LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (09/24/00)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Connecticut honored to host Batkivschyna

Dear Editor:

The state of Connecticut was honored with the presence of the OpSail 2000 at New London and Groton docks on July 13-15. There were sailing ships from all over the world. Some of the ships were more than 350 feet long; and many were a lot smaller. But of all the ships - there 50 of them - the star of OpSail 2000 was this rickety old ship from Ukraine, the Batkivschyna.

All of the TV stations in Connecticut had daily shows from the New London piers, and they talked about the Batkivschyna on every telecast, and all the problems the ship had, and how they admired the ship's crew for surviving all they went through.

Brad Davis from radio station WDRC-AM in Hartford broadcast his morning show (5-10 a.m.) from the deck of the Batkivschyna on Friday, July 14. My family and I were driving down to New London from New Britain, Conn., and we heard a good part of his broadcast. Mr. Davis had Gov. John Rowland and his wife, Patty, on his show for a couple of hours. They talked about Ukraine and the suffering of many Ukrainian children and adults as a result of the Chornobyl disaster.

During the broadcast the "singing Kozak" Petro Vashchyk sang many Ukrainian songs and played his accordion. He also sang a love song to the first lady. (I hope the governor didn't mind.)

I called Mr. Davis about his show from the Batkivschyna, and he said to me that he has done hundreds of the shows all over Connecticut but that show on the Batkivshchyna was the most satisfying.

On the pier near the Batkivschyna a stage was set up and there were continuous shows all day. At 1 p.m. the Yevshan Ukrainian Choir, directed by Alex Kuzma, and the Ukrainian Youth Dance Group from Hartford performed. At 4 p.m. the Ukraina dance group from Toronto performed. The groups really stole the show.

One woman asked me if I was Ukrainian. I replied yes. She said she had seen most of the shows each day but she never saw anything like our singers and dancers. She wanted to know more about Ukraine and our people.

The Ukrainian community of Connecticut - 60,000 strong - took this Ukrainian ship into their hearts. Five buses from Hartford alone came to New London. I have never been more proud to say "I am a Ukrainian American."

Walter Hrynchuk
New Britain, Conn.

Take the strategic view in voting for president

Dear Editor:

Everyone will agree that the elections for president are very important. For our community, many factors will determine who is ultimately the best candidate. Some in our community will vote for the candidate who will "support" Ukraine: Who will give more money to the Ukrainian government? Others will take the strategic view: What are the national interests of the United States?

In my opinion, if someone votes for a candidate only because he will give more money for Ukraine this is a narrow viewpoint.

Let's take the last eight years. Substantial funding was given to Ukraine. Are the Ukrainian people better off? Have free market systems been incorporated into the economy? Has the money helped in making Ukraine more secure militarily? Has the money made Ukraine more energy-independent? Has the Ukrainian language expanded as the national language? The answer is no to all the above.

So, where did the money go? Did it help the people? I am sure it helped line the politicians' pockets.

It may feel good to give Ukraine money, and many folks walk away feeling good about themselves. But it is important to question where the money went and how it was used.

Having been to Ukraine numerous times, I see that statehood is still in a state of flux. In many instances, the Ukrainian language is fighting for survival. The goal of the Russophiles is to create a Ukrainian Russian state.

How can we in this country change this ?

Elect an administration that expects accountability. We give Ukraine funding because it meets our national interests. And we expect some results. Elect an administration that acts on thinking not feeling. Consider a candidate who has high moral values and has a strategic vision. Look at the candidates and decide, not on the basis of who will give the most "goodies" to Ukraine, but how this candidate will help the United States rebuild our military.

All Americans should take the strategic view. No candidate meets all of our needs. Ask yourself this: Do you want more government or less? Do you want an administration that thinks or feels ?

Roman G. Golash
Palatine, Ill.

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