Ukraine's President Zelenskyy addresses Congress

 

Click the picture to hear Zelenskyy's entire speech (and the pageantry before and after.)

The speech before a joint meeting of the American Congress by President Zelenskyy was magnificent. If you haven't heard it listen now. 

Speaker of the House

Speaker Nancy Pelosi discusses the attack on her husband.

I have great respect for Speaker Pelosi. She has maintained dignity, professionalism, and high ethics throughout her tenure in the face of despicable treatment by many in the Republican Party. The film of her calm and effective leadership during the coup attempt on January 6, 2021 should be required watching for every high school class. She would inspire many young people to , especially young women, with her courage and patriotism. And now, even after the brutal attack on her husband, she responds with honor, calm, and the best interests of the country she loves in mind. 

I would be hard put to think of any other Speaker in our history who has been as effective or as high-minded. Of the Speakers of my lifetime I would rank her right alongside Tip O'Niell and Sam Rayburn for effectiveness and absolutely first in terms of moral leadership. 

Now think of the last four Republican Speakers and the guy who is presumed to be the next GOP Speaker: 

• the man who will likely replace her is Kevin McCarthy, who in the immediate aftermath of January 6, spoke truthfully about the childish man at Maralago, then a few weeks later kissed his ring. 
• Before that was Paul Ryan, not a terrible person but utter ineffectual and resigned from Congress.
• Speaker Boehner was so hamstrung by the Tea Party wing of his party that he eventually just quit. 
• The most effective Republican Speaker in this century was probably Dennis Hastert... and then we found out his sordid secrets. 
• And of course there was Newt Gingrich, one of the most destructive political figures of my lifetime.

Click this picture too read what I wrote about Speaker Pelosi on January 4, 2007. You can also read her inaugural address there.

Gleaning Facebook: Speaker Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi is one of the most effective speakers in history and a principled but pragmatic moderate progressive. The right just loves to have someone to hate. First woman speaker, first black president, first woman major nominee, first black woman major gubernatorial candidate, ... sort of a pattern.