British Ambassador to North Korea: the Unluckiest Diplomatic Post Today

Karen Wolstenholme must have done something terribly wrong.

She is in what is probably the most unfortunate diplomatic post in the world: to become the British ambassador to the hermit country of Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Instead of an honour, it sounds more like a punishment, especially since she used to have diplomatic posts in popular "vacation spots" such as Vienna, Den Haag, and Paris.

Granted, as a foreign diplomat, she must have been given access to what most citizens of North Korea consider a luxury, such as three meals a day, basic sanitation and running water, and access to internet. She might even be allowed to play golf with some top North Korean government officials.

However, it is still a shitty job: there is no denying that.

Not only she can't speak out against the regime (otherwise risk deportation/expulsion), she also has little freedom to travel anywhere in the country without proper authorisations.

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Indianapolis

This has been a bizzare winter. Mid-February was as warm as early summer (hovering around 26-30 Celcius) before plunging back into around 7 Celcius by the end of last month.

It was quite a climate. If it goes on like this for the next three years, I may really relocate south after I graduate from college (either to Savannah, Georgia or Southern California).

I still could change my mind later, so don't hold me up for it.




In a more personal note, I'm engrossed with Presidential biographies these days. If year 2010 was the year of "European history during World War 2", when I was obsessed with all the paraphernalia that came with living in that particular period of time, perhaps 2011 will be my year of "Presidential biography".

I had read a biography of the incumbent Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a couple of months back.

As of today, I am reading the book Decision Points, a memoir penned by the former president George W. Bush. Don't get me wrong here, I have never been a fan of conservative politics myself.

I like reading Republican literature because they are what I call "literature of comfort", the kind of political reading that gives you an insight into how Americans view and desire stability... Republican figures give an insight into what we Americans see as it epitomizes security and strength.

Which is why it could well complement Democrat literature, the one I dub as "fun literature". It is the kind of political reading that shows you the 'upbeat side' of American politics, as it mostly embodies what people hope for their economic future.

A lot of people may not be a fan of Bush's policies, but hey, don't judge him and his policies to be the one and the same. I am almost halfway thru his memoir, and he is by far quite eloquent in describing how he had made mistakes and how he did what he thought was necessary, even if it had to tarnish his political image.

I'm thinking of reading Reagan and Carter's biographies next.

On my way to Indianapolis.

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I know I voted for Obama, but...

In retrospect, Hillary Clinton would have made a better president.

And with a lot of domestic sentiments stirring high against Obama, one could not help but wonder how he is practically worshipped once he leaves the US territory.



Barack Obama would be better off as the Secretary of State, I say.

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Signs that communism is flourishing in Indonesia (or is it Neo-nazism?)

It has been making quite a news lately of how the Indonesian Attorney General office just announced a fresh ban list of five titles. One of them has something to do with the leader and his scandal in a bank.

Interesting.

The populace by large claims that communism is incompatible with Indonesia — what with the religious shit they have and all — but they're not mature in implementing values of democracy themselves.

Or perhaps it is neo-Nazism.

One need not look far to ask for an evidence...what do Indonesians think of the Jews? Surprisingly, you'll find that they agree with Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele much more than the Germans do nowadays.

Indonesians "love" the Jews.

Because even today, most Indonesians tend to see Holocaust as a mere exaggeration by Israel in order to rouse sympathy. They even shut down the sole synagogue that exists in Indonesia.

Heil Hitler, then.

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Indonesian election and Jacko's funeral

In Indonesia these two headlines above make two news of equal parallel.

First thing first: the election.

Well done Indonesians, well done.

It is just such a disappointment that the Lapindo mud affairs would never get finished with this president. He befriends corrupt people such as one of his ministers (hint: starts with 'B') who eats up the country's coffers yet gives little.

Where's the promise that Lapindo mud victims would get those 80% compensations? Those folks are all shit and little else.

Suramadu bridge project was JK's idea, while KPK was founded during Mega's. SBY acquired much more foreign debts than during Mega's term.

What a choice for a president.

Now on the late legend, there's one thing I'd like to comment. In Indonesia it made quite a news that Michael Jackson was going to have an Islamic funeral.

Yeah.

Right.

Perhaps those Indonesians who reported such news should have their faith double-checked...are they really Muslims?

Because one thing I know for sure is that Islamic funeral is a ceremonial conducted within 24 hours after one's death.

Anyway... It may have been a bit late, yes, but may his soul rest in peace... He had had an unhappy life despite bringing the world a new sense of peace with his songs.

A legendary musician indeed.

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A teenager’s insight to the 2009 Indonesian Presidential Election

In this insight, I try to be as objective as possible.

1. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Boediono

Indeed, these couple sells what they have done during the last five years (though SBY should have credited JK more for this, instead of embracing Boediono who had not done much).

Their main selling point is to continue the current hard work in order to achieve more with SBY. Some may be disappointed for SBY’s choice of Boediono though, being a nonparty member and not having much in his resume to begin with.

This couple would have the largest supporter base from Indonesians of all walks of life who deem the incumbent administration’s works as satisfactory.

2. Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo Soebianto

Minorities such as the Chinese and Balinese Hindus are well-known for their unfailing support for Megawati’s PDI-P party. Now since Bali (which originally has the biggest fan base for PDI-P) has recently ‘converted’ some of their regions into a Gerindra (Prabowo’s party) supporter base, it would be a safe bet that this couple would win most of the hearts in Bali and Lombok.

Most of those who are discontent with the current SBY administration and has little awe for JK’s running mate Wiranto would have no other choice but Megawati. Though some may still view Prabowo suspiciously, what with all the allegations of him having been involved in the tortures and kidnappings during the New Order; some people may be able to see him as an effectively populist politician.

Together with Mega, Prabowo indeed sells toward the rural communities and minority groups.

3. Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto

These two have the largest penchant towards an Islamic-based politics… Gains the largest support from the Islamic parties, allegedly due to their wives who wear headscarves.

Some may still view the vice presidential candidate Wiranto with suspicion though, particularly due to his shady past as a General (a similar case with Prabowo).

With Jusuf Kalla a top guy in the Golkar party (the richest party in Indonesia) and Wiranto a former Golkar himself, they are sure to have faithful support among Golkar loyalists, who long to have their old glory during Soeharto’s New Order back on the politics (minus the kidnappings and tortures though).

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Should the incumbents be quoted as the nominees?

The election is drawing near, and one thing we could notice in the Indonesian papers is this:

Both Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Jusuf Kalla (JK) are addressed as presidential nominees.

While the fact remains obvious that both of them are still holding office with the far more respectable positions as president and vice president, respectively.

If I’m not mistaken, last year the American press quoted Obama and McCain as Senator Obama and Senator McCain respectively, instead of “Presidential nominee Obama/McCain”.

If the press choose to speak in terms of elections, that I could understand.

What I could not understand is when the incumbents are somehow degraded to a lower position as nominees… Should they not actually be quoted by the media with their current office?

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on Megawati-worshipping in Bali

Personally I am always astounded at the level of adoration the Balinese people had always put on Megawati.

Why?

I mean, everyone knows very well that Megawati's grandmother was a Balinese....so what, then? Does a Balinese grandmother guarantees that she would have the Balinese character of being a down-to-earthly person?

In my opinion, she is nothing more than a mute politician: have you ever seen her making any intelligible speech on the podium?

No?

So why do the Balinese still adore Megawati, then?

Please stop supporting her.

In case you Balinese have not realised, she was the president in charge who had made the Balinese tourism suffer hard enough; it was during her administration that she approved that Visa-on-Arrival which contributes to one of the sheer number of factors which deter foreign tourists from visiting Bali.

The five years that she ruled Indonesia was already boring enough, I really hope that we will not have another five.

Albeit the incumbent is not necessarily much better, at least he has some sort of charisma and ability to make a decent speech in English.

From what I have heard, the political parties of Golkar and Gerindra have been gaining grounds in the province, which had previously been loyalists of PDI-P (the party led by Mega).

Great move, I love it.

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on the creation of Hindu-based and Buddhist-based political party in Indonesia

What I have noticed from Indonesia's democracy is the lack of either Hindu-based or Buddhist-based political parties...

While there are numerous examples of Islamic-based ones (PBB, PKB or PPP to name a few), Protestant (PDS), or even Catholic (PKDI), why are the Hindu Balinese or minority Buddhists not represented yet?

As a true blue pluralist (note: I am neither Hindu nor Buddhist myself), I am looking forward to the creation of both political parties for the 2014 elections.

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Can Toshi become the President of USA, too?

Seeing Obama clinching his victory as to become the 44th president of USA last November, my family got into this conversation below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom asked my Dad, "So... What about our Toshi? Can he become the president of America too in the future?"

Dad quickly denied it, "Nah, I believe that's not possible"

I was thinking that Dad was referring to my lack of my leadership skills when he continued, "It's because both of Toshi's parents are Indonesian citizens"

I grappled with the fact for a while, and tried to rebut it, "but Obama's father was..."

"A Kenyan citizen, yes, but his mother was an American. Obama could become nominated as president because one of his parents is an American national"

"But what about Arnold Schwarzenegger? He is the governor of California now, right? I thought both of his parents were Austrian citizens"

Dad glanced from his paper, "Well yes indeed. You could become a Governor or Senator too, if you'd wish. But don't ever dream of becoming a president... That's just not possible according to the American constitution"

I pondered to myself, and checked what kinds of similarities do I have in common with Barack Obama. Well, here they are:

1. Obama and I are natural-born American citizens.

2. Obama and I have a mother who can speak Indonesian language fluently.

3. Obama and I have spent at least four years in Indonesia.

4. Obama and I have a strong emotional affinity with Indonesia.

5. Obama and I are members of the Democrat Party of USA.

6. Obama and I have a father who is NOT an American citizen.

7. Obama and I have at least one other individual in the family who is an American citizen.

8. Obama and I have family members who possess faith to either Christian or Muslim religion.

 

Gee, it's just too bad that I couldn't become the next president of USA too... But becoming a Senator of Florida or Governor of Oregon would do too, I guess.

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on White House cleanup, Thai lèse majesté, and terrorism pro-cons

Just read an interesting bit by Simon:

A friend of mine joked that Obama, in keeping with the traditional fate of African-Americans, has been given one of the worst jobs in the world cleaning up this whole mess. You can't really envy the man can you?

Truly true. A white man came and made a mess in the White House, and a black man is asked to clean up the mess.

What a jest.

Simon also wrote about the possibility of having a Papuan president in Indonesia as the equivalent of having an African American president in USA. Singapore is also considering this possibility of having a non-ethnic Chinese (which comprises 75% of its total population) as a leader, though PM Lee says that it doesn't sound very likely for the time being.

But nah, I think Indonesia has preceded Uncle S of A on this one... We had Habibie who was an ethnic Sulawesi, didn't we?

Regarding the lese majeste case in Thailand, I think it should come to us that democracy may not always go along with monarchy... You could either have the absolutism or the vox populi vox dei, but definitely not both.

On the pro-cons of terrorism in Indonesia, I read this bit below on JP:

In a particularly ill-considered instance, a private television arranged a debate Tuesday between one group opposing any kind of terrorism in the name of religion and another group accepting what Amrozi and his gang had done in Bali. Does such a controversial program deserve to be aired?

And I said... WTF?

This is not a discourse to be debated upon, for God's freaking sake!

Showing a slightest support towards those maniacal trio is already per se a delusion... you deserve to join the gang in death penalty if you think that the 200+ lives lost in Bali is a comeuppance.

Thank God they are dead now, may they rot in hell; but let's not savour too much on that.

One thing that we average Indonesians never forget is that the family and the daily lives of those trio (Amrozi-Ali Ghufron-Imam Samudra) have been given enough spotlight by our own media coverage (read: Infotainment) to the extent that they became instant celebrities... Indonesia is such a sick country indeed. If there is one country that could idolise such satanic beings, it would be Indonesia.

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The change I need

Much has been said about how America has finally come to terms with its racist attitudes in the past, what with electing Obama into office only 40 years after the civil rights has been accepted nationally... So I guess I won't comment on that one.

I am proud myself to announce that for the first time in decades, Virginia (which is originally Red, or Republican-leaning state) has turned into a blue state! Hahaha glad to be a part of the Virginia voters!

(my ballot was sent from the Indonesian chapter of the Democrats Abroad affiliation of Dem Party, check this post for further reference)

It would suffice to say that while I am very much happy to see Obama taking the office, while some Asian markets have shown a positive optimism on the day after election, Rupiah has not shown any promising outlook, with the figure of exchange rate still straying around 11,000.

Ah, what a disappointment.

I'm still looking forward to see the figure drops back to its previous rate of 9,900 and below, as to implement some real changes in my family plans (read: Plan C).

And yeah, Plan C is very much related to the relocation of my family back to the States and also to claim the ownership of that "thing" somewhere outside Indonesia.

God, I really want to visit that country and see that "thing" for myself! Ahhh... I just can't wait to see what has been mine all along!

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Indonesia's porn bill degrades women

This is what happens when we elect idiots into the Lower House. Out of the many parties in the Lower House, only PDI-P and PDS have the will to reject such a discriminative legislation into approval.

The fact remains that a couple of those legislators are having some illicit one-night stands with prostitutes in some of Jakarta's five-star hotels (with or without knowledge of the mass media), hence they want to cover up their wrongdoings by passing this "holy bill."

We Indonesians always commemorate 21 April as Kartini Day, the day when Raden Ajeng Kartini, the main emancipator of women during the heydays of Indonesian awakening era, was born.

Ah, what a hypocritical nation Indonesia has turned into!

We claim to protect women when now we have regulations that decide what a "morally decent" woman could wear and could not wear.

We claim to emancipate women by imposing a curfew for women to disallow them from walking the streets alone (as is evident today in Tangerang city, Banten).

That does not manifest the so-called "Indonesian emancipation for women", does it?

Whether a woman in the beach wants to wear hijab (Islamic headscarf), a bikini, or a cleavage-showing skimpy T-shirt, it is her full right to do so, just like the way men have the right to show his muscle abdomens by not wearing any shirt at all.

A picture of a nudity may or may not incite sexual arousal, because just as the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, sexual arousal is in itself also in the eye of the beholder.

One clean-minded guy may see the Miss Universe in nude as uninviting, while another guy may see a lady fully clothed in red dress as sexually arousing.

Pornography is one subjective thing, really.

Now let us have a look at some of the contentious articles in the porn bill itself...

Article 1: Definition

Pornography is drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, texts, voices, sound, moving pictures, animations, cartoons, poetry, conversations, gestures, or other forms of communicative messages through various kinds of media; and/or performances in front of the public, which may incite obscenity, sexual exploitation and/or violate moral ethics in the community.

Commentary by Toshi on Article 1

Ah, so "pornography" is a loosely-defined word!

Now let us highlight one part here:

"which may incite obscenity..."

What may incite obscenity? Does saying the phrase "F*** You" considered obscene, since the F-word is originally meant as "copulating"?

Does a picture of a girl fully clothed in school uniforms with her hands and legs tied for an S&M bondage could be considered obscene, or is the definition of "obscene" limited to those who wear bikini (or nothing at all)?

The definition above is open to all kinds of interpretation and could always be subjected to debate.

Articles 20-23: Public Participation

The public can play a role in preventing the production, distribution and use of pornography...by...(d) supervising people on the danger of pornography.

Commentary by Toshi on Articles 20-23

Goodie!

The part of these articles that we should take into consideration is:

"The public can play a role..."

Now those F***ing Pathetic Idiots or some other blinded fanatical groups in Indonesia have one more cause to pursue: "supervising" women on the danger of pornography... perhaps by butchering women who wear bikini?

Who knows?

Articles 8, 34, 36: Criminalisation of victims

The articles threatens up to 10 years in prison or Rp 5 billion in fines for violators of the law.

Commentary by Toshi on Articles 8, 34, and 36

Hmm... Who are the violators here, really?

Are they the ones who incite the sexual arousal (who are women), or are they the ones who gets sexual stimulation (who are men), ay?

Such a "holy country" Indonesia has turned into... The politicians in the Lower House (who are mostly men) now have the full right to patronise women on what they should or should not wear..

Thank goodness, Indonesia has turned into a safe haven for women!

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What being liberal really means

What does it mean to be a "liberal"?

I wonder.

A lot of people claim to be liberal, but when they are asked to define it in their thoughts and beliefs, they stutter.

Most define it in the ideological sense, such as by the progressive party you are affiliated with.

I, however, choose to define it in what I believe in.

For me, being liberal means as follows:

Feels completely OK to have my own religion attacked by other people.

For example, I have read Da Vinci Code without having to compromise my progressive Catholic beliefs.

Now the only reason I am OK to have my own religion attacked is because after all, religions come from Human. The messages might have come from a Higher Power, yes, but they are still written by prophets/saints anyway (who are -surprise- ordinary mortals like you and I). You may have hundreds of prophets in your religion, but it does not mean that the doctrines come down from God.

(Which is why I like to study religions... I study them for their spirituality, not for their doctrines!)

If you are truly liberal, don't get offended if your religion is attacked by others. Because after all, what really matters in embracing your religion is to apply its values of harmony and peace in your daily lives, instead of keeping 24-hour sentry on possible outside offenders.

Willing to attack/hurl offending statements to my own country/nation.

For example, I once wrote an entry about my birthplace as a nation of wimps.

This is of course, for my love and the betterment of the corresponding country itself. Now of course I don't advocate for you Malaysian or Saudi Arabian liberals to write a similar offensive statement towards your own country, because you could get arrested for that! That's the problem for those of you in highly-restrictive societies; you could always claim to be liberal at heart but still unable to show your "liberal side" to the outside world for fear of getting arrested, no matter how democratic your country's regime claims to be.

Feels completely OK to have friends who are of different faiths (or no faiths at all).

Now in Indonesia, wherein almost everybody claims to be a pluralist, everybody also claim that they could befriend people regardless of religion.

Ah, really?

I have put this to test the other day, by asking an Indonesian buddy of mine, "Dude, what do you think of people of different religions? Have you ever felt if there is some kind of a 'wall' between you and them?"

"Eh? Haha.. of course not."

I put forward another question that I know will produce a satisfactory answer, "So, what do you think of atheists?"

"What? Atheists?"

"Yes, atheists. What do you think of them?"

"Well honestly", he paused a while before answering after a deep thought, "they're despicable. I mean, how could anyone afford to have no religion?"

I sighed and grinned, knowing what a distorted mindset that he (and most other devout religious people here in the country) has.

I went on to explain to him that in Singapore and Japan and Europe, there are a lot of people who don't think that God is important. They only visit the churches and/or temples during festive days such as Christmas or Wedding celebrations.

That's the problem with most Indonesians (perhaps, this includes you).

They show how "pluralist" they are by showing that they are OK with people of differing religions.

However, when they are asked about their view on atheism or agnosticism (which is theoretically and practically banned by the Constitution), most choose to shun it.

Seriously, why do they have to shun irreligious people??

I wonder...

Feels completely OK to have a Communist Party in your country

The other day I have also proposed for the revival of PKI (Indonesian Communist Party).

Being a liberal means that you are willing to have all kinds of ideologies in your countries accommodated, whether it is a Conservative, Progressive, Totalitarian, Communist, or even a Sharia-based one. However, most Indonesians would take this as an offence to their widely-held traditionalist views.

Which makes me wonder, if even a mega-capitalist country like US of A has its own Communist Party, why couldn't Indonesians accept one of its own? After all, many imbecile extremists have started to take it to the streets these days with their chants of "Replace the Democracy heritage from USA with this or that political ideology!"

Hmm... Let me not write any further about this, lest my Indonesian readers start wondering if they really have any liberal tinge inside of them.

Perhaps I am the most liberal person residing in the country right now? I don't know, tell me what you think.

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an American vote is sent!

"Thanks Toshi, you've just made your vote today!" a slender woman in her late 20s said to me, after knowing that this was my first American presidential vote, ever.

"Well thanks! So am I the only first-time voter here today?"

"Hmm lemme see.. If I'm not wrong, Yes, there was nobody your age who had come voted here before.. Congratulations for becoming a historical first-timer in Indonesia!" she offered a warm handshake, which I accepted.

"Glad to hear that", I smiled.

So today (11 Oct) I have came down to the Ballot Open House in Chang's private residence in Kemang, a leafy upscale district in South Jakarta, accompanied by my Indonesian national father, who also speaks fluent English.

I met around 5 to 10 Americans there (who were all Caucasians), and it sure was nice to start speaking English to those Americans with a real accent.

There I had to fill the write-in ballot with my Presidential and Vice Presidential pick, which of course we Democrats should have picked by default. Even you my blog readers agree with us Democrats.

With 84% of the votes for Obama and 16% for McCain, I guess I have no other choice, eh? I respect your aspirations, and I've delivered them. That's too wide a margin already, haha.

And anyways, McCain isn't too bad imho. I just think that Obama is the only one who could stop the war in Iraq and fix the economy by reducing taxes for middle-class Americans.

So I took a while in getting to converse with some of them, and sought help from the person in charge (who was Chang himself) with my federal write-in ballot which was to be sent for free to the States by Fed-ex.

"So where will be voting on November 4th?" I asked Chang, intentionally using the American date order.

"Well Toshi, you've just voted today! This was your vote!" he smiled.

I had previously thought that this was some kind of an election rehearsal, or a part where I only have to register my personal details.

It took me by surprise that this Ballot Open House, where I had written the choice of Obama-Biden and two other names affiliated with Democratic Party that I did not know of, was in fact the election in itself.

I was not supposed to get an Obama pin as a souvenir, since they had run out of it. However, a Virginia man in his 40s offered to give me his as a souvenir.

I thanked everyone for their welcoming and friendly attitude. It sure was nice to meet American folks again after years of staying in Asia... I'd love to come to such (American) events again in the future

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Fukuda's resignation, McCain's bane, and Indonesian debt

I had known it all along that PM Yasuo Fukuda will resign soon (indeed he had a very unpopular support in the Diet's upper house) but definitely not this soon!

It was an honourable move expected of a political heir (who is son of former PM Takeo Fukuda) notwithstanding.

Now regarding the next PM of Japan, I am putting my bets on Taro Aso. Today I reiterate my statement that I have supported Taro Aso long before I supported Barack Obama (refer to my September 2007 post if you don't believe me). Aso has had a long career in the Foreign Affairs Ministry; and I think it would do Japan some good to have a former Foreign Minister reign as a PM - indeed they still need some more foreign experts at the top position to mend relations with former Japanese colonies of China and South Korea.

The comeback of Junichiro Koizumi has also been widely held as possible, though I don't think of it as very likely. Despite his Yasukuni visits, I do think that Japan needs some Obama-ish figure in the leadership - one who can inspire youngsters like me in the public spot.

On American politics, President George Bush has cancelled his planned attendance at the Republican Party National Convention due to Hurricane Gustav. Indeed it either means that Bush and McCain are not meant to go together, or perhaps this is a sign that McCain's presidential nomination has not gotten God's blessings!!

I would very much love to think that the latter possibility is more likely, because a change promised by a Democrat like Obama is just what we need right now... Eight (failed years by Bush) is enough!

Now on Indonesia, do you know that as of July 2008, Indonesia's foreign debt has amounted to 1,462 trillion Rupiahs? If we divide the debt's responsibility evenly amongst all Indonesian citizens, then it would mean that every single toddler born in Indonesian territory has already gotten a debt of Rp 6,500 (US 70 cents). Perhaps it would do some good if you -as an Indonesian citizen- start paying your debt by disciplining yourselves when it comes to the taxes due dates.

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on the USA Democrat Convention in Jakarta

As a member of the US Democrat Party in Indonesia, I was cordially invited to a gathering for the Indonesian affiliation of Democrats Abroad (said to be the largest organisation of US citizens in Indonesia) but alas, I was not able to attend as a heavy rain ensued at the time of the event.

Here is a clip of the e-mail that Ardie (the chairperson) had cc-ed to all US Democrats in Jabotabek:

Jakarta Democratic Convention Watching Party

Date: Friday, August 29, 2008

Place: Jl. Kemang Dalam No.VI, H.2

Time: 7pm- 10 pm

Join Democrats Abroad to watch Sen. Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for President and give his historic speech in front of 75,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver , Colorado . The live speech will be at 9 am next Friday morning in Jakarta (10 pm EST in the U.S. ) and Democrats Abroad will rebroadcast it for our Jakarta Democratic Convention Watching Party on Friday night.

Please come to share in the excitement and catch some of the momentum as Democrats Abroad and the Obama campaign gear up for the final push for voter registration and absentee ballot request. There will be an opportunity to use the *************.org website and a chance to answer questions about voter registration, absentee ballot request and receipt, and return of absentee ballots. There will also be a chance to sign up to volunteer for Democrats Abroad and the Obama campaign in the next six weeks which are crucial toward securing a Democratic victory in November.

Limited amounts of food and drink will be provided. Please feel free to bring some to share. This is an open invitation. Please forward it through your networks and invite your friends and family.

Let us know if you are coming to join us at *********@yahoo.com so that we can plan for numbers. Donations always welcome!

It was regretful indeed that I was unable to come because -as I later learned- this Jakarta Democrat event was open, gratis, and held at a private Kemang residence! Moreover, as an American citizen I have the full privilege to bring any of my relatives or friends of any nationalities...

Just let me know if any of you my blog readers are interested in coming to any Obama-related events in Indonesia, because I would certainly extend such similar invitation to you folks in the future.

~~~~~~~~

But it does not matter, I have watched the main part of the Convention anyway (which was Obama's speech). The speech was broadcast in CNN and had several bits of it here and there repeated on other news channels of BBC, Al-Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

It was not the first time I listened to his speech, but it certainly was the most mesmerising to me. My favourite quotes from that speech were:

"This election is never about me... It's about You!"

and

"John McCain has said that he will follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell. But he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives!"

I would love to see how an administration by Obama, which is certainly going to be dissimilar to Bush, would relocate the American taxes from the wasteful spending in Iraq war into better use in tackling the forces of Al-Qaeda and its radical enclaves in Afghanistan.

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The next Japanese PM and Starbucks' secret

Yesterday (6/8), The Jakarta Post ran a People story on Taro Aso, the incumbent Secretary General of LDP. Apparently, there are calls for him to run for office to replace Yasuo Fukuda.

This does not come as a surprise to me because last year, I have written a blog post on Japanese leaders that says:

Nicolas Cage-ish PM [Shinzo Abe] now replaced by a salaryman-ish PM Yasuo Fukuda? I had actually expected to have Taro Aso to take the job instead.

(sorry for quoting myself here, gee-hee)

As you see, I always can spot a good politician when I see one, from the Americans Al Gore and Barack Obama, to the Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati or the former Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi.

And trust me, the Japanese will not waste their vote if they choose to elect the Jiyuu Minshuuto to their parliament the next election round (and thereby retain Aso's chance of becoming the next PM).

But I digress.

Perhaps this should come as a surprise to you Starbuckers in Indonesia and Australia, that the cups of coffee you drink in the cafe mostly originate from the new poor nation of East Timor.

clipped from www.globalpolicy.org Coffee is Backbone of Devastated East Timor's Economy .....East Timor's coffee factories and crops weren't destroyed in the violence. Starbucks Corp., the U.S.-based coffee giant, already is one of East Timor's best clients, and there is hope the territory's beans will end up in many of the world's cappuccinos, lattes and espressos.

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Talc and the finance minister

Mom used to tell me that pouring talc all over your itchy skin could help in reducing the rashes, but I don't think I'll take that age-old belief anymore.

And hey, such a belief has no scientific basis right? I don't have to google nerdy articles for my denial of such a belief, because my logic tells me so. Perhaps the only talcs that could help are Dettol and some other medical-sounding brands of powders, and not Johnson&Johnson's like I always use.

Oh well.

Last Saturday I read an article in The Jakarta Post by John McBeth (sounds like a Scot living in Singapore) about Sri Mulyani Indrawati who is the incumbent Finance minister of Indonesia. Long story cut short, it tells us of her achievements in transforming the Finance Ministry from a highly dodgy kind of gang into one with integrity.

It wasn't the first time I read an article lauding Indrawati's virtues. In a young age of 45, coupled with humbleness when it comes to interacting with her chums, she pretty much reminds me of Barack Obama.

It's just too bad that she is more of a technocrat than a politician that she's not a member of any political parties. If only the 2009 presidential elections allow independents to contest, I'm sure she would strike quite a figure among elites and plebeians alike.

Indrawati for President, anyone?

Count me in!

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Indonesian Lower House website costs $67,000 to create

There is currently an ongoing plan in the DPR (lower house of Indonesian legislature) to have an official DPR website that costs Rp 600 million (US$67,000).

While on this forum thread (created by a web designer), it is said that such a website could only cost Rp 10 million ($1000) at most.

Well I'm not making allegations here, because I assume most of you are able to guess where the remaining Rp 590 million goes to.

To judge how expensive the website should cost, you could visit this official DPR website yourself.

clipped from news.okezone.com Setjen DPR & BURT Silang Pendapat Soal Website Senin, 16 Juni 2008 - 02:07 wib JAKARTA - Sekretariat Jenderal (Setjen) DPR silang pendapat dengan Badan Urusan Rumah Tangga (BURT) soal proyek pengadaan website seniali Rp 600 juta. Sekretaris Jenderal (Sekjen) DPR Nining Indra Saleh mengaku proyek tersebut sesuai prosedur. Menurut dia, tender proyek tersebut dilakukan secara terbuka pada 19 November 2007, dengan mengikutsertakan tujuh perusahaan. "Ke luar sebagai pemenang, CV Insani Sarana Mandiri dengan harga terendah Rp567,6 juta. Sedang pengoperasian webesite itu dimulai 3 Januari 2008,? ujarnya. Namun anggota BURT Syafrin Romas menyatakan, pernyataan Sekjen hanya menyebutkan sebatas peserta tender dan pemenang tender. Tapi soal kapan dan di mana tender itu diumumkan, belum disebutkan. Syafrin juga menyatakan keheranannya. Karena ia sendiri belum diperlihatkan bukti oleh Sekjen kalau tender proyek website itu sudah sesuai prosedur. "Saya belum paham masalah ini dengan utuh. Seharusnya kami di BURT semuanya diberi data lengkap. Agar mudah untuk mengawasi dan menjelaskannya ke publik. Tapi ini tidak. Cuma diberitahukan beres saja,? kata anggota Fraksi Kebangkitan Bangsa (FKB) ini.

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