Last year, Sen. Rand Paul caused a triggering among Democrats and many Republicans. What did he do that was so offensive? The Kentucky senator simply wanted $40 billion in spending for new Ukraine aid to be closely monitored, which stalled the passage of the bill:
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul defied leaders of both parties Thursday and delayed until next week Senate approval of an additional $40 billion to help Ukraine and its allies withstand Russia's three-month old invasion.
With the Senate poised to debate and vote on the package of military and economic aid, Paul denied leaders the unanimous agreement they needed to proceed. The bipartisan measure, backed by President Joe Biden, underscores U.S. determination to reinforce its support for Ukraine's outnumbered forces.
[...]
Paul, a libertarian who often opposes U.S. intervention abroad, said he wanted language inserted into the bill, without a vote, that would have an inspector general scrutinize the new spending. He has a long history of demanding last-minute changes by holding up or threatening to delay bills on the brink of passage, including measures dealing with lynching, sanctioning Russia, preventing a federal shutdown, the defense budget, government surveillance and providing health care to the Sept. 11 attack first responders.
That was over a year ago. Since then tens of billions of dollars more have been sent to Ukraine, which very recently was considered one of the most corrupt countries in the world, but the Biden administration, Democrats and many Republicans now insist on a "trust but don't verify" strategy.
John Kirby and Karine Jean-Pierre must get bonuses based on which of them serves up the most shameless spin at any given time, and so far today Kirby's in the lead (but the day is young). Notice the word game that's being played here:
Top Biden spokesman John Kirby says there's "no indication that there has been any kind of widespread corruption or inappropriate use of U.S. capabilities" in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/7ti3jFq454
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 3, 2023
There's a word in Kirby's reply that is quite subjective:
The key word doing the heavy lifting here is "widespread."
— Angus T. Kirk (@angusparvo) October 4, 2023
"Yes of course there is corruption and inappropriate use, but it's not widespread"
As long as 100% of money/weapons sent to Ukraine hasn't been stolen by oligarchs means nothing has been stolen.
"Widespread" is doing more heavy lifting than a construction crane.
Recommended
From the State Dept at the end of August 2023: https://t.co/Gvf8ygLSP8 pic.twitter.com/Q8PFRKhUAS
— Pam D (@soirchick) October 3, 2023
When this administration says some form of "no evidence" you know that means exactly the opposite.
Kirby, 6 months from now: “No one could have predicted the level of corruption in Ukraine.”
— Kelkat (@Tweetytweeter63) October 4, 2023
You can't see it, if you don't look for it.
— R T (@RDog861) October 3, 2023
This is why they -- Dems and many Republicans -- freaked out when Sen. Paul suggested a "follow the money and see where it goes" approach. George Carlin once said "the term 'bipartisan' usually means some larger-than-usual deception is being carried out," and truer words were never spoken.
All this while our own borders are being overrun, the economy is in the tank from "Bidenomics" and crime is rampant in many cities. How are you liking "Build Back Better" so far?
