replace the word "Ukraine" with "United States" in this press release from last week.
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004
Today U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) issued the following statement on the recent election in Ukraine:
“On October 31, the government officials running Ukraine's presidential election undertook a historic task: to show their people and the world that Ukraine has joined forever the family of democracies. With sadness, Ukraine's friends must now conclude that the government has failed.
“Reports indicate that the presidential election was marred by widespread balloting irregularities, state media bias, government interference against opposition candidates, disruption of campaign events by government authorities, and other problems. Ukrainian government officials abridged the inalienable right of the Ukrainian people to choose their leaders, and they chose raw power over democracy.
“The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which observed the Ukrainian election, called the process ‘a step backward from the 2002 elections,’ and said that the campaign ‘did not permit fair conditions to all candidates to convey their message to the electorate.’ In addition, the International Republican Institute (IRI), which deployed staff during the campaign and a team of monitors during the election, reported that ‘a systematic and coordinated use of government resources on a national scale created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear designed to pressure people into supporting the government-backed candidate.’ IRI found problems with voter lists, unfair practices in the creation of election commissions, and credible reports of voter intimidation.
“There is a remaining chance for democracy in Ukraine. On November 21, two candidates - Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich and opposition candidate Viktor Yuschenko - will compete in the decisive run-off. Ukrainian officials have a final opportunity to choose democracy, to do what is right for themselves and their country. While everything that has transpired thus far makes me very skeptical about the chances for a democratic run-off, that option remains entirely available. Ukrainian officials know that the world is watching, waiting to see if this process will embrace the cornerstones of democracy - free press, freedom of assembly, the right to vote, fair and transparent balloting, and the like. They should also know that choosing to deny the Ukranian people these most basic political rights will carry profound implications.
“Ultimately, it is up to the people of Ukraine to choose their leaders and their country’s direction. It is incumbent upon government officials that they do not prevent the Ukranian people from doing so.”
― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Wednesday, 10 November 2004 05:12 (twenty years ago)
Here's another! replace "Belarus" with "United States" and Lukashenko with "President Bush" TOO MUCH FUN!
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct 19, 2004
Today Senator McCain issued the following statement on the situation in Belarus:
“If the world needed further confirmation that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is a Soviet-style autocrat moving ever further toward absolute rule, it now has it. Once again, Mr. Lukashenko has betrayed the proud people of Belarus.
“Sunday's national referendum required that over 50 percent of all registered voters approve constitutional change allowing Mr. Lukashenko to serve a third term. Gallup exit polls indicate that the President failed to receive the necessary 50 percent, and observers cataloged numerous irregularities. Coupled with the referendum were elections to fill 110 parliamentary seats. Despite similar Gallup polls which indicated different results, not one of these seats went to the opposition, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which had 270 observers on the ground, said that the elections ‘fell significantly short’ of democratic standards.
“And yet Mr. Lukashenko proudly declared victory in the face of massive voter fraud, and his Central Election Commission reported 77 percent of voters supporting the referendum. By stealing this election, Mr. Lukashenko has cleared the way for a third term, beginning in 2006,
and plainly hopes to be a president for life.
“Nothing could be worse for the people of Belarus. In boasting of his ‘victory,’ the President dismissed all criticism of the sham election, saying, ‘There is no dictatorship here and no violation of human rights.’ These assertions are patently false. Anyone who wishes to test them should ask General Vitaly Frolov, an opposition leader who was attacked by masked men outside his home. Or they could inquire after Mikhail Marinich, another opposition figure who remains imprisoned without being charged. Or question members of the Belarusian Party of Labor, which was liquidated by the Supreme Court, or the journalists and activists who have disappeared, or the people of Belarus who suffer oppression on a daily basis. We've seen this all before: a President for life, a rubber stamp parliament, a continual crackdown on every kind of freedom. This is dictatorship, pure and simple.
“The courageous people of Belarus know that the fight for freedom and a better life can be very difficult. But they should also know that the democratic peoples of the world will continue to stand beside them. These brave men and women should take courage from the knowledge that, despite setbacks like this stolen election, tyranny in their country will not forever endure. You will not be forgotten, and we will not cease in our efforts to support you. Your cause is just and noble and will one day be victorious. History and the democracies of the world are on your side.”
― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Wednesday, 10 November 2004 05:13 (twenty years ago)
Aww man, I was hoping this was some cool Flash game where you had to maneuver John McCain around some magic land with, like, gumdrops and falling eggs.
― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 10 November 2004 06:08 (twenty years ago)
I don't get this game.did you read the manual? Try blowing air in the cartridge.
Is the idea that you can replace Belarus and Ukraine with the United States, and the statements are still true? It doesn't work.
it's supposed to be mildly amusing.
― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Wednesday, 10 November 2004 06:11 (twenty years ago)