Who's Giving What to Whom?

Headlines are occasionally entertaining, and often misleading, but this one in particular had me blowing hot tea out my nose:

"Biden Pledges $58 Million to Ukraine After 'Illegal Occupation'"

Joe Biden's coughing up 58 mil for the Ukrainians? 

Of course not, Scott, you dope. 

We all know what they meant: American taxpayers are coughing up 58 mil.

According to the story, "Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that 'Ukraine is in a struggle for its very future' as the U.S offered a $58-million package to the embattled country."

So that 58 mil is going to "the country" — as in, to the people of Ukraine?

Damn it, man, wake up! Don't you know anything?

That money will be going to the government of the Ukraine.

Duh.

So the headline should have read, "US Taxpayers on Hook for $58 million to Ukraine's New Government"?

Except even that doesn't tell the whole story.

A more accurate headline would read, "US Taxpayers Forced to Fund Neo-Nazis in Ukraine".

Not quite so grand and noble sounding, I'll admit.

But a lot more accurate.

PS Don't miss Eric Margolis's excellent, and aptly titled, "Amateur Hour in Ukraine"