The Best of Times

Kyiv
Originally uploaded by octopod.

Sometimes there is good news.

The Ukraine, which suffered through Stalin's mass famines, the Second World War, and only recently became independent, has been ruled by a post-communist mafia.

Recent elections have led to a crisis as hundreds of thousands took to the street to protest the mafia's attempt to steal the election. So far, the protests have been both massive and peaceful, and the U.S. and Europe have weighed in on the side of the democratic opposition.

It's not clear how things will turn out, but no one seems to want things to sink into violence. Let us hope the Ukraine's sad history changes, and like Poland and the Baltic States, this large and important country becomes freer and more prosperous.