Ukrainian President Zelensky to Receive Ronald Reagan Freedom Award… and Not Much Else
“Thanks for the not help. Have a mediocre day.”
In a move some call “surprising” and others call “Meh,” a bipartisan movement to grant the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award to President Zelensky is afoot.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy are coming together to present the award to the Ukrainian President for his efforts in defending his country from the continuing Russian attacks.
I’m sure he’s really excited about it. Want to take bets on how big of a smile he’s going to have on his face as they hand the award to him? Will he even show up, or will one of his ambassadors grab it?
After all, he’s pretty busy at the moment. You know, trying to keep a country together under the onslaught of massive attacks, with little equipment available to spare, sort of takes up a lot of time. I suppose he could try to avail himself of the ceremonies between ensuring his people are fed and burying all the civilians Putin’s responsible for murdering.
It’s hard to be dispassionate when there’s so much at stake.
Oh, I know. I’m supposed to be talking about the news and being some dispassionate person about it all. Right? That’s what’s expected of writers who talk about political subjects.
Well, I think Zelensky and his people would be far better served by giving things they could help defend themselves with. Sanctions don’t seem to be doing much of anything.
Sure, the defense Ukraine troops have put up has been impressive. They’re doing the best they can in the face of an army that outnumbers them and out-equips them. But the real issue is how, historically, the Russian military acts.
The Russian Military is brutal.
Countries in the West have always been quite averse to casualties. While Russia is acutely aware of and feels losses as anyone would, they’ve also historically tolerated them in greater numbers than most Western countries would find acceptable.
They’ve always been a brutal enemy to go against, taking loss after loss while stripping an area clean. They have no issue flattening a town and calling it a day, as long as the territory, in the end, is ultimately in their hands. We’ve seen this very thing happening in places like Aleppo or Grozny.
The troops in Ukraine are doing what they can, but in a war of attrition, Russia will always come out on top. Right now, it seems the only thing holding Putin’s army back is the problem of logistics, and they’re working on ways to bypass those limitations.
I think, given enough time and activity, the grass-roots campaigns and protests happening on Russia’s home soil will make a difference. The word is spreading that Putin isn’t the glorious leader he claims — and people have for years believed — himself to be. Instead, they’re starting to recognize his traits as a war criminal. Despite people being arrested in droves, that can make a real difference in the sentimentalities back home.
We in the West are also seeing it in the reports of Russian troops self-sabotaging their equipment or refusing to fight, despite their commanders trying to throw them into the meat-grinder. That, too, in time, could help.
Time isn’t something they have to spare.
But time is something the Ukrainian people have little of. Noncombatants are terrorized, murdered, and blatantly targeted in attacks, flying in the face of any sense of “civilized war.” Every day, heavy losses are endured and there’s not much they can do except keep fighting.
Meanwhile, we’re trying to hand their President an award so Congress can assuage its guilt and go home with a smile and a pumpkin spice latte.
That’s not helpful. That’s political appeasement at the expense of a people desperately crying out for a helping hand.
About the Creator
Ira Robinson
Published author of over a dozen books and dozens of short stories, Digital painter, Twitch and YouTube streamer… all done while being blind.
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Le Pen Hopeful Appeal Will Allow Her to Run for French President
Marine Le Pen, one of France’s most polarizing political figures, is once again at the center of national attention as she places her hopes on an appeal that could determine her political future. The long-time leader of France’s far-right movement believes that a successful legal challenge may clear the path for her to run in the next French presidential election, a race she has contested multiple times but never won. The appeal comes at a critical moment not only for Le Pen personally, but also for the broader direction of French politics, which has been increasingly shaped by debates over immigration, national identity, economic insecurity, and relations with the European Union. The Legal Hurdle Facing Le Pen Le Pen’s presidential ambitions were thrown into uncertainty after a court ruling linked to allegations involving the misuse of European Parliament funds. Prosecutors have argued that party funds were improperly used to pay staff who were allegedly working for her political movement in France rather than for the European Parliament. If upheld, the ruling could result in penalties that would bar her from holding public office for a period of time—effectively ending her chances of contesting the presidency. Le Pen has strongly denied wrongdoing, describing the case as politically motivated and designed to sideline her ahead of a high-stakes election. Her appeal, now moving through the judicial system, is seen by supporters as a final opportunity to keep her presidential bid alive. A Familiar Face in French Politics Marine Le Pen is no stranger to the presidential race. She reached the second round in both the 2017 and 2022 elections, losing each time to Emmanuel Macron. Despite those defeats, her share of the vote has steadily increased, signaling growing support for her nationalist platform. Over the years, Le Pen has worked to soften the image of her party—rebranded from the National Front to the National Rally—seeking to distance it from its extremist roots while broadening its appeal to working-class voters, young people, and those disillusioned with mainstream parties. Her political messaging now focuses heavily on cost-of-living pressures, opposition to immigration, criticism of globalization, and skepticism toward the European Union. Why the Appeal Matters Beyond Le Pen The outcome of Le Pen’s appeal carries implications far beyond one individual. If she is allowed to run, the next presidential election could once again become a referendum on France’s political divide between liberal centrism and nationalist populism. Polls consistently show Le Pen as one of the most popular opposition figures in the country. Her exclusion from the race could reshape the political landscape, leaving a vacuum on the far right and potentially benefiting other populist or conservative contenders. Critics argue that barring her would undermine democratic choice, while supporters of the ruling insist that no politician should be above the law. The case has reignited debates about judicial independence, political accountability, and the fine line between justice and political interference. Supporters Cry Foul, Opponents Demand Accountability Le Pen’s supporters have rallied behind her, framing the legal battle as an attempt by the political establishment to silence opposition voices. They argue that similar cases involving mainstream politicians have not resulted in such severe consequences. On the other hand, her opponents say the case underscores the importance of transparency and ethical standards in public office. They insist that the rule of law must apply equally to all, regardless of popularity or political power. The sharply divided reactions reflect France’s broader political polarization, which has intensified amid economic challenges, social unrest, and shifting global alliances. The Stakes for France’s Future If Le Pen’s appeal succeeds and she enters the presidential race, France could face one of its most consequential elections in decades. Issues such as immigration policy, relations with NATO, support for Ukraine, and France’s role in the European Union would likely dominate the campaign. Le Pen has previously called for stricter border controls, reduced EU influence over national policy, and a more inward-looking economic strategy. While she has softened some positions in recent years, critics remain concerned about how her leadership could reshape France’s democratic institutions and international standing. What Happens Next? The timing of the court’s decision will be crucial. A favorable ruling would allow Le Pen to begin campaigning in earnest, while an unfavorable outcome could force her party to quickly identify an alternative candidate. Regardless of the outcome, the case has already energized her base and ensured that she remains a central figure in public debate. Whether she appears on the ballot or not, Marine Le Pen’s influence over French politics is unlikely to fade anytime soon. Conclusion Marine Le Pen’s hope that an appeal will allow her to run for French president represents a defining moment for both her career and the French political system. At stake are not only her personal ambitions but also broader questions about democracy, justice, and the future direction of France. As the legal process unfolds, the nation—and much of Europe—will be watching closely. The decision could shape the next chapter of French politics and determine whether one of its most controversial figures gets another shot at the country’s highest office.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi6 days ago in The Swamp
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