Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Obama Jakarta Statue Attacked on Facebook

Website founder says Barack is no national hero

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2009 8:43 AM CST

(Newser) – A statue in Jakarta of President Obama as a boy is being attacked on a Facebook site by members who are demanding its removal. Some 15,500 members have joined the "Take Down the Barack Obama Statue in Taman Menteng Park" site since the 43-inch statue was erected last week.

"Everybody knows that Obama is a world leader, but he is not our national hero who deserves to be awarded a statue," said Jakarta resident Heru Nugroho, who founded the site. Obama lived in Jakarta from 1967 to 1971 with his American mom, Indonesian stepfather and his half-sister. The Jarkarta businessman who spearheaded the effort to erect the statue called the site "ridiculous."

A women stands near the bronze statue of young Barack Obama during a ceremony at a park in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.
A women stands near the bronze statue of young Barack Obama during a ceremony at a park in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
A coffee vendor rides past the statue of Barack Obama as 10-year-old at Menteng Park in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. The statue has been targeted in a Facebook campaign by thousands.
A coffee vendor rides past the statue of Barack Obama as 10-year-old at Menteng Park in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. The statue has been targeted in a Facebook campaign by thousands.   (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesian students wave their country's flags near the bronze statue of young Barack Obama during a ceremony at a park in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec 10, 2009.
Indonesian students wave their country's flags near the bronze statue of young Barack Obama during a ceremony at a park in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
45%
10%
10%
5%
15%
15%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 24 comments
QueenAlli
Dec 16, 2009 12:21 PM CST
Who mother fucking cares? was it your money? is it in your front yard? are you forced to worship it and give it virginal sacrifices? What's the worst that can happen if it stays there? NO so every one who has a problem with just get over it. ---------------------Why are people so threatened by this man? It warms my heart that he causes so many to quiver in their panties. Wake the hell up there are more important things to worry about.
Craighenn
Dec 16, 2009 7:10 AM CST
Well, it's better than a Ch-ch-ch-chia-obama.
NxBigmouthery
Dec 16, 2009 4:35 AM CST
I don't give a fuck. If Ronald Reagan came here for a week in 1942 and they put a statue up to commemorate it, I wouldn't give a fart full of fondant. What;s the rumpus? The guy made President, he lived a few years in Indonesia, so they pay tribute. Hell, there's a bust of JFK in Melbourne and he never even came to Australia. So you can stick your inane trollery up your well-travelled ass.

More Newser Stories

Obama Relives Childhood Memories as Asia Trip Ends

Obama: 'Indonesia Is Part of Me'

Obama Statue Will Leave Indonesian Park

Indonesia May Tear Down Obama Statue

Man Arrested for Declaring Atheism on Facebook


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne