Barack Obama Foundation chooses South Side Chicago site for presidential library

frontpage ^ | 5/12/15 | DON BABWIN and CARYN ROUSSEAU - Associated Press

[Nachum]

CHICAGO (AP) — President Barack Obama has decided to build his presidential library on the South Side of Chicago, where his political career began.

The Barack Obama Foundation announced in a news release early Tuesday that the library will be erected on park land that was proposed for the site by the University of Chicago. The site was selected over bids made by Columbia University in New York, the University of Hawaii and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"With a library and a foundation on the South Side of Chicago, not only will we be able to encourage and affect change locally, but what we can also do is to attract the world to Chicago." Obama said in a video accompanying the release. "All the strands of my life came together and I really became a man when I moved to Chicago. That's where I was able to apply that early idealism to try to work in communities in public service. That's where I met my wife. That's where my children were born."

The decision was hardly a surprise. The University of Chicago's bid was long considered a front-runner, and people with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press and other media nearly two weeks ago that it was the winner.

Both the president and first lady once worked at the university, and they still maintain a house near campus. Obama taught constitutional law and worked as a community organizer on the South Side. First lady Michelle Obama is a Chicago native and worked as an administrator at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

"Every value, every memory, every important relationship to me exists in Chicago. I consider myself a South Sider," Michelle Obama said.

In recent weeks, city officials were forced to take extra steps to

[Nachum]

A lot of crime in the Washington Park area. A fitting place for it.

[FrdmLvr]

What does HE have to put in a library? Two books ghost written by Bill Ayers?

[Lurkinanloomin]

They need to put up an electronic sign with the latest box score for shootings in Chicago on the side of the library so we can keep track of how well he organized the south side.

[ETL]

Barack Obama Foundation chooses South Side Chicago site for presidential LieBarry

[Pan_Yan]

but what we can also do is to attract the world to Chicago." Obama said

Still waiting to hear how that Olympic bid turned out ...

[Captain Peter Blood]

So does Al Capone and Frank Nitti know about this yet, because they will be by for their protection money soon.

[Gamecock]

"With a library and a foundation on the South Side of Chicago, not only will we be able to encourage and affect change locally, but what we can also do is to attract the world to Chicago."

Maybe this could be the architectural model!

[Lurkinanloomin]

I’ve noticed the usual weekend box scores (killed/wounded) for Chicago have been absent lately.
Has the Ministry of Propaganda been burying the numbers?

[ChocChipCookie]

I’ve been to 2 Presidential libraries and trust me, this one will be more shrine/temple than library.

[MeshugeMikey]

we be able to encourage and affect change locally!

will obie also be in residence there??

hey you with the molotov cocktail “CARRY THROUGH”

will there be fines for late book returns??

[al baby]

Ronnies was the best one for me so far

[Obadiah]

May I suggest the far east side of Chicago?

[RightGeek]

[9YearLurker]

Phew—NYC dodges a bullet!

[usconservative]

I’ve noticed the usual weekend box scores (killed/wounded) for Chicago have been absent lately. Has the Ministry of Propaganda been burying the numbers?

You may be surprised to learn that since Chicago's handgun ban was struck down, and Illinois passed conceal/carry for the ENTIRE STATE, the murder rate in Chicago plummeted some 57% in the last year -- and it's still dropping.

This is what happens when people who live in poverty and have not been able to defend themselves, suddenly find themselves in the position of having to defend themselves and shoot the bad guys.

[capydick]

With a library and a foundation on the South Side of Chicago, not only will we be able to encourage and affect change locally, but what we can also do is to attract the world to Chicago.

Yep - just like he brought the Olympics there....

[PhiloBedo]

There’s the “Man Country” display.

[ETL]

What does HE have to put in a library? Two books ghost written by Bill Ayers?

Are you kidding. He has lots of things he can include in his library. He can have a section on the communist Black Liberation movement, of which reverend Wright's "Black Liberation Theology" is based. A section on his communist boyhood mentor, FBI target, Frank Marshall Davis. One on his pick for "Green Jobs Czar", admitted communist Van Jones, etc.

[9YearLurker]

Which is why we really shouldn’t have them—and we shouldn’t allow presidents to raise money for foundations, inaugurations, or any other obviously conflicted slush funds.

[Opinionated Blowhard]