I'm curious, has anyone on American TV mentioned Indonesia's revolution in 1998 yet?

[Turborama]

I'm writing about this again out of sheer frustration with seeing so much fearmongering about another "Iran 1979" about to happen in Egypt, Tunisia et al.

I'm going to keep it brief, because I've already made a lot of the main points in http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x290024">this OP.

One thing that needs to get cleared up straight away is that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullah#Usage">Arab countries do not have Mullahs like Iran does.

Also, the vast majority of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Egypt">Egyptian Muslims are Sunnis and the vast majority of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Iran#Current_situation_of_Islam">Iranian Muslims are Shia.


Now, back to another example of what can happen in a majority Muslim country once a dictator of 30 years gets thrown out...



After their revolution in 1998 Indonesia (the largest muslim majority country in the world) now has a multi-party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_world#Secular_states">secular democracy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Indonesia#Political_parties_and_elections

This graphic needs a bit of updating but it does show how vibrant Indonesia's secular democracy has become since the revolution started in 1997:



See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Indonesia

Oh, and Muslims and other religions can live together...

[EFerrari]

1. I'm not watching American television so I don't know.

It's unwatchable.

[justiceischeap]

2. I'm soon off to bed, so I don't have time to read up on this

Is this the uprising with the Buddhist monks?

[Hannah Bell]

8. no, it's the one where they killed all the communists.

and, incidentally, that obama's stepdad was involved in.

[Turborama]

9. No, the communist purge happened in 1965 under dictator Sukarno & Lolo Soetoro died in 1987

Sukarno moved from democracy towards authoritarianism, and maintained his power base by balancing the opposing forces of the military and the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). An attempted coup on 30 September 1965 was countered by the army, who led a violent anti-communist purge, during which the PKI was blamed for the coup and effectively destroyed. Between 500,000 and one million people were killed. The head of the military, General Suharto, out-maneuvered the politically weakened Sukarno, and was formally appointed president in March 1968. His New Order administration was supported by the US government, and encouraged foreign direct investment in Indonesia, which was a major factor in the subsequent three decades of substantial economic growth. However, the authoritarian "New Order" was widely accused of corruption and suppression of political opposition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia#History

No mention whatsoever of President Obama's stepdad being involved in anything of the sort: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolo_Soetoro

I'm having second thoughts on whether I can trust your reviews, now.

You've still got time to edit your incorrect assertions, or you can just leave the total wrongness to stand. Up to you.

[Hannah Bell]

10. my error: i didn't read the post, just saw the map that said 1971 & i was off.

you're absolutely right, except that soetoro *was* in the us as a member of the indonesian army (variously reported as military personnel or an "employee"); married obama's mom in 1965 & returned in 1966 without her. She came at the end of 1967. Sukarno became unoffical pres in 67 & official pres in 68.

The purge was 1965-1966. Supposedly soetoro went back to do surveying for the government during a revolutionary period. you'll forgive me if i doubt this story. east-west center has a rep.

i don't edit my posts when i'm wrong. trust me or don't, immaterial to me. best not to trust anyone's reviews; check the info yourself.

[leftstreet]

3. And IRAN...IRAN so far away

Good question!
Kick for an answer

[AsahinaKimi]

4. wow, so Bali is Hindu

it supposed to be a wonderful vacation spot. Surprised how few Buddhists are there..interesting, thanks!

[Turborama]

5. It sure is, here's a photo I took of a procession there

It's a truly magical place...



There are Buddhists all over, that map is a bit deceiving. It shows where the majorities are. Lombok, for example has a lot of Hindus as well as Muslims but the map shows it as green. And vice versa for Bali, if you know what I mean?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Hmmm, no

[Turborama]

7. Well, it's a real shame because Indonesia is a success story & all anyone wants to talk about is

...the impending doom of Islamic fundamentalism.

I prefer to listen to Egyptians like Mona Eltahawy: http://www.monaeltahawy.com/blog/

I've added a couple of interviews with her to the videos forum, if you're interested...

[Catherina]

11. Superb post. Bookmarked. K&R. Can't mention it. Kills the fear factor. n/t

[Turborama]

12. And now they're talking about bombing Iran because Egyptians want a democracy.

WTF?