In 50 years (probably much much less) when grade schoolers go to the library to do research for their class papers on early 201st century events they will find tons of articles in what are general thought of (true or not) as reputable newspapers like the NY Times and USA Today about how great Obama is, how amazing his policies are, how everyone just loves the man, how he created soooooo many awesome new jobs and brought hope and change to the world blah, blah, blah.

Meanwhile there will be just as many articles talking about how Bush was the worst American Preident ever, how he is a war criminal, how he is an awful hater and liar, how the war on terror was unjust, etc etc.

So what are school kids 50 years from now supposed to think?

Now with the nationalization of two auto makers by a clueless/socialist president, this hope is gone completely and I am boycotting GM/Chrysler.
I just purchased a new truck for my business (a Toyota) and although I did look at GM, I will not buy from this company again as long as it is government owned.

And Mr. TML – agree with all you wrote above. I love to read your blog.

Books & newspapers being a reflection of “pop culture” and easily manipulated by whatever faction happens to hold power are the least reliable recorders of history. Besides history is merely a collection of stories of events that may or may not have happened as depicted and are primarily written by people who in most cases were not present at the time to witness the alleged events when and how they actually occurred. “Greatest” is a very nebulous term. There are many “greatest” leaders in history that are erroneously revered by school children in their repsective cultures due to the State’s organized version of brain washing otherwise known as public education. The children of Cuba believe Fidel Castro is the “greatest”. Al Queda operatives including children believe Osama Bin Laden is the “greatest”. Members of the Third and Fourth Reich believe Adolf Hitler was the “greatest”. Christians believe Jesus Christ was the “greatest, Muslims believe Allah was the greatest, and so on and so on. Every interest group and faction has its hero (or villan depending if you belong to an opposing group). For all the centuries of so called “civilization” humanity continues to operate at a tribal level only slightly elevated from that of the proverbial “band of apes”. Good luck with your “greatest” whatever.

But the books and newspapers will record him in history as the greatest President ever!!

Remeber that “history” is what goes down on paper.