‘These Tragedies Must End,’ Obama Says

[onehandle]

Last edited Sun Dec 16, 2012, 11:40 PM - Edit history (3)

Source: New York Times



NEWTOWN, Conn. — President Obama vowed on Sunday to “use whatever power this office holds” to stop massacres like the slaughter at the school here that shocked the nation, hinting at a fresh effort to curb the spread of guns as he declared that there was no “excuse for inaction.” In a surprisingly assertive speech at a memorial service for the 27 victims, including 20 children, Mr. Obama said the country had failed to protect its young and that its leaders could no longer sit by idly because “the politics are too hard.” While he did not elaborate on what action he will propose, he raised expectations that he will make a robust effort to stop gun violence.

The speech, a blend of grief and resolve that he finished writing on the short Air Force One flight up here, seemed to promise a significant change in direction for a president who has not made gun issues a top priority in four years in office. After each of three other mass killings during his tenure, Mr. Obama has renewed calls for legislation without exerting much political capital but the definitive language on Sunday may make it harder for him not to act this time.

“No single law, no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world,” he said. “But that can’t be an excuse for inaction. Surely we can do better than this.” He added that “in the coming weeks I’ll use whatever power this office holds” in an effort “aimed at preventing more tragedies like this.”

“Because what choice do we have?” he added. “We can’t accept events like this as routine. Are we really prepared to say we’re powerless in the face of such carnage? That the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/us/politics/bloomberg-urges-obama-to-take-action-on-gun-control.html

---

Video link provided by Hissyspit:

Earn That Nobel Peace Prize, Mr. President.

[iandhr]

1. I saw part of it.

You could see his grief and anger.

[Hissyspit]

2. VIDEO Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022004935

[Skittles]

3. and people, stop thinking, "It could never happen here"

IT CAN

[llmart]

4. Powerful.

"We have an obligation".

Yes, we do.

[radonc]

5. whenever I listen to him speak, at happy or somber occations, when he is up or down in the polls,

I get this overwhelming feeling inside of me.

and that feeling I get is pride.

I am proud to live in this country.

I am proud to participate in this democracy.

I am proud that he is our president.




I think it is because the words he speaks, he writes. or he partially writes or at least he clearly approves. because when he speaks, he is actually saying something meaningful.