[cripplecreek]

Carrying blue-and-yellow Ukrainian and European Union flags

So why beat up on Lenin if they really want the same thing?

[definitelynotaliberal]

Becaise it’s cool to protest, even if you have no idea what you are protesting.

Meanwhile, there’s a 16-foot bronze statue of Lenin in Seattle, WA.
http://fremont.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3739626257_e9888fd184_b.jpg

[1rudeboy]

The biggest difference is that the protestors want to form the trade pact with the EU, versus being forced by Putin, et al., into the Russian version.

I can't make it any more simple . . . and if you don't see the difference (no worries, other FReepers don't, either), then I can't help.

[Jmouse007]

As someone who was there in the Ukrain and Kiev for the entire Orange Revolution, this event is an earth shattering, cathartic moment for the people of the Ukraine. This statue is centrally located in down town Kiev, right off of Krishatic street, the main thoroughfare in the capital. They destroyed this statue and pulvarized it into dust because it was one of the last remaining symbols and vestiges of RUSSIAN/Soviet oppression. The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians want no part of Russia: the government that systematically brutalized them and starved MILLIONS of their citizens to death on purpose.

The Ukrainians do not want to be a puppet state of Russia (which they are under the "leadership" of Yanakovich, the twice convicted felon, Russian mafia "president" of the Ukraine), the Ukrainians want to be FREE. Free of Russia's control and free to associate with the West. This isthe last thing Russia and Yanakovich want.

It is important to remember that the reason why there are so many Russians presently living in the Ukraine is because Stalin. "Uncle Joe" uprooted and exiled multitudes of native Ukrainians to Siberia and other frozen Russian he'll holes and transplanted Soviet Russians in their place in order to consolidate his power and choice land holdings and they have been there ever since.

The Ukrainians want to be free from Russian dominance and control! THAT is why they finally tore down that disputable statue of the tyrant Lenin in Kiev.