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Even though 3Chics Politico is written and curated by three women: Ametia, Rikyrah, and SouthernGirl2, I must nominate this as one of the most engaging blogs I've found. Devoted to politics and culture, these three shine a light on contemporary life with humor and spirit.
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President Obama & First Lady Michelle Attends State Dinner At The State Palace-Istana Merdeka in Jakarta
This entry was posted in Barack Obama, Business, Celebrations, Communications, Current Events, Economy, Education, Employment News, FLOTUS, Media, Michelle Obama, Open Thread, Politics, President Obama, Relationships and tagged First Lady Michelle Obama, Jakarta Indonesia, Kristiani Herawati, Megawati Sukarnoputri, President Barack Obama, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Taufik Keimas. Bookmark the permalink.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release November 09, 2010 Remarks by the President in a Toast at the State Dinner in Jakarta, Indonesia
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta, Indonesia
November 9, 2010
10:01 P.M. WIT
PRESIDENT OBAMA: President Yudhoyono, Mrs. Yudhoyono, to all the distinguished guests who are here today, thank you for this extraordinary honor. I am proud and humbled to accept this award on behalf of my mother. And although she could not be here in person, I know that my sister Maya Soetoro would be equally proud.
Now, I’m going to have the opportunity to speak tomorrow and so I will try to keep my remarks brief. First of all, thank you for the bakso. (Laughter.) The nasi goring. (Applause.) The emping. (Laughter.) The kerupuk. (Laughter.) Semuanya enak. (Laughter.) Thank you very much. (Applause.)
But the fact, Mr. President, that you would choose to recognize my mother in this way speaks to the bonds that she forged over many years with the people of this magnificent country. And in honoring her, you honor the spirit that led her to travel into villages throughout the country, often on the back of motorcycles, because that was the only way to get into some of these villages.
She believed that we all share common aspirations — to live in dignity and security, to get an education, to provide for our families, to give our children a better future, to leave the world better than we found it. She also believed, by the way, in the importance of educating girls and empowering women, because she understood that when we provide education to young women, when we honor and respect women, that we are in fact developing the entire country. That’s what kept bringing my mother back to this country for so many years. That’s the lesson that she passed on to me and that’s the lesson that Michelle and I try to pass on to our daughters.
So on behalf of our entire family, we thank you. I am deeply moved. It is this same largeness of heart that compels us tonight to keep in our thoughts and prayers all those who are suffering who from the eruptions and the tsunami and the earthquake. With so many in need tonight, that’s one more reason for me to keep my remarks short.
As a young boy in Menteng Dalam 40 years ago, I could never imagine that I would one day be hosted here at Istana Negara — never mind as President of the United States. I didn’t think I would be stepping into this building ever. (Laughter and applause.)
And I know that much has been made about how a young boy could move between such different countries and cultures as Indonesia and the United States. But the truth is, is that our two countries have far more in common than most people realize. We are two peoples who broke free from colonial rule. We are both two vast nations that stretch thousands of miles. We are both two societies that find strength in our diversity. And we are two democracies where power resides in the people. And so it’s only natural that we should be partners in the world.
I am fortunate to have a very strong partner in President Yudhoyono — Indonesia’s first directly elected president, and a leader who has guided this nation through its journey into democracy. And our two nations are fortunate that we are forging a partnership for the 21st century. And as we go forward, I’m reminded of a proverb: bagai aur dengan tebing — like bamboo and the river bank, we rely on each other.
And so I would like to propose a toast. In the spirit of friendship between our two countries, we are reminded of the truth that no nation is an island, not even when you’re made up of thousands of islands. We all rely on each other together, like bamboo and the river bank. And like my mother riding between villages on a motorcycle, we are all stronger and safer when we see our common humanity in each other.
So President Yudhoyono, and to all the distinguished who are here, thank you for your extraordinary friendship and the warmth with which you have received Michelle and myself. And I promise that it won’t take so long before I come back.
(A toast is offered.)
END
10:08 P.M WIT
True dat, Ametia. The MSM is not going to show our President being loved and honoured. Tears filled my eyes as I watched our President being showered with honour in 2 different countries. God is with him. Let the haters hate. They cannot undo what God has ordained. They cannot fight against all mighty God.
Bless our President in every way. Protect him and his family night & day!
Amen. the MSM is too busy continuing their push for the teaparty nonsense, anything to try and discredit and de-legitimize Barack Obama as POTUS.
It’s not working though MOFOs. We’ve got your number. PBO’s got 2 more years, likely 6 with 2012 on the horizon. Live with it bitches!
Do your thing, Mr. President!
THINKING OF HER:
http://www.politico.com/politico44/wbarchive/whiteboard11092010.html
At an emotional dinner in Indonesia, President Obama thanked his hosts for giving him a medal in honor of his mother and for serving foods that were his favorites as a child growing up there. ”I promise it won’t take so long before I come back,” Obama said in a toast, according to the pool, adding that he was “deeply moved.”
“The fact that you would choose to recognize my mother in this way speaks to the bonds she forged over many years with the people of this magnificent country,” he said. “She believed we all share common aspirations: to live in dignity and security, to get an education, to provide for our families, to give our children a better future, to leave the world better than we found it.”
Thanks for the slideshow and links, SG2. it’s truly the only way we’re going to get the genuine significance of these trips and what it means for American and those abroad.
The America MSM is rotten to the core. I loathe it.
It’s it strikinly heart-opening, isn’t it Dannie?
This warms my heart.
Yes it is Ametie.