It is an exercise of discretion.

好文共賞
V26 Sharp Daily - Hong Kong Version
2012-08-30

It is not amnesty. It is an exercise of discretion.

1.It is not amnesty ① It is an exercise of ② discretion ③ .（Janet Napolitano）

背景：美國國土安全局局長Janet Napolitano解釋美國不再遞解16歲前入境的非法居民。

2.We came close ④ to the abyss ⑤ , and we have taken a step ⑥ away from it.（Marc Chandler）

背景：希臘一名銀行家Marc Chandler慶幸希臘沒有在歐元區危機中倒下。

3.I probably prayed ⑦ more the last three holes ⑧ than I ever did in my life ⑨. （Webb Simpson）

背景：韋伯森遜（Webb Simpson）在美國哥爾夫球公開賽中，以50倍賠率擊敗一眾好手包括老虎活士（Tiger Woods）。他賽後對記者說這番話。

馮強短評

好辭彙共賞:

①amnesty = 大赦，特赦

②an exercise of = 採取措施。Exercise a power = 行使權力。Exercise pressure = 施加壓力。Exercise judgment = 運用判斷力

③discretion = 判斷（力）。At the discretion of Victor = 隨Victor的意思。Use one's own discretion = 依靠自己去判斷。With discretion = 慎重，審慎

④came close = 接近、幾乎。That chapter is closed = 話已完結，問題已有結果。A close call = 千鈞一髮。A close shave = 僥倖的脫險。Close to = 接近於；在附近

⑤abyss = 深淵，無底洞。An abyss of despair = 絕望

⑥have taken a step = 採取步驟，手段，措施，辦法。Watch one's steps! = 小心走路，小心行動。Retrace one's steps =走回頭路，改變主意，變卦

⑦pray = 禱告，祈禱。Pray for pardon = 請求原諒。Pray for rain = 求雨

⑧the last three holes = 哥爾夫球比賽的最後三個洞（總共是18個洞）。A hole in one's coat = 缺點，瑕疵。A square peg in a round hole = 不適宜擔任某項工作的人。Pick holes [a hole] in Victor's writing = 對Victor吹毛求疵；批評，責備

⑨in my life = 在我的一生中

短評共賞:

美國容許16歲前入境的非法居留者合法居留。這是善用人才的一項措施。我希望香港也可以向外多些吸納人才。

馮強

浸會大學傳理學院財經新聞統籌主任

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