Volodymyr Zelensky, Democracy's Champion, Is Much Ado's Person of the Year
Hard to state the importance of his personal strength
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There is a saying we’ve all heard dismissively, “First-world problem.” Like when you can’t get your phone to charge. President Volodymyr Zelensky is leading a true First World democracy through third-world conditions, especially this winter, in a bloody fight to preserve First World assumptions: That democracy is a birthright. Comfort and opportunity are assured. Peace is assumed.
And despite the fact that Zelensky has NATO and the United States aid and backing, Zelensky and Ukraine are alone in this war, the one that they’re winning on a razor’s edge. They are not alone in the larger fight, the fight to preserve democracy. Many are intertwined in that fight. But Zelensky is the president leading on a battlefield, literally, which makes him Democracy’s leader. That he is succeeding masterfully in the war and in carrying Ukraine’s cause around the world, makes him Much Ado’s Person of the Year.
Only when I sat down to write this column did I realize that this is the second year that I’ve given this distinction to someone who worked to save democracy. Last year’s award, the 2021 Person of the Year, went to Mike Pence for what he did just six days into the year, which was nothing short of preserving American democracy for the near future. And so here we are again, admiring someone who is defeating Putin’s army in an effort to preserve democracy in Ukraine. Clearly, this is not a coincidence.
Democracy is under attack around the world, whether it is in Ukraine. Hungary, Brazil, India, or the United States, one might even say on Twitter. Meanwhile, battles for human rights are being fought in Iran, China, Russia, and even the Arab States. The times are unpredictable and unstable. Critical changes can occur at the speed of the “Send” button. All over the globe, there is a fight for basic autonomy, democracy, safety, peace, and cooperation. Not every fight has a Zelensky out front, but leaders everywhere look to Zelensky for inspiration and tactics.
Look fast, though. As said above, changes come quickly, and Zelensky is facing his “Valley Forge” moment. An army and populace that are cold, hungry, and hunkered down. Zelensky has been winning. He hasn’t won. Nor has democracy. It is going to be a long winter in Ukraine. It will be an even longer winter in the fight for worldwide democracy.
Despite the fact that Zelensky has beaten Putin on every front, there is a distinct difference in posture. Zelensky doesn’t have troops deep inside Russia, shelling power plants and food distribution points. All the fighting is being done in Ukraine, making Zelensky’s mission that much more difficult. He must lead in battle while also finding a way to feed and heat his people. From The Hill:
The scale of the human tragedy unfolding in Ukraine is unthinkable. The world has not witnessed a tragedy so devastating in Europe since World War II. As of Sept 23, 7.4 million Ukrainian refugees were recorded across Europe and almost 1.5 million Ukrainians registered for temporary protection in Poland. Without humanitarian aid, this situation will only worsen in the coming months.
What could it possibly be like? Having the military looking to you for brave leadership, being forced to dig out mass graves filled with your citizens, all while knowing that Putin’s paid mercenaries are out there, trying to kill you specifically, and now, possibly losing Ukraine’s edge in the war due to everyday first world assumptions, food, power, heat… But he cannot lose that edge.
Zelensky cannot allow Putin to turn the war into a siege. It is one of the reasons why the U.S. is sending Patriot Missile Systems to Ukraine so that Putin can’t just shell powerplants or major distribution centers. Zelensky demanded the Patriot missiles… He knows what Ukrainians need and isn’t afraid to make the demand. Their survival is at stake.
Too many died pushing Putin back into Russia. The door can’t be left open even a crack…
History is dotted with heroes that seemed destined for greatness all along, George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, even Barack Obama. And then there are the accidental heroes, people that find their calling and their strength almost by happenstance. Zelensky wasn’t George Washington, he is from that second category. Just seven years ago, he was a comedian. Four years ago, he was an actor. Ironically, Zelensky got his start in the presidency by playing the president in a television show called “Servent of the People.” He must have been good because a movement formed to elect him to the real office. Obviously, he won.
Clearly, he wasn’t entirely prepared for this, but then, not many are. He has been clear in what he and Ukraine stands for, transparent rule of law and democracy.
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet. - Reverend Theodore Hesburgh
Zelensky could not be clearer in his leadership nor the stakes at issue:
We Ukrainians are a peaceful people. But if we stay silent today, we will be gone tomorrow. - President Volodymyr Zelensky
Last year, I gave the award to Mike Pence for his actions just six days into the year. I said that on the most important day of his life, Mike Pence was at his absolute best against intense pressure. Pence changed the year, ensuring the U.S. could continue its fight for democracy as a democracy. Without diminishing Pence’s action, Zelensky has had to be his best and preserve his democracy from February 24th to today and the foreseeable future. It has been a long, bloody, tragic year, but one in which - militarily - Ukraine took the upper hand in the first week and still has it this week. Much of Ukraine’s success is due to Zelensky’s strength and love for his people, their freedom, and his love of democracy. Rarely has a country so strongly rallied around its leader and even rarer has a leader enlisted so much of the world in his nation’s cause.
And that’s what elevates him above others in the global fight for democracy in 2022-23. We can feel the populist movements on the march. Every country that once seemed to have its enlightenment “baked-in,” now have right-wing autocratic movements.
If one looks at just how strongly DeSantis controls Florida’s legislature and supreme court, one could make the argument that the United States has its first true dictatorial state. This is the Republican plan for the future here in the United States. Have you noticed that Republicans have now started calling for an end to further aid to Ukraine? Democracy begets democracy, while fascism begets fascism.
Zelensky is on the frontlines, and what happens in the Russian-Ukrainian war will have an enormous effect on what happens to democracy in Italy, in India, in Brazil, and very much in the United States. There is a reason the ultra-MAGAs have had to hate Zelensky as a “Nazi.” (Falling for Second World propaganda) The far right in this county feels more kinship with Russia than people fighting for their independence, freedom, and the rule of law. There is a reason Tucker is cheering for Russia. The far right in America is done with democracy now that they’re a minority. They are ready to give up their democratic roots if they get to rule and don’t have to be “woke.”
We are fighting the same fight as Zelensky. The preservation of democracy is critical to global peace and the preservation of classic western liberalism, natural laws, the Magna Carter, the Declaration of Independence, all of it. If Zelensky prevails and defeats Putin, it will be a major blow to Right-Wing fascist governments and movements everywhere. If Putin goes down, it could destabilize the autocratic movement in this country, those people like Tucker longing for a stable, minority government of the powerful. We are very much in the same battle.
But we’re fighting in a “First World” environment. Zelensky is standing out alone in the cold with real bombs falling around him. In making his stand on his ground, he stands entrusted as democracy’s leader, in head and heart, symbolically and in reality.
Volodymyr Zelensky is Much Ado’s Person of the Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the growing family here. The comment section below is starting to be used, and that’s critical, make friends and talk things out. I will drop in.
The last two articles have been the most read that I’ve ever put out. It amazes me that we have an unheard-of readership rate. Of all who subscribed, 45% seem to read every word. That just doesn’t happen. So it means everything. Thank you, and please pass the links along if you would.
I know, I know, but a year-end donation would mean a lot. It’s been an excruciating year and the way you can tell is that I ask for donations bc there’s nothing I hate more than requesting help. If you can, Venmo is last four digits 6433 and @Jason-Miciak, and Cash App is $Scrubdog12.
Next up is our big “Predictions for 2023” - but that won’t be until next week. I’ll think of some things to keep us up this week.
Thank you all. It’s unbelievably gratifying seeing the graphs rise and rise. Let’s all go to the beach: