环球英语 — 356：Listener Mail 94
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight's Listener Mail program! I'm Voice One.
Voice 2
And I'm Voice Two. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Today's program is on you and your comments! On today's program we will share opinions from people all across the world. Join us as we answer your mail!
Voice 2
Our first comment today comes from Nando on our website. He heard the program "Self Defence in Durban." He left a comment on the script page for that program. In that program we told about how the city of Durban suffered from many small crimes. People experienced personal attacks. And many did not know how to defend themselves against these attacks. Nando describes a similar situation where he lives:
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"I am glad that the topics of these programs are so interesting, like this program about self defence. In my country, Ecuador, we live in the same situation. The number of criminal acts has increased a lot in the last years. All people live in a frightening situation because you cannot go out of your house without being robbed. According to statistics, cell phone robbery is the most common problem."
Voice 1
It is certainly difficult to live with so much crime around. A person can feel unsafe even leaving the house! In our program we told about how in Durban, one exercise place found a way to help people feel safer. They began to train people in a form of martial art - Jeet Kune Do. This is a special fighting style invented by Bruce Lee. Many people think this form of fighting is especially helpful for defence in street attacks. Nando told us that he hoped someday a teacher of martial arts could come to Ecuador to teach Bruce Lee's method of self-defence.
Voice 2
Thanks for your comments, Nando! It would be great if you were able to learn Jeet Kune Do! Learning how to defend yourself in an attack can make you feel much safer. It would be great if people were different - if there was less crime and violence on our streets. Then people would never have to use these skills. But they are always good to know! We wish you luck in any martial arts you decide to study.
Voice 1
We also had a lot of comments recently on programs that ask people to care for our Earth. Lau commented on the program "Carbon Offsetting: Good or Bad?" Experts believe that reducing production of carbon dioxide gases will reduce climate change. In the Kyoto treaty, businesses in developed countries are permitted a particular amount of carbon production. Our program looked at ways businesses and people trade or sell their permitted carbon production. Lau wrote:
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"I think that everyone has a special chance to contribute to the Earth's health. A little change in our lifestyles could make a big difference."
Voice 2
Lau, we also believe that is true! It can be difficult to think of all the things that individual people could do to make a positive change in the environment. They may not even want to try because the job seems so huge! But every little bit helps!
Voice 1
Last week, on June five two thousand nine, the United Nations celebrated World Environment Day. It was a day to think about how people use the resources we have on the Earth. The website for World Environment Day included many ideas people could use to make small changes in their lives. Do you need ideas on how to make small changes that produce big results? You can find a link to these ideas on the script page for this program on Spotlight's website - http://www.Radio.English.net. The program is called "Listener Mail 94." We hope these ideas can inspire you!
Voice 2
We end this week's listener mail program with responses to a debate. In a recent program called "The Auschwitz-Birkenau Debate" we asked a question. We asked if historic places should always be preserved. This question especially looked at the place of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This is a place where many people were killed during World War Two. The memory of these places is tragic and terrible. But, is it important to leave them standing as a way to help us remember? Adem emailed us with his opinion.
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"Auschwitz must remain and it has to be preserved as memory. Protecting physical evidences such as Auschwitz is a good way to tell truth to the next generation. Physical evidence keeps our minds alive. The human mind is able to forget. To keep past events in our minds we write books and establish museums and libraries. They tell us what happened in the past. Buildings and other ruins also tell us what happened in the past. We should protect the buildings that lie at Auschwitz so that the next generations never forget horrible things and make sure they don't happen again.
Voice 1
Adem, thank you for your thoughtful response to this debate. We agree that it is very important to remember these past events. Sharing these things with the next generation is also very important. Hopefully they can learn from the mistakes of the past in order to live a better future.
Voice 2
Freire, on our website, offered another opinion on the script page of this program.
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"Memories affect our present and our future... Auschwitz cries into our ears reminding us that, despite our high ethical, social, technological and human development, the human being is still the most savage of all animals on our planet. Auschwitz is not only a place in Poland. Auschwitz is here and there and everywhere around the Earth. Auschwitz is not dead in the past. Right now, it can be happening some place in the world, silently. Its main supporters: human beings."
Voice 1
Freire, you raise some interesting thoughts and questions. Killing and death did not end when Auschwitz-Birkenau closed. It continues today, and in places we may not even know about. As Christians, we believe that Human failing is universal, as you say. Christians believe that following Jesus Christ is the way God gives humans to rise out of their failing.
Voice 2
Also, Christians believe that life is special. It is a gift from God. God tells us to care for the people around us. By caring for them, we show our love to God. We all should be working to improve the world we live in. We all should be fighting wrongs and working to make the world a more peaceful place. It is not always an easy thing to do.
Voice 1
We hope you have enjoyed listening to today's program. Thank you to all of you who have written to us and commented on our programs. Visit our website to see more of people's opinions on the script page of each program or to make your voice heard!
Voice 2
The writer and producer of this program was Liz Waid. The voices you heard were from the United States. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight.
