Arnold Schwarzenegger has a heartfelt message for Russians

[mainer]

Doing good work, Arnold.

Link to tweet

[Kid Berwyn]

1. "There are moments like this...

…when we have to speak up.”

Thank you, Mainer! Thank you, Gov. Schwarzenegger!

[Zambero]

2. A very moving message

Hopefully, it will get through to the Russian soldiers and citizens who need to hear it.

[Evolve Dammit]

36. Good post

[secondwind]

4. Very powerful message from Schwarzenegger.

[Walleye]

5. Excellent work! Very well written.

[intrepidity]

6. How will Russians see this?

I fear that the only ones who will, are those savvy enough to bypass Putin's control, but they already know all this.

[KS Toronado]

15. Yep, very few will actually see this

Maybe Anonymous could step in to help spread it. Plus IMO it could be a little shorter.

[Ford_Prefect]

34. Hopefully they will take some sense that the world outside does see the difference.

[Hekate]

59. He said he was using several channels, in whatever sense that means. Since he is media-savvy...

… (I would say, very media savvy, with access to the best) I am quite sure this message is not playing solely on You Tube and Twitter or solely in the US.

[intrepidity]

62. Good, I hope it penetrates nt

[Crunchy Frog]

7. God bless him (from someone who used to hate him).

A really heartfelt, moving, and loving message.

[CommonHumanity]

8. Effing amazing (NT)

[Goodheart]

9. Thank you, Arnold. That was magnificent.

I am moved to tears.

[Raine]

10. BEAUTIFUL ... Thanks!!! 🌻 👍 nt

[BeyondGeography]

11. That couldn't be better

[Tadpole Raisin]

12. Excellent!! I hope this reaches some people who have yet to be convinced.

[Wounded Bear]

13. K & R...nt

[Aristus]

14. I wasn't expecting to cry, but I did.

Thank you, Arnold.

[WVreaper]

46. Me too!

[Redleg]

16. Arnold has earned my grudging respect over the last few years

First, his criticism of Trump and Trumpism, his concern for the environment and climate, his outspoken views on Covid, and now his heartfelt attempt to reach out to the Russian people. I can say this his video messages always seem earnest and thoughtful, showing deep passion and understanding for the issues. I appreciate what he has done.

[wnylib]

28. His own family history would have

made him see where Trump was taking the nation.

[crickets]

33. I've had a similar experience over time.

I don't think much of his political career, but as a conscientious private citizen, he has his moments. Statements like this one, ones made from his home during Covid, and the one he made after Jan 6 are truly thoughtful and admirable.

[Liberty Belle]

39. He also gave money to build small homes for the homeless in LA.

Unlike some politicians who are motivated by greed and self interest after leaving office, Arnold has become a humanitarian and is a far better ex-Governor than he ever was as Governor.

This was a heartfelt message. I hope he can find a way to get it seen by the Russian people.

This moved me to tears at the end, where he tells the Russian people protesting the war that they are his new heroes.

[brush]

17. Excellent. Radio Free Europe still broadcasts, right?

And I hear there are similar networks that broadcast. I hope this message gets out widely into Russia.

[niyad]

18. KNR. Tears here for this amazing message. This is the Arnold I met so many

years ago.

May this be heard by all.

[nuxvomica]

19. I bet Arnold has many fans in Russia

And that he would be for them a symbol of strength, so what he says may just break through, as part of Puking's support is tied to the dictator's pantomimes of machismo. Good on Arnold for doing this!

[niyad]

20. puking's pantomime of machismo. excellent description.

[ffr]

21. A great governor of California he is not, but he is a master of the messenge of reason!

[Mr.Bill]

41. He's older and wiser now.

His governorship was a clown show.

[Fla Dem]

22. Wow! What a masterful and emotional message!

[dchill]

23. Arnold uses his talent to its greatest effect ever.

I am more than impressed.

[Mr. Sparkle]

24. Love Arnie

That's very statesman esque, one of the very few republicans whom i would listen to.

[Soxderrube]

25. Blah Blah Blah

Why did he not speak out against Bushco when he did the same. ALL political and religious leaders are "LIARS"

[Hekate]

56. Seriously, you reactivated to tell a Democratic discussion board that, Soxderrube?

I’m sure there’s somewhere you can (or have been) peddling the line that ‘ ALL political and religious leaders are "LIARS" ‘ but somehow I don’t think that broad tar-brush is going to go over that well here.

[Javaman]

66. Hit and run poster. So brave.

[ismnotwasm]

71. Oh my

I think his speaking up, with directed information to Russia is quite admirable.

[Martin68]

26. Well done!

[peggysue2]

27. Wonderful and powerful message from Governor Schwarzenegger

Heartfelt from a friend of the Russian people.

Here's hoping his inspiring words are heard. Actually made me choke up.

to the Gov!

[rainin]

31. Vote Arnold for President of Russia!! n/t

[NBachers]

32. I approve this message

[Fresh_Start]

35. He did a great job of establishing rapport

and a wonderful message overall.

Does he have a speechwriter or is this his own work?

[Hekate]

60. Judging by the power of his previous messages, especially the ones on fascism, he writes his own...

“I grew up in Austria, after WWII. It was a country of broken men who were full of shrapnels and shame.”

That, of course, is just a fragment from memory — but you can surely find the whole thing on You Tube.

[Evolve Dammit]

37. Thank you Arnold. You have a good heart. A "tour" to the region if you're into it? Might make an

even bigger difference. Media outlets (those allowed) would carry your message

[markie]

38. same message could benefit

a few of our politicians and citizens!

[Wild blueberry]

40. Great emotional resonance

Thank you, Arnold!
And thank you, mainer.

[NNadir]

42. It's something of a surprise that he had this in him.

I have no idea how it will reach a Russian audience, but to the extent it does, it is powerful.

[Hekate]

61. Having heard his previous message to Americans regarding the rise of home-grown fascism...

…. I am not at all surprised. Recommend it if you can find it.

[NNadir]

65. I've seen it. Old men at the end of their lives have a way of reconnecting with their youth.

At least this old man, the old man I am, finds himself suddenly remembering his childhood, his parents, passed family, friends lost, loves lost, critical mistakes, time lost to frivolity.

Schwarzenegger was born in 1947; he's 74.

At the end of one's life, facing one's own failures and moments that one did not live up to one's ideals, one develops sympathies for all the others who failed in their ideals. That's my experience anyway; I'm always trying to find an excuse to forgive myself by projecting on to others.

Perhaps Arnold has found the grace to project on to his father, a wounded Nazi soldier, that kind of understanding, and to warn those Russian kids that this may be their fate, the fate of his father.

It's a gracious effort; worthy of an old man. He has lived.

Good on him.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

43. Out of the blue, the man steps up to the plate

and hits a grand slam.

Great job Arnold.

[Magoo48]

44. Thank You mainer.

Thanks to the Governator. May we all be at peace soon.

[FakeNoose]

45. Wow, well done Arnold!

[grantcart]

48. Arnold at his best

For some reason I can't help but compare AS statesmanship to Kyrsten Sinema's lack of it.

[bluboid]

49. wow! THANK YOU, Arnold -

& THANK YOU DU for providing this forum!

I am in tears - this is the most brilliant anti-war speech I've ever heard. it's straight from the heart.

[BobTheSubgenius]

50. That has to be the best work that Arnold has ever done in front of a camera.

Eloquent and sincere...not to mention heart-wrenching at times. Wonderful!

[Satch59]

51. Sharing far & wide...

He’s posting this on many different channels, including Telegram where I read Putin can’t block it? Would be amazing if this starts a trend with other popular celebrities in Russia. Read that Metallica was doing the same, getting messages out to their many Russian fans.

This was amazing. I remember his video after 1/6, also moving…

[onecaliberal]

52. Best speech I've seen him give by far.

Very moving. I think he will get through to some of them.

[Earthrise]

53. Zelinski's father's three brothers were murdered by the Nazis (3:40 - 3:50)

The memory of Zelinski's righteous uncles is a blessing.

Now I understand more about the source of Zelinski's strength - his father, his family, his faith.

[TexasBushwhacker]

72. Actually it was his great grandfather and uncles

[Collimator]

54. This is the way to end wars.

Not by demonizing the everyday people in other countries who are just trying to live their lives. No matter how differently we may see the world, most people want the same basic things. These things include safety and dignity for themselves and their loved ones.

We need to criticize the leaders and the systems that deny basic rights and comforts to their own people and threaten or actively attack people in other countries trying to achieve those same ends.

The Russian people are people, just that. Some of them may hold appalling ideas based on slanted information that they have received. Some of them are more savvy and have sought out other sources of information. And some of them are tired and beaten down by life in a confusing world and are not sure what to do or what to believe. They may be apathetic, but they aren't specifically evil.

Every one of those things is true of Americans, as well. To the Russian people I, too, will say: I do not hate you and wish you peace and justice. As for that guy, Putin, who is calling the shots in your country, well, he knows what he can do with himself.

And may your sons and daughters leave Ukraine in peace and return home in safety.

[summer_in_TX]

67. As I read what you wrote below, Collimator, I immediately thought

of the many poor deluded Americans who have been manipulated, who are tired and beaten down. Thank you for making that connection. Many aren't evil, they just have been influenced by those they are around, or by the disinformation broadcast repeatedly.

The Russian people are people, just that. Some of them may hold appalling ideas based on slanted information that they have received. Some of them are more savvy and have sought out other sources of information. And some of them are tired and beaten down by life in a confusing world and are not sure what to do or what to believe. They may be apathetic, but they aren't specifically evil.

[EndlessWire]

55. Wow, that was perfect! n/t

[broiles]

57. WOW !!!

I have a new respect for him. That was beautiful.

[Hekate]

58. My former Governator has earned a lot of respect from me over the last several years...

He’s a man of considerable depth and insight. I thank him and salute him.

[localroger]

63. Even though he was a Republican politician, Arnie was never one of the crazy ones

He's always had a leaning toward freedom and tolerance which often shows through in his movies. This is not an unexpected message from him, but it is welcome and powerful and I hope it can be spread far and wide throughout Russia.

[Hekate]

64. Schwartzenegger made a video on fascism one year ago, after the 1-6 Insurrection. Posted here....

Several seem surprised by his new statement — if you had see this, you would not be. This is deep, and amazing.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[Alice Kramden]

69. I had not seen that til just now - thanks for posting

His current message is even more riveting.

[Alice Kramden]

68. Such an important message -

Gave me chills (in a good way)

[lpbk2713]

70. Good message, well delivered.

I hope it gets to the right people.

[SunSeeker]

73. This is brilliant.

Props to Arnold, even though I am not a fan of his movies or personal life.

[GoneOffShore]

74. Re-tweeted. Thank you Arnold.

[intrepidity]

75. Ah, now I see.

Mr. Schwarzenegger’s Twitter account, at the time of his video post, was among just 22 followed by the Russian president’s account.