[ars]

I disagree about Obama. He did nothing special as compared to other presidents. He will be remembered as much as they are, but not any more than that.

As I think back pretty much the only thing I remember about him is healthcare, and that's he's the first half-back-half-white president.

That's really not much, as compared to other presidents.

Even Trump's antics will not be remembered in detail (how many do you remember from 6 months ago?) He will be remembered in a general sort of "said lots of dumb things" kind of way, as a trope basically.

Want to be specially remembered as President? Start [or end] a huge social program, or make peace in Israel.

PS. For Einstein did you mean weary or wary?

[cperciva]

I disagree about the memorability of bringing peace to the Middle East... because once peace arrives, it will be longer be a famous conflict zone.

Quick, who was involved in bringing peace to Northern Ireland?

[ars]

Yah, you've got a point there.

But I have to distinguish peace in Israel vs. peace in the Middle East.

Peace in Israel is likely to be a military kind of peace where no one dares attack, and with the Palestinians having their own state, no one has a good excuse anymore.

But they will still have bad excuses, because no one is even trying to bring peace to the Middle East.

i.e. it will be a famous conflict zone for a lot longer than you might expect because of Sunni/Shia conflict.

Also the underlying hate and antisemitism will persist even after the Palestinian negotiate a state, giving another reason for it to stay a famous conflict zone.

> Quick, who was involved in bringing peace to Northern Ireland?

St. Patrick :)

[alexasmyths]

Obama was the 'First Black President' - this is, on a historical scale - massive. Just massive. Also, America is kind of a 'world leading' country, so 'leader of the free world' - meaning, a black man as 'leader of the free world' - only about 150 years after slavery. This is a big deal, historically. I think his story is just getting written. Academics love him and they will write the history books. In 50 years, I think Obama will be up there with the 'big ones' in terms of being a 'landmark president'.

Sorry, I meant wary :)

[anigbrowl]

Not over a 1000 year scale it isn't. Maybe 100 years.

[alexasmyths]

Yeah, I see what you are saying.

But I'm coming to think they may go: Lincoln, Washington, Obama as the 'big 3' over time. Again, a 'Black leader of the free world' is historically massive, and it transcends USA issues.

Not saying I think that, just how academics will write it.