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Barack Obama returned to the public stage on Monday with some wry jokes, a smart-casual outfit, and a pledge to direct his post-presidential energy to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

The former president, who avoided saying Donald Trump’s name during Chicago speech, vowed to help young people get more active in politics and public service

Speaking at the University of Chicago in his adopted hometown, the former US president was relaxed and in good humour, like a man who has been on a long holiday, which he has. He wore a dark jacket and white shirt with tieless open collar and began by quipping: “So, uh, what’s been going on while I’ve been gone?”

There was laughter from an audience of community organisers, activists and students, a group unlikely to contain many supporters of Donald Trump, who has made groundless claims of wiretapping against his predecessor and whose 100th day in office is on Saturday.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/24/barack-obama-public-appearance-speech-politics-trump

Pino

Well, sounds like ex President, ''inertia'' Obama ( the ''ex'' has a lovely ring to it) is doing what he's best at, talking.
The great orator will always have an admiring audience of those who cannot distinguish between ''talkers'' and ''doers''. 
The smooth oily tones of Obama delivering one of his well rehearsed speeches will have the easily led naive students agape in awe at the meaningless rhetoric of a  narcissist who 'sleepwalked, and hypnotically talked'' Americans into the series of crises which President is now courageously addressing.
While Rome burned Nero fiddled, and while America was being overrun by illegal immigrants, scoffed at by our enemies and taken advantage of by our so called trading partners, Obama gave ego boosting speeches. 
Obama got a free ride on the back of the greatness of the American nation, but the time has come to pick up the pieces of his disastrous tenure and face the music.

ale5

@Pino, I think Obama served the country well. Clearly, you are a Trump supporter and will disagree with me on the Obama vs Trump topic so I will not go there for further debate. 
I think that Obama didn't mention Trump by name, probably because he was dismissive of him. I can imagine that Obama is not to pleased with Trump after Trump accusations of Obama.

Pino

Hi ale5, Just for the record I'm not necessarily pro Trump nor anti Obama.
Having ran my own business for 26 years with a full time workforce of over 30 ( quite a small business) I only judge people on merit.
I viewed the presidential campaign dispassionately but noticed that Trump started his promotional circus off on an amicable, non confrontational note whereas both Clinton and Obama's bazaar spectacle was full of venomous personal jibes right from flagfall, then the whole shambolic performance turned into a 'tit for tat' mudslinging match.
Time will tell, but Trump is someone who gets things done whereas Obama liked to talk, man, man oh man, does he like to talk..
Blg difference.
America's enemies now know that they're dealing with a very different no nonsense administration and the clever walk gingerly around President Trump while the deranged like North korea's Kim jong un wade in with their boots on.
Obama's omission of Trump in his speech was partly due to him wishing to be perceived in his new role as the amicable wise old statesman  and partly due to him wishing to avoid further polarizing the two political camps of the nation.
In conclusion permit me to say that due to Obama's inertia and unwillingness to face up to important issues, small problems have now grown into a collection of high dangerous crises. 
Trump is now having to address these festering problems which are significantly worse than they needed to b.

CYDdharta

"Groundless claims of wiretapping"???  Obama's manipulation of the the US intelligence apparatus for partisan political purposes has been well documented, and new bombshells on this and other examples of corruption are regularly being released.  I believe Obama avoided mentioning Trump because that would have brought a reply from the White House and others that would have highlighted Obama's corruption.

Pino

@CYDdharta;- Agreed, Obama and the wider Democrat party have at last learnt the lesson that if you attack President Trump he will respnd with overwhelming force. 
He let Hilary off the hook over the email scandal/fiasco, but she and 'The Orator'' would be well advised not to push President Trump's present conciliatory attitude beyond the limits.
 

agsr

@CYDdharta, good point.  Obama is likely cautious regarding provoking Trump. Trump definitely demonstrated that he will attack back.

rebeccera_cons

What's been going on...
good question...
answer:
American is becoming great again!!