I see it this way, street signs are done by the government and by using English with Ukrainian they are making English an official language in Ukraine! Isn’t this great; a second official language for Ukraine that I can endorse.

Kudos to Michael for strongly supporting a second official language for Ukraine! Thanks

Here in the US I could care less if all the immigrants, legal or illegal, want to speak their native language. Making their language official is an entirely different discussion. Once again Mark, thank you.

The examples of Canada, Switzerland and Kazakstan were previously presented. There’re other examples as well.

A more pertinent question relates to what’s wrong with the Russocentric view in Ukraine? At this thread, I’ve replied to some not so Russia friendly views.

It’s arrogant for some folks from the western part of Ukraine to believe their views to be the more accurate. That region was occupied for a lengthy period from forces not historically akin to Kievan Rus, which has been be referred to as either ancient Russia and-or ancient Ukraine.

It’s also historically incorrect to link everything Soviet with Russia.

Many Americans don’t see much of a difference between Repubs. and Dems.

I will have to learn a bit more about Pridnestrovie and that region – I don’t pretend to know very much about the fascinating land and people that comprise Ukraine.

Let me ask, what’s wrong with a Ukrainocentric view in Ukraine? I’m still lost here. Maybe I’m just simple minded in my concept but the borders are fairly well set and within those borders it says Ukraine. I know a lot of Russian people got caught within those borders when the Russians (I pretty much equate Soviet with Russia)drew a circle on the map. So what’s the solution – do they physically move to Russia? Do the borders move? Do they become Ukrainians? Do they become a nation state within the borders of Ukraine?

I’m still looking for a common ground here. And yes, because we do are somewhat united in our culture to an outsider the Republicans and Democrats seem almost the same. To me they don’t!

If you look down the opening page you will see links to the Russian speaking Ukraine (That just sounds so strange to me!). There is a young lady down towards the bottom – Russian speaking – that Anne Linden (also on the first page) is trying to promote in the hopes we can find support for Irina to go back to school if she wishes. If you read Russian, which I must assume you do, you can go to that website – links right there – and read it all in Russian.

So much for my supposed dislike of Russian speaking Ukrainians.

I previously clicked into that site without problems. Now, I get this message:

“This domain is missing from the Web server configuration
The domain name is correctly pointing at a valid Web server. This Web server does not recognize this domain name as a valid Web site.

If you are the Webmaster please contact Technical Support.”

****

In some circles, America is known as a one party system divided between Repubs. and Dems., of which there’s arguably not so much of a difference between the two.

My read of Ukrainian politics is that many Ukrainian citizens, regardless of their allegiances are disgusted with the top choices. The voting while holding your nose route is a problematical aspect in a number of democratic countries.

BTW, in this most recent Ukrainian election, the Orange forces within the Ukrainian political establishment succeeded in inhibiting Pridnestrovie’s (Trans-Dniester’s) Ukrainian citizens from participating. This wasn’t the case in prior elections. Note that Pridnestrovie’s Ukrainian citizens overwhelmingly vote Blue and that Pridnestrovie’s Russian and Ukrainian population get along quite well.

Peaceful intent should include not fostering divisive views about a given group. Caricaturing the Russocentric sympathies in Ukraine isn’t in the best interests of maintaining the whole of Ukraine.

As to he debate we were, and I emphasize “were”, having will not be resolved here – there are authorities on both sides and the arguments go from emotional to the absurd.

Give us a common ground on which you and I can stand. Have any ideas? Just don’t ask me to learn Russian, I’m have enough trouble trying to learn a few words of Ukrainian. But I have translated for myself one of his short poems.

Best Regards Michael
I don’t know why the web address I posted won’t connect -maybe it needs http://www.ukraineorphans.net We’ll see.

Taras railed at the Russian Tsar. Taras had to know he was a dead man walking and that is exactly what he became.

All the best to Ukraine and the good people there. Please do visit http://www.ukraineorphans.net. There you will see that I include all – up front and personal, with fondness and respect.”

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Such are the predominating biases, due in large part to the preferred imagery found in English language mass media, academia and body politic. Ukrainians GOOD, whereas Russians are to be viewed with SUSPICION. Never mind that most Ukrainians don’t see it that way. In fact, a good many of them would side with the Russians against the Russia haters.

Some have problems at divorcing themselves from the less than truthful aspects of that environment.

Shevchenko’s opposition to the Czar doesn’t negate the fact that he supported a pan-Slavic union involving Russia, Ukraine and some others.

History doesn’t “show” the above quoted points to be correct. If anything, the contrary has been shown to be true. In any event, history and politcal “science” aren’t hard sciences in that they’re open to interpretation, with some views having better validity over others.