> The Ukrainians choosing whomever they want is the best outcome. There is still the possibility that they could choose someone terrible, but that is their prerogative.

Oh, agreed! I certainly wouldn't say that Ukrainians shouldn't be able to select their own leader—they should, and, despite superficial impressions, have done so well. It's just that I hope the world doesn't learn from this that electing comedians is the way to go.

> It's just that I hope the world doesn't learn from this that electing comedians is the way to go.

Yeah. Though this one does not seem to behave so badly in the end. No comparison with Trump or Reagan.

To be fair, whilst not a populist, I am fed up with career politicians and bland technocrats that are killing politics. We need doctors, lawyers, intellectuals, farmers, businessmen, factory workers, and much more (in no specific order) in our parliaments and amongst our elected people. A sweet spot between reckless clowns and psychopaths would be nice.

Agreed. As a teacher, I'd love to see more teachers in the political mix, too.

Indeed, those too. In my mind they were with the intellectuals.