Ukrainian Orange

Yushchenko is now campaigning in the eastern Ukraine. This is even bolder, in political terms, than hosting the GOP convention in Manhattan. The people who oppose him include KGB goons, and they literally tried to kill him. And that eastern part of the country has always been friendlier towards Russia, and less fond of independence.

Some cynically discredit Ukrainian democracy because it is supported by the U.S. This is blind Bush-hatred, taken to extremes. If Tianenman Square happened today, and this administration voiced it's support, would the cause be any less worthy?

Eastern Europe does have more affection towards the U.S. than France or Germany. But if any neocons think they've got an immediate ally in the Ukraine simply because they are another democracy, it's worth remembering the run-up to Iraq, when the Turkish parliament told us where we could stick our 4th infantry.

Democracy is democracy, like it or not. Red and blue staters alike should be united behind one color on December 26th.