As the news of American President Barack Obama’s decision to delay his visit to Indonesia hit the press, I started to understand the reason behind the ‘three strikes you’re out’ rule.
Of course, I see it from the perspective of an American citizen living within a short distance from the White House where the value of homes has dropped by at least a third and where a bustling shopping mall is now a ghost town.
At my children’s public school, a war between the county school officials and parents broke out when supervisors threatened to cut popular programs such as music and band in elementary schools.
The programs were saved thanks to a well-organized group that relentlessly attended the county’s meetings and collected thousands of petitions.
However, next school year their classrooms will have more students and some teachers may not return.
Back to President Obama’s visit to Indonesia. I think it is a great opportunity for the US to reach the largest Muslim population in the world.
Since Obama’s Melia and Sasha are school-aged kids, it is also a great way to put Indonesia on the map for young Americans.
It is about time that Indonesia be seen in a positive light, a place where even the first family can go on vacation, a place where people love to see the American President.
Unfortunately, President Obama has too many problems at home to deal with. It seems as though he is facing problems on top of problems and there is no end in sight.
This time it is the ugly blob of fossil oil that leaked from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico after an alleged-accident on the offshore oil rig.
As one of the most fragile ecosystem in the US braces for a full impact of the oil leak, it is not a top priority for the American president to visit Indonesia.
If Indonesians respect Obama, they should understand how important it is for him to stay at home to monitor the situation and show that he cares.
I am sure that as soon as he has an opening, President Obama will visit Indonesia to show his family the place he once called home.
But for now, he has business to tend to at home or he may lose his job. I hope Indonesians will not apply the three strikes rule.
The writer is a journalist based in Washington, DC.
