Thanks for this. It is important to distinguish between resisting current push to cast Zelenski as a brave hero and man of his people and saying that is support for Putin. It feels very much like we are being pushed into war with Russia by leaning on our tendency to side with David over Goliath. One can be against Putin's actions but no…
Thanks for this. It is important to distinguish between resisting current push to cast Zelenski as a brave hero and man of his people and saying that is support for Putin. It feels very much like we are being pushed into war with Russia by leaning on our tendency to side with David over Goliath. One can be against Putin's actions but not trust Zelenski at the same time. One does not need to be a conspiracy theorist to connect the dots in the laptop story and the corruption then and assume the same or worse continues to today.
My limited understanding of Ukrainian politics is that they elected a novice precisely because they were sick of government corruption. Sound familiar? So for those who insist Ukraine =corruption =Zelensky, 2 questions: 1. Can you cite specifics? 2. What is our standard for the term “corruption”? Is it the U.S.?
First, I don't claim to know anything. I listen to what a variety of sources say and from what I gather, the corruption I infer from such reading takes the form of oligarchs such as Igor Kolomoisky who maintains such influence with Zelenski that he was able to get many lawmakers appointed to support his business interests. Kolomoisky holds interest in energy companies that include Burisma while Hunter was on the board. My sources are Aljazeera and Kyiv Post.
That makes perfect sense, Scott. But that’s the kind of things U.S. presidents routinely do. I don’t know squat about Zelensky, but I know what I see. He is doing his best for his people, who are getting hammered. I would trade Biden for him in a nanosecond.
Steven, I have no special insight into what Zelensky may or may not be doing with some of his money, but the worst accusation made in the Guardian article is that he did not disclose some offshore financial interest, and this is merely an allegation from the Pandora papers as interpreted by the Guardian, a frankly second rate publication. I can't count the number of American politicians who didn't disclose financial interests accurately. The same EU auditors who say Ukraine has not done enough (if you've lived abroad, you know these things don't change overnight, but they are rather incremental, like it or not) also support Zelensky and Ukraine vs. Russia. So I assume they must see some difference in the levels of corruption and transparency. And speaking of corruption, now that Hunter's laptop has miraculously been authenticated, what about his "10% for the big guy"? I agree with your insinuation that it's safe to stipulate that Zelensky is not perfect, though he has not been charged with anything by anybody.
So, what do you do today? Ignore that Ukrainian families are getting bombed because he's not perfect? What is your standard for American politicians? I sort of like your high standards, but the White House and halls of Congress would be a silent void if we applied the same standards here at home. Last question: would you trade Biden for Zelensky? I would.
That was just one of dozens of articles from dozens of publications pointing to serious ethical concerns about Zelenski. What I am saying I have not considered lionizing this man like the media has been doing the past month. It seams like a Great Narrative shift. Aka. A Great Gaslight.
That does not not mean what is happening in the Ukraine is a good thing and help should not go out to those impacted by Putins aggressive move.
Thanks for this. It is important to distinguish between resisting current push to cast Zelenski as a brave hero and man of his people and saying that is support for Putin. It feels very much like we are being pushed into war with Russia by leaning on our tendency to side with David over Goliath. One can be against Putin's actions but not trust Zelenski at the same time. One does not need to be a conspiracy theorist to connect the dots in the laptop story and the corruption then and assume the same or worse continues to today.
One can have great compassion for the citizens of Ukraine while being dubious about their President.
My limited understanding of Ukrainian politics is that they elected a novice precisely because they were sick of government corruption. Sound familiar? So for those who insist Ukraine =corruption =Zelensky, 2 questions: 1. Can you cite specifics? 2. What is our standard for the term “corruption”? Is it the U.S.?
First, I don't claim to know anything. I listen to what a variety of sources say and from what I gather, the corruption I infer from such reading takes the form of oligarchs such as Igor Kolomoisky who maintains such influence with Zelenski that he was able to get many lawmakers appointed to support his business interests. Kolomoisky holds interest in energy companies that include Burisma while Hunter was on the board. My sources are Aljazeera and Kyiv Post.
That makes perfect sense, Scott. But that’s the kind of things U.S. presidents routinely do. I don’t know squat about Zelensky, but I know what I see. He is doing his best for his people, who are getting hammered. I would trade Biden for him in a nanosecond.
Look up the Pandora Papers.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/revealed-anti-oligarch-ukrainian-president-offshore-connections-volodymyr-zelenskiy
Zelinski seems as corrupt as his predecessors.
6 months ago, all that was printed about him made him look worse and worse and worse every day.
Now The Great Narrative would have you believe he is a modern Saint.
Steven, I have no special insight into what Zelensky may or may not be doing with some of his money, but the worst accusation made in the Guardian article is that he did not disclose some offshore financial interest, and this is merely an allegation from the Pandora papers as interpreted by the Guardian, a frankly second rate publication. I can't count the number of American politicians who didn't disclose financial interests accurately. The same EU auditors who say Ukraine has not done enough (if you've lived abroad, you know these things don't change overnight, but they are rather incremental, like it or not) also support Zelensky and Ukraine vs. Russia. So I assume they must see some difference in the levels of corruption and transparency. And speaking of corruption, now that Hunter's laptop has miraculously been authenticated, what about his "10% for the big guy"? I agree with your insinuation that it's safe to stipulate that Zelensky is not perfect, though he has not been charged with anything by anybody.
So, what do you do today? Ignore that Ukrainian families are getting bombed because he's not perfect? What is your standard for American politicians? I sort of like your high standards, but the White House and halls of Congress would be a silent void if we applied the same standards here at home. Last question: would you trade Biden for Zelensky? I would.
That was just one of dozens of articles from dozens of publications pointing to serious ethical concerns about Zelenski. What I am saying I have not considered lionizing this man like the media has been doing the past month. It seams like a Great Narrative shift. Aka. A Great Gaslight.
That does not not mean what is happening in the Ukraine is a good thing and help should not go out to those impacted by Putins aggressive move.
And I have spent 8 years workin outside the US.