Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia

by David Model, Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:00:33 PM EST

Obama's comments about Suharto demonstate a sad lack of understanding about the Suharto years, his war crimes, and American complicity.

In 1960, during Sukarno's rule of Indonesia, he allowed the PKI, the Communist Party, to participate in the government and took a neutralist stand during the Cold War.  Neither of these positions sat well with American leaders who decided to suport General Suharto in a bid to seize power from Sukarno.

The U.S. supplied arms and advise and by 1965, Sukarno had been pushed into the background and Suharto became Dictator of Indonesia. After Suharto took power, he decided to eliminate the PKI and the Chinese living in Indonesia.  Over 600,000 people died and the slaughter is an act of genocide.

The US is complicit in this genocide given that it supplied Suharto with arms and even handed him a list of 5,000 PKI members (see Website below).

in 1975, Suharto decided to attack East Timor to gain access to its resources and to add it as the 27th province.  His aim was to obliterate all the East Timorese and even injected all the women and girls with a sterilization drug.  The US was interested in East Timor because Philips Petroleum wanted to drill for oil in East Timorese waters.  As a result, the US supplied Suharto with the military equipment he needed to take over East Timor.  As a matter of fact, Suharto sought the permission of President Ford, who was in Indonesia two hours before the invasion, and he gave him the green light.

The slaughter of the East Timorese, amounting to 200,000 deaths, is now considered an act of genocide and as an active participant, the US is complicit in this genocide.  As well, American actions make the US complicit in this genocide (see Website below).

These are not insignificant facts which any presidential candidate should know before he comments on the subject.

http://www.stateofdarkness.com




Tags: Obama, Indonesia, Genocide, East Timor (all tags)

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Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (2.00 / 8)

If you are going to knock someone about comments they have made you might at least post a quote or a link to an article where people can read the quotes.


"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson
by MS01 Indie on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:04:31 PM EST

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (2.00 / 3)

You make the mistake of assuming they actually exist. Perhaps you'll have better luck finding any than I did. The articles I saw criticized Obama for NOT saying anything about him and implied that his mother was secretly working with the US government and Suharto to oppress the Indonesian people.

In other words, just more proof of what an echo chamber built on anger and hate can do. We should have a fantabulous sociological experiment by November. Dozens of progressives who didn't splinter off will have slowly developed the sort of views normally held by white supremacists.


If you're being chased by an angry bull and then you notice you're also being chased by a swarm of bees, it doesn't really change things. Just keep on running.
by vcalzone on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:33:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

Check this one out.  Very tasty!

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
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DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch springform pan. In a medium bowl, combine blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest. Toss to coat berries, then pour into the prepared pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the almond extract and 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest. Stir together 2 cups flour and the baking powder. Beat into butter mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter over the berries in the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Place serving plate over the top of the pan and carefully invert cake and plate together, so that the berries end up on top. Carefully unlock the buckle on the side of the pan and remove. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top of cake and serve warm.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:37:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

This one is really good also:

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 (18.25 ounce) package butter pecan cake mix
2 tablespoons water
2 cups chopped pecans
2 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
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DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Reserve 3/4 cup cake mix for second layer. Set aside.
For the first layer: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup margarine or butter, brown sugar, cake mix (minus 3/4 cup), water, pecans and 2 eggs. Mix well.
Spread batter into pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 20 minutes.
For the second layer: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 2 eggs, milk, sugar, corn syrup and reserved 3/4 cup cake mix. Mix well and pour over first layer.
Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C), for 25 to 30 minutes.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:39:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

Also a crowd pleaser:

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
68 NILLA Wafers, divided
3 cups sliced strawberries, divided
3 cups cold milk
2 (4 serving size) packages JELL-O Cheesecake Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Strawberry Whipped Topping, thawed
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DIRECTIONS
Cover bottom of 2-1/2-quart clear glass serving bowl with 24 of the wafers; top with 1 cup of the strawberry slices. Set aside.
Pour milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Spoon half of the pudding mixture over strawberry layer; cover with 1 cup of the whipped topping. Repeat layers using 24 wafers, 1 cup strawberries, remaining pudding mixture, and 1 cup of the remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Arrange 8 whole wafers and 8 strawberry slices alternately around edge of serving bowl. Top with the remaining 12 wafers, 1/2 cup of the remaining strawberry slices and the remaining whipped topping. Garnish with remaining strawberries.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:39:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

And a Chocolate Trifle to wrap things up:

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup water
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (1.5 ounce) bar chocolate candy
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DIRECTIONS
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares.
In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces whipped topping until no streaks remain.
In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the 12 ounce container of whipped topping. Repeat layers. Shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:40:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If your going to condemn Obama's comments (2.00 / 6)

shouldn't you put those comments in the diary?


by DSloth on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:05:37 PM EST

What were his comments about Indonesia? (2.00 / 4)

Please enlighten us.


by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:29:01 PM EST

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (2.00 / 1)

Maybe this is the diarist's subject matter ---

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roberto-lo vato/obamas-grand-tour-the-ame_b_113550. html

I myself know nothing about Indonesia.


by strongerthandirt on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:37:40 PM EST

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (2.00 / 2)

I see, he's getting knocked for what he didn't say. Typical of the anti-Obama crowd.


"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson
by MS01 Indie on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:08:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

Sigh...


by gil44 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:16:18 PM EST

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

Troll!


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:34:16 PM EST

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

This diary's author has no comment history.  God, these McTrolls are lazy.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:35:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

Yeah, I noticed that as well.

David is here to preach, to drop his turds-Oh, I meant pearls of wisdom, then move on.

Clearly almost the picture perfect troll.


My mom believed in Jesus, the Pope and FDR..... Just not necessarily in that order.
by WashStateBlue on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:25:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

funny, all that is in Obama's book (2.00 / 2)

"Audacity of hope", short of the "because Phillips Petroleum wanted to drill", and "injected all the Timorese women with sterilization drugs" - either of which may or may not be true in themselves, but in any case seem to be unfounded assertions.  What is known to be fact is that the US treatment of Indonesia (rightly or wrongly) was part and parcel of the Cold War and the struggle against the expansion of Communism, the Soviet Union and the Mao regime.

p. 272-273: "Sukharno...proved to be a major disappointment to Washington.  Along with Nehru of India and Nasser of Egypt, he helped found the nonaligned movement, an effort by nations newly liberated from colonial rule to navigate an independent path between the West and the Soviet bloc.  Indonesia's Communist Party, although never formally in power, grew in size and influence.  Sukarno himself ramped up anti-Western rhetoric, nationalizing key industries, rejecting US aid,  and strengthening ties with the Soviets and China."

p. 273:  "...the CIA began providing covert support to various insurgencies inside Indonesia, and cultivated close links twith Indonesia's military officers, many of whom had been trained in the United States.  In 1965, under the leadership of General Suharto, the military moved against president Sukarno...  According to estimates, between 500,000 and one million people were slaughtered during the purge, with 750,000 others imprisoned or forced into exile."

He goes on to talk about the following decades of Indonesian politics up to the publication of the book.

So read before you assert, because you obviously don't know what you are talking about.

-chris


Motley Moose, Troll Free Blogging
by chrisblask on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:47:05 PM EST

Nice (none / 0)

"The Following Users Have Recommended This Diary:
gaf
BlueDoggyDogg"
by Reaper0Bot0 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 02:02:48 AM EST

Re: Obama Needs a History Lesson about Indonesia (none / 0)

This diarist must be suspended.

He is an example of a lazy idiot who put a hastily written rant about an obvious bad guy giving us no new news about the past, and then puts out an implication that about Obama that has no basis.

and then he fails to reply to a single message posted in his own diary.

When you put out a diary, at least be clear in the points you are making. And then participate when other MYDDers take the trouble to comment.


by Pravin on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 02:56:47 AM EST


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