VP Candidate Sarah Palin has stated that she has Russia foreign policy experience as a function of Alaska's geography - that she can see Russia from the state. Although there are some discrepancies over her exact statement on the matter (and the confusion from Tina Fey's spoof on Saturday Night Live - "I can see Russia from my house!"), an LA Times blog sets the record straight.
Although Wasilla, Alaska is only marginally closer to Moscow than New York, there is the reality of the island of Little Diomede:
Smack in the middle of the Bering Strait are two small islands. There's Big Diomede, which sits in Russian territory, and Little Diomede, part of the United States.At one point, these two islands are a little less than 2 1/2 miles apart.
On an unfoggy day, you could, if you really wanted to, see one island from the other island. The population of Little Diomede is about 170 Inupiat Indians. It's unknown if they are keeping an eye on Big Diomede, which reportedly has a small military presence.
Bet the Inupiat are probably more concerned about their other neighbors, the polar bears, whales and walrus. Some of the Inupiat are famous for their ivory carving.
You can't make this stuff up. For a person potentially vying for the highest office in this country, her foreign policy experience with the most important and challenging relationship Washington will have to navigate depends upon a small hunk of ice practically in the Arctic Circle. As Steven Colbert points out, given that Big Diomede in Russia is across the international dateline, Palin can arguably see into the future!
I have difficulty understanding what you mean by "this country." Robert Amsterdam's firm is in Canada and he was educated in Candada. Isn't he a Canadian citizen?
I also have difficulty in understanding your analogy. Barack Obama doens't even have a small hunk of ice. He has no connection to or knowledge of Russia whatsoever. And he's trying to be PRESIDENT, Palin only VICE PRESIDENT.
These two issues are very disturbing to me.
Welcome back, phoby, it's been a while.
First you have to keep in mind that I wrote this post, not Bob.
That said, Bob was born in the Bronx and is a U.S. citizen, in addition to his Canadian citizenship. Yes, he was educated in Canada.
I'm sure there are many issues disturbing to you. I can't speak for Bob, but I know that I have a different perspective on the U.S. election than the Russophobe blog. Sorry, that's just how it is and what I believe.
Haven't you slammed Kissinger's Russia apologist position on this blog's comments boards before, but he turns up on McCain's team and giving Palin her first important education in foreign affairs? I'd take McFaul over Biegun any day.