New Delhi:
US President Barack Hussein Obama in his last State of Union Address tried to cover all the issues pivoting US economic and social spectrum. Here the five points you can’t afford to miss from 44th US president’s last SOTU address:
1) On Terrorism
Launching a trenchant attack at Pakistan and Afghanistan, Obama said that these nations are safe heavens for terrorism. He also made his view points clear on ISIS. Here is what he said.
“As we focus on destroying ISIL, over-the-top claims that this is World War III just play into their hands. Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks and twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages pose an enormous danger to civilians and must be stopped. But they do not threaten our national existence. That’s the story ISIL wants to tell; that’s the kind of propaganda they use to recruit. ... We just need to call them what they are — killers and fanatics who have to be rooted out, hunted down, and destroyed.”
2) About his country’s strength
Obama hailed US as world’s most powerful nation.
The United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period. It’s not even close. We spend more on our military than the next eight nations combined. Our troops are the finest fighting force in the history of the world ... when it comes to every important international issue, people of the world do not look to Beijing or Moscow to lead  —  they call us.
3) On Climate Change
“We’ve got to accelerate the transition away from dirty energy. Rather than subsidize the past, we should invest in the future  —  especially in communities that rely on fossil fuels. That’s why I’m going to push to change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet.”
4) On United States Economy
“Anyone claiming that America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction. What is true  —  and the reason that a lot of Americans feel anxious  —  is that the economy has been changing in profound ways, changes that started long before the Great Recession hit and haven’t let up.”
5) On Racism and Religion
“We need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion. This isn’t a matter of political correctness. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith.”
