France, the same as it ever was
Is it hypocracy that there are no great, thundering marches denouncing the French unilateral action against one of their former colonies?

Well, of course not. See, not only were the French acting in a historically consistent maner in opposing the 'hyperpower' of America, but, well, they're France. And thereby, not the Damned Dirty Americans.

Thus, no cries of 'No blood for chocolate'.

Same as it ever was.
Same as it ever was.

The Ukraine, Russia vs. Poland, and the unsurprising silence of the EU and the US press
It is of little surprise to me that a significant story involving a major European country, voter fraud, potential meddling on the part of the Russians, and in general, a nation at the crossroads between western ties with the EU and returning to the status of a Russian satellite is getting little to no attention around here. Perhaps we should devote a few more pages of ink about Dan Rather retiring thanks to Blathergate.

Anyway. Here are a bunch of useful links, and I hope the Ukrainians can sort this out, without any further Russian 'help'.
General Timeline
Cherenkoffs' summary of Poland's reaction.
BBC Coverage
Vaclev Havel
US Reaction
Colorado Congressman Bob Schaffer's observations

UPDATE:
more observations from the Belmont Club
Ok. I take back my raspberry at the Press and the EU. It now looks as though things are starting to heat up. Here is the EU's reaction via The Guardian.

UPDATE 2: Daniel Drezner has a good summary of the latest.

UPDATE 3: the Independent rears it's very ugly head:

Look at all this, lastly, in terms of western Europe's interests. Do we really want to see the EU take in 50 million Ukrainians as well as 70 million Turks?

God forbid the EU take in some Turks. Or slavs. They just may dillute the ubermensch.

Update 4: It looks as though things might be settled reasonably.

Update 5: Timothy Garton Ash of the Guardian asks 6 very important questions to those who are critical of the 'Orange revolution' and pine for Metternichian 'stability' on the Continent - those whom he describes as the 'Reluctant West European'.

Update 6: Ukraine Supreme Court has nullified the election.

Update 23490-2:


Update 8: A history lesson.

And the election post-mortems begin
I don't agree with every single detail of this post by 'Sad American', but it comes damn close for me.

After the election results are in, I promise to:

• Support the President, even if I didn't vote for him.
• Criticize the President, even if I did vote for him.
• Uphold standards of civilized discourse in blogs and in media while pushing both to be better.
• Unite as a nation, putting country over party, even as we work together to make America better.

Furthermore,

ELECTION DAY REMINDERS: Let’s get a couple of things out of the way before today’s votes are counted.

You have the right to vote. You do not have the right to see the man of your choice in the White House.

If George W. Bush wins the election, the world will still spin on its axis. Canada will not grant you asylum. If John Kerry wins the election, America will still be America. Australia will not grant you asylum.

People who vote for the other guy aren’t stupid, brainwashed, or evil. They are your friends and family. Someone you love will almost certainly cancel your vote. (My wife cancels out mine.)

If, by some chance, everyone you know votes for the loser it won’t mean the election was stolen. It will only show that you live in a bubble.

If this thing is close (the victor could easily win by 0.1 percent) try not to read too much into it. We’ll still be closely divided.

If the election doesn’t go your way, don’t pop off as though America were Guatemala under the generals. You’ll get lots of attention, but it won’t be the kind you want. People will laugh, not near you but at you.

Michael Trotten at Instapundit.com

In conclusion, congratulations to the victor, whomever he may be, and may it all be decided tonight, without any of the nonsence from 2000.