Anger brews at Barack Obama for destroying national landmark to build monument to self (The Obamalisk)

BizPacReview ^ | 11/13/25 | Vivek Saxena

[Libloather]

Anger is brewing over former President Barack Obama’s decision to build his presidential library in the heart of a historic Chicago park.

Costing $850 million, the Obama Presidential Center’s construction in Jackson Park began in 2021 and will conclude next spring.

The problem is that many locals do not care for the odd-looking building that is his library, invading their community.

“Obama, of all people, should not be building a palace for himself, a fortress in the middle of a public park,” famous Chicago-area architect Grahm Balkany, a left-winger, told the New York Post. “It’s just contrary to what I thought he believed in.”

“So many people in Chicago, unfortunately, didn’t want to speak truth to power — especially when that power was Obama,” he added.

Balkany wasn’t wrong. Obama is worshipped so much by the left that criticizing the former president in any way is unfathomable to them.

That said, Balkany isn’t entirely alone in his public criticisms.

“I always see it as a cenotaph, a tombstone, a crusader fortress in brutalist style,” W.J.T. Mitchell, a University of Chicago art historian, told the Post, describing Obama’s stone library.

“It’s not a beautiful building. Its monumentality violates the spirit of the democratic urban park,” he added, referencing park-designer Fredrick Law Olmsted’s vision for the space.

[MinorityRepublican]

It doesn’t matter what the critics think. Much ado about nothing. Building will go up and the worshipers will visit-build it and they will come.

Some people have too much time on their hands.

I believe that some people are complaining but what are they going to do about it? Vote for a Republican? In Chicago?

[MayflowerMadam]

Oh yes. I know that story.

[Iron Munro]

The architec was stumped trying to envision a uniqe design that reflected Barack Obaama's character.

But then, like a boly of lightning, he was inspired by a discarded ink cartridge laying on the floor upside down.

He saw that it was perfect!

Just like Barack Obama himself it was empty, useless and of no consequence!

[chaosagent]

It belongs in Mecca, not Chicago.

Doesn't sound like Baháʼí is Muslim. From Wiki:

The Baháʼí Faith is a relatively new and fast-growing religion founded in 1844 in Iran by Baháʼu'lláh.

Its central teachings are the oneness of God, the unity of all religions, and the unity of humanity.

The faith emphasizes principles like the equality of men and women, the elimination of prejudice, and world peace.

[kiryandil]

The faith emphasizes principles like the equality of men and women, the elimination of prejudice, and world peace.

So OF COURSE the Musloids in Iran killed him.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Baha'i is NOT muslim. Look at the architectural detail I provided. You will see Christian crosses and Stars of
David. It is a peaceful religion. Sort of a "cafeteria religion". They are non-violent. Not my cup of
tea, but definitely peaceful.

[Pennsyltucky Boy]

I think the Obama Library looks like a grain elevator, except not so cosy or inviting. Sort of an evil, weaponized grain elevator.