POLITICS/OPINION

The World Needs Volodymyr Zelensky As Much as Ukraine Does.

In a world where leaders are no longer trusted, Volodymyr Zelensky stood up, spoke the truth, and rekindled our faith.

If the last few years have cemented anything in the global consciousness it’s that our leaders can be counted on to disappoint with shocking regularity. I’m not talking only about policy failures. I’m talking about moral turpitude.

When the disastrous war against the Ukrainian people produced Volodymyr Zelensky in February we were all shocked into adoring him instantly. He spoke his truth and then backed it up with his actions. Who does that? The man stayed in a war zone with his wife and kids when he could have fled. No one would have faulted him for leading the Ukraine from the safety of Geneva or Tahiti, or heck, even Newark, but he planted his feet and said, “I am here.”

“People don’t really believe in words. Or rather, people believe in words only for a stretch of time. Then they start to look for action.” ~Volodymyr Zelensky

What an inspiration! What a president! Name even ONE world leader with half his moxie. I dare you.

I’m not certain anyone ever really believed in Boris Johnson but finding out that he held parties while people died of Covid is quite simply gross. What about former President Bill Clinton? He turned out to be a disappointing moral failure after diddling a very young woman and then lying about it. Come on!

Trying to pin your guilt on the poor girl instead of owning your mistakes? That’s low.

Or we could look to the last U.S. president who is the definition of a megalomaniac but that’s simply depressing.

After 40 years of adulting full-time I have experienced a downward economic spiral as an American citizen for sure. I have also experienced a downward spiral of hope as the leaders of the world seem intent on doing what the powerful have always done — which is to take all of the best of the earth for themselves — and to hell with the rest of us.

Volodymyr Zelensky is a gift, not only for Ukraine, but for the planet.

“I am not a politician. I am just a simple person who has come to break down this system.” ~Volodymyr Zelensky

Simply put, the guy kicked Vladimir Putin’s ass!!!

That, my friends, is moxie.

I pray that Volodymyr Zelensky lives a long and productive life. I hope that years from now — with Ukraine safe and restored as a sovereign nation — he shows up saying, “I am here.” in all the places we need him.

How many countries need a hero? How many people need hope?

If we lose Volodymyr Zelensky we will all feel the pang of his loss deeply for a long time to come.

He makes the world a better, safer place. May God bless him and keep him.

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