PS - If you did some research and read previous posts of mine on this subject (and one on this thread) you would learn I consider Putin's foray into the Ukrainian election one of his biggest mistakes in his second term. You can try to paint me as some sort of pro-Russian zealot all you want, that still won't change the fact that what I post is based on actual in-country experience on the events (as they happened) occuring in that region. If I see an incorrect or false statement on what is actually going on, I'll post it. The criticism of Russia and praise of Ukraine posted by you, and others like spanalot, require response since most of what you post is based on incorrect data and incorrect analysis of the situation. When you try to pass yourself off as an expert, but yet are so damn wrong about the events it's hard to stay silent - i.e., you are misleading others who will take your comments at face value just because you claim you were there. Russia and Ukraine have a long way to go before either country is lauded for their efforts towards a Western-style democracy. Ukraine is more disturbing because people are wrongly labeling Yushenko as a democrat and reformer. He is just another in a long line of false democrats using the West to further his aims - enriching his clan (take a look at his 19-year old son's record - it compares to Yeltsin's daughter). What is so damaging is true Ukrainian reformers are not receiving assistance because Yushenko has wrongly been labeled the "real deal." His presidency will go down in history as a major setback to true reforms and the next election will probably bring a Ukrainian leader who will put them even closer, politically, to the Russian Federation.
Those kids who were involved in protesting the tainted election results should be commended, but let's not overstate their "bravery." This was NOT the Tblisi in 1989 or the Baltics. It's a shame Yushenko and Timoshenko have spit in their faces. A lot of the same kids who supported the Orange movement (btw, you need to look up what a "Revolution" is - you've incorrectly labeled the events in Ukraine) no longer are prepared to repeat this mistake. They feel they've been sold out and abandoned. If you disagree with this assessment, take a good look at Yushenko's policies and Timoshenko machinations that have led to Yanukovich's return to power and Ukraine back into Russia's orbit.
As an American I can only share in the disappointments that the move to rid the hangover from Communism and the stops and starts that comes with it.
I don't share your assessment on some areas but especially don't share your methodology of attacking people you don't have any ability to discern anything about but seek to claim they are part of some socialistic Soros group.
I am an independent American businessman end of story.
Merely defending my own experiences has been difficult enough with the Russian autocratic attacks you employ repeatedly.
Did I say I'm an expert? I shared my personal experience. If you don't like it, that's too bad. And my knowledge based on my experience and sources can not be proved lies and frankly it's quite childish for you to attempt to label me as you have with your wild assertions and outright juvenile attacks.
You don't know me, and have no right to depict my experiences or my sources with ridiculous charges that I was never there. That Russian autocratic disease appears to be contagious. I've seen your posts before and could care less about your assessment of Putin's efforts in Ukraine. I'm only concerned with your reckless attacks on me.
I've been accurate about my experience and my sources. Enough of the Soviet style attacks.