. No one
could have ever coasted through it
all. Thank you.
Expressions
..
in that Subject +
Verb: the
clause meaning “for the reason that….”
e.g., The new school cafeteria is
better in that it serves a lot of fresh salads and fruits on a daily basis.
to
be peppered with something:
a lot of something was included in
e.g, Her speech was peppered with
self-congratulatory remarks.
political
logjam: political
deadlock where reaching agreement is impossible
(*Visualize a huge log floating
along the stream and come to block the stream at one point so that there’s no
more flowing of water)
to
argue that…: to
maintain or claim that….
to
fall (far) short of ….:
to fail to reach the standard that one expected or need
e.g., The restaurant fell far short
of my expectation! Their specialty appetizer was too salty.
technically: according to the exact meaning or
facts
e.g., It is still technically
possible for you to get to the airport on time (although it seems too late).
botched: spoiled/ failed
to
pull for someone:
to support or root/cheer for someone, to go whole hog for someone
e.g., Which baseball team are you pulling for?
on
the wane: declining/
fading away
to
run out of steam:
unsubdued: (something is not) brought under
control
valedictory: farewell speech
to
go on to say that…: to continue to say that….
E
Pluribus Unum: out
of many, one
to
grub out: to do
one’s very best/ to go all out
to
coast through: to proceed
without great effort
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