Obama opts for local garb in Indonesia (Dialup Warning, Pic Heavy)

[Turborama]

President Barack Obama nixed aloha shirts for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders group photo in Hawaii Sunday, but he couldn't avoid local attire at another international gathering Friday.

Obama was among the leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations who posed for a group photo in Javanese traditional garb -- colorful ikat fabrics -- provided by Indonesia, this year's host country. This is the first year that the U.S. and Russia were invited to join the summit meeting held in Bali.

Obama came out in a long-sleeve green shirt with orange, blue and red trim in a traditional pattern.

Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, did her University of Hawaii Ph.D. research on traditional crafts in Indonesia, including ikat fabrics. She also worked with women in Indonesia helping them set up small businesses involving traditional crafts like weaving and dying.

Full article: http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20111119_Obama_opts_for_local_garb_in_Indonesia.html?id=134167658

Most of the photos courtesy of http://theobamadiary.com/tag/ikat/">The Obama Diary.

















President Obama and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono chat
as Balinese dancers perform on stage at the East Asia Summit dinner

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. I have apparently been watching too much tv

the first think I thought of was "two and a half men"

[savalez]

9. You mean the Charlie Sheen shirts?

Or the John Cryer haircut?

[peace13]

2. Hey, where's his flag pin?

Looks like they are all enjoying themselves. Good on him. I remember * in some sort of a dress and that was especially pleasing. Obama lucked out with the disco shirt!

[bigwillq]

3. Not a good look for him, imo.

But at least he was a good sport.

[Sedona]

4. That shade of green suits him

I think he looks nice, kind hot even

[Kahuna]

5. It sure does. nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. George Clooney, eat your heart out!

If he weren't so smart, he could definitely have been a male model. :thumbsup:

[sammytko]

22. He does look good in green.

[Gman]

6. That'll drive the RW nuts

Especially with no US flag lapel pin and doing it in Indonesia. This has fundraiser written all over it!

[emulatorloo]

7. Expect a chain email soon from your wingnut brother-in-law

[treestar]

12. LOL, I know!

Not exactly the Japanese bow, but it fits! :rofl:

[GoCubsGo]

14. Just reply with this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9s5A4-_TfQY/TfRs23kdvgI/AAAAAAAAAL0/K8MRK2-8xeE/s1600/George+Bush+Barong+shirt.jpg

[graywarrior]

16. I'm choking on laughter

:rofl:

George the Wizard..hahahahahahahahahaha!

[Number23]

18. Great Caesar's Ghost....

Just as I was about to reply that he actually looked quite lovely in this pic http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9s5A4-_TfQY/TfRs23kdvgI/AAAAAAAAAL0/K8MRK2-8xeE/s1600/George+Bush+Barong+shirt.jpg

This monstrosity pops up...

:scared: :scared:

He's probably asking the others, "does this kimono hide my beer belly?"

[GoCubsGo]

19. I only posted that first photo because...

...he was wearing a traditional Indonesian shirt, just like President Obama is wearing. Dumbya's just happens to be solid white, instead of green with multi-colored trim.

[smitra]

21. I think that is Filipino, not Indonesian.n/t

[GoCubsGo]

35. I think you may be right...

I found it while searching for "Bush" and "Indonesia". I made the assumption that my source was right. Regardless, he was dressed in clothing from another culture. I never heard the right comment about it when he did it. Funny that.

[BlueMTexpat]

30. I'm with graywarrior! I laughed out loud!

Incidentally, I think Obama looked pretty darn good! And, based on other posts here, I'm not alone.

[Hutzpa]

27. Or help with responding to a tea bagger nephew/son/sister/in-laws

I could go on.

[savalez]

8. I like when he does this.

Especially since the idiot RW's get all panty bunched.

[Whisp]

10. such beautiful patterns and colours.

that teal looks great on the President.

[Aristus]

11. That's a very handsome look for him.

I'm sure he appreciated the personal connection to the fabric that his mother studied for her doctorate.

I've seen some Balinese dancing in the past. Magnificent, beautiful, breathtaking...

[Brigid]

23. He does wear that look well.

:)

[treestar]

13. That's great!

I love how almost all of the leaders went along with it.

Like the connection to Stanley Ann here, too. Good counter to the right wing's likely whining about it.

[toddwv]

15. Wearing that Indonesian shirt is proof that he was born in Kenya.

I argue with birthers all the time. They will take this as irrefutable proof that he wasn't born in Hawaii.

They really are incredibly stupid people.

[Brigid]

24. No, it proves he is a Muslim.

:evilgrin:

[Sheepshank]

26. You're both wrong...it shows he's a fascist Republican n/t

[The Genealogist]

28. Fascist communist Kenyan Indonesian secret muslim!

I am sure I left something out.

[catgirl]

20. K&R

[Skittles]

25. he looks really good

yes INDEED

[ellisonz]

29. That's our President.

[slackmaster]

31. That's a cool shirt

:kick:

[mistertrickster]

32. A complete traditional outfit would include a sarong.

Like this one:

[Bake]

33. I like it! Might have to get me one of those!

Hide the belly, don't you know!

:hi:

Bake

[politicasista]

34. Kick

Nice pics. :kick: