Vaastu:

Thanks to you too!

I believe Yudhoyono is being traumatic on what had happened to Soeharto. A demonstration lead to leader's resignation to avoid further chaos. He had to understand that most indonesian are under-educated. He can swiftly response to demonstrators by showing goodwill and real act to increase level of education rate by increase APBN budget into 30 pct like India.

Simon:

You've said it all! Thanks!

Toms, Dicks or Harrys? Rather a condescending tone to take with the general population who largely understand, especially those demonstrating, just how they are shafted by the system on a daily basis. Perhaps V. you'd care to offer a relative moral critique of protesters defacing a photograph (a piece of paper in other words) vs. politicians carpet bagging the country into one in which infant malnutrition flourishes unchecked. Demeanour? Sheesh, you're just showing how ill equipped many Indonesians are culturally to truly fight and battle for representative government. Should those who insult the president still be locked up? Is this an appropriate 'form' of democracy that fits with the country's values? You'd better ask yourself who these values, namely excessive deference to authority, benefit.

Vaastu:

Do you know what form of democracy Indonesia practices? I'm not too sure myself. Perhaps you have a better understanding of it than I. Can you try elucidate?

Anyway, one definition of democracy spells it out as "the principles of social equality and respect for the individuals within a community."

I do trust you know the true meaning of respect? Or, do I have to spell it out for you? How far would you go to criticize the President, VP and the Finance Minister? Would you desecrate their portraits too?

The word democracy has been loosely used by many Toms, Dicks and Harrys without truly comprehending it's ramifications.

The "little" minds only undestands that democracy allows them to protest in whatever form they feel necessary, without any considerations to morality and demeanor.

Indonesia has still a very long way to go!