"Now, Mr. Obama is inaugurating his most significant international project as an ex-president, with an announcement on Monday that the Obama Foundation plans to convene 200 young people this July in Johannesburg for five days of meetings, workshops and technical training."
Nice idea for an ardent globalist, but Chicago's, Oakland's, and Detroit's inner-cities are a lot closer and could use the Obama Foundation spotlight to shine on them a bit and make them all "want to be a better man", too.
3
That is a great picture of President Obama in Johannesburg. The only problem is that the man standing next to him was a fake signer that was parodied on SNL. Unfortunately, I can not help thinking of this when I see this important picture of our former president.
2
"Mr. Obama does not plan to take on Mr. Trump directly, in keeping with his practice of not publicly criticizing his successor."
Seems more about his nature--passive-aggressive--than "his practice".
That is to say, "To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men."
2
I think you missed the point of one of Arlo’s statement songs. Barack Obama is exactly the type of person Arlo and his father Woody would embrace. In addition anyone who has every listened to Woody Guthrie would know exactly where he stood on the subject of Trump, any Trump.
3
Lordy, Barack, do we ever miss you now.
14
Wow! Racists have come out of the woodwork for this article!
2
“Dismantled”? There are at least 10 million Americans who beg to differ.
Obama and his administration are responsible for finally defeating Republican and military obstructionists—led by John McCain—and ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. With Eric Holder helming the Justice Department, they worked extensively to legalize same-sex marriage. I’ll never forget his televised address, the power of a sitting president affirming the humanity and dignity of gay Americans when half the country was still against us. It was a cultural watershed. The man did more to normalize homosexuality than any politician in the country’s history. By the time Obergefell reached SCOTUS, a majority of Americans were on our side, no doubt a crucial factor in Kennedy’s deciding vote. I sobbed when he handed down the ruling; it was like the lifting of a massive weight from my shoulders, one I didn’t even realize was there.
There’s no going back to DADT, and, with marriage equality established and an even larger (and growing) majority of Americans supporting it, I’m much more confident than not that it’s here to stay—even with an Evangelical puppet in the White House. In other words, you’re wrong; his legacy won’t be dismantled. And in fifty years, when a gay kid doesn’t have to worry that his parents will stop loving him after he comes out and two women can take their children to a restaurant without fear of being kicked out, we’ll look back on Obama and hail him as a civil rights hero.
11
"Tolerance" of what? Conservative businesses applying for 501c3 status? A healthcare act sold on lies (you can keep your doctor") you will save money, etc. Tolerance of transgender bathroom issues, pandering apologies to foreign countries for America? Tolerance of yet another politician getting wealthy after leaving office giving specious speeches and pretending at a moral high ground? "Tolerance" of racial remarks about one's grandmother being biased, "a typical white person", etc. of bailing on the" red-line" threat against Syria, of clearing out our troops in the mideast for Isis to plunder through?
"Tolerance" as a word alone does not imply virtue.
It means listening fairly to the other side and not becoming tunnel visioned It means being subject to a change of mind and heart.
For instance, I have listened with anger and shock for a long time to the policies and attitudes of the far left in this country and am proudly intolerant as a result.
1
Was this the "other side" that came out and stated, even before he entered office, that they hoped President Obama failed?
2
Unfortunately, he succeeded anyway and it's made a long road to come back for more jobs and income success of all races and ethnic groups in addition to makimg the world safer and having our enemies fear us.
1
Here's hoping one day there will be a Michelle, Malia, or Sasha to vote for. The Obama's light shines on.
11
Here's hoping there is a solvent nation when that time comes.
3
As a white, male, Afrikaans South African living in South Africa (with bonded property in my name), I want to distance myself from Jaco's comments. His opinions are not representative of what most white South Africans who chose to keep on living here and building a better country think. Nothing further.
PS: Welcome to South Africa, Barack Obama!
10
Not sure most Americans care what happens in Johannesburg. This seems like classic Obama grandiouse conceit. Not a trump supporter and generally supported O when he was pres.
Don't carry so much hate in your heart, not good for you.
7
Tolerance? From the same guy who accused those who disagreed with him of clinging to guns, religion, and antipathy to those who aren't like the? That guy?
1
...and turns out he was right.
4
Obama is an expert in tolerance. He stood idly by and tolerated the American economy being flushed down the toilet at the same time as the Middle East was blowing up. Good riddance to that one.
5
That was his plan. A new world order.
Really? W handed him an economy like Obama handed it to Trump, come on be reasonable.
5
Serious! The economy was a bust after Bush but he did create the TARP but gave the money with no strings attached. Obama made banks and corporations give collateral for the assistance, "too big to fail" besides the regulatory changes necessary that this administration is dismantling. Such as Dodd-Frank. These yokels obviously listening to FoxNews and have drank the kool-aid that Alex Jones sold them!
5
I had many policy disagreements with then President Obama. But I never questioned his personal integrity, accountability, his depth of intelligence, his ethics, morality, love of country and of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
37
President Obama's legacy cannot be sullied. his moral rectitude was never a question. His skin color seems to still tick off a lot of people. as a white american i am so happy that i had the chance to have this man be my president. He was so good i willingly shared him with all. And he walked into the light and became a president that truly makes most Americans want to be better people.
28
Not news but Obama is also a "white" American, not by chosen politics, which, it seems, was opportunistic, but rather by lineage.
2
And the hedonist at WH is manufacturing a plethora of philippics, thru his twitters, at breakneck speeds. As opposed to Obama's veritable and even venerated presidency, filled with decency, most of the time, Trump's presidency has been turbulent and truculent. In addition, Trump's stooges continue to wreak havoc, both in the media and in person. Cases in point - Kellyanne Conway, Scott Pruitt, and Ryan Zinke, just to name a few. While Obama is spending time, both having a whale of a time, and enriching his life by meeting with the dignitaries, Trump is tweeting almost 24/7.
Trump and a few of his cabinet appointees, are wallowing in their statuses of their respective ''bully pulpits''. While Obama seldom bragged, Trump's daily diatribes have never failed to include his self-aggrandizing sales pitches of his policies, if one could call them. Tax cuts for the rich has been his constant battle cry for his re-election bid, lately.
And his revolving door cabinet, has seen quite a number of vicissitudes, what with many secretaries biting the dust and all. Obama respects, whereas Trump inspects, but in a tepid and torpid manner.
6
President Obama's legacy will survive the history to carry his fine legacy forward. Trump's legacy will be relegated to toilet paper!
19
There really is no comparison, is there?
Picturing Donald Trump speaking about Nelson Mandela or gathering youth to join the force for US democracy - well, just unimaginable.
When President Obama left in January, 2017, he probably had no idea the magnitude of his legacy we would cling to. Thank goodness we have that legacy, class, intellect, humanity. It makes our days easier.
22
President Obama's intelligence, dignity, humor, and faithful service to this country will be remembered as long as US History is truthfully taught. But how is it that he looks so darn happy while millions of us are literally SICK with worry and grief about the future of this country and the world? Even if I were jetting and yachting with celebrities, I would not feel good with DT in the White House and his GOP enablers making a mockery of our constitution while they load the courts with inept bigots. Somebody explain this.
5
MAYBE 8 straight years of being the target of intense hate speech, and only the FBI and Secret Service know how many threats were made against him and his family, plus also 8 years of fighting Republicans sworn to defeat him, merited a long respite, time to regroup, and move on. This report indicates he is reentering the public sphere, but in the background. He is not going to attack Trump directly. We 'll see if he adds his weight to democratic campaigns across the country - and if he is asked.
Thinking about something Comey said -- ridding ourselves of Trump - and I think of the worst GOP obstructionists -- means we have to vote them out.
2
I like the idea of bringing 200 young people together because that is where the future lies. Will the crowd will be mostly Gen Y with some Gen X and Gen Zs on either end of the curve? If so, since Gen Ys are supposed to have a reputation for being sophisticated and flexible and are ethnically and racially diverse they would represent a wonderful cross-section of the world to come. Kudos to the Obama Foundation for focussing on what's ahead. It is just like Barack Obama to stay calm, never letting himself be distracted by the swirling maelstrom of the moment. If one had to make some positive contribution to this world, then I can think of nothing nobler than teaching the next generation of leaders-to-be as to what values are worthy of being upheld and why it matters that they do so. I am proud that Barack is leading this as he is a living proof of that version of America which is ever striving to be a beacon of hope and decency even in the darkest of times. Cynics will (rightly) point to the times that we have overreached to our detriment and to the appalling things we've done in our own country - things that we would bitterly rue in our reflective moments. But should that stop us from ever striving for what is good and just not only for ourselves but also for those who look to us for some hope? I think the answer to that must be self-evident.
1
If only we had a president who could speak about tolerance.
Mr. President, when you were in office, you were much like John The Baptist, a stranger in your own land, a voice crying in the wilderness. The people empowered you; the Congress refused your service—to their enduring shame.
You are revered around the world for your wisdom and your humanitarian outreach. The day will come when your presidency will be fully appreciated here at home. Godspeed, sir.
20
The most self-centered anti equality affirmative action president is going to lecture on tolerance in a country that is creating a horrible destructive race/economic/technological situation in response to a past repressive regime.
Destroying a country to benefit the few is typical Obama and should be anathema to everyone with a brain.
8
I think you need to back your words up! Why don't you cite actual instances and policies because right now, your comment is empty. Are you even a Democrat?
6
Obama, was pleasant and respectful but he was not a leader who could change the economic and racial the trajectory of the USA. He was a great political entertainer who inspired hope at the down of the Bush Presidency. His great speeches about Hope and Change were undercut by his own doing. He supported Hilary Clinton in 2016 after defeating her in 2008 promising change. What kind of change is that ?
He either lied to us or he is just detached and arrogant. Americans didn't buy it , electing another leader who promised "Change", Donald J Trump. Obama can resume his work as a political entertainer, work for Netflix, hand out with fellow entertainers like Bruce Springsteen or give beautiful speeches about South Africa and lie about the reality of Post Mandela S Africa.
6
Well said RM.
3
When BO took office, the economy was losing 750,000 jobs per month, unemployment was almost 10%. Since the end of 2009, we have consistently added 100,000-300,000 jobs per month. The unemployment rate is around 4%.
Tell me again that he was not a leader who could change the economic trajectory of the USA?
13
He was in office about two weeks when he held a televised "summit" with Republican leaders. While they referred to him as Mr. President, he referred to senators and representatives of a co-equal branch of government by their first names--like a teacher addressing naughty school boys.
He capped off his appearance by saying to Senator John McCain, "John, the election's over. I won."
Very classy.
2
We are blessed to have Barack and Michelle Obama among us.
17
Obama is for tolerance as long as it is toward those who share his opinions and worldview.
He and other men of the left cannot abide and actively shun those with traditional values and a conserving orientation.
His legacy of hatred toward all those he disdains cannot be dismantled fast enough.
7
I'm guessing the "traditional values" you espouse, the ones so important to you, include elevating Christianity to official status (unconstitutional), protecting the right of people to have as many killing machines as they desire to assuage their irrational fears, and making sure only heterosexual white families are considered the gold standard. In every tenet of what people seem to promote as "traditional values" hate is at the foundation. Why should anyone have to tolerate that? Why can't Christians learn to co-exist and share space with people who are different? Why do "traditional values" always end up as insulation from fear?
23
@ JLC : Rolf is a troll. He throws out outrageous, two or three line, unsupported assertions meant solely to evoke anger. In other words, he's a jerk. Not worth your thoughtful response.
10
@cheryl: You may be right, but there are a lot of people that feel the way Rolf does. I'm speaking to them to. I don't understand the irrational fear of "the other" that seems to be the foundation for his statement.
1
South Africa is in the process of carrying on a slow-motion genocide against whites. When they've stolen every last farm and driven agricultural output down to Zimbabwean levels, the black racists will have widespread famine to show for their efforts. The Times, which devotes at least two pieces per week to the Shoah, will continue to ignore this atrocity for obvious cultural reasons. Glad I cancelled my 25-year subscription.
5
“Genocide against the white...they’ve stolen lands”....Who stole from whom ? I mean they got what they wanted , who started the genocide anyway. Now is just the all way around . Feel it?
8
@ Mazave,
Be careful. One never knows where supporting genocide, or ethnic cleansing will end.
1
Thank you, President Obama. The nation and the world is depending on you to speak out for tolerance and democracy. The times call for all of us to be brave and to bravely imagine the unimaginable.
After all, these are not normal times. Mr. Trump has based his presidency on hate and authoritarianism. He is the most corrupt and inept president we have ever had. What ex-presidents have done before might not be enough.
12
Sorry for the typo--
Thank you, President Obama. The nation and the world ARE depending on you to speak out for tolerance and democracy. The times call for all of us to be brave and to bravely imagine the unimaginable.
After all, these are not normal times. Mr. Trump has based his presidency on hate and authoritarianism. He is the most corrupt and inept president we have ever had. What ex-presidents have done before might not be enough.
4
Trump and his supporters are trying to undo what they believe to be Obama's legacy: the ACA, trade agreements, the Iran nuclear deal, progressive environmental policy, etc.
But they are not clever enough to realize that the cat is out of the bag, and they will be left frustrated and gasping and spouting the same tired talking points that the hollowed out Republican party has been spewing for the last 10 years. It's over, Trump is a last gasp for a dying philosophy that no longer works in the world. But most Americans see where Obama was headed, and are still walking in that direction with the map he drew in our hands. Some day soon it will no longer matter that 25% of us are going in the wrong direction. They'll either rejoin us, or remain a lost minority when their influence fades.
15
And the Obama's left $60 million richer. Plus speaker fees.
2
Good for them. I can't wait to see how Trump's numbers stack up.
2
Only the NYTimes would use the phrase "dismantle his legacy" to talk about Obama. Most of these articles should be in the opinion section.
4
At the University of Missouri School of Journalism we were taught to separate Opinion from News. Politics could be one or the other, but not both in the same article.
Maybe they skipped or slept through that class. Or never went to J school? Or perhaps they believe by labeling Opinion as "Politics: gives them some license? It's hogwash, still Opinion and certainly, at best, questionably ethical and impartial journalism. But then again, we are talking about the NY Times.
I wonder if that is just my Opinion or my Politics? Or both?
4
President Obama's legacy is beyond the reach of his detractors. He was elected twice to be President of the United States by a majority of American voters in a country as racist and segregated as South Africa. He won twice with a majority not seen since Eisenhower. And he would win again if he could run. What he accomplished that is currently being dismantled by a fascist Congress and Administration will be repaired and perhaps made better in the near future.
13
Yes, elected twice - and without help from Russia.
12
"He’s been photographed kite-surfing with Richard Branson off Necker Island, relaxing on David Geffen’s yacht in French Polynesia with Bruce Springsteen and Oprah Winfrey, river-rafting with his family in Bali and posing with a celebrity chef in Tuscany."
Certainly a man of the people...as long it it was the 1 pc people. Remind me, did he ever visit South Central LA? Or was it just Malibu?
1
At least we are not paying the bills for him to pose with folks at one or another of his country clubs, or to have dinner at his hotel.
5
I miss the days when we had a President who could read and spell.
I miss the days when we had a President who possessed intellectual curiosity, a President who spent long days working hard, spent his evenings reading up on policy.
I miss the days when our President conducted himself with dignity and integrity.
I miss the days when we had a President who believed in tolerance and respected Americans who didn't look like him or talk like him.
That President is now resurfacing and will be speaking up, thank you Mr. Obama for returning to public life.
24
When he decided not to hold banks and CIA torturers accountable at the beginning of his presidency, his whole legacy went out in flames.
3
President Obama, whom we loved and trusted, essentially left us before the last election when he chose not to reveal the investigation of the Trump Campaign's likely conspiracy with Putin. He promised to return if his legacy was challenged. It was. He remains silent, leaving us to deal with debacle and the abject misery of the fake populist and likely criminal who now occupies our Office and deploys it for his own profit.
I am deeply disillusioned by the invisibility of a man I once adored, as our country faces the literal "deconstruction" of our democratic state by a twisted man, an admitted sexual predator, and clearly, a traitor to all that a majority of Americans hold dear, despite the choice made by a corrupt electoral college.
Where are you for us, Mr. Obama?
6
Whew, it is alarming to read in the comments the polarization that continues re President Obama. The left either expected too much from him, and the Right.. well, there is no need to go through that eight year litany of obstructionism at every turn.
Say what you want, folks, he got us out of the Great Recession..no easy feat. And he tried to help the health of this country from the ACA to much needed environmental controls, globally as well as domestically. Don't even get me started on his proactive stance of the "other." Give him a break, for heaven's sake. I would take eight more years of this man of character rather than one more hour of Donald Trump.
23
I look forward to the day when President Obama's leadership is welcome in his own country, the United States. And it will be.
6
Wow nothing brings out the trolls like an article about President Obama. I haven't seen this much sympathy for white farmers in South Africa since the 1980s.
33
I think we have had enough history to know, when the SA government takes over these farms, the party will be over. Like most other countries in Africa, they will become dependent on the UN and NGO had outs.
.
An otherwise economically viable economy, with a fairly well educated work force, is now going to follow other former colonies down the proverbial tubes.
.
If anyone thinks Obama can save this country, you must be.... Obama couldn't improve the strongest country in the world. 100 teenagers chit chatting for a week, yeah, brilliant. Maybe David Hogg could give BO a hand and talk about the virtues of gun control.
3
So no one should care if actions are taken against a group of people based on their race? I guess feeling any sympathy makes one a "troll"...yet were the colors reversed I can hear the outrage. It's wrong on both counts.
5
Just illustrates Obama's hypocrisy.
3
I only wish Obama cared as much for this country as he apparently does for others. He was the wrong person at the wrong time in our country's history and we suffer because of it. While his legacy will not be as tarnished as GWB (hard to beat) his timidity as President - always wanting to please everyone - has done much harm to our nation. His inability to stand up against the flamethrowers on the right and caving in all the time will overshadow his legacy in my opinion. His knowledge that Trump was under criminal investigation and his refusal to be "partisan" by revealing that information helped elect Trump. If Americans had looked at his record in the Illinois state house and his cowardice in voting "absent" on tough issues they may have seen the future of an Obama presidency. And even today as America burns he remains absent and aloof. He should watch the movie "The Darkest Hour" for some tips on how he could have been a real leader.
11
The fact that so many people either cannot or will not acknowledge the fact that caring for other countries in the world is also good for America is why we suffer, not because of anything Obama did. It started with the republican effort to wound him from the beginning, and it ends with people who continue to spout their talking points today.
8
I couldn't disagree more.
4
So John McCain and Sarah Palin would have been an improvement?
5
Lots of extremes here. "I hated Obama because (insert example here)
Or, I love Trump because (insert example here)
We decide (or should) to elect politicians and credit or discredit them based on their performance as a whole. It is impossible to please everyone or make the 'right' decision each time.
1
I'm am curious as to what exactly he is saying. Like all presidents, I believe he sincerely wanted to change things for the better, but, of course, had his own vision of what that was. I liked him personally, but also thought he generally did a poor job domestically and in foreign affairs, and I found him very divisive, particularly concerning racial issues. That was something it was expected, at the outset, he would improve, not harm. On one hand, he would say what I thought was the right thing in a speech or press conference. But, in the same speech, he would often equally encourage feelings of separation and victimization.
When he left office, I listened to a speech, and he sounded fairer to me than he had previously, and less encouraging that people should see each other according to superficial identity classes or themselves as victims. Perhaps he felt more comfortable now that he doesn't have to worry about a base. He said, outright, in at least one speech (if he had also said it while president, I hadn't heard it), that there was no better time to be a minority than right now. If that had come out of anyone else's mouth on the left, I believe they would be ostracized by their own supporters as it is completely counter to the prevailing narrative.
7
The racial divisiveness came from covert racists crawling out from under their rocks into the light to rail against a black man in the Presidency. You cannot blame Obama for their failure as humanbeings.
2
It was his country that got him elected and yet he has ignored what Trump is doing to it. How can it be? How can he, a man who could do so much to defend the country who supported him run away with the rich and ignore what is going on back "home" where his voice is needed?
3
Because Trump happened because of us, the citizens, and we need to clean up our own mess. Democracy can't rely on one indivdual, it survives when it's citizens act together for the Common Good.
1
President Obama's legacy will stand. 45's roll backs will not lessen President Obama's key policies, most of which were a force for good. 45 will still go down in history as the worst president ever.
36
The dignity and grace that he and Michelle brought to the White House is a stark contrast to the current occupant and this legacy cannot be erased.
6
Time erases everything. Even itself.
All the Trumpeters and haters in the world cannot undo President Obama's legacy.
35
We're working on it and we'll let you know when we're done.
5
You’re right. It is careful analysis by future historians— not the current crop of fawning annalists but real historians — that will do the trick...
3
There is precedent for a former president to take on serious domestic issues after leaving office.
John Quincy Adams served one term (1825-1829) and it was not the most productive or glorious of terms. In 1831 Adams return to the House as a Representative from Massachusetts.
For the next 17 years there was no more outspoken critic of slavery in or out of government. Year in and year out, Adams successfully fought the Gag Rule that disallowed the discussion of slavery. In 1841 at the age of 74 he was asked to help argue the case before the Supreme Court on behalf of the African slaves who had revolted aboard the Amistad.
Adams died on the floor of the House in February, 1848.
9
I agree with you statements, however, John Adams died in his home in Quincey, Mass.
2
Julie, Fred is referencing the son not the father.
1
To be completely correct, JQA collapsed with a stroke on the floor of the House and was carried to the Speaker's Room in the Capitol where he died 2 or so days later.
History has it that even some of JQA's fiercest pro-slavery opponents helped carry him to the Speaker's Room.
1
Tolerance for whom?
9
Not South African farmers.
8
Certainly not those who cling to their guns and religion..... i.e. the American voter.
3
For people who agree with him, but not much for those who don’t...
President Obama's political legacy will NEVER be diminished by anybody. His successor has served only to exalt the former president even more because his awful behavior lack of character. With every demeaning tweet or tirade from the White House, President Obama's stature grows even more. President Obama thanked the country for allowing him to serve them instead of begging for praise and applause like someone else we know. All the best to President Obama's future endeavors in the service of mankind.
81
He had a pen, a phone, and little else. If you want to tell Americans what to do, you legislate. Or you risk your executive orders being undone as simple as they were done. Pretty simple really.
14
Rich,
Care to reconsider? Trump in his first year surpassed the number of executive orders (EO) written by Obama in the same time frame. Trump - 55 EOs, Obama - 37 EOs.
"W" Bush signed more EOs than either Obama or Clinton while in office.
https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-orders
7
Here's what's pretty simple: The GOP convening on day 1 to make sure that every initiative of Obama's was stalled, blocked and defeated. And yet, he passed the ACA, ended military operations in two wars, saved the auto industry, saved the economy, put millions of people back to work, etc...
Pretty simple, really.
6
"for Mr. Obama at a time when his political legacy is being dismantled by his successor,"
He couldn't undo the "legacy' in a million years. What a lot of people don't understand is that it's not just political. When trump is mentioned as often as Millard Filmore, people will still be fascinated and inspired by Obama.
50
"Dismantle" his legacy?? From what I can see, his shadow looms ever larger over an administration and its supporters in their ever more frantic efforts to prop up the current regime by tearing him down. A presidential "legacy" isn't the sum of the papers signed, and the thoughtful grace with which Obama served remains a touchstone for the many, many Americans who proudly voted for him.
154
Yes, let's take a look. Syrian red-line, forget about it. Great agreement with Syria to remove all chemical weapons, why don't you ask the kids that were gassed the other week. Indeed, the legacy isn't the papers signed but it is not empty and beautiful words nor thoughtful grace either. Obama's foreign policy legacy is far from assured and based upon results so far, it is negative.
17
"All the dangerous substances from Syria's chemical weapons program, including sulfur mustard and precursors of sarin, have now been removed from the country after a monthslong process, a Hague-based watchdog agency said Monday."
Wall Street Journal, June 23, 2014.
Man, nothing steams the Trump supporters more than discovering that Obama didn't solve all the problems of the world permanently. It's not enough that Obama gave Trump a rolling economy, a strategy to defeat ISIS, and Syria disarms: he had to make sure that Trump didn't let his good friend Putin aid Syria in rebuilding chlorine gas, a process as easy as making chlorine.
20
"...Obama gave Trump a rolling economy,..."
.
I'm having trouble finding all of the economic records the Obama set, for lower unemployment claims. Higher employment, especially for a certain sub set of Obama voters. Higher quarterly GDP. Companies paying employees bonuses. Increases in starting wages, not mandated by the government. Those would be those "market forces", sometimes mentioned.
.
How about link?
1
Can anyone, in their wildest imagination, picture Donald Trump after his presidency, planning to convene 200 young people for five days of meetings, workshops and technical training?
Compare Obama's initiative to:
TRUMP UNIVERSITY- a for-profit snake oil scheme to defraud young people out of millions.
Trump has tried to diminish Obama's accomplishments. Fact is, every day Trump is in office, Obama's shadow grows longer and longer!
56
"Yes We Can" picture the Donald doing even better. Just look at North Korea!
6
Nothing has happened yet. And did you know 3 of our citizens are in their jails. They sent the last one back comatose and then he died. Why hasn't the donald even mentioned this?
3
It will be a breath of fresh air to hear a President, even an Ex-President who can speak in an intelligent way on that are meaningful to the state of our divisive tone being set in this country.
President Obama typifies class and a reminder of what is a void of the current occupant of the Whitehouse, and what actually really made America great, beyond some cheap sloganeering.
28
All it takes is better speach writers. Even JFK understood that.
3
I get that many like, admire and miss Mr. Obama, yet the degree of fawning displayed in some of these comments almost rises to the level of hagiography. He was and is a politician, now jetting about raking in vast sums of money for appearances and speeches for his own benefit and gain - to which he is entitled, of course. But please stop with acting like this man, alone among all other mere mortals on the planet, is a virtual messiah.
19
I think it's just relativism. Compared to past presidents, sure, he scores pretty well but he doesn't break the mold.
But that's not the comparison that comes to mind right now. Most people are comparing him to the current president, and in that comparison, he really does come across as a saint.
12
It's all relative, George. Compared to Trump, Obama is an angel, if not a messiah.
9
One has to wonder - does Obama support the South African policy of taking the land of White Farmers, while pretending violence against white farmers is not racially motivated?
18
Obama likes it, despite being abandoned by his bigamist father, then raised by his single white mom. It's why he supported Black Lives Matter, which has never saved a single black life: he's a racial revanchist.
1
Hard to believe Ben Rhodes is still one of his "advisors." Under Obama and the liberals, we "political correctnist" took over the country, strongly promoted by the MSM. To wit: illegal alien is now "an undocumented immigrant, or better yet, "a new American." U.S. caucasians are now looked upon with disdain as the "white Privileged." Now we're subjected to the democrats/MSM newest favorite word to describe Americans who share similar views: "members of a "tribal" society. Sad to say, Obama and his advisors/followers have created the most intolerant country in the world, and, unfortunately, the top guns he'll be bringing to South Africa will continue promoting his propoganda.
14
America has always been intolerant. Ever since the Europeans invaded and locked up the natives in reservations, the majority white population--no matter the political party affiliation-- has to this day been unfriendly to anyone with a tinge of color.
1
"...the most intolerant country in the world?" Really? More intolerant than North Korea? China? Syria? Russia? South Africa? Cuba? Venezuela? Your globe must be really small.
2
How much has he earned from all of the appearances in foreign countries?
I recall this paper paying close attention to that with our former Presidents. If it has been zero this paper would have reported that?
15
The juxtaposition between President Obama — a compassionate, intelligent, visionary man who works to engender goodness and understanding throughout the world — and Trump, who has consistently demonstrated his lack of wisdom and uses his office only to sow divisiveness and to enrich himself and his substandard cohort — is beyond palpable. America made an egregious error in electing the latter. I only wonder how many decades it will take to recover from the evils that Trump is perpetrating on this country, and the world.
40
Trump = old power dynamic - looking to the past and held by few. Obama = new power dynamic - looking to the future and shared by many. My money, as always, is on the future. Only a fool, or a coward, looks to the past for the advancement of civilization . Head down, be brave, move forward! The answer to “Life, the Universe, and Everything.....” lies just ahead - down the road - follow the dreamers, they’re onto something ....
27
Show me a "new power dynamic" nation-state that isn't a 3rd world cesspool. Start with the train wreck that is South Africa.
"Mr. Obama does not plan to take on Mr. Trump directly, in keeping with his practice of not publicly criticizing his successor."
Please. How many transcripts and video clips do you want documenting Obama doing exactly what you claim is not "his practice"?
19
It's nothing compared to the number of times his name and accomplishments are disparaged by Trump.
2
Please, do show us, William Chin.
1
Therein lies the problem. Not criticizing his successor. Sure he is playing by the rules as all ex presidents have. But do you really think trump will honor that? Not likely. Trump is all mouth no brain. Nothing sifts up there because it is Swiss cheese. In the ear and straight to the mouth or thumbs. Barak, sir, if your read this, your legacy is not being dismantled. It just needs a little bit of public relations polish. The laws are being dismantled. But believe me, after trump most Americans would welcome you back in a heart beat. We learned so much about ourselves because of your presidency. That alone makes it worthwhile. You showed the possibility, trump shows the decay.
12
A class act that makes the contrast with the current occupant of the White House so much more troubling for most Americans.
38
“Act” is indeed the correct term...
1
Admit it, you just can't stand the fact that a black beat the pathetic GOP, twice. No russian help needed.
1
This dignified, brilliant, diplomatic, respectful, insightful human being we call President Barack Obama is a shining light in the horrible darkness the current "president" and his corrupt, deceitful, arrogant, criminal party have thrown on the U.S. and our allies around the world. May President Obama and the young perspective leaders he's inspiring prevail.
57
Name three.
3
I only wish he would not avoid domestic issues and be a defender of his legacy here.
15
Obama is always the gentleman, refusing to criticize his opponent. He should speak out and fight for the policies he implemented.
3
Will our former President denounce the confiscation of all Boer farm land by the South African Parliment?
14
Didn’t the Boer’s confiscate the farm land from the people who owned it when they “invaded” the country?
18
Why should he, all the Boer land was stolen from it's original settlers.
13
The Boer were not the first settlers on that land, but you knew that.
3
The differences between the current sitting president and his predecessor could not be more stark. It is a cool breeze sneaking in your bedroom window on an otherwise hot and muggy night.
It is a high bar to set and I wonder that Barrack Obama may, like James Carter, make his greatest impact on humanity in the years after he leaves office.
18
Seems his impact while in office was astonishing. Hard to do as much out of office
3
Among his many gifts is the ability to inspire. If one person can make a difference, it is Mr. Obama.
43
He inspired me to lean right.
6
President Obama's legacy is far, far greater than the bills he signed. History will remember him as a statesman not a politician and the pathetic figure that is in the white house today, through contrast bolsters, rather than dismantles, his legacy.
61
In other words he get much done.
Typical. Go for the cheers and cash. Do nothing to influence domestic affairs. Clinton post-presidency playbook all the way.
9
Just to refresh your memory...Former Presidents Obama and Clinton are now private citizens, and like all former presidents, they hold no public office.
1
The problem is, they once did...
1
So my first thought is how much i miss this man. He is a thoughtful and intelligent. What i think should happen is we should get rid of the law that does not let a person serve more than two terms in office. I do not understand how that law or any other that has term limits is constitutional. This law limits my write to free speech. How has it endured as a law is beyond me. I think we should try and eliminate it and " draft " Obama for another term. We desperately need his leadership!!
6
Presidential term limits were enacted as the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, passed in 1951. Since it is not a simple “law”, it cannot be overturned except by another amendment.
6
Seriously? "I do not understand how that law or any other that has term limits is constitutional." It is NOT a law - the constitution was amended (22nd amendment), thus it is, by definition, constitutional!
The last thing a democracy needs is to have a "president-for-life" like dictatorships and banana republics. However great one may think a particular leader is or was (and no, none are ever perfect), no one should remain in office for decades. It's foolish and dangerous.
6
Oy, Oscar! The "law" you refer to is the twenty-second amendment to the US constitution, so how much more "constitutional" can a "law" be? Repealing an amendment to the constitution is a complex and arduous process, about which you can read in article five of the constitution—after you read the twenty-second amendment. I do not understand how the amendment limits your free speech RIGHTS. Perhaps you need to read the first amendment to the constitution.
4
I miss you very much President Obama! We need you to also train the young people in the U.S. about the RIGHT way to govern.
21
Obama's legacy will never be dismantled because they can't really touch his true legacy, that of moral leadership, decency and grace. His humanity, courage and overall brilliance will always dull those who try to block his light.
99
Mr. Obama please return home and foster the spirit of service in American youth. We desperately need bright young minds with a desire for civil service to be the leaders of the future. Intelligent women and men to carryon your legacy and save us from the oligarchs controlling Washington today.
22
Obama's legacy will never be dismantled. He made the world a better place and shared with us a global vision that may still come to pass one day, hopefully in my lifetime.
22
Julie: Syria, Libya, Iran, Egypt?
11
Yes, those will stink for a long, long time. Maybe forever.
4
Mr. Obama is a thoughtful man and his opinions matter greatly on every political, historical and legal subject. He is also a very loyal man - loyal to presidential traditions and the Democratic Party. With raw nerves all around, his reluctance to create controversy is understandable, but I hope the day will come when he feels less reluctant to discuss freely what went so wrong in 2016. Those of us who voted for him, but less interested in party politics, would be keen and supportive listeners.
17
I miss President Obama and his family more and more every day.
53
Crocodile tears! How well did you know Sasha and Malia??
I guess as well as you do Don Jr. and Ivanka.
2
Barack Obama: a class act followed by a crass act.
28
God, I miss this man!
38
In ordinary times, it is customary for former presidents to stay out of the limelight. Former Presidents Bush should be commended for not stepping on Presidents Clinton and Obama's messages. That has always been one of the preconditions for bringing the country together after often acrimonious campaigns.
However, these are not ordinary times. Trump is still litigating the 2016 campaign, and continues to personally attack Obama and Clinton, and everything they stood for. In his reckless disregard for the welfare of the American people and the peace, security and climate of the world, he continues to viciously dismantle all the positive accomplishments of the Obama administration.
To her credit, First Lady Michelle Obama said, "When they go low, we go high." How well has that worked?
To honor his legacy and truly earn his Nobel Prize, Former President Obama must heed the clarion call of strongly advocating for a better, more inclusive and more egalitarian America. Giving rousing speeches in foreign capitals is all well and good and necessary, but not sufficient.
7
What a joke! Trump is still litigating???? what about Hillary Clinton? What about the DNC and its insane lawsuit?
8
Oh, Obama. I miss your grace and intelligence, but not your reluctance to fight. You should be doing your talking here.
6
My first thought is how interesting that his efforts will be made abroad. Make of that what you will.
4
I read this story with tears in my eyes. A man trying to do something positive and good for the world, trying to make things better without expressions of hate and denigration, at a time when our nation is led by a man with a message of hate. I am proud of this man as our former president; I am sickened by the man who now “leads” our country.
64
Thankfully we can direct the attention of the younger generation towards Barack Obama, a man and a politician, whose exemplary life is a role model.
I was so proud of our tcountry when we elected Obama as our President.
How can we have sunk so low, so quickly, as we are now with the current disgrace in the White House? He also is an example to our younger generation of how NOT to be.
23
Over 3 million more American chose Hillary. The electoral college reluctantly chose trump because of the added weight given to a few states. That is what we need to focus on--getting rid of the electoral college.
2
Hi, I was under the impression that the electoral college was designed to prevent the election of an unsuitable leader, regardless of the vote.
If that is correct then Trump should not have been selected by them, or is the purpose of the electoral college something else?
1
It was to give lessor populated states a "fair" vote, back when some states did not attract enough population because of various economic choices.
Associates with: (1) Rev.Wright (oh yes BHO slept through all the sermons); and (2) L. Farrakahn.
Very dignified indeed.
7
Oh, the Reverend Wright thing... If one listens to the FULL sermon (and not the snippet of "G.D. America") one would understand the point he was making.
But that's the GOP's M.O.: use out-of-context quotes to rile up the base. Just like "you didn't build that", "what difference does it make", and "you have to pass it to see what's in it."
10
Both are dignified and venerable gentlemen. Obama not so much.
1
Obama will be "the" president of my lifetime that opened eyes, inspired hope and brought about change. It will take some folks longer than others to realize this but history will show it to be true. He's a brilliant writer and speaker, this speech will be one I look forward to hearing. Exciting to know he will be back on the campaign trail this fall.
39
Great Presidents leave great legacies. Carter's was to help humankind. Clinton's was to build an initiative that could encompass many technical and medical advances. Obama's is to build a cadre of young leaders. The absence of other names speaks for itself. And I shudder to think what the current occupant's legacy will be.
80
Obama is strategic to foster a global narrative of unity and inclusion. The challenges we face as a country are not ours alone. The needed solutions will be the result of a global citizenry committed to global climate health, tolerance, and redistribution of wealth.
43
It is President Obama's voice that I hope is acknowledged as who we as Americans really are. The former president exudes dignity and intelligence and offers a vision of what we as Americans should aspire to.
144
" As we really are." Are we ? We're not behaving that way. Heartbreaking.
The Good Old Days. Thanks, Trump fans, and the entire GOP. I loathe you with the fire of a thousand Suns. But that's just ME.
69
Phyliss: tolerance, please!
3
Tolerance, my Butt. When will they tolerate anyone unlike themselves ???
NEVER. I'm tired of playing Nice. DONE.
10
Tolerate what? Neo nazi marches with "good people?" Dismantling environmental protection laws? Tax cuts for the rich? I could go on. I'm with you, Phyllis.
4
Interesting...
If Trump had used the quote, the fact-checkers would be all over him...
Melvin (to Carol): "You make me want to be a better man"
.....
Let's see if - once he's gone - any South African pol says the visit made them want to be a more ethical politician...
.....
Apparently - Green Power is the new Red Guard...
4
Please come home and help here. Please.
72
What a beautiful man in every way. I wonder if we'll ever see another president with his intellect and grace.
110
Yeah, Yeah, but what did he actually ACCOMPLISH in America?
9
He took office when the economy here was spiraling towards another great depression and left the strong economy we enjoy today.
7
Krn - the list of Obama's accomplishments is actually quite long. I'm sure there's no use in listing them, since you clearly have already chosen to refuse to acknowledge their existence.
14
Africa, and especially South Africa, is a continuing hotbed of political corruption, violence and crime. The economies of most African nations are either non-existent or at a poverty level. Good luck to Obama if he thinks he can change that reality. It will take more than the feel good rhetoric we heard from him for 8 years.
11
As they prepare to expel white farmers and turn S.Africa into another Zimbabwe, ole barry thinks he's gonna make a difference. What a fool.
9
Hence why he is focusing on building leaders for the next generation. What is your suggestion - not bother to try to improve the lives of that country/continent?
11
Yeah, but think of all that "social justice" the blacks got since the end of apartheid! I hope it makes up for the coming famines!
Great news and looking forward to seeing more of President Obama on the domestic front. And let's be clear, there is nothing, absolutely nothing our current excuse for a president could do to "dismantle Obama's political legacy". Obama's star light will shine long after 45's 20 watt administration burns out and dies.
133
Jubatus,
Re: legacy, exactly what I came here to say. It is/will be a legacy that also includes Michelle Obama and their relationship. I also suspect that if the next president is a Democrats (with, God willing, a Democrat-controlled Congress), Obama’s policies will either be revived or used as a template.
2
I object to the header and statement that Obama's legacy is being dismantled. Yes, they are being threatened. But, in spite of the crass behavior and tactics of Trump and the R's, Obamacare is still highly valued, the Iran deal is being broadly defended outside the US, your NYT story today on alternative energy supports the vastly Internationally-supported Paris climate accord and Trump is re thinking (assuming he thought in the first place) the TPP benefits.
The Obama Foundation is laying the groundwork for the next generation of leaders, here and in the world. The Democrat party would do well to strive to allow the next generation of passionate leaders to take the lead this year; I don't see that yet. Obama's example is worthy
72
Well one part of his legacy is certain: the Syrian redline and the agreement that Syria will dispose of all chemical weapons. Do you have any reason to believe the Iran deal will work out any better? No, not hope nor pretty words, REASON.
2
Skeptic,
Do you have any proof Assad aided by Putin didn't relocate those chemicals? Trump signaled days ahead that a missile strike was coming. Why did he give the enemy a head's up? I know and you should too even if everything was destroyed, Assad doesn't need to produce chemicals he can obtain them from Putin. That's as true now as it was then. In addition, it was a Republican controlled Congress that refused to allow Obama to strike Assad, but you already know that, don't you?
1