Free Republic

Governor Jay Inslee can’t identify Ukraine on a map but wants Washingtonians to know he stands firm with Ukrainians. After all, Inslee knows what it’s like fighting for democracy. The governor is now pretending Russia’s assault on Ukraine is similar to unarmed Americans rioting at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Inslee hosted Finnish President Sauli Niinistö at the state capitol for a legislative address and press conference. It was the first time a foreign leader addressed the state Legislature. The focus of the remarks was on energy and climate change, as we’re partners with the country on transportation and...

President Sauli Niinistö of Finland played a passive-aggressive game with Donald Trump on Wednesday at the White House, peppering a joint press conference with jabs subtle enough to fly under his radar. Trump, preoccupied with spitting nails over House Democrats' latest impeachment development, hardly seemed to notice. Niinistö described his time browsing Washington's sprawling museums, noting the Smithsonian Institution's traditionalist American history collection and a ceremony he witnessed at Arlington National Cemetary. He also heaped praise on the National Museum of the American Indian and the still new-ish National Museum of African American History and Culture, spotlighting racial diversity and...

Incumbent President Tarja Halonen has easily won the first round of Finland's presidential poll but faces a run-off after failing to take 50% of the vote. The left-leaning Social Democrat leader Ms Halonen, 62, won 46.3% of the vote. She became the country's first woman president in the year 2000. Conservative Sauli Niinisto came second with 24.1%, and will face her in a run-off ballot in two weeks time. The election campaign was dominated by foreign policy issues, particularly traditionally neutral Finland's relationship with NATO. Centrist Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen was third with 18.6% of the vote.