What is the similarity of American George Walker Bush with Iranian Ahmadinejad and Indonesian Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono? Well, they all won their second term in office in a scandalous election 
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“Are you sad? Angry? Humiliated?”, a dear friend who is also a strong supporter for incumbent Yudhoyono asked this morning.
I laughed at her. “Don’t worry about me, Dear”, I confirmed her, ” I KNEW it from the very beginning that Yudhoyono would likely win. And that’s why I initially decided to be a nonvoter again. But, I was angry when he went too far with this chrystal clear cheating operation with the General Elections Commition (KPU). That was where I stood to publicly say that I am against that.”
“You will be in a lonely road, Dear,” my friend said in a symphatetic tone,”Because EVERYBODY would like to join the joyride of the winner’s train. You know, as they said, the winner takes it all”
“That’s right, but I was there during Soeharto dictatorship regime WITHOUT losing my grip to go against him,” I had a smile to her, a very big one,”So having another five years of bad time politically would be a piece of cake. Well, maybe I will be sad to see another Ahmadi people being forced leaving their home by the Islamist hardliners, coz this president did nothing about it during his first term in office. The lists can go on, but, again, I am not living in a perfect world, right?”
“Yeah, that too,” she answered, with a less enthusiasm left in her face. “But,” wait, I can see another splash of enthusiasm emerged in her face, “how did you KNOW that Yudhoyono would secure his winning?”
I had a big, biggest laugh, before answering her. “That, my friend, because last year Mama Lauren has said so”
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.., we both broke into hysterical laugh together. Mama Lauren is a famous psychic, 
, Gotcha!
Yeah, what a country I am living in , Oh Indonesia, I love you with all of your faults, I consider you as my home…, always!
Mbak Rita,
When George Bush was elected to his 2nd term in office, he said that he obtained a political capital, and he intended to spend it. For what? Disaster (natural, military, political) after disaster doomed his administration.
Now, Yudhoyono gets an even bigger capital than five years ago: 1st round knock-out. How will he spend it? I have a bunch of suggestions for him: protecting the rights of minorities (including the rights of women, Ahmadis, and other minorities), abrogating the badly abused religion defamation law, battling corruption, advancing political and economic reforms, standing up against countries abusing our migrant workers, etc. Or he, a lame-duck, will be too busy building his legacy, and keep smiling for nothing? And my biggest fear: he secretly prepares a crown prince to continue his non-working policies? And, god forbids, he seeks a 3rd term.
RITA : Thanks for the insight, Mas, hopefully it won’t get worse altough I am afraid it likely would. BTW I’d like to add, in my opinion, the worst part of our 2009 election is the media game which clearly showed us their unfair treatment. Some friends have a nickname to call it as TV Pol Cikeas. Sad huh, coz it reminds me to the old “good” time with Mr Harmoko’s “Di bawah petunyuk bapak presiden”.:( , or simply an era of darkness.