Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

Yushchenko's peace trumps Bush's war

Victor Yushchenko was inaugurated as president of Ukraine Jan. 23 and the world rejoiced with Ukraine. Yushchenko triumphed over the muck and corruption of a regime that mouthed the words of democracy but would stop at nothing to protect its power.

"The Ukrainian nation has risen," he declared at his inauguration. It brought back memories of those valiant people camped out in the Central Square of Kiev, refusing to leave until the voice of the people had been recognized.

Three days earlier, another inauguration took place in Washington. U.S. President George W. Bush launched his second term mouthing the same ideals that Ukrainians had risked so much to achieve.

"It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world," Bush proclaimed.

But here we draw back in alarm. Bush talks of freedom, yet he has had 600 alleged "enemy combatants" from Afghanistan imprisoned at Guatanamo Bay for nearly three years after the fighting ended, without charges, without lawyers and without trials. It is a mockery of democracy and the rule of law.

The U.S. cosies up to the totalitarian regime in China, making no effort to "support the growth of democratic movements and institutions," but making sure that Wal-Mart can continue to sell goods to American consumers at the lowest possible prices.

No doubt Bush is serious about spreading democracy as he understands it. And the world may become an armed camp as a result.

The world once, not that long ago, viewed the U.S. the way it today views Ukraine - as a home to the best and the brightest ideals of humanity. But the more imperialistic the U.S. has become in the spread of its "ideals," its consumer culture and its control of resources, the more the world has recoiled.

Democracy - make it homegrown, perhaps with a little shove from the outside, but mainly rooted in the desires and the energy of the people. The world will cheer that. But impose it from abroad with cruise missiles, warships and occupying forces and you will stir up a maelstrom of terrorism, civil war and precious little freedom.

Victor Yushchenko, the world loves you. You and your followers are fighting the good fight and, so far, are winning. George Bush, the world fears you. You have cast your lot with repression in the name of security and war in the name of peace. We do not see you as a messenger of freedom and democracy.

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