In 2008, Dave Bieter, Mayor of Boise ("the only Basque-speaking mayor in the U.S.") — a two-year student in Oñati (1974 and 1978) — spoke at the Democratic caucus in Boise that nominated Obama for president. Before a huge crowd of party supporters, Dave lead the Democrats in a cheer for Obama — "it's a uniquely Idaho cheer, because it's in Basque. You're not going to hear this anywhere else," said the mayor. Some people in attendance recorded his words, or made a video, and "Gora Obama!" was soon on the internet, and to his surprise, viewed with much interest IN EUSKADI.

Incidentally, that "Gora Obama!" had a similar effect on me as when I heard the current Lehendakari Urkullu, shout "Free Basque Country!," in English, at the end of a political "mitin" here in Euskadi!

Not content with the videos I found, and wanting to focus solely on Dave, showing a close-up image of him, and noting that this was the "shout heard round the world," or at least in EUSKADI, I decided to work on it a bit with Apple's iMovie, and this is the result.

... Just one more small step in strengthening the bonds between the American West and Euskal Herria.