On Ukrainian Turmoil and the Canadian Reaction

The opposition has increased the stakes in the dispute over Ukraine's presidential election results, with presidential candidate (and likely the democratically-elected President) Viktor Yushchenko calling for a general strike.

While I normally am not sympathetic to those who actively attempt to shut down the economy, a general strike is a logical progression enabling the opposition to illustrate its strength and popular support without degenerating into violence.

Interestingly, Canada (for once) has taken a definitive stand with respect to a foreign affairs controversy:

"The government of Canada calls for a full, open, transparent review of the election process and Canada will have no choice but to examine its relations with Ukraine if the authorities fail to provide election results that reflect the democratic will of the people of that country," said Deputy PM Anne McLellan in the House of Commons.

It's too bad, given our track record over the last decade, that we have lost the moral clout for the world to actually give a damn.