After Kiev erupted in protest, then open revolt that caused Yanukovych to flee and Putin to barge into Crimea, it's time to play catch up about a part of the world we generally ignore. I've been having fun watching the appearance of instant-experts across media landscape from Twitter to cable news.
It seems that in the United States, Ukraine can serve nearly any purpose, from beating the conspiracy drum to boosting the foreign policy cred of a failed vice presidential candidate. (Never mind the pain and suffering of the people in Ukraine.) There are plenty of places to find information and analysis about the situation in Ukraine, but Sarah Palin's Facebook page is probably not the best choice.
Enjoy the cartoon, and dive into the links behind the cartoon (found on my site), I spent a good deal of time this week looking into some of the newer digital news outlets that revel in reposting high resolution photos and endless listicles.
[fun ad sales voice]
Hey, Kids!
Want to have fun and talk intelligently about Ukraine?
Always wanted to be a smart-sounding member of the American pundit class?
Then Ukraine Bites are for you!
All the knowledge with none of the work!
Sure, you could learn all about Ukraine, the Crimean Peninsula, ethnic Muslim Tatars and how Ukraine was nearing a trade deal with the EU when Putin offered them fifteen billion to stick with Russia . . .
But that would take hours, weeks even! Bor-ing!
Plus, you need to tweet right now, and maybe even go on a cable news show!
All you need is just one Ukraine Bite, which one is up to you!
"The Blame Obama!"
Everyone knows that Obama not-bombing Iran caused citizens in Kiev to revolt, which in turn caused Putin to invade Crimea-- simple!
"The Irony-Free-Russia-Has-Violated-A-Nation's-Sovereignty-and-International-Law-In-A-Brazen-Act-of-Aggression-So-What-If-I-Supported-the-Invasion-of-Iraq Bite!"
Lets you sound stern and legalistic!
"The Told-Ya-So Bite!"
Popularized by Sarah Palin's prediction that bad-guy Putin would attack Ukraine, now we just have to wait for her other predictions to come true!
"The Listicles Photo Bite!"
Why explain things when you can just show shocking photos and maps!
Click here for seventeen earth-shattering reasons this is the Ukraine Bite for you!
"The Stewed Toothless Bite!"
Why not do nothing because you can't do everything?
Tastes great with UN and NATO declarations and usually served when encouraging popular revolt! Smart, easy and delicious!
And "The Cold War Is Back Bite!"
Perfect for staying out of the fray while getting those Pentagon budgets back up! Up! Up!
(Just try not to sound too excited about someone else's misfortune.)
Ukraine Bites!
All the knowledge with none of the work!
Finally, you can be part of America's pundit class. Now get out there and get your talking head talking!