Statue of Ten-Year-Old Obama Erected in Indonesia

[Coventina]

Source: CBS News

A bronze statue depicting a ten-year-old Barack Obama clad in shorts and a t-shirt has been erected in a park in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Mr. Obama lived in Indonesia from 1967 to 1971, when he was a boy. He lived and attended elementary school not far from where the statue now stands.

The statue, at left, shows the child version of the president smiling as he looks at a butterfly poised on his thumb.

It was erected with the goal of inspiring Indonesian children.

"We welcome the statue, which is designed to give Indonesian children the spirit to reach their dreams," Central Jakarta Mayor Sylviana Murni said, according to the Associated Press.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/09/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5950961.shtml

[NightWatcher]

1. I smell funding by a Birther so they can point and say "see see, we told ya..."

[ima_sinnic]

20. lol! that was also my first thought!

says funding provided by "patrons, a television station and a charity." Nothing in that list they couldn't be involved in . . .

[Adsos Letter]

2. The RW talking heads are gonna' have an orgasm over how they can spin this story

[Dr. Strange]

3. Obama Erection Spotted in Indonesia

Mr. Beck, this headline can be yours for $20!

[Duende azul]

22. Wait til they learn about the Baby Barack Statue in Kenya!

[byronius]

4. I think it's damned cool.

[alsame]

5. "designed to give Indonesian children the spirit to reach their dreams". Nice. nt

[PreacherCasey]

6. Anyone else find this strange? I'm all for encouraging children to reach their dreams. But,

let's see what type of President he becomes first. He's only been in office for a year, jeez.

[denverbill]

7. If he turns into Hitler they can always tear it down.

Whatever. He was a poor multi-racial kid who through his own hard work and ability became elected to the most powerful position in the world (aside from the CEO of AIG).

It's a powerful message to kids and a wonderful advertisement about the United States.

[Number23]

17. Completely agree!

[PreacherCasey]

26. I hear you. I'm not saying it should be removed, just that I find it premature.

I wrote a more detailed response below if you care to see what I mean. I agree that it is a powerful message to kids and it is my hope that the children influenced by this message aspire to uphold the values that the Presidency of the United States is supposed to represent, not just to pull themselves out of poverty into a position of power. What you do with your power matters.

[54anickel]

12. I think it has to do with getting that far to begin with. n/t

[Hekate]

15. See my post regarding the Irish and JFK, please. nt

[PreacherCasey]

25. I understand this sentiment and truly hope that it inspires others to reach out for the values

we proclaim to hold dear in this country. Values like individual liberty, human rights, a truly representative government through the separation of power, and our system of justice come to mind.

My problem is that even though I recognize that Obama has only been in office for a year, and that he inherited a disaster from Bush, I do not see a full commitment by his administration to uphold these values. I am thinking about the use of signing statements, not repealing the 'patriot' act, the continuance of the obscene and immoral bailouts to crooked financial institutions, the escalation of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a watered down healthcare package complete with mandates, penalties, and a predatory "insurance" industry left intact.

It is in this light that I find the erection of this statue premature. Bush was very popular after one year and look how his presidency turned out. If I were a religious person I would pray that the Obama administration does not follow suit. Time will tell.

[Frank Booth]

24. How many Indonesian public school students grow up to be president of perhaps the most

important country in the world? Even if Obama ends up being an ineffectual one-term president, it's still an inspiring story.

[Turborama]

8. I find it touching that Indonesians are honoring him in this way

Who cares what Republican birther-racist-bigots think?

It's a shame someone unrec'd it. That's the kind of disrespect we'd expect from them.

[superconnected]

11. It is a good looking statue.

[JI7]

23. the statue looks cute

[Diane R]

9. I think it's very cute. A Novel prize around his neck and a dove...

I think it's wonderful they want to honor an American President this way, and that his election gave them such national pride. Let the small minded people (looking at you, Sarah) bash away.....

[superconnected]

10. That's just wierd. Too much hero worship there. I mean I like the man and will vote for him again,

but it seems a statue of him now would be appropriate, not at 10.

[mrbarber]

21. The statue is him at 10 years old..

because that's how old he was when he lived in Indonesia.

[Dover]

13. And 2000 years into the future this statue will be the King Tut of archaeological finds...n/t

[Hekate]

14. Aw, that's sweet. I remember how crazy for JFK the Irish in Ireland were, and he never lived there.

It's the idea of someplace far away and poor being somehow in touch with greatness in the bigger world. :-)

Hekate

[Odin2005]

16. Cool!

[Withywindle]

18. I think it's sweet!

Like others have said, it's really about him overcoming all the obstacles he did to get where he is, and the hope that he's inspired in people.

I like the fact that it shows him as a child. It's easy to forget that even extremely powerful people were children once, and that there are future world leaders among the ranks of those who are children now.

[zonkers]

19. Little Barrack had a pet monkey? No fair. I want a pet monkey.