I Put a Spell on You...Yanukovych
Some more interesting article snippets for you. None of this is big news, and some of it is pretty old, but all of it is interesting.
- Klitchko just cancelled his World Heavyweight Championship boxing match with Danny Williams, saying "The political situation in my country is more important." He's back in Kyiv now supporting Yushchenko. Now that's patriotism. [New info: I just got a link from Jane in the comments to a sport site saying the match is still on, and the elder Klitchko has not joined his brother in Ukraine. So looks like I was wrong. Thanks for the heads-up Jane. If he changes his mind and flies back (for real this time), I'll tell y'all.]
- The Kyiv Post recently had a great factoid it turned into an article: Yanukovych spent as much money on his campaign in Ukraine as George Bush spent in the US. In his 2004 campaign, President George Bush spent a wopping 670 million dollars. In his campaign, Yanukovych spent 600 million dollars, a lot of that money from Russian backers. What's great is that Yushchenko's campaign wasn't supported in any significant way by US money, the opposition used a smattering of support and tons of volunteer workers and gifts at the barricades to trump Yanukovych's millions. Yanukovych's campaign has got to have been one of the biggest bets in the history of mankind, and his oligarchic and Russian backers just lost their shirts.
- Obozrevatel says a "source" has it that Kuchma is trying to get help from the SBU to expatriate a few billion dollars of his money into oil businesses in Venezuela. Think of this: He's too scared even to keep it in Russia. Hah. Look at him run.
- They've ALREADY remixed Razom Nas Bahato into this funky disco crap. What is it with Ukrainians and remixes? I've heard people remix Yesterday by the Beatles, and Venus by Shocking Blue. The "I'm your Venus, I'm your fire at your desire" song. What horrible monstrosities would need to posess a person for them to remix Venus?
- Speaking of questionable music, my fellows at Yushchenko headquarters were thinking of running an article on Friday covering the following hot news topic: (from http://obozrevatel.com/news_files/168862)
- Famous world musicians Joe Cocker and Sting have come out in support of the Ukrainian nation in their striving for democracy.
- In the 5th Channel studio, Joe Cocker noted that he believes that
democracy "works only when it is free and just." "That's why I
support peaceful striving of the Ukrainian nation for freedom and
democracy," he said.
- "I wish the re-voting in your country to be fair because it is the only way to real democracy. Happiness to you!" he said.
First off, Sting - how does it feel that they put Joe Cocker before you in the news article? Does it, pardon, sting a little? Second, for those of you who don't know, this bizarre combination (in this order - I wish I were kidding) reflects the odd music tastes of many Ukrainians.
I didn't want to hurt anyones feelings down at Yu HQ by pointing out that this news is not of any interest to anyone outside Ukraine, so instead I fillabustered the article off the list.
Posted on Sunday, December 5, 2004 at 02:31PM
by
Dan McMinn
in 33) Dec 2004 Pres. Election, 35) Orange Revolution
|
16 Comments

Reader Comments (16)
Celebs and their causes - Angelina Jolie - Cambodia, Madonna - kabbalah, Wille Nelson & ... - US farm aid. If Sting and Crocker are legit. about supporting Ukraine. I believe this is HUGE!
On the other hand, the Founders of America knew that all democracies eventually commit suicide, and stated that our Constitutional Republic, with democratic features, would only survive as long as the public remained virtuous. That is, in subjection to Christian moral values.
Sorry - Joe Cocker isn't my idea of someone with tremendous insight or wisdom.
My wife also thought it was great the two of them supported Ukrainian democracy. I think it's a fine thing, too... for Ukrainians. I included the piece only and exclusively because it is funny to know which two stars are the ones coming in to support Yushchenko, at least to people who don't realize that both are among a small group of disproportionately big stars in Ukraine.
As for the Founders... I'm not touching that one, because again, this is about Ukraine first.
U2 LIVE
it's now or never
get up, stand up
Many 'stars' here in the US aren't what I'd call politically astute... *grin* But - hey, they are welcome to the public stage of many a politician... LOL
Dan - I've been looking for days for an easy way to use my bank-card to donate to the opposition. Today I finally found a link that is easy to use, and lets you comment about the use of the donation...
Click HERE to make a donation by credit or bank-card.
All those that can - please donate all you can to help the Ukrainian people stand against tyrants financed with Russian petro-dollars.
Personally, in terms of effectiveness for dollar, I think a donation to Maidan or Pora, one of the organizations out there in Independence Square, would be more effective, in that they mobilize more effectively than the Yushchenko campaign.
However, Pora and Maidan have a different downside. They are both scrappy citizen action campaigns which get a lot done, but at which feelings run high. They are thus more likely to do and say things which are silly or extreme than the Yushchenko people, because the Yushchenko people have the necessary politician's desire to be, well, politik.
I would suggest looking on the websites thoroughly, to get the opinion of the organization you're donating to, and keep in mind the downsides. Any donation will be useful for promoting democracy in Ukraine.
LOL... done before posting. And, yes, I did consider Pora, and Maidan... both great supporters, and both very helpful in organization.
But, I didn't find an easy card donation link at either website (perhaps I missed what was there.)
I know Pora ~had~ a link a few days back. But, when I went to look again - it was not there! And, I still don't know if it was one I could use my VISA on, or not.
For now, I'm satisfied that my donation will get to the right people. I asked that it be used to help the most needy of those working so hard on the streets.
Dan - you really ought to consider adding that donation link to your sidebars at the top of your page. There are probably many like myself, that would donate with a card... but, there aren't near enough blog-pages pointing to a place.
The link that Ron C. gives is to an org. called www.campaigncontribution.com IS IT LEGIT? And is it not illegal for a candidate to accept foreign $? You can support democratic activists in Ukraine or send $ directly to org. which support the people on the Maidan.
http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=boxing/04/12/06/BOXING_Klitschko_Profile.html
Good question on the contributions question. The contributions internet location is apparently a general "host your campaign contributions website here" site - PenPal enabled I assume. I am not certain about the legitimacy of the site, BUT the Yushchenko people have linked directly to this site here. This on the official Yushchenko site and includes an explanation, so I believe this location is legitimate.
Ron - I will try to get up some donation sites soon.
http://netwmd.com/articles/article812.html