The following is a dialogue between Justin and Justina, two fictional Brooklyn-based friends whose dialogues feature regularly in The New Leaf Journal. You can find all of their discussions in our Justin and Justina dialogue directory. In today’s dialogue, Justin and Justina are walking in Brooklyn after having just met up. Justin, as he sometimes does, has something to share with Justina. Rather than spoil what Justin has prepared for us today, let us yield the floor so he can tell Justina (and us) himself.
“Have you been following the upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan?”
Justin asked Justina this question out of the blue. Justina was caught off guard. Not only had she not been following the upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan, but she also had no idea that there were elections in Kyrgyzstan, much less upcoming elections. While she knew of Kyrgyzstan, a small land-locked former Soviet state in Central Asia which is slightly smaller South Dakota, she did not recall ever having discussed Kyrgyzstan with Justin, much less having ever thought about Kyrgyz politics. To the best of her recollection, not even The New Leaf Journal had previously written about Kyrgyzstan despite having published reports on speeches and elections in Uzbekistan and constitutional reform in Kazakhstan (alas, she did miss a single shared link about rap in Kyrgyzstan).
“What?”
Justina had a sinking feeling as soon as that one word escaped her lips. She wished she could take back her invitation to Justin to add context to his random question. But it was too late. It is always too late. The genie could not be put back in the bottle.
(Italicized foreshadowing…)
When Justin says read, he is referring to an November 28, 2025 report by Alexander Thompson for Eurasianet titled Kyrgyz parliamentary elections feature lots of competition, little choice. The title summarizes the content of the report well. It previewed the then-upcoming Kyrgyz parliamentary elections taking place that day, which concluded along the lines suggested in the preview (but without actual long lines given the low turnout). For her part, Justina knew better than to say anything, so she waited for Justin to continue as to not impede him from getting to the point he would inevitable get to one way or another.
“I read this incredible quote by a Kyrgyz political scientist about democracy.”
“The reporter in this Kyrgyz election preview talks to this guy named Bakyt Baketaev, who is apparently a Kyrgyz political scientist who supports President Sadyr Japarov. Are you really ready for this quote?”
Justina wondered to herself why Justin was asking her if she was ready. If she said no, would he stop telling the story? Of course not! He was going to share the quote regardless of whether she was ready. Why not just share the quote? Well, Justin does love his dramatic delivery.
“I’m not ready but you’re going to tell me anyway.”
Justin nodded knowingly. He then shared the quote:
Democracy should be like vodka. We’ve drunk 100 grams, and that’s good, but if we drink the bottle, well, that’d be bad.
Bakyt Baketaev
Having delivered Mr. Baketaev’s democracy zinger, Justin added his own assessment: “That’s the best democracy in moderation take I have ever read. A true “999” take. You have no choice but to agree with me.”
Justina considered what Justin had shared and was surprised to find herself agreeing with him. She snorted before gathering herself and delivering what she considered to be a more lady-like response:
“I can’t lie, that was a good quote.”
“Whew, I’m glad you think so,” Justin said with a sigh of relief, “I don’t know what would have happened if you didn’t agree.”
Justina was perplexed. Why did Justin seem relieved that she agreed with him. What was with that ominous statement at the end? Does he follow this Baketaev guy?
“…What do you mean?”
“Well I’m a teetotaler, so I abstain from both alcohol and democracy. You aren’t allowed to disagree with me.”
Justina thought back to what Justin had said before. “You have to agree with me.” As she remembered that she involuntarily rolled her eyes. She saw what he did there. But did she like what she did there?
“You should leave the comedy to Baketaev.”
Justin sighed.
“Come on! That was good. I may not be a Baketaev but I think we could be a comedy duo.”
“As long as you perform in Kyrgyzstan!”
Justina was proud of herself for that retort. She looked smug. But not as smug as Justin looked as he responded.
“If you’re looking for comedy in the former Soviet states of Central Asia, look west to Turkmenistan.”
A sense of dread filled Justina.
“I don’t want to look anywhere to Turkmenistan!”
Expand to learn more about my Justin and Justina dialogue series…
Justin and Justina are a fictional New Leaf Journal dialogue duo created by New Leaf Journal editor Nicholas A. Ferrell. Their dialogues cover their strange, sometimes random conversations (usually) in Brooklyn, New York. If you enjoy this dialogue, you can find many (over 50) more in our Justin and Justina Collection hub.
