Courage is a virtue of a serious person. It is the test of valor at the sticking point. It is the measure of men and women in difficult circumstances. Human courage is often on clear display by the men and women of Ukraine against Russian forces.

That brave determination is seen from the ordinary people of Ukraine volunteering to stay and fight for their country. Though the fighting has been going on for just a week, stories of Ukrainian heroes are already starting to emerge. One man sacrificed himself to blow up a bridge, temporarily halting the advance of Russian troops. Then there were the soldiers at Snake Island who were defiant against the Russian Navy though they were seriously outnumbered. Their defiant “go f— yourself” response — and apparent survival but capture — are inspirational for other fighters.

This self-sacrifice goes all the way to the top to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This past weekend, the Biden administration offered to help Zelensky flee Ukraine, as he is a prime target for Vladimir Putin, who aims to set up a puppet regime. Capturing or killing Zelensky would effectively cut off the head of the resistance and bring a swift conclusion to the Russian invasion.

Zelensky’s response was the stuff of history. He replied, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”

It was a rallying cry to his people and a display of courage. Ukraine has a clear identity and a vision. Its people are willing to put everything on the line to defend it.

Not so the U.S.

Our elites would most likely scatter like rats should any serious attack on U.S. soil ensue. Our country has a huge identity crisis. Are we woke, or awake? Do we love our country, or hate it? Can men be women?

When we cannot answer these simple questions, no wonder the elites in our country issue vapid, heartless, and indifferent statements.

Climate Czar John Kerry worries that the war in Ukraine will distract from fighting climate change. He said this before Russia officially invaded: “I’m concerned about Ukraine because of the people of Ukraine and because of the principles that are at risk. … [There will be] massive emissions consequences to the war. But equally importantly, you’re going to lose people’s focus. You’re going to lose certainly big country attention because they will be diverted. And I think it could have a damaging impact. … I hope President Putin will help us to stay on track with respect to what we need to do for the climate.” This is so tone-deaf in the face of the reality of war that it’s stupefying.

Joy Behar, one of the insipid hosts of ABC’s “The View,” lamented the potential disruption of her Italian vacation right after hearing of the potential loss of many Ukrainian lives. She tastelessly said: “I’m scared of what’s going to happen in Western Europe, too. You know, you just, you plan a trip. You want to go there, want to go to Italy for four years. I haven’t been able to make it because of the pandemic, and now this.” This attitude of privilege is probably fairly typical of the elites: Who cares about death and destruction in far off places? I want to go on my vacation.

NPR added its own brand of “comfort” by telling the American people how they could deal with the stress of a news cycle focused on the war. Apparently, it’s all about us.

The hedonistic, materialistic, elitist culture of ours is so hollow. It’s as if we have been blessed for so long that we’ve forgotten what really matters.

Obviously, this isn’t true of every American, but it’s embarrassing that these are the people representing us on the world stage.