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Obama's message on the Newtown massacre: 'We can do better than this'

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By Noel Young, Correspondent

December 17, 2012 | 2 min read

President Obama yesterday vowed to “use whatever power this office holds” to stop massacres like the slaughter at the school in Newtown, Connecticut that has shocked the world.

Obama at Newtown memorial service

Speaking in Newtown at a memorial service for the 27 victims, including 20 children, he hinted at a fresh effort to curb the spread of guns and declared there was no “excuse for inaction.”

The New York Times described his speech, as "surprisingly assertive. "

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.”

His speech which he finished writing on the short Air Force One flight , seemed to promise a significant change in direction on gun issues.

“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.”

Obama finished his speech by slowly reading the names of the children who were killed : “Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dillon, Madeleine, Catharine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Benjamin, Avielle, Allison.”

“God has called them all home,” the president said. “For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on.”

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