Washington: US President Barack Obama said that fear of Muslims is unacceptable in American values, rejecting the "anti-Muslim stereotypes", and also considering the resurgence of anti-Semitism regrettable.
Delivering his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Obama said: "As Americans, we respect human dignity, which is why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world.
"It's why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims – the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace".
Obama stressed that the United States will continue to combat terror wherever it exists, saying: "We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks".
He called on Congress to allow use of military force against ISIS, considering the US-led air campaign against the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria successful.
Noting he had no more campaigns to run, a defiant and upbeat Barack Obama set out to seal his legacy in the final two years of his presidency with a blunt veto threat against any attempts to undermine his legislative achievements.
He also said the "shadow of crisis" had passed over the US, the nation was strong and had now only to "turn the page".
"I have no more campaigns to run," he reminded the Republican-controlled Congress Tuesday night, reminding lawmakers that he won all of them, as he outlined an ambitious vision for "middle-class economics" with a call for tax reform, free community college and child care.
"My only agenda for the next two years is the same as the one I've had since the day I swore an oath on the steps of this Capitol - to do what I believe is best for America," he said in his annual State of the Union message.
"If you share the broad vision I outlined tonight, join me in the work at hand. If you disagree with parts of it, I hope you'll at least work with me where you do agree," Obama said.
In an address running over an hour, Obama, in a dark suit and a light blue tie, also offered a blunt veto threat of any Congressional proposals to undermine his major legislative achievements to date.
"We can't put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance, or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street, or refighting past battles on immigration when we've got a system to fix," he said.
"And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, it will earn my veto."
Obama said the "shadow of crisis has passed" after years dominated by wars, recession and the threat of terror, saying that it's now time for the nation to "turn the page."
"America, for all that we've endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back; for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this: The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong," he said.
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