161 Comments
Apr 6, 2022Liked by Ari Melber

My thought, it's his humanity that has made him a great leader.

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Apr 6, 2022Liked by Ari Melber

Hey Ari, I think what Zelensky brings to the table was instilled in him as a child and learned in life lessons. He’s clearly grounded. You see the man’s compassion as he speaks. He’s doing a great job of leading his people. I pray for him and Ukrainians. This week was definitely a hard one. I pray for peace ( soon)

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Apr 6, 2022·edited Apr 7, 2022

Hi Ari and Happy Wednesday😃

Zelenskyy is a true definition of a leader and a patriot. Do you think Zelesnkyy’s background has made him a stronger leader for this moment? Yes, I think so. His law background, his acting which is imitating real life, his personality and the way he relates to the Ukrainians made him the leader that he is…he definitely has the qualities of a leader and a fighter…he has great diplomatic skills which he is using in dealing with Russia and having different talks with global leaders for their aid. Plus his grandfather fought in WWII. He is a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.

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A HAPPY THURSDAY, Sandra! We just witnessed history, whether one is supportive or not. 🍸Here’s to Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson. To all who follow Ari!😊

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Apr 7, 2022·edited Apr 7, 2022

Happy Thursday to you too!! Almost Fri-YAY!!! Yay!!! Woo hoo!!! All hail to the new Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson...I love this🍾🥂😃

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I love your greetings! I say, Sandra is HAPPY EVERYDAY! Brings a smile to my face every time.😂

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I love our new group of friends here!!!💗

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Apr 7, 2022·edited Apr 7, 2022

So do I, V. I just tried to get the app, well now, the keyboard doesn’t come up for me to type on my ipad. I believe I have to complete the profile. Never do that. My phone will do. TECHNOLOGY!🤯

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All’s well, now. Additional steps I needed to take. I hate it! Hate it! Makes me feel frustrated and inadequate—these small devices that encompass my whole world! UGH!🤬

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Apr 6, 2022Liked by Ari Melber

Zelenskyy strikes me as fundamentally moral, wise, and intelligent. Those who serve his cause like him and trust him. The future of democracy is in good hands if folk like he are at the helm. These folk have their heads screwed on right. They are not insecure or self-involved.

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Apr 7, 2022·edited Apr 7, 2022

His calls for the US and NATO to intervene are both stupid and irrational, as are the same hysterical and unprofessional badgerings from news anchors . If WWIII breaks out, he and the Ukrainians and the rest of the occupants of the Northern Hemisphere will either be incinerated or die of radiation poisoning or starve to death He's an entertainer, seems to have a tenuous grasp on geopolitics. before the invasion, he was loudly insisting Ukraine would join NATO, like yesterday.

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it's easy to judge others, but inadequate, especially while exhibiting the very characteristics you are judging. You know what "stupid" "irrational" etc. mean as words, but you don't try to avoid stupidity and irrationally yourself. For example, Russia, last time I looked, happens to be in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Calls to do things that would ignite WWIII are stupid and irrational, no way out of that. Yes, Russia is in the Northern hemisphere, genius, so is Ukraine -- where Zelensky sits and calls for what? Gotterdammerung? And they will die with the rest of us if nuclear war breaks out. Try having a small child explain that to you, if things that are self-evident represent a challenge.

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Consider the source of these calls and these threats:

"Calls to do things...." made by Ukrainians (many of them) "that would ignite WWIII " threat made by Putin alone..."are stupid and irrational." Is lumping these two elements together and judging them both as one thing rational? No. Weighing them IS rational, but we already know who the heroes and villains are. Right?

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"Heroes and villains" is exactly the kind of not-even-shallow "analysis" I'm referring to.

Americans have been trained to think in terms of "good guys": and "bad guys." Basically childish, vapid and incapable of evaluating complex situations.

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Interesting development: Kelly Bell "liked" this but it's not noted in the stream. Wondering if this indicates some "moderation" here that's not visible? I've been banned from every conservative blog I've ever tried to comment on, no surprise, but we'll see if the corporate press has similar aversions to specific ideas and perspectives.

I chose my avatar for transparency, so no one would be unclear on where on the political spectrum my perspective originates.

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Great article Ari. Lots to unload. I agreed with the NATO alliance offering Zelensky a ride out as no one knew where this would lead and a dead Zelensky would have been terrible. For me, it boils down to that people either rise to the occasion (Zelensky) regardless of their background or nosedive down in bright flames (trump). President Zelensky is an inspiration not only to those of Ukraine but the world. After hearing about the Russian atrocities, the Russians deserve all the results of the sanctions. My German grandparents told me stories about horrific things the Russian soldiers did to civilians in the territory they held. The American and British soldiers were "gentlemen" as they called them. The Russians apparently have not changed. Zelensky will give the Ukrainians the morale they need to rebuild.

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“After hearing about the Russian atrocities, the Russians deserve all the results of the sanctions.” Hi Peter, I wholeheartedly agree. Zelenskyy with so much gut wisdom, and we had a moron who put Putin inside the Oval Office, through Lavrov and Kislyak. Makes you shiver!

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Apr 6, 2022Liked by Ari Melber

I am in awe of his courage and leadership in the face of this incredible challenge. Some people have the intelligence, compassion, and strength of character to rise to the occasion, and some people don't.

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founding

I don't know what had made Zelensky the leader that he is/or had become but it is important that he be there when his country and fellow Ukrainians need him so badly.

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Ari, I think one’s background is primarily a determinant for outcomes. Of the qualities you isolated for Zelenskyy, I would say “judgment” is the defining factor. Reading various material about him, he has the ability to think for himself. More importantly, the discernment to listen to others-perhaps those with military experience. I think he was wise to do it as we have witnessed; after all, where could they (he and his family) have gone to be TRULY safe from one who has displayed no regard for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?!!

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I don't know if it's his background as much as it his belief that freedom and equity for all people is what Ukraine voted for, they know and have lived the alternative. He and the Ukrainian people have the belief that you stand up for your freedom or you lose it- what a high cost they are paying to be as free as we are.

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I think he was who he is now, before the acting career- a hero, but no one knew it including Zelensky. What comes to mind as leadership hallmarks: practice what you preach, take the high ground, lead by example, don’t put yourself above the common person. He truly is laying his life down for his country and his people. Exemplary! Moving essay today Ari, and I loved “sclerotic political elites,” I’m going to borrow the phrase. What’s troubling though is the entire world doesn’t see him as a leader, many powerful countries are pulling for Putin. And for many in the USA that could be true too.

Have a good week.

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Apr 6, 2022·edited Apr 6, 2022

Actor Hugh Laurie (remember "House?") said years ago that he likes music more than acting. (If you've never had the pleasure, listen to Laurie's rendition of Joe Cocker's "Unchain My Heart." It's worth the time.) His point was that when one is acting, he's always trying to be someone else. When one is playing music or singing, he's being his true self.

Perhaps for Zelensky, it was the opposite. Perhaps his acting roles brought out the strength required to be the leader he naturally seems to be. I'll bet that way down deep inside of him, there was a little boy who always said, "Someday I want to grow up to be President."

To your mention of Trump, though: I grew up in Upstate New York in the 60s and 70s, and the one thing we Upstaters all had in common was that we hated Donald Trump. Those who were paying attention, anyway. Trump lied and swindled, he never paid his contractors, he abandoned projects midway, and he filed lawsuits against everybody who crossed his path. In his case, his presidency mirrored his early life exactly.

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Hi Lori. Even from the other side of the country we all knew that the former guy was a dishonest lying cheater. He still swindles so many people, and is laughing at his crimes, because he knows he will continue to get away from any accountability.

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Hi V., I’m not giving up. Even if he’s in a bathrobe, walking the streets of Florida, I believe he has a date with a cell.

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Yuck, Olddiva! I was eating when I read your comment mentioning DJT walking the streets of Florida in a bathrobe...the picture just gave me the hebejebes!!!

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😂😂😂I’m sorry, Lori. On my knees, requesting forgiveness!

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Hi Diva!!! Another wonderful vision!!!😀

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Agreed...everyday is for the thief but one day is for the owner of the house...Trump's day (arrest, charge, indict, convict etc.) will come and I want it to come very very soon.

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I know. My motto is: “People get by, but they don’t get away.” I’m a believer that one’s hell is here on earth; that punishment comes in many forms-for some, we will never know the how or when. However, for THIS devout criminal, I want to see him in handcuffs, surrounded by the FBI, as in AMERICAN GANGSTER. Let them slow-walk him to a waiting car, “removing their hand from his head,” as they put him into the car !!!

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Oh Diva, your visions of accountability keep getting better.😁 Seriously I don't want to give up hope that these criminals will eventually get their punishment for what they have done our country. My grandma would tell us not to stop praying, because we might just be one prayer away from our prayers being answered.🙏

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Your grand mom was right. We have to keep praying. Thought I could get up, after President Obama left, with all the birtherism and Tea Party. Then along came John (DJT)…You know the rest.

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Yes, people knew while he was president that he wasn't honest. But, in New York, it was different when I was growing up. We were inundated with him; in fact, I would say that we were "taught" to dislike and distrust the man. It was something that went to our bones. You see, NYC had some big financial problems in the 70s, and DJT contributed to those problems. And, because the Upstate was seemingly always having to bail out NYC, we didn't just hope NYC would fall into the ocean...we were hoping DJT would fall with it. And hoping he couldn't swim.

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Nothing surprises me about Trump anymore...he needs to be held accountable...he has to be held accountable

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😂Dang, Lori!

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hi Lori. I am from White Plains....I feel like i know you. Mark

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I am from a small town in the Adirondacks...so, a bit farther north.

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Lori, another upstate New Yorker here. I agree with you about Hugh Laurie, Trump and Zelenskyy!

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I am trying to figure out my views about USA as seen through the eyes of Ukrainians. In the US, we are divided into democratic socialists and trumplican authoritarians. Personally, I would rather be a lefty dividing our winnings to all of society than a person who has given away America to Trump, his family and his supporters such as Meadows, Bannon, Thomas (x2), MTG and Boebert. I refuse to be ruled by those trump morons.

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Aloha Ari, your last paragraph says it all : “ By staying and risking his own life, Zelenskyy is doing what so many elites spend so much effort to avoid -- sharing in the risk, service and experience of everybody else. And that is, perhaps, the ultimate populist test of a leader. ”

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Barack Obama said that Donald Trump did not possess the temperament to be President. This is what Zelinski has. Even though Ronald Regan was an empty suit and only parroted well scripted lines, he still had respect for institutional norms. Trump does not. Reagan learned to stir the ship of state well enough with great advice! Donald Trump was PT Barnum and did not have the willingness or ability to learn to lead. I am proud to say that I voted against Trump twice and Reagan three times!

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Hear! Hear! Propaganda and ignorance are dangerous tools for elections. They won’t stop until they destroy it all. So many dangerous laws-stripping people of rights, careers, and dreams. Almost have me home bound. I wonder what greater catastrophe has to happen, to bring us back in-line?

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Well said! You cannot compare apples to oranges. I agree with your statement, "Even though Ronald Regan was an empty suit and only parroted well scripted lines, he still had respect for institutional norms." Trump was never a leader and is still not a leader. I did not vote for Trump and will never ever vote for anyone that has the same qualities as Trump

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My sentiments, as well. They had to lean on Reagan. Their last, best president was IKE. Heck, I was a little girl! Nixon was next (Watergate); Bush 41 & 43 (Willie Horton, looking at his watch and didn’t know the price of milk; No WMDs); the pathological liar (ALL THINGS CRIMINAL). So, back to IKE.

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Ari, as always, thanks for your clear-headed and articulate assessment of the topic at hand. In answer to your question...I think that along with his intelligence, discipline and determination that allowed Zelenskyy to become a successful actor and president, his personal family history dating back to WW II and the atrocities that occurred decades (and centuries) before the Holocaust to eastern European Jews has contributed to his compassion and tenacity.

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author

Interesting. Thanks for your analysis, Claude.

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I've been reading everybody's comments and I pretty much agree with all of them. I do think it's his character, empathy, compassion, truthfulness etc that is due to being the kind of leader he is today. If he doesn't win the Nobel Peace prize I would be very very surprised and disappointed!! He certainly deserves it 100 fold. My God, I grieve for the Ukrainians---what is happening over there is horrific and there are no words actually to express how really really bad it is!!! That' he is disappointed with NATO and the Union is understandable to me!! I suppose it's a good thing that I'm not the president because if it were me I would give him everything he asked for---something's got to stop this maniac and his minions from the death and destruction that they are doing to the Ukrainians!!! On another note Trump is the Antichrist 1000 fold!!! If he gets elected again we're all going to go to hell in a hand basket here in the United States!!! Thank God I'm 78!!! If he gets elected again I'll probably be homeless he'll probably take everybody's social security away--and I'm below the poverty level anyway!!! Enough from me-----God bless all the people and keep them safe!!!

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Well said and I could not agree more with your statement, "On another note Trump is the Antichrist 1000 fold!!! If he gets elected again we're all going to go to hell in a hand basket here in the United States!!!" I hope that Trump never ever gets nominated to run for President and I hope Trump is held accountable very very soon. He should not be qualified to run for any office. There are too many receipts (evidence) to back up (justify) his crimes, frauds, insurrection, coup plotting etc. that are too numerous to count (TNTC). All U.S. government officials (from the President and to local government officials) should emulate Zelenskyy - he embodies what being a true leader is

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I agree with you Sandra. If it all ends up that Trump gets away with his crimes I'm going to be a very unhappy person!!! Plus all the jerks that are doing his bidding should pay also by going to jail and losing their freedom!! I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out--God help us

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Nancy, I agree with you. It is heartbreaking to see the devastation in Ukraine.it is very difficult to watch. As for the future of our country and the protection of our democracy, I keep praying that somehow things will get better. But the thought of these GOP evil demons running for President is frightening.

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I agree with what you said--yes indeed it's very frightening we shall see what happens in the midterms if the Republicans take over we're doomed!! I hate to be pessimistic about it but all I've seen from the Republicans so far is a lot of negativity--plus a bunch of lies Plus you're taking away our liberties--plus that they're taking away our voting rights etc etc I hope and pray that the Democrats still staying power in the senate in the house

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Nancy, I truly understand how you feel. What the Republicans have been doing all over the country to destroy our democracy is the path of evil this party began years ago. They are only thinking about themselves and getting the power they obviously want. But I don't want to give up hope that our better angels will prevail.🙏😇😳

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I totally agree with you about our better angels---

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