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Americans, take note, Zelenskyy is a man who will debase himself for the good of his country. Karma tends to be a huge asshole when it comes to stuff like this. (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world to c/politicalmemes@lemmy.ca

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[–] grue@lemmy.world 50 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

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.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

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 14 points 1 year 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."

[–] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

He’s not showing Trump respect, he’s showing respect to the office of president and to the American people.