• Optional@lemmy.world
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    9 days ago

    Americans, take note, Zelenskyy is a competent, thoughtful leader who isn’t a rapist or a coward, or a cock holster for Putin.

  • AmazingAwesomator@lemmy.world
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    9 days ago

    american here.

    watching the video of trump and vance yelling at an ally in need of help because he said “thank you” at the wrong time is insulting. dear president zelensky: i am so sorry you have to interact with that donut and his side of coffee. you, sir, are a classy fellow who deserves to be respected.

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      trump and vance yelling at an ally in need of help because he said “thank you” at the wrong time

      That isn’t what they were doing at all.

      They were yelling at an enemy in hopes of provoking him, in order to manufacture a justification for their own treachery.

      As Americans, we need to understand that Trump is unilaterally forcing the US to switch sides – to betray NATO and join Russia and North Korea as pariah dictatorships – and we need to decide what we’re going to do about it.

      • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
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        8 days ago

        Exactly. They were hoping that Zelenskyy wouldn’t just turn the other cheek. Because if Zelenskyy got agitated, they would use it as justification for cutting all ties.

      • Geobloke@lemm.ee
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        8 days ago

        No, I think it goes deeper than that. They have no loyalty to America, they have loyalty to their ideology. This is why they sympathise with the AfD, Brexit and the rest. They seek control only to enrich themselves. Russia isn’t an ally, it’s an aspiration

        • wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works
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          8 days ago

          Here’s the kicker, Russia as it stands today, is an all American creation.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_therapy_(economics)

          In post-Soviet Russia and other post-Communist states, neoliberal reforms based on the Washington Consensus resulted in a surge in excess mortality and decreasing life expectancy, along with rising economic inequality, corruption, and poverty. Isabella Weber of the University of Massachusetts said: “As a result of shock therapy, Russia experienced a rise in mortality beyond that of any previous peacetime experiences of an industrialized country.”: 2  The Gini ratio increased by an average of 9 points for all post-Communist states. The average post-Communist state had returned to 1989 levels of per-capita GDP by 2005, although some are still far behind that. In Russia, the average real income for 99 percent of people was lower in 2015 than in 1991.: 2  According to William Easterly, successful market economies rest on a framework of law, regulation, and established practice, which cannot be instantaneously created in a society that was formerly authoritarian, heavily centralised, and subject to state ownership of assets.

    • stardust@lemmy.ca
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      8 days ago

      I couldn’t even make it through a minute without rage building up and had to turn off the video. That he could sit there and put up with that ridiculous circus without getting up and leaving or punching them in the face is amazing. I could not do that. I’m pissed off again writing this and being reminded of the short video I watched.

      • margaritox@lemmy.world
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        8 days ago

        I couldn’t watch that shit either. Gotta admit, I’m a little relieved that it is the general consensus that they were being major dicks.

      • Tiger@sh.itjust.works
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        8 days ago

        If you can give it another look it’s worth it to just see how adept and tough Zelenskyy is, they couldn’t shake him and get him to make a real error. They come out looking terrible and most folks will like Zelenskyy more than ever.

    • NotSteve_@lemmy.ca
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      8 days ago

      I feel like a lot of the world is feeling some sort of satisfaction like “we told you the USA fucking sucked”

    • JokeDeity@lemm.ee
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      8 days ago

      I’ve been ashamed to be an American since I could understand what was being said on the news. We’re really quite an evil country.

    • Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works
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      8 days ago

      I can’t even begin to describe how profoundly ashamed I am to be “represented” by this piece of human garbage.

      Fuck every last person who voted for them.

      • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        I hope you guys can channel that shame into enough action to fix your country.

        Preferably before these “elected representatives” start a shooting war on your behalf.

        • Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works
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          4 days ago

          America’s political system has reached a breaking point with Trump. There is simply no precedent right now for what he’s doing. Typically, we can vote roughly every two years to re-balance major problems in our government (a push and pull between red and blue, so to speak). If enough Republicans see the damage he’s doing, they actually can vote against their party, and/or push their representatives to impeach Trump.

          But the problem is our representatives are not representing us. THIS has been going on for years - even Obama didn’t represent his constituents, though he tried to keep up appearances, and that was important in and of itself. But, I digress, even if those of us opposing Trump in the States can convince our idiot family members and neighbors to drop their support for Trump, there’s little chance their representatives will listen. Those people are entangled in a web of self service, bribes, and extortion.

          In short, America is run by corrupt leaders and enough of them do not intend in any way to represent their constituents. The democrats (THE defense against Trump) are also corrupt. We had a chance to put Bernie on the ballot, and they steamrolled his campaign and shoved Biden in there instead of Bernie, despite immense support for him. Biden is THE reason Trump won at this stage. If we had an enigmatic leader, he or she would have never lost a re-election campaign.

          So now here we are today… America has in many ways fallen at this point. I believe it can still be fixed, but the right combination of force needs to be applied both internally, and externally. If this can’t be achieved, and the people of my country can’t do what needs to be done, then it will likely come down to violence, and the destabilization (and potential splintering) of the worlds most advanced and monied military… that is an incredibly frightening thought for the entire world.

          As for Ukraine… it has more support than the Ukainians may know. I have a family member that never budges on Trump, and the first time I’ve EVER heard them speak against Trump was yesterday, when I asked them how they felt about Trump pulling support from Ukraine. I hope this is a crack in the hate machine Trump has generated. If it is, then even with Trump in power, support may return to Ukraine, or we may expel Trump with the help of his own voters. That’s very optimistic… but well, sometimes hope is all you got. Until we fix things, I can only hope Europe can provide the support Ukraine needs.

          If anyone knows a good Ukrainian charity, I’d love to help raise money in my community. I found this one, in case anyone can weigh in? https://u24.gov.ua/ <-- Good donation source?

    • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.ca
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      8 days ago

      So Americans CAN feel shame wrt their federal government! What an absolutely unexpected discovery, after all these years.

  • Pennomi@lemmy.world
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    9 days ago

    Fucking moron keeps bringing up Hunter Biden even in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. What a disgrace Trump is.

    • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      A very small part of me wants to believe the “he’s playing 4D chess, he’s six moves ahead, and we just can’t see his next play yet” MAGAts. Because the only other alternative is that he’s a fully senile idiot who holds the most powerful seat in the country. And unfortunately for my sanity, I know his actions are not due to genius.

      • GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works
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        8 days ago

        They’re attempting to extort Ukraine for their own personal benefit by using our tax money to do it. The worst part is that they sat around and rehearsed that shit.

        • PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
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          8 days ago

          My personal theory is much darker than that: They got aggressive in the hopes that they could provoke Zelensky into talking back. So they could then clip it and use it as justification for cutting ties and handing the country to Russia. Trump is obviously acting like a Russian asset, but pulling a complete 180 on the Ukraine thing will need to be justified somehow. This was their attempt at justification.

          • GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works
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            8 days ago

            I agree with that as well. It’s a catch 22 either way. They step back and even help Russia and get minerals or they extort them. If I were in their position I would agree to the mineral deal once an aid package is secured, then prevent it from happening due to “security concerns” etc. and then just turn around and say fuck you or say I need more in order to ensure srcurity and safety, there’s landmines/unexploded ordinance, etc. and it just never happens due to equipment and business people getting “stuck” in customs forever due to ever changing requirements and regulations.

  • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
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    8 days ago

    This isn’t debasement. This is manners.

    Manners are about you thanking the host, not about the pigs you dined with. Sometimes, the host IS the pig. But it’s still about you, so cast them some pearls.

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      You’ve been downvoted, but you’re right.

      Folks, this is what debasement is:

      debasement noun

      The act of debasing or the state of being debased; a lowering, especially in character or quality.

      What Zelenskyy did was the exact opposite of that: by putting his personal pride aside for the good of Ukraine despite Trump and Vance trying to double-team him with the worst bullying they could muster, he showed incredible strength of character and statesmanship.

      Make no mistake: this was not Zelenskyy showing weakness or fealty towards Trump. This was Zelenskyy jumping through the hoops necessary to deny the bullies credibility for their claims that he was not cooperating towards peace. His graciousness just sets him further above them, in terms of diplomatic credibility.

      In the damn near no-win scenario Zelenskyy is in, this was as close to a victory as he could possibly have hoped for.

      • Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.worldOP
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        8 days ago

        It’s debasement because trump deserves no such respect. Zelenskyys character should never have to include bowing to this faux king. But on all accounts you are correct and I will humbly change my title if you ask.

        • grue@lemmy.world
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          8 days ago

          You’re right that Trump deserves no respect and that Zelenskyy shouldn’t have to bow to him. And to be honest, I’m not sure what the best word to replace “debase” would be. Maybe “prostrate” would be slightly better, in the sense that it has more of a connotation of being coerced instead of willing? I don’t know that it’s enough of an improvement to be worth an edit.

          I’m not sure if English has a single word that fully conveys “performative capitulation to the petty demands of a small man in order to outmaneuver him diplomatically.”

      • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        You do not think that Zelensky “lowered himself” by absorbing all that abuse, not responding to it at all, and instead praising his abusers? You can describe that as “manners” or “self control” or “civilized” or whatever else you want, and all those things may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that he lowered himself. He acted as though he were socially beneath Trump and Vance. We can all see that. Yes, it was the correct thing, and the dignified thing to do. But to claim he didn’t lower himself, didn’t debase himself, is warped. It’s trying to spin the situation by denying the obvious, recasting it as something else.

        • Deifyed@lemmy.ml
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          8 days ago

          I disagree. He didn’t lower himself, he acted like the only grown up in the group while the others were throwing hissy fits

  • cultsuperstar@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    The EU policy secretary (I don’t remember the exact position) said after that meeting that the free world needs a new leader and she hopes Europe is up for the challenge.

  • androidul@lemmy.ml
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    8 days ago

    it was very disrespectful, that’s not how a host treats a guest.

    JD’s tactic is well known in the psychological manipulation menu and it was extremely rude.

    • pyre@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      he wasn’t even listening, he had his bullshit ready to go. he said “did you ever say thank you” when zelenskyy literally started talking by saying thank you in that very meeting.

  • MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca
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    8 days ago

    This just makes me reflect on how many Americans, even Trump voters, are basically screaming from the rooftops that Trump is doing real harm to them, and maybe, just maybe, that message will actually be heard.

    Then I remember that he’s replaced just about everyone who can get into earshot of him with an echo chamber of what-the-fuckary. Absolute useless humans, who will shield Trump from hearing about any negatives from the decisions he’s making.

    Everything they’re saying to the public is spin. It might be based in fact, somewhere in the background, but it’s so far divulged from that truth that it’s difficult to even tell what true thing was spun this hard to generate the things they’re saying. There’s a nontrivial amount of it that’s just outright fabrications.

    I’m not an American and I couldn’t vote in the US election. I’m your neighbor to the North and all I could do was watch, in horror, as the vote went to the orange party.

    • Fluke@lemm.ee
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      8 days ago

      Rewatched the first half of “Civil War” again (shout out to my boy insomnia -.-) last night.

      It’s very close to the bone in a lot of places.

  • Randomgal@lemmy.ca
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    8 days ago

    What do you mean “debase”? I see an adult acting as one. Maybe it looks a little weird next to the behavior of vhildr.

    • BCsven@lemmy.ca
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      Because he is thanking Trump after they treated him like crap. He is doing the adult thing for diplomacy, but had he had no war situation Thanking somebody for being overly douchey to you would be considered debasing yourself

    • Jerkface (any/all)@lemmy.ca
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      You must be trying hard not to see it. It wasn’t intended as in insult, perhaps if you can understand that you won’t need to lie to yourself.

      • Randomgal@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        Ah. I see. I don’t think “debased” means what you think it means. Cheers

  • Dr. Moose@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    Can you imagine that some idiots were turned against Zelensky - it’s insane. One of true contemporary heroes.

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      Trump tried to provoke Zelenskyy to blow up at him, in order to manufacture an excuse to blame the victim for Trump’s decision to ally with Putin.

        • GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works
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          8 days ago

          Also JD tried to use that young republican “debate” tactic where you ask someone a question and then talk loudly over them with nonsense. It was definately rehearsed and he had that stupid smarmy look on his face like a liitle prat. He reminds me of Macaulay Culcin in little rascals when Trump played the dad of the little rich asshole.

      • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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        9 days ago

        “looking like a dick idiot in front of the world.”

        thanks that whole article is bananas, i don’t think i could stand to watch the video though

        • irish_link@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          I watched 11 minutes of it. Normally I don’t yell at a screen unless my work computer freezes and I haven’t save in 10min. I was YELLING at the screen. Like full on crazy man. The audacity to change the narrative to the guy who’s being invaded is astounding.

      • Vinny_93@lemmy.world
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        8 days ago

        Can someone fact check him about the Obama gave sheets, Trump gave Javelins? I’m not really clear on whether Trump was in office at all when the Javelins were handed to Ukraine.

        • aeshna_cyanea@lemm.ee
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          No this is correct. Obama was much more restrained towards Russia, probably keeping in mind the disaster of the Georgian invasion in 8/8/08. He ignored a lot of bad shit that went down in 2014, going against the hawkish members of his own cabinet as well. Lethal aid started under trump

          • Vinny_93@lemmy.world
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            8 days ago

            Ah okay, this was during the occupation of Crimea then. It’s not really possible to view that separate from the current situation but arguably, Trump was not in office during this Russian ‘military operation’.

            • aeshna_cyanea@lemm.ee
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              8 days ago

              It wasn’t just crimea, the coup/invasion of the donbass area happened in 2014 as well. It was extremely poorly reported in mainstream media because the Obama admin didn’t want to rock the boat and thought they could talk Putin down

    • ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml
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      8 days ago

      Baiscally, POTUS invited Zelenskyy to the White House for a meeting to discuss potential terms for a peace deal with Russia. In a press conference, Trump and Vance basically blamed Zelenskyy for the war, told him that by not capitulating to US and Russian demands, he was gambling with WWIII, said that Ukraine doesn’t have any “cards” - that they can’t have a say in peace deals involving them, and literally started yelling at him and lost any sense of decorum. All of this was after Zelenskyy proposed a version of Trump’s “give us all your rare earth minerals” plan that involved US Ukranian mining partnership - so already a partial capitulation.

      It was a… bad… PR and diplomatic decision. It weakens US leadership globally, further erodes soft power, is going to make China evaluate if Taiwan has “cards” in the way that Ukraine does not, etc. It was disastrous for US foreign policy and further marks a decline in its importance glabally.

      • SplashJackson@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        So they tried to bully him into selling out his country for a temporary peace? Didn’t they know that Zelenskyy has balls?

        • Kichae@lemmy.ca
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          No, they mostly succeasfully bullied him into giving away their mineral rights, and then when he showed up and said “this will guarantee peace, right?” they started screaming at him like enraged babboons on live television.

          The whole thing was a setup, designed to catch Zelensky on TV being ungrateful and uncooperative, but he played them like fiddles and absolutely destroyed any standing the administration may have had left with Europe.

        • BCsven@lemmy.ca
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          If you find the full unedited versions you can watch two terrible US elected officials try to treat Zelenskyy like an adversary, talking down to him, talking over him, and spreading Putin’s talking points. Zelenskyy handled it well, probably biting his tongue, and showed what an actual leader looks like.

          As he said a cease fire with Russia means nothing, because Putin didn’t honour it previously.

        • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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          8 days ago

          They assume that they are good at being bullies.

          Just because they try to be bullies and act like tough guys doesn’t mean that people are going to just sit there and take it, though. Especially when they’re dealing with someone who actually is both tough and smart.

    • IndustryStandard@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      Zelensky went to the white house for a mineral deal in exchange for security guarantees.

      Then Trump said you have no leverage and sent Zelensky away. Probably forgetting about the minerals which were Zelensky leverage.