Organizing for America | tsotne bakuria's Blog

By tsotne bakuria - Jul 21st, 2008 at 4:12 pm EDT

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

Remember talks about Sen. Obama as an idealist ,Sen.Obama does not have enough experience to meet the needs for the highest job in this country, his antiwar retoric and so on? Well "Al Arabia" TV chanell in Bagdad describes him as one of the most mature american politician who ever visited the country in the last 6 years.

Experts love to label this or that politician as a liberal or a rightwing but nobody at least in this campaign has ever mentioned how important is to be a realist to have a vision that would leed your country towards prosperity ,piece and freedom . Barack Obama is the one who claims to have a doctrinal worldview that is going to solve the problems established in so many countries worldwide as a result of inconsistent foreign policy by the current administration and his judgement based on his knowledge of the problems and most importantly on his vision as a world leader.

This is why is it so important to make a right choice because this is a once a lifetime opportunity.

Tsotne Bakuria

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He is the most popular celebrity in Japan

By tsotne bakuria - Jun 15th, 2008 at 9:46 pm EDT

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

"Asahi News" reports on June 15th that Sen.Obama's popularity in Japan is 20 times higher than that of an elected Prime Minister's. the report says that for millions of teenagers all over the country Obama is personification of heroism and bravery.

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why Georgians love Sen .Obama

By tsotne bakuria - May 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm EDT

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

I've got an amazing letter from a friend ,one of the most prominent young georgian writer and liberal thinker Irakli Kakabadze. I think the letter tells a lot about the fillings of millions of people around the World why is Barack Obama so close to hearts and minds of every civilized human being on on our Planet.so I decided to post it on the website. Tsotne Bakuria ____________________________________________________________ Why some democratic forces in Georgia support Sen. Obama's vision by Irakli Kakabadze Georgian democratic forces do not hide their disappointment with President Bush's policy toward Georgia and South Caucasus in general. While everyone was very happy when US started to support Georgian independence, people did not understand why US administration was so much invested in the personal relationship with Mr. Saakashvili. But people in Georgia remember how much support Mr. Shevardnadze was getting from the US, so it was nothing new in this. According to the leading opposition members, US has done a lot to strengthen democracy in Georgia in 1990s, when it has invested heavily in the development of civil society and democratic institutions. It was instrumental during the last years of Shevardnadze regime. US aid towards civil society institutions has played a major role during a success of Rose Revolution. But since 2004, many things changed. Many opposition activists now remember Mr. Rumsfled's visit to Georgia shortly after revolution and they recall that the rhetoric of Georgian authorities started to change and by 2005 it became almost totally militaristic. Even more, Georgian government started to arrest and kill innocent people and in defense of these actions, Minister of Justice, Nika Gvaramia recalled a "Patriot Act". Massive state surveillance program and many political arrests were justified by the war. Georgia has also engaged in military relationship with the US. But the level of democracy has decreased. As Lincoln A. Mitchell absolutely rightfully says in his recent article "Democracy Bound" (National Interest, #95) Georgian authorities reversed the course of democracy in the name of national security and joining NATO. As a result we have a semi-democracy and an increasingly autocratic regime that is threatening to arrest more and more people as "Russian Agents". For many of the democratic forces in Georgia, Senator Obama represents a hope of American democracy and return to civil society. His focus on democracy and development is something that Georgia needs. In fact not just Georgia, but Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan and most of poet-Soviet countries would benefit from this approach. "Our American Friends need to understand that Georgian people are against slavery in any sense." - says Soso Tsiskarishvili, a well known expert on Georgian politics. - "They need to understand that we don't want to be just a military territory, we want to have genuine democracy". According to another expert Gia Khukhashvili, United States should have an interest in developing a real democracy in Georgia as opposed to having just a military partners. Because, this "politics as usual" approach will eventually turn ordinary Georgians against the US. American policy in Georgia 1990s was very much oriented towards civil society and development. And it was extremely successful - that is why many Georgians think that Obama will be a good ally of Georgian Democracy. Another expert of Georgian Politics, Ramaz Sakvarelidze: "The failure of George W. Bush policy in Iraq, Iran, its accommodation of Russia and Putin has turned very many Georgians against US. Today many Georgians identify themselves more with Europe than America". Considering the fact that The United States were immensely popular in Georgia, it is easier to understand why current administration's Georgian policy is generating protest in Georgia. One of the opposition representatives told me: " We are looking at Senator Obama's candidacy with a great hope. Since this is a guy who is not afraid to challenge and question imperialism. Who is not going to exchange democracy for military camps and torture chambers and this is the guy who talks about development and democracy. That is what we need, instead of militaristic bravado and shady deals using Georgian territory."

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Big Night for America

By tsotne bakuria - May 7th, 2008 at 8:57 am EDT

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

Friend of mine a former member of German Parliament , a prominent Cristisn Democrat and professor at Koblenz University called me at 5 AM this morning. He said that more than 65% of all Germans supported Sen.Obama the way they do support their own national soccer team with screaming and heavy beer drinking. according to him first time in his life Germans spent night watching to the most amazing contest between Sen.Obama and his opponent.
The World needs the American Leadership the way Sen .Obama has proposed to the civilized society and first time in the lifes of hundreeds of millions of people on this Planet is the hope for better life ,freedom and peace .
Tsotne BAKURIA

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California budget proposal

By tsotne bakuria - Apr 29th, 2008 at 7:28 pm EDT

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

Join Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass

California's

Budget Crisis

Townhall Meeting

Saturday, May 3, 2008

10:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.

Holman United Methodist Church

3320 W Adams Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90018

The Governor's proposed budget calls for 10% cuts across

all state supported services to close California's budget gap.

These cuts target schools, health care, human services and state parks.

How will this affect California's most vulnerable children and working families?

What can you do to make a difference?

For more information or to RSVP please contact Estee Sepulveda at (323) 937-4747 or

Estee.Sepulveda@asm.ca.gov. Please RSVP by April 30, 2008

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Women in Pennsylvania

By tsotne bakuria - Apr 13th, 2008 at 6:35 pm EDT

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

My wife and I travelled to Pa. this weekend for the Women's Rally and then spent the afternoon canvassing in Jenkintown, Pa. We hit about 80 houses, and the reception was very cordial. Only one Republican, and a few Hillary supporters. A few undecideds we think will go with Barack after we spent time talking about his message, and correcting some false information.

It was exhausting, but worth it.

I have a feeling things will be very very tight in Pa. and that because of the enormous effort of volunteers across the state, Senator Obama will not be beaten.

One woman said, "Well, I'll vote for Hillary in the primary and then for Obama in the general election." I said you may not get to vote for Obama, so why don;t you just cut to the chase and vote the candidate who you think can beat McCain. She thought for a moment and replied, "You're right."

Tsotne Bakuria

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Why we need Sen. Obama even more today

By tsotne bakuria - Feb 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm EST

The recent story on the vast waste of money spent by the Clinton campaign only reenforces my support for Obama. If I has been a Clinton contributor, I would be extremely upset. The Clinton campaign has failed because of the enormous salaries paid to advisors, hubris and ego.

I know Barack's campaign is spending the money wisely. It's why I continue to donate, and why I will work for his election in November.

I remember the watchword of Bob Woodward's investigation of Richard Nixon during Watergate:

Follow the money.

$100, 000 for deli sandwiches? This is how she would operate as President and why Obama is indeed a much cleaner, less "experienced" nominee. Certainly less irresponsible with his campaign funds. I urge all of you to continue to donate, even small amounts. Every bit counts. We are the supporters of real change.

Tsotne Bakuria

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past vs future

By tsotne bakuria - Feb 13th, 2008 at 7:02 pm EST

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

My wife has a tie pin which was given to her father who was a delegate to the Democratic Convention in 1960. It is gold, with PT 109 boat.

Thisis the past. But the next time she sees Barack, she intends to give it to him.

Because the past IS the future. For all of us, and our children.

We have waited decades for someone like Sen. Obama to take the stage, take the lead and restore our country to greatness around the world.

If JFK were alive today, he would endorse Barack. No question.

Tsotne Bakuria

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speech at American University

By tsotne bakuria - Jan 29th, 2008 at 5:07 pm EST

The whole event was so nostalgic and exciting...even Sen. kennedy gave a real, rousing speech with many kennedy's in the audience.

I'm so glad Sen. Obama stayed and spoke to the students who could not get into the auditorium and stayed outside in the jan. freeze.

The faces in the crowd were diverse and uplifting. The young generation is involved again, and the torch has indeed been passed.

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Millions of people worldwide are looking forward to get better lives under Obama's smart leadership

By tsotne bakuria - Jan 28th, 2008 at 10:44 pm EST

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Article published Nov 19, 2007
Unfulfilled expectations

November 19, 2007

Tsotne Bakuria - Four years ago, an ebullient Mikhail Saakashvili was swept into power as president of the Republic of Georgia powered by the PR dream, "The Rose Revolution." Today, he is hunkered down with a few advisers, after declaring a state of emergency, shutting down a major television station, cutting off the Internet and cell phones, tear gassing, beating women in the streets and arresting hundreds of protesters calling for his resignation. Defiant and discredited, Mr. Saakashvili vows to remain in office, whatever the cost.

How Mr. Saakashvili got to this point is a story of greed, corruption, paranoia and abuse of power. No one seriously believes he can hang on much longer — as 100,000 demonstrators filling the square in front of the Parliament building in the capital of Tbilisi chant, "Leave ... leave."

The young politician has deeply disappointed his former supporters, many of them jailed for "hooliganism" and other crimes against his iron-fisted regime.

It helps to understand the history of Georgia; a tiny country, strategically bordering Turkey, Russia and Iran. Mr. Saakashvili's predecessor, Eduard Sheveranadze, was a white-haired diplomat who won the respect of the West when the Berlin Wall fell and communism was replaced by the notion of a democratic country.

I was there the day "Shevy" fled the Parliament building, resigning from office rather than risk violence. No matter what else can be said of the man, he did not want the blood of innocent Georgians on his hands.

But what was promised never materialized. Mr. Saakashvili began by trashing the Constitution (under the guise of ferreting out corruption in government) and seemed to convey the notion that democracy was just another form of dictatorship. Still, the Bush administration ignored or refused to believe the stories coming out of Georgia; the torture of prison inmates, the human-rights abuses, the sad impoverishment of the country's majority. Blackouts, oil shortage, pensions unpaid, opposition crushed. One of my former teachers, Irakli Batiashvili, was arrested and jailed for no reason last year and has since lost 65 pounds and rots in a basement cell 4 feet long by 5 feet high, with no sunlight.

Recently, at the height of the public demonstration calling for Mr. Saakashvili's resignation, I watched the news reports from Georgia. I was never so proud of my countrymen. Their strong voices must be heard.

Americans, the opposition leaders pointed out, must support the Georgian people, not this mad man. They are demanding that election be held in a constitutional time frame. They are asking simply that the people be allowed to decide. They are asking for democracy — a choice.

Mr. Saakashvili's regime is now trying to prolong his current government by putting off elections until the end of 2008. This is unconstitutional. It's as if President Bush last year decided he quite liked the current Republican majority, and declared elections were unnecessary. It is unthinkable in American terms: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, tortured and jailed. Brian Williams sitting at the anchor desk, armed military cutting off the cameras. Ted Kennedy arrested for treason. Not to mention John Stewart or Cindy Sheehan.

Georgian jails are packed full with prisoners. At the same time, the president has been quoted as saying "there is no crime" in the country. One of the biggest crooks is Mr. Saakashvili's uncle, a nefarious character who lives in New York. He was arrested several years ago on charges of taking $200,000 worth of bribes. He publicly declared President Bush was "his best friend," a statement I'm sure raised eyebrows in the CIA and State Department. Mr. Saakashvili officially pardoned his uncle, who for the time being at least remains untouchable.

American taxpayers deposit $300 million into the Georgian budget every year. Instead of schools or hospitals, the money was used to build Mr. Saakashvili a presidential palace and recruit his Republican Guard, a private army.

The president dismissed the 100,000 demonstrators, calling them "garbage." It is hard to imagine that this man loves his country, or his people. If he did, he would make the concessions they ask and hold timely elections.

He has refused to open a dialogue with his opponents, described as a "loose coalition" and still controls Rustavi 2, the state-owned television station. In the opposite corner, is Imedi TV, owned by a Georgian billionaire now financing Mr. Saakashvili's opposition and Rupert Murdoch's media conglomerate, News Corp. (Mr. Saakashvili labeled Mr. Murdoch a "Russian agent.") They broadcast day and night, as the number of demonstrators swelled and the image of thousands of headlights streaming into the capital were replayed. Mr. Saakashvili pulled the plug.

What are the solutions? The United States, the only foreign country that supports this regime, must realize Mr. Saakashvili is more than willing to shed blood to hold onto his tenuous power. Long-term foreign policy in the Caucasus could be severely damaged if Mr. Saakashvili is allowed to remain in office. He has thumbed his nose at his own people, and at the American people, so sure of their blind support and trust. It was a very emotional week. I'm sure the demonstrators are exhausted from standing in the pouring rain, hoping their words could be heard.

What started small has become a national chorus: The president must resign.

Tsotne Bakuria is a former member of Parliament in Georgia, now living in Los Angeles. He is a member of "American-Georgian Democratic Society."

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Let us help Obama to save this country's value under Obama's leadership

By tsotne bakuria - Jan 28th, 2008 at 10:37 pm EST

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.washingtontimes.com
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Article published Jan 17, 2008
Drama viewed from afar

January 17, 2008

By Tsotne Bakuria - In the coming nine months, the world will watch with fascination as the 2008 American presidential race unfolds. In fact, few foreigners understand how Americans choose their nominees.

American voters may whine about the length of the season and the seemingly endless year ahead, but to those in despotic regimes the road to the White House is a thrilling drama.

No reality show could ever duplicate the angst, heartache and joy of running for president. The primaries are the "American Idol" of politics. Shaking hands, thumping podiums, judging the best blueberry pie, posing for Cybershots and tearing up in diners may be cliches, but it's getting the votes that count.

The whole show — including the debates — is big and blowsy and the amount of campaign money alone is daunting to any outsider. In America, you need money to run for office. In many other countries, money is the goal.

Take the billionaire "presidents" and "prime ministers" in Africa or Asia riding in bullet proof limousines surrounded by their flunkies. Corrupt men and women enter politics in other countries to gain social standing and riches, none of which would be available to them without some sort of inside government connection. Husbands get rich, wives richer. Feckless relatives are appointed to high-level posts and everyone close to the leader has their hand in the till.

Former President Bill Clinton is now a millionaire (thanks to books, speeches and corporate board fees), but wasn't when he took office. Mitt Romney is already rich. As for Hillary, she doesn't exactly need health benefits and John Edwards, a trial lawyer, freely admits he is financially comfortable.

Former New York governor and two-time Republican presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey once remarked, "No man should be in public office who can't make more money in private life." Certainly that would pertain to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Watching the process unfold, I was amazed at how frank the candidates have been about their finances. In no other country would a candidate for public office stand such scrutiny. Politicians in most countries go to great lengths to hide their spreadsheets.

Critics say the process is demeaning, that no one smart enough or savvy enough (like , hmm, George Clooney, for example) would ever put themselves through the ringer.

But Americans should be grateful. Boxers or briefs, pearls or diamonds, socks on the floor. Trivial matters aside, all the presidential candidates have exposed themselves to the most intense curiosity and speculation. Hundreds of millions of voters in the world would never take this for granted. Even those already voted off the show are winners.

And just think: Only about 36 more weeks to go.

Tsotne Bakuria is a former member of the Republic of Georgia's Parliament.

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Let us help Obama to save this country's value under Obama's leadership

By tsotne bakuria - Jan 28th, 2008 at 10:35 pm EST

This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.washingtontimes.com
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Article published Jan 17, 2008
Drama viewed from afar

January 17, 2008

By Tsotne Bakuria - In the coming nine months, the world will watch with fascination as the 2008 American presidential race unfolds. In fact, few foreigners understand how Americans choose their nominees.

American voters may whine about the length of the season and the seemingly endless year ahead, but to those in despotic regimes the road to the White House is a thrilling drama.

No reality show could ever duplicate the angst, heartache and joy of running for president. The primaries are the "American Idol" of politics. Shaking hands, thumping podiums, judging the best blueberry pie, posing for Cybershots and tearing up in diners may be cliches, but it's getting the votes that count.

The whole show — including the debates — is big and blowsy and the amount of campaign money alone is daunting to any outsider. In America, you need money to run for office. In many other countries, money is the goal.

Take the billionaire "presidents" and "prime ministers" in Africa or Asia riding in bullet proof limousines surrounded by their flunkies. Corrupt men and women enter politics in other countries to gain social standing and riches, none of which would be available to them without some sort of inside government connection. Husbands get rich, wives richer. Feckless relatives are appointed to high-level posts and everyone close to the leader has their hand in the till.

Former President Bill Clinton is now a millionaire (thanks to books, speeches and corporate board fees), but wasn't when he took office. Mitt Romney is already rich. As for Hillary, she doesn't exactly need health benefits and John Edwards, a trial lawyer, freely admits he is financially comfortable.

Former New York governor and two-time Republican presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey once remarked, "No man should be in public office who can't make more money in private life." Certainly that would pertain to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Watching the process unfold, I was amazed at how frank the candidates have been about their finances. In no other country would a candidate for public office stand such scrutiny. Politicians in most countries go to great lengths to hide their spreadsheets.

Critics say the process is demeaning, that no one smart enough or savvy enough (like , hmm, George Clooney, for example) would ever put themselves through the ringer.

But Americans should be grateful. Boxers or briefs, pearls or diamonds, socks on the floor. Trivial matters aside, all the presidential candidates have exposed themselves to the most intense curiosity and speculation. Hundreds of millions of voters in the world would never take this for granted. Even those already voted off the show are winners.

And just think: Only about 36 more weeks to go.

Tsotne Bakuria is a former member of the Republic of Georgia's Parliament.

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Bush's another "achievement"

By tsotne bakuria - Jan 28th, 2008 at 10:28 pm EST

Also listed in: Alexandria 4 Obama

In his State of The Union speech tonight he did mention the country Georgia as another his splendid foreign policy "triumph" . The counrtry that suffers under a dictatorship of so called the hero of the "rose revolution" Michael Saakashvili.the man who successfuly did deteriorate democracy in the country. who blindly supports Bush's madness in the region and offically declared his staying in the power as long as he lives whereas hudreeds of thousands of georgians sacrificing their lives to survive the oppression of the political reality.

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America's the only hope

By tsotne bakuria - Jan 26th, 2008 at 5:33 pm EST

Senator Barack Obama is a man of great character and integrity. He will restore this country to greatness, and lead us together for a brighter future. He is a leader and statesman in the mold of Ghandi, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and others.

The whole world is watching, supporting him in his quest for the presidency. This will be a historical moment for America, and Americans should be proud and grateful for his willingness to lead.

His speech is the most unifying one I have ever heard in my life. He inspires and encourages us all to give back to America.

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