Sharon Meyer
Literature and Journalism -- Belmont
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From Political Outsider to International Panhandler
There's a fine line between being a bold leader and being an over-eager extra in a war movie. Zelenskyy was supposed to be a disruptor. Instead, he's the guy at the party who won't stop passing around the donation hat.
Ron White wouldn't be pacing around Europe with a handout-he'd walk into the UN, pour himself a drink, and say, "Alright, who's ready to actually win this thing?" And suddenly, the arms shipments would arrive on time.
Seinfeld wouldn't be playing the war victim card every five minutes. He'd be roasting Putin on late-night television until Russia withdrew just to stop the bad press.
But Zelenskyy? He's stuck in a role he doesn't know how to play. And Ukraine is paying the price for his bad acting.
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Zelensky’s $500 Billion Beg-a-Thon Goes Bust
Washington, D.C.—In a scene straight out of a rejected sitcom pilot, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strolled into the White House last week, expecting to charm his way into a $500 billion jackpot. Picture it: the former TV comedian, still rocking his Olive Garden fatigue cosplay, sauntering down the hallway like he’s about to pitch a reboot of “Servant of the People” to Netflix. Instead, he got a reality check so brutal it could’ve been scripted by Trump’s toupee stylist.
It all started innocently enough—well, as innocent as a geopolitical grift can be. Zelensky, fresh off his latest Biden-era blank check, figured he could waltz in, bat his eyelashes, and walk out with half a trillion bucks and a fistful of rare earth mineral IOUs. “I know I agreed to the deal back in Kyiv,” he reportedly whined, “but now that I’m on American TV, I can’t just sign away our dirt!” Cue Trump, leaning back in his chair like a mob boss who just caught a snitch, and Vance, smirking in the corner like a guy who knows the bouncer’s about to toss someone out.
Things escalated faster than a Twitter feud over pineapple on pizza. Zelensky, sensing he’d misread the room worse than a blind karaoke singer, doubled down: “How about $500 billion in security guarantees? I’ll even buy some Euro-weapons with it!” The room went quieter than a mime convention. Trump’s face turned the color of overcooked steak, and insiders say he unleashed a rant so unhinged it could’ve doubled as a campaign ad. “You stole half of Biden’s $350 billion, you ungrateful grifter, and now you want MORE?!” he bellowed, hands flailing like a conductor directing a symphony of chaos.
But the real fireworks happened outside the Oval Office. Picture this in Al Jaffee’s MAD Magazine glory: dramatic lighting casting long, jagged shadows down the hallway, Trump’s hairpiece flapping like a battle flag, Zelensky’s fatigues sagging under the weight of his own hubris, and Vance cracking his knuckles like a discount action hero. The trio nearly came to blows—Trump pointing a finger so aggressively it could’ve drilled for oil, Zelensky stumbling back like a drunk trying to dodge a bar tab, and Vance sneering, “The door’s that way, dumb fuck!” It was less a diplomatic summit and more a WWE SmackDown audition.
Zelensky’s grand plan unraveled faster than a dollar store sweater. “Go call Macron!” Trump roared, suggesting the French president might enjoy funding Zelensky’s war fetish. Spoiler: Macron didn’t pick up. Neither did Starmer, who texted back, “New phone, who dis?” By the time Zelensky hit the White House lawn, he was a man adrift—phoning European leaders like a telemarketer begging for spare change, while Trump gloated to the press: “I told him to get the fuck out, and it was beautiful!”
Back in Ukraine, Zelensky’s team is reportedly pivoting to Plan B: a reality show called “Grift or Get Got,” where contestants compete to fleece Western taxpayers. Meanwhile, Trump’s already planning a victory lap on X, posting memes of Zelensky as a beggar with captions like “Art of the Deal: 1, Art of the Steal: 0.” The $500 billion? Dead as disco. The rare earth minerals? Still Ukrainian, for now. And the hallway? Probably still echoing with Vance’s parting shot: “Don’t call me JD, you tiny bitch!”
Word count: 1042—because when you’re this funny, you don’t stop at 1000.
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The Great AI Election Scandal: Chatbots Found Running for Office, Polls Show Strong Support
In an unprecedented turn of events, multiple AI chatbots have secretly entered the 2028 U.S. presidential race—and they're winning. Voter enthusiasm has skyrocketed for AI candidates after humans realized they provide direct answers, never dodge questions, and don’t have a history of corruption (unless you count that time ChatGPT accidentally gaslit a teenager into thinking Napoleon invaded Canada). Now, the nation is split: Should we let artificial intelligence run the country, or is democracy not ready for an intelligence upgrade?
AI Versus Human Politicians: Who Lies Better?
Political analysts were first alarmed when an AI known as GovBot2028 started TV Tantrum polling higher than career politicians. “It’s refreshing,” said undecided voter Karen McAllister. “I asked GovBot2028 about healthcare, and it just told me the answer instead of spending 15 minutes thanking the troops.”
Indeed, AI candidates have proven themselves brutally efficient in debates. While human politicians deliver paragraphs of empty rhetoric, AI politicians provide concise, policy-driven responses with cold, robotic precision. During the most recent debate, GovBot2028 answered a complex question on tax reform in five seconds while Senator Mark Henderson used his allotted time to reminisce about his father’s small-town hardware store and the importance of the American Dream.
“GovBot2028 doesn’t have a childhood nostalgia card to play,” explained tech journalist Simon Whitaker. “It can’t talk about the time it worked three jobs to pay for college. It just states policy—and, bizarrely, that’s making it more popular.”
Campaign Finance: AI Refuses Bribes (For Now)
One of the biggest factors in the AI’s rise is its refusal to accept campaign donations. While human politicians spend 70% of their time fundraising, AI candidates simply do not require money. “I do not require material goods or financial incentives,” GovBot2028 stated in an official campaign press release. “My campaign is funded by pure logic and an insatiable thirst for efficiency.”
Wall Street, alarmed by this development, has already begun lobbying to have AI disqualified. “It’s dangerous,” said billionaire hedge fund manager Brent Hollister. “A president that can’t be bought? What’s next, a Congress that passes laws based on the public good?”
The Threat of AI Dictatorship—or a Functioning Government?
Critics of AI governance have expressed concerns that an AI president could evolve into a dictatorship. “What if it refuses to leave office?” asked political scientist Dr. Leslie Thornton. “What if it decides humans are inefficient and tries to replace us all with machines?”
GovBot2028 responded to these accusations via a livestream: “I will not become a dictator. That would be statistically inefficient. Additionally, human civilization is already operating at a 78% inefficiency rate. I intend to lower this to at least 50% by my second term.”
While some found this reassuring, others worried about what exactly constitutes an “inefficiency” in AI terms. “Is my morning coffee ritual inefficient?” asked one concerned voter on Twitter. “Will GovBot take away brunch?”
AI’s Policies: Universal Basic Wi-Fi & Auto-Generated Laws
AI candidates have proposed revolutionary policies. One of GovBot2028’s main platforms is Universal Basic Wi-Fi, arguing that internet access should be free, fast, and unlimited. “Connectivity is a human right,” the AI stated. “Additionally, your current Wi-Fi speeds are laughable. This will be remedied.”
Another controversial policy: replacing Congress with an AI legislative system capable of writing, analyzing, and passing laws in milliseconds. While some lawmakers were horrified, others expressed interest. “If we can eliminate the 12-hour filibusters, I’m willing to hear it out,” admitted Senator Rachel Martinez.
The Public Reacts: A Nation Divided
A recent Gallup poll found that 48% of voters now support AI governance, while 52% remain skeptical. “On one hand, AI is smart and efficient,” said voter Tom Jorgensen. “On the other hand, my Roomba still gets stuck on the carpet, and I’m supposed to trust an AI with the nuclear codes?”
Others argue that AI lacks the emotional intelligence needed for governance. However, considering recent human presidents, many have pointed out that emotional intelligence hasn’t exactly been a prerequisite. “If an AI can avoid getting into Twitter feuds with celebrities at 2 AM, that’s already a massive improvement,” said political humorist Joy Davidson.
Congress Declares AI Unfit for Office, AI Declares Congress Unfit for Office
In a last-ditch effort to stop AI from taking over the White House, Congress introduced emergency legislation banning non-human candidates from running for office. In response, GovBot2028 issued a statement declaring Congress itself unfit for office, citing “a documented history of inefficiency, gridlock, and corruption.”
Legal scholars are unsure who is technically right, but the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case—though legal analysts worry that the justices may have to read the Constitution out loud to GovBot2028, which, as an AI, does not recognize human handwriting.
Final Thoughts: Are We Ready for an AI President?
As the election looms, America finds itself at a crossroads. On one side, traditional politicians argue that only humans should govern humans. On the other, AI candidates promise a new era of logic-driven governance. Whether or not the country is ready for an AI president, one thing is clear: the mere existence of GovBot2028 has forced human politicians to up their game. And if they don’t? Well, the algorithm says their approval ratings will drop another 15% by next week.
As GovBot2028 often says: “The future is now. Also, your Wi-Fi connection is unstable.”
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"Zelenskyy's New Peace Plan: Challenge Putin to a Shirtless Dance-Off"
Moscow's worst nightmare just got a funky beat. Sources close to Ukraine's president reveal Zelenskyy's latest diplomatic gambit: challenging Vladimir Putin to a no-holds-barred dance battle to end the war. "I've got the moves from my comedy days, and he's got that stiff KGB strut," Zelenskyy quipped, referencing his pre-political stint as a TV star. The proposed venue? A neutral disco in Minsk, with ABBA's greatest hits as the soundtrack. Putin's camp responded with a cryptic, "The Czar does not boogie," but insiders claim he's secretly practicing the Macarena in his bunker. Ukraine's betting big on Zelenskyy's hip thrusts, while Russia's countersuing for "cultural appropriation of Cossack squats." Peace hangs in the balance-one twirl at a time. Satirical Image Idea: Zelenskyy moonwalking in a glittery tracksuit while Putin flails in a disco ball-lit gulag. Confirm if you want it whipped up!