EDITORIAL: Of inaugurations and freedom (01/23/05)

EDITORIAL

Of inaugurations and freedom

On January 20 George W. Bush took the oath of office for his second term as president of the United States. As our staff listened to his well-crafted philosophical address, we could not help but think about another inauguration just three days hence. No, it wasn't because President Bush mentioned Ukraine - though we must admit there were times when the words and ideas he expressed were so fitting that we thought he just might. It was because the theme of his second inaugural address was freedom - a topic near and dear to every Ukrainian.

President Bush eloquently expressed America's commitment to the world to support freedom and promote democracy. He drew upon the founding principles of the United States: "From the day of our founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of heaven and earth. Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our nation."

And he pledged: "So, it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in the world."

When the president said, "Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen, and defended by citizens, and sustained by the rule of law...," our thoughts immediately turned to Ukraine and the Orange Revolution, the most recent shining example of the people making that choice and standing firm. He continued: "... there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty."

Citing events of the past four decades, which he said were "defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen," President Bush underscored: "Liberty will come to those who love it." And so it has come to Ukraine - to a nation that has endured for decades, whose national anthem bears witness to long years of suffering and yet proclaims: "Ukraine has not died. ... Fate will yet smile upon us. ... We will lay down our souls and bodies for our freedom." Indeed, generations of Ukrainians have given their lives for the cause of freedom, and today that freedom seems closer than ever before as Ukraine inaugurates its president on January 23.

To be sure, the proclamation of August 24, 1991, brought independence to today's Ukraine, and the referendum of December 1, 1991, affirmed that independence. But it is the presidential election of 2004 and the Orange Revolution to which it gave birth that we believe has brought freedom to the people. Moreover, it is a freedom that was not given, but a freedom that was earned. It is tangible proof of the truths in President Bush's inaugural address: the belief in the "eventual triumph of freedom," the idea that "freedom is the permanent hope of mankind."

Toward the end of President Bush's inauguration day, word came from Washington that outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell, who spoke out so ardently against the fraudulent Ukrainian presidential election of November 24, will lead the U.S. delegation to the inauguration of Viktor Yushchenko. A statement issued by the State Department congratulated "President-elect Yushchenko on his historic victory" and "the Ukrainian people for the courage they displayed in standing up for their democratic rights."

On Sunday, January 23, all Ukrainians around the world will be with the people of Ukraine in spirit. The United States, too, will be there, offering its wishes of success and support to a promising new leader of a newly reborn, and free, Ukraine. Freedom is on the march.

| Home Page |