LISTEN TO YOUR UKRAINIAN BROTHAS AND SISTAS

Hey friends.

I know there's a lot going on in the world news these days (the main headline-catcher being the earthquake in Haiti), but I have sort of a special interest in Eastern Europe, and I just wanted to highlight some stuff that's going on over there right now.

The Ukraine is in the middle of presidential elections. While communism crumbled in the Ukraine at the same time as in Hungary and the rest of Central and Eastern Europe, it seems that other countries are much farther along the road to democracy, liberal society, civic engagement, all that jazz.

There is hope that the Ukrainian people are headed for a more free and active society; after a ton of voter discrimination, behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing, and a skewed electoral outcome in the 2004 election, the Ukrainian people protested—it's known as the Orange Revolution—and this resulted in a more free, fair, better-monitored election and a president chosen by the people instead of a bunch of elites.

But the people are still discouraged by the lack of change over the past six years, embittered by too many years of government corruption, frustrated by long-withheld freedoms. Sigh.

Just pray for your Ukrainian brothers and sisters, okay?

Pray that people are free to get to the polls and vote for whomever they choose. Pray that the leadership is worth voting for. Pray that leaders (political, cultural, religious) continue to emerge who truly want the best for the Ukrainian people and for the development of Eastern Europe. Pray that the people begin to build a culture of civic trust, engagement, critique.

Pray, pray, pray.

And while you do, listen to what your Ukrainian brothers and sisters are crying out. Here are some of their voices:

I defaced my ballot, effectively annulling it, and added a note to whoever will be counting the votes "No matter who wins the election, you, as citizens, have already lost it". It's simple, nobody who's in power in Ukraine has ever cared about the people, their good and their future. And the people, in turn, don't know how to make them care, but they still go to vote like sheep. They cannot defend their basic rights and are being abused by the authorities time and time again. It's a never-ending circle.
Bayan, Nikolaev, Ukraine

The elections were indeed held in a decent manner. My friends and relatives worked as observers for different candidates at the local election commission in Gurzuf, Crimea, and reported no violations. The turnout is surprisingly high and shows that the population is participating actively in political life despite the disenchantment with the Orange Revolution.
Yana Lapitskaya, Gurzuf, Crimea

Most of the people I meet agree that there is no worthy candidate in Ukraine who really wants to tackle corruption. I'm a graduate from medical school and I need to bribe to get work at the hospital.
Serj Shvernik, Kharkov, Ukraine

Although to onlookers it may seem fair enough I don't believe 'democracy' has ever had a place in our country. The technologies have become more refined so all those loudmouths can rig secretly, giving the impression of 'fairness' and 'openness'. Nothing will ever be fair in this country until all those who got used to being in power in the old day give way to the younger ones, to those who look to a better future and are not just looking out for themselves.
Anton, Kiev, Ukraine

Yushchenko's defeat comes as no surprise, but it cannot be seen as a victory for the candidates going into the second round, far from it. Call it a protest vote if you like, because the Ukrainian people have utterly lost confidence in their political leaders. None of the candidates is bringing anything new to the table.
Alenga David, Ternopil, Ukraine

Thanks for reading. Always keep reading and learning.

(More in the BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8467152.stm)