Saturday, December 31, 2022

Heroes, Villains, and Martyrs of 2022

Happy New Year, 2023!

The past year has seen a number of heroes, villains, and outright monsters in the news. In my other blog about heroes my annual post is about a few who stood out, and I'm duplicating this blog post here, with a few additions.

Michigan Local Hero

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan.

Two retiring heroes, may we long remember them:

Nancy Pelosi and Anthony Fauci
From the Washington Post:

"Dr. Fauci turned into the country’s family doctor, capable of convincing any given president of the correct course of action and then selling the nation on the president’s decision: on AIDS, on bioterrorism, on Ebola and, finally, on covid-19."

From the NY Times:

"In her two decades leading House Democrats, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has been one of the most powerful and iconic women in Washington. When she was sworn in as speaker in 2007, surrounded by the children of members of Congress, she became the first woman to serve in that post. And over the years, Ms. Pelosi was often photographed as the lone woman in rooms full of men, even after the ranks of Congress became more diverse." 

Hero of the year: Volodymyr Zelensky: May he be victorious in 2023


Monsters and Villains

A quote from Robert Reich:

“Trump, Bankman-Fried and Musk are the monsters of American capitalism – as much products of this public-be-damned era as they are contributors to it. For them, and for everyone who still regards them as heroes, there is no morality in business or economics. The winnings go to the most ruthless. Principles are for sissies.

“But absent any moral code, greed is a public danger. Its poison cannot be contained by laws or accepted norms.” (source)

If only we would be allowed to forget our most terrible and persistent villain whose latest stunts include increased support of antisemites and continuing racism.

"Will Trump finally be held accountable?" By Ann Telnaes, Washington Post, December 19, 2022.

And one accidental martyr who behaved bravely:


Brittney Griner, held hostage by the evil Russians.

New York Times: Most Underestimated


Joe Biden. Again.
This year’s policy wins included the CHIPS Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the first major gun safety legislation in decades, an overhaul of the Electoral Count Act and a law to protect same-sex and interracial marriage. As promised, he put the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. And, as the midterms heated up, he kept his head down as the Republicans’ red wave shrank to more of a pink dribble. You have to give the boring, moderate, pragmatic old guy his due. (source)

Blog post © 2022 mae sander


11 comments:

Sherry's Pickings said...

oh what a time of it we've all had. What an amazing man is Zelensky. Let's hope the bloody Russians get kicked out/stopped/turfed asap! All the best to you in 2023.

Valerie-Jael said...

I have the feeling last year showed more villains than heroes. But those who did shine their light in the darkness deserve praise. May more people stand up to the bullies of this world. Happy New Year to You and yours! VALERIE

Iris Flavia said...

Great post. Most was in the news even in Germany.
There is lots of hope for 2023.
For us "tiny" people and for the big world.
May we find peace, freedom and good leaders.
I´m wishing you a wonderful 2023 and look forward to your posts.

eileeninmd said...

Great post, I like seeing more heroes than villains. Trump is not above the law and should be held accountable. Along with anyone else who helped with the coup. I do pray that Zelensky is victorious, Putin should be charged with war crimes. I am hoping we see more heroes in 2023!

Nil @ The Little House by the Lake said...

Happy New Year!

My name is Erika. said...

Happy New year Mae. This is a great post. And I hope 2023 has a lot more heroes than villains. I love that photo of your governor and her excellent shirt.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

I need to find anti semitic articles from Trump to convince a friend he is evil! Here's praying the War in Ukraine ends soon.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Totally agree with your heroes and villains. Pelosi and Fauci, saved democracy and they get attacked and accused of all sorts of things.


Zelensky resisted the Trump shakedown and emerged as a Ukranian hero during the invasion.

Gretchen Whitmer was another hero.

I worked in industry for over 40 years and am a huge believer in capitalism but it is not and end in itself. It is a means to an end of providing employment and security to people not a means to enriching just a tiny minority at the top.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Gretchen Whitmer and Anthony Fauci would certainly garner my vote. Happy New Year, Mae.

Jeanie said...

I agree completely! Go, Big Gretch -- she's got this! And Fauci is my hero. Zelynsky too. I'm not so sure on Britney. She did something very stupid and she should have known better. Meanwhile, she's free for an arms dealer and Paul Whelan and that other fellow -- Mark -- are still there. I'm glad she's out. But not sorry she was taken and hopefully taught a big lesson on what you carry when traveling elsewhere.

Literary Feline said...

Yes! I agree with your list. I do hope we see new and old heroes rise to victory many times over this coming year. Happy New Year!