Vicarishame - 5
When the president of your country is a playground bully
I was driving most of the day today, getting only the snippets of the big news on the radio because NPR was running away from the frequencies available to me. But even the little news that broke through the static made me facepalm myself in shame for Trump.
In his meeting with Zelenskyy, president of the country that has been pummeled by Russian rockets and bombs for three years now, Trump behaved like a playground bully and JD Vance behaved like a thug who is taking orders from Putin and uses Putin's talking points.
No war fatigue and unwillingness to support Ukraine can justify this behavior. I don't know why Zelenskyy was not speaking through an interpreter (perhaps the US side wanted to break this part of the protocol as well, to make him look more vulnerable, lost and confused), but he definitely did the best with his level of English. He stood up for himself and his country and did not let Vance's lies fly without response. I felt vicarishamed for both Trump and Vance. I also felt proud of Zelenskyy, who did not let them walk all over him when they clearly set this trap up for him in advance.
In a way, by "kicking him out of the White House," Trump and Vance saved Ukraine from a very bad, ill-intentioned and nefariously designed "minerals deal" that would put Ukrainians into a position of giving up their mineral resources for nothing in return and forever. All Zelenskyy wanted was to get the assurances of security guarantees before signing that bad deal. He has the full right to expect that, especially given that Ukraine had already once given up its nuclear weapons for security guarantees that completely failed and were stomped over when Putin started a full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022. Full me once... Ukraine had the right to expect a better arrangement with the real security guarantees.
Trump and Vance, the now-open agents of the Kremlin, of course could not give these guarantees. In Putin's ideal world, they conclude a bad temporary peace with Ukraine, Russia retreats and regroups while putting a Russian puppet like Yanukovich back into Ukraine's presidency, the US and Europe remove sanctions against Russia and in a couple of years Putin ramps up his military capacity and comes back with full force to take over Ukraine in its entirety.
Zelenskyy saw through this. He lived through the 1990s when the Soviet Union fell apart and knows what lawless Russian thugs are all about and how the two-step hostile takeover (Putin's signature move) works in reality. He was prepared. Today, he didn't look weak or meek and he certainly was not going to give up the future of his country for empty words and vague promises without getting security guarantees in a signed form.
Trump knew this might happen. He needed to save his own face if Zelenskyy didn't budge and bend over for the bad deal. This is why a couple of days ago he said that this war would either end very quickly (he only failed to add 'on my handler Putin's terms') or last forever. Now he is blaming Zelenskyy for failing to behave appropriately, to be thankful and not demanding, and the impending WW3. Zelenskyy should feel like a winner because all the masks are off now. He knows that he is dealing with Putin's allies in Trump and Vance and that there are no illusions anymore as to who the current US administration supports in this war.
My only hope now is that Europe rallies around and not behind but in front of Ukraine and gives it everything it can to continue to fight Putin. Otherwise he will end up on the Baltic's and Polish doorstep after he is done with Ukraine.
I still can't overcome my vicarishame for Trump and everyone who voted for him. This is the first time in entire American history when the president of the country completely gave up on democracy and openly took the aggressor's side. This shame will reverberate for decades.
Author's note: Vicarishame (vi-shame) - feeling of vicarious or secondhand embarrassment a decent person experiences for a wrong action committed not by the person but someone else.
I made up the word because I don't think "secondhand embarrassment" is a good phrase for it and because I've always admired the German language ability to come up with precise compound words. So this is my attempt to model the German compound word approach, putting together "vicarious" and "shame."
About the Creator
Lana V Lynx
Avid reader and occasional writer of satire and short fiction. For my own sanity and security, I write under a pen name. My books: Moscow Calling - 2017 and President & Psychiatrist
@lanalynx.bsky.social
Keep reading
More stories from Lana V Lynx and writers in The Swamp and other communities.
Ditched - Index
This index is just for my subscribers. I finished and published this long story or short novella of 6,000 words recently. I tried to link all previous parts of the story in the next one, so if you went along you shouldn't have been lost. This index is just put everything in one place.
By Lana V LynxExclusive • 4 months ago
Rupee Strongly Bounces Back Against Australian Dollar, British Pound, Euro
The Pakistani rupee has staged a remarkable recovery against major foreign currencies, including the Australian dollar, British pound, and euro, reflecting a broader shift in investor sentiment and improving economic fundamentals. Analysts say the rebound is the result of a combination of strong remittances, a narrowing trade deficit, and proactive monetary measures by the central bank, signaling renewed confidence in the country’s financial stability.
By Salaar Jamalia day ago in The Swamp
Comments (9)
I have a lot to catch up on!! Forgive me, Lana. I agree with you 1000% on the betrayal. Thank you for continuing to spread for stronger action and unity to support Ukraine💓💌💝
I don't know much about what's happening but I'm glad Zelenskyy didn't let them walk all over him
I thought Zelensky did great - he was speaking in a foreign language and still sounded the most intelligent and articulate. It was one of the most disgusting and appalling things I've seen. JD Vance is such a bully - the way he kept asking over and over 'have you said thank you' and stabbing his finger. I don't know how Zelensky kept his cool with such a pair of thugs.
I've not seen the coverage though I've heard about it. All eyes on the US still. Hope you're doing okay. I know how deeply this touches you.
I can’t get over the complete planned attack and set up From Marjorie’s husband asking if Zelensky owns. Suite WTF kind of question is that. JD talking over him and Trump saying ‘no’ when the Ukrainian President asked if he could talk. Now Fox News and all of Trumps sycophants saying hooray for JD and Trump. I’m done and so should everyone
10) GREAT JOB on the photo!! it covers it all. And for Wencer's comment - it very well could have been done with an interpreter, but I am willing to bet that VANCE told him not to allow it. I'm sorry, but the Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Serhiyivna Markarova, should have walked over to Z's side, diplomacy or not, and spoke up also. Hatchet job, pre-planned, to kill the deal and just take it all. 11) the minerals in Ukraine might be mapped but it takes a long time for exploration so that b.s. about U.S. getting a great deal and lots of money is more lies - by the time it comes about, he will most likely not be on Earth from old age.
1) No facepalm for me but a slap to Trump for his asinine bullying behavior. Zelenskyy acted appropriately. Vance was incredibly proud of himself for yelling at Z and clapped the orange head's shoulder, like, hey, we did it. Fools 2) yes, I'm sure they didn't want the interpreter so they could jump all over Z and misconstrue what he was trying to convey - they would eventually feel the pressure of the war 3)yes, they want him to sign with no guarantees. "Oh what about it, a bomb could fall on your head" says Trump when asked what if Putin goes against the deal 4)Zelenskyy stood his ground. He was thankful. He was respectful even though those 2 Americans in charge of our government were ignorant and rude - everything they said Z did, they were GUILTY OF - rudeness, rolling eyes. 5) It was a total set-up - they knew if they goaded him a tiny bit, he would want to talk about Putin's aggressions. He politely asked if he could show them photos - Trump just glanced at them with no feeling because he is a sociopath. Trump wanted to pick a fight with Z in front of the cameras to "make good TV." What an asshole - yes I called the purchased POTUS that. 5) Trump used 2 code words - dictator and World War 3 - their plan all along was to amp this up, put us in a war and blame Zelenskyy (who is smarter than both of them together) 6) I have no embarrassment for the 2 of them - only anger. The other countries know the majority of Americans do not stand behind this b.s. I thought Z should have flown to Germany or England immediately since they want him to crawl on his belly before they help. Screw that. 7) First I was feeling horrid for Z and wondering if he went to his hotel and paced the room despondent. Later I said out loud, "Good for him! The only PRESIDENT to be kicked out of the Oval!" hahahahaha He won and Trump lost. 8) I don't know how Europe can help Ukraine. U.S. gave weapons, built in the U.S. (jobs), not money and nothing close to 3.5billion like the liar POTUS claims. He who speaks lies over and over wins in his world. 9) The evil plan is a new axis of evil with our current leaders, the GOP, Putin all going for broke - break the will of the people, take away their rights, make them hungry, let them die and finally they will come begging to us. 10) Perverts abound in the GOP, and all the things they accuse the "left" of, they have already done and worse. So whenever they bring out new accusations, we know that they do it and know all about it, because they are guilty of it, and did it first. I cannot believe the depth of evil or the stupidity of people but cults are dangerous. Thank you for writing this. Please continue bringing the points forward so clearly!!
Great informative piece and I agree with you. But in regards to an interpreter, I don't believe this interaction could have taken place with an interpreter, and I think Zelensky's English has improved a lot these last two years so that he can make his points across
Wow! I have no words for how ashamed I am for the way Trump always handles issues and opportunities. But I can think of several dozen not-so proud words of who he really is. Let's start with dumbass! I don't know where the future of his so-called leadership is going, but it can't be good. Thank you for the update. I saw a few notifications on my phone about this, but didn't open them.