From An Alaskan Island
As I asserted in a recent entry regarding her lack of knowledge about the tenets of the Bush Doctrine, Sarah Palin is a dangerous woman.
Some assert that ignorance is bliss. Unfortunately, that is not an assertion that can be applied to anyone that might be placed in the position of being followed around by the Football.
In the very same interview with ABC in which Palin was unable to answer a direct question about the nation’s current foreign policy doctrine, she also opined about US obligations with regards to confronting the Russians.
First, this is a woman that has no diplomatic experience whatsoever and has never even been to the Russian Federation. In fact, her travel experience is limited to visiting Canada, Mexico, and visiting US troops in Kuwait and Germany (with a refueling stop in Ireland). Of course, that didn’t stop her from employing ridiculous assertions during the interview, such as…
“Palin said she had insights into U.S. relations with Russia because “they’re our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska … from an island in Alaska.”
So because you can glimpse one of the least populated areas of Russia from a desolate Alaskan island you have ‘insights’ into US-Russian relations?
It’s statements such as that that make one wonder if Palin is addressing the people of the United States or a coma ward.
During the interview Palin asserted that the United States might have to go to war with Russia if it were to invade Georgia and that she supported the inclusion of Georgia and Ukraine in NATO.
Such a statement not only betrays her complete lack of knowledge regarding the Russians and their military capabilities, but also blatantly displays an immense misunderstanding of the current state of the US military’s capabilities.
In a conventional sense, the United States is in absolutely no position to confront the Russians given that the military is currently heavily engaged in two difference theatres and, according to even members of the Joint Chiefs, at the breaking point. That said; how long does Palin believe that a conventional confrontation between the United States and Russia would last before nuclear weapons were employed? We are, after all, talking about the world’s two greatest nuclear powers who spent the better part of half a century playing a game of nuclear one-upmanship.
Perhaps Palin is unaware that both the United States and the Russians possess nuclear submarines capable of carrying payloads that can devastate entire cities with as little as five to ten minutes warning. That any conflict with Russia would most certainly not remain confined to the Caucasus and that American cities would not be beyond harm.
At present, the Russians have one Borei Class Ballistic Missile submarine in service and plan to build 12 in total. The compliment of that single submarine includes 16 Bulava SLBM’s, capable of carrying up to six MIRV warheads. The Bulava’s design makes it almost impervious to all currently operational anti-missile systems.
So what harm could one boat do?
Well, besides carrying six SS-N-15 cruise missiles, the Bulava’s possible six warheads each produce a 550 kiloton yield. Put into perspective, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 had a 21 kiloton yield. Thus, were a Bulava launched with a full compliment of six warheads, and they were targeted on a single location, it would produce approximately a 3,300 kiloton nuclear event.
In short, imagine New York city being removed from the face of the earth.
Now, given that only one boat exists, the RFS Yury Dolgoruky, the US Office Of Naval Intelligence has most certainly taken steps to track its movements since being launched in Severodvinsk in February of this year. In June of this year it had still not been armed with missiles, and is therefore not considered fully operational. But given growing tensions with the West, one can assume that that is something that’s being address.
Given the Yury Dolgoruky’s most recent status, let’s assume that it isn’t a threat. That still doesn’t diminish the fact that Russia possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world, which might be somewhat hard to see from an island in Alaska.
So, in defense of Georgia, Palin would be willing to risk open war with a nation that could, quite easily, kill tens of millions of Americans were it to come down to it.
To be honest with you, I’ve met high school kids with a better understanding of geopolitics than this woman.
Want to bookmark or share this entry?
This entry was posted on Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 13th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Found this quote on a pro-Palin blog that tells it all: “She has a Mr. Smith Goes to Washington aura about her.”
She’s “of the people” and that’s attractive to many Americans, especially women. A fresh face in Washington that won’t back down for what she believes. I spoke to several US colleagues this week and those I thought the most liberated – smart, educated, professional women of the world — told me they were “torn” with their decision.
They usually vote Democratic but really liked the idea of a woman vice president who wasn’t as stuffy as Clinton. Forget what she stands for – it doesn’t matter. Forget that she has no experience or geopolitical knowledge. “It’s an idea whose time has arrived,” they said. I shut up and moved on to another subject.
Well shame on them (swearing under my breath while my husband snores on the couch).
September 13th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Duck and cover!
For you youngsters, during 1950’s emergency exercises for a possible Atomic attack, schools had classes duck under their desks and put their arms over their head. Such a simple time.
September 13th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
My mom and I were discussing Sarah Palin today, and how much of a tragedy it would be if John and her were to be elected. Sadly, the polls show that they are tied with Obama, and they gain strength in the bible-belt areas of the US.
Heaven help us if they get elected, and McCain being 72, passes on and Palin is left to run the country. I shudder at this even being remotely possible.
I think most rocks know more about politics than Sarah Palin.
September 13th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I have a hard time believing any of those polls are legit. I remember for the last election, pretty much every blog I read and american I had talked to online was absolutely 100% against Bush, and yet somehow he was always ahead in the polls. I mean, how can anyone possibly vote for McCain/Palin in good conscience?
September 13th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
yeah, I’m fairly certain McCain picked her because he had no chance in this election, so he had to try to one-up Obama, so to speak.
As an American voting for Obama, it doesn’t surprise me that McCain would stoop this low, attempting to get someone in office who might look better in a skirt than he himself would.
What a mess.
Personally, I don’t believe any of these polls, as I’ve been in this country long enough (my entire 30 years) to know how the the media likes to manipulate things like this. In the end, hopefully people will see through the bullshit.
September 13th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
The Onion’s “War for the White House” has a nice profile on Palin. A little silly, but so were Palin’s comments on US foreign policy doctrine. If nothing else, we may get a good SNL skit or two out of this. This does, afterall, have ‘farce’ written all over it.
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/85974
September 13th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Pilots in the US have a manditory age 60 retirement. This guy is almost 13 years past that, and is ‘ready’ to lead the Country? He’s at an age he’d probably be in jeopardy of retaining a drivers licence. His wife is worth an estimated 100 million bucks? I’d be gettin’ fat under a big palm tree long before I reached age 73 and wanted to work 24-7-365 in the public service. I just continue to shake my head, and hope the right person gets elected.
Is there any voice of reason out there to get through to the voting public? Will logic ever prevail? Can they subliminally feed them the right facts thru, say American Idol, or Dancing with the Stars? You know, like flash messages, or hidden words? Maybe a clever arrangement of stickers on the hood of a Nascar Cup car?
Is it a fact that more people voted in the last episode of Americal Idol then the Pres. Election?
This is really starting to scare me.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Yeah, a Pitbull with lipstick never struck me as much of an intelligent creature!
September 13th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
“Palin said she had insights into U.S. relations with Russia because “they’re our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska … from an island in Alaska.”
Hey, almost every Canadian province borders on the US! We’re almost an entire nation of qualified Prime Ministers. Shit, I probably missed the deadline to run in this election…maybe next time.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
[quote comment="65035"]Yeah, a Pitbull with lipstick never struck me as much of an intelligent creature![/quote]
At this point I’m wondering if the pitbull with lipstick is still a viable option…
September 13th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
[quote comment="65020"]I mean, how can anyone possibly vote for McCain/Palin in good conscience?[/quote]
Well, anyone who has their head up their ass and doesn’t want to vote for a black man will either not vote or vote for McCain. It’s sad really to think there are people out there who think like that.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
[quote comment="65037"]“Palin said she had insights into U.S. relations with Russia because “they’re our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska … from an island in Alaska.”
Hey, almost every Canadian province borders on the US! We’re almost an entire nation of qualified Prime Ministers. Shit, I probably missed the deadline to run in this election…maybe next time.[/quote]
Ha, well put.
If they do get in I’m digging the bunker.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
[quote comment="65020"]pretty much every blog I read and american I had talked to online was absolutely 100% against Bush, and yet somehow he was always ahead in the polls.[/quote]
Unfortunately the americans educated enough to figure out how to get on the internet are in the minority, Duane.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
It’s scary to think she might be running the country. How is that even possible?
September 13th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
“Russia possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world, which might be somewhat hard to see from an island in Alaska.”
Haha! Thanks for that!
September 13th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I’m half embarrassed to say I never knew about this “football”. I of course assumed the US president would have ready access to the “ignition” of such weaponry, but I never knew the details. Scary.
Ever since Palin was picked I think I’ve used the term “scary” in every conversation I’ve had.
September 13th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Speechless.
In Russia, Obama is referred to as Obamanoid. Palin is simply thought of as a maniac after her proposal to go into direct conflict with Russia. At the moment, Russia has no capability to fight against the U.S. - it will be like Israel vs. Egypt back in the 60s EXCEPT for the nuclear capability. Nuclear arsenal is pretty much all Russia has to protect itself - so better leave that tiger undesturbed.
In an event of a nuclear attack - cover yourself with a white sheet and start crawling towards the nearest cemetery (as per my grandfather). It is best not to survive it. Nuclear winter, you know.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:34 am
“To be honest with you, I’ve met high school kids with a better understanding of geopolitics than this woman.”
There are some very ignorant 12 year olds that would do better.
During the interview Palin asserted that the United States might have to go to war with Russia
Palin asserted that the United States might have to go to war with Russia
United States might have to go to war with Russia
war with Russia
Is she insane?
September 14th, 2008 at 3:56 am
[quote comment="65034"]Pilots in the US have a manditory age 60 retirement. This guy is almost 13 years past that, and is ‘ready’ to lead the Country? [/quote]
I don’t think that a US president really requires the hand-eye coordination and reaction time of a fighter pilot flying at supersonic speeds. No, he only needs enough motor skills to press the big red button. ;)
September 14th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Russian shmussuans. Bring’em on.
September 14th, 2008 at 7:00 am
“…one wonder if Palin is addressing the people of the United States or a coma ward.”
I hate to generalize but it sometimes feels like both are the same. I mean, I know many Americans that really do not like the direction in which their country is going but the fact that the Republican Party even has a fighting chance in this election is mind bogling to say the least…
In the end, Family Guy sums it up quite well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YOh-rpvjYg
September 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
You’re just being sexist.
September 14th, 2008 at 7:46 am
[quote comment="65069"]You’re just being sexist.[/quote]
*snorts*
Which reminds me… anyone catch SNL’s take on Palin last night? Jesus, it was funny… and bang-on accurate. (And Tina Fey is brilliant). My favourite line:
Clinton: I believe diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
Palin: And I can see Russia from my house!
Worth a watch, for sure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBFk9XC3YLs
September 14th, 2008 at 8:11 am
[quote comment="65070"][quote comment="65069"]You’re just being sexist.[/quote]
*snorts*
Which reminds me… anyone catch SNL’s take on Palin last night? Jesus, it was funny… and bang-on accurate. (And Tina Fey is brilliant). My favourite line:
Clinton: I believe diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
Palin: And I can see Russia from my house!
Worth a watch, for sure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBFk9XC3YLs/quote
That was hilarious!
September 14th, 2008 at 10:05 am
[quote comment="65070"][quote comment="65069"]You’re just being sexist.[/quote]
*snorts*
Which reminds me… anyone catch SNL’s take on Palin last night? Jesus, it was funny… and bang-on accurate. (And Tina Fey is brilliant). My favourite line:
Clinton: I believe diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.
Palin: And I can see Russia from my house!
Worth a watch, for sure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBFk9XC3YLs/quote
It’s been removed from YouTube it seems, but after a bit of Google searching, I was able to find it. It’s pretty hilarious.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I saw that last night, priceless..Tina Fey’s IS brilliant.
I’ve found it here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/13/tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-o_n_126249.html
Somehow, for me, this all conjures up a ridiculous image of a woman standing on a shoreline in Alaska throwing rocks at Russia. “Git out”.
I started writing a poem/song/whathaveyou a few years ago entitled “What Is This World Coming To”…suddenly, with recent developments, I feel the urge to add to it.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Oh my…when I changed my comment, I should’ve proof read first. Tina Fey IS brilliant….Deb, however, is not. Should’ve (obviously) read: “Tina Fey IS brilliant”. Multi tasking’s a bitch.
September 14th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
[quote comment="65062"][quote comment="65034"]Pilots in the US have a manditory age 60 retirement. This guy is almost 13 years past that, and is ‘ready’ to lead the Country? [/quote]
I don’t think that a US president really requires the hand-eye coordination and reaction time of a fighter pilot flying at supersonic speeds. No, he only needs enough motor skills to press the big red button. ;)[/quote]
I would like to think any President worth his or her salt SHOULD have the capability to do all those things and more, you know, James Bond it up a little. Don’t be just another oldy moldy stuffed suit. She will have all the strenghth she needs to push that button when she is asked.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:48 am
What scares me more than Palin herself (for she’s no threat if not elected), are the legions of idiots who seem more than willing to defend her.
They can’t ALL be on the payroll, so there must be a lot of Americans who defend her for reasons other than the issues concerning the VP role.
This scares me. It has been said that this campaign isn’t about issues, and I’d be inclined to believe that at this point.
I swear, one of these days the American president will be elected not unlike an American Idle popularity contest, complete with commercial sponsors and a song and dance.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I can see the moon on many nights….does not make me an astronomer.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:40 am
[quote comment="65153"]
I swear, one of these days the American president will be elected not unlike an American Idle popularity contest, complete with commercial sponsors and a song and dance.[/quote]
Is there a not stat out there saying the AI shows garner more actual votes that the last election?
September 15th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Testing refresh comment on Firefox 3.0.1…
September 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Another test comment for Firefox 3.0.1…
September 15th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Another Firefox 3.1 test comment, cache cleared.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Last test comment, new javascript employed.