Palin Now Sees China Clearly from Hong Kong Hotel Window
Sep 23rd, 2009 | 91 responses
After becoming an expert on U.S-Russia relations during her campaign for the vice-presidency by claiming that Russia could be seen from Alaska, Sarah Palin can now add a second major power to her foreign policy credentials: China.
By reading a prepared, major foreign policy speech before a packed ballroom in Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt hotel, Sarah Palin has now clearly and firmly cemented her foreign policy credentials and boosted her credibility for her 2012 presidential run.
While organizers banned media from the event “after the former vice-presidential candidate indicated she would speak differently if reporters were present,” audience members were able to tweet excerpts from her superbly prepared speech.
Acccording to Jonatahn Slone, CLSA’s chief executive officer, “It was a great speech…People got a lot of information” and “are now fully informed on Sarah Palin’s views.”
Her speech, according to the Guardian, covered both US domestic issues and foreign policy, with a particular focus on China.
“She basically said the US would like to not see China as a threat, but because it was not free, there would always be suspicions,” said Jeremy Goldkorn, founder of danwei.org, who attended the session.
Relying on her extensive, newly acquired foreign policy experience, Palin called the Obama administration’s decision to impose duties on Chinese tires a “mistake” and said “We simply cannot turn a blind eye to China’s policies and actions that could undermine international peace and security. China has some 1,000 missiles aimed at Taiwan and no serious observer believes that it poses a military threat to Beijing.” “Those same Chinese forces made our friends in Japan and Australia kinda nervous. China provides support for some of the most questionable regimes from Sudan to Burma to Zimbabwe.”
I am sure that Palin’s excellent, by-others-prepared foreign policy speech made a lot of other countries, and people, kinda nervous, too.
Palin received her first passport in 2007 and traveled extensively to Kuwait and Germany. With this trip to Hong Kong, she certainly rounds out her global travels and experience.
According to the Guardian, Hari Sevugan, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, told AP before the speech: “We’re curious as to what she’s willing to say in private but not in public.” “Are there other countries that she can see from her window that she doesn’t want us to know about?”
For more enlightening excerpts from Palin’s by-others-prepared speech, please click here and here.
Note: The opening paragraph has been changed to read: “After becoming an expert on U.S-Russia relations during her campaign for the vice-presidency by claiming that Russia could be seen from Alaska, Sarah Palin can now add a second major power to her foreign policy credentials: China.”
91 Responses to “Palin Now Sees China Clearly from Hong Kong Hotel Window”
DLS -
You said “the vitriol routinely directly at [Palin]…is obvious (and crude).” This from the person who, earlier in the thread, commented on target practice using an “Obama doll” as the target?
Yeah, yeah, I know. When you do it, it's satire; when someone else does it, it's vitriol, obvious and crude.
On Palin's Russia foreign policy experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXL86v8NoGk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nokTjEdaUGg
Of course Palin no longer holds an elected office. But who, other than Rush Limbaugh can sway Republican's opinions more than Palin? Who cares whether she's an elected leader or not? She has more influence than Republican holding elected office. Of course what she does matters because people, including elected Republican “leaders” currently holding office, will follow her lead.
As a matter of fact Roro posted the quote and what she could “see” had nothing to do with it. It was infact a SNL skit that morons keep repeating as if Palin had said it.
I stand corrected on this point. Sarah Palin did not say she could see Russia from her house. Tina Fey said that on SNL. Sarah Palin said that Russia “was right over the border,” that there was “a very narrow maritime border” between Russia and Alaska, that “our next door neighbors are foreign countries; they're in the state that I am executive of,” “they are right there; they are right next to our state.”
You are correct. Sarah Palin did not claim to have foreign policy experience because she could see Russia from her house. She claimed to have foreign policy experience because Russia is Alaska's next door neighbor, and right over the border. Tina Fey probably used that “from my house” line because it made what Palin said funnier, but obviously there is a world of difference between Palin saying that she can see Russia from her house and that gives her foreign policy experience, and Palin saying that Russia is right next door to Alaska and that gives her foreign policy experience. The first (the one Palin *didn't* say) has to do with extremely close physical proximity; the second (the one Palin *did* say) has to do with close physical proximity. Or, to stretch a point, *very* close physical proximity. But certainly not *extremely* close physical proximity.
So I was definitely wrong both on the technical point and on the substance.
Take her to task for implying that Alaska's location gives her some international experience, but there is a hell of a lot of difference between the reality and a SNL caricature.
You are absolutely right. Sarah Palin opened herself to ridicule because she claimed to have foreign policy experience by virtue of Russia being in close physical proximity to Alaska. There IS a hell of a lot of difference between that and claiming that she had foreign policy experience because she could see Russia from her house. Russia would have to be a lot closer to Alaska for Palin to be able to see it from her house. It was ridiculous for her to have said Russia's close physical proximity gives her foreign policy experience, but it would have been even more ridiculous if she had said being able to see Russia from her house gave her foreign policy experience. In other words, I think that in a pinch you could reasonably and legitimately claim that you have foreign policy experience because you are the governor of a state that is right next door to Russia. But there is no such legitimacy to claiming you have that foreign policy experience because you are governor of a state that is right next door to Russia and can see it from your house.
I think Dorian needs to addend his original post with a correction. As several of the commentors have mentioned, Palin never made the “I can see Alaska from my house” comment. It was a remark made by Tina Fey (playing the role of Sarah Palin) on SNL to parody comments that Palin had made about having foreign policy experience based upon Alaska's proximity to Russia.
Whether it was an unintentional mistake or not, it ought to be corrected. TMV should not be in the business of printing things that are not true; that's cable new's job.
nicriveria.
Thank you for your comment. Perhaps you did not read my earlier comment:
“In a Sept. 11, 2008 interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson, Sarah Palin said this about Russia: “They're our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.”
And, no she hasn't said (yet) that she could see China clearly from her Hong Kong hotel window.
In a piece that contains satire (perhaps it was too subtle), such parody is common, and is generally not called “vitrol.”.
I am not apologizing (except to those who have never–even in satire–criticized anyone–in government or not in government–or any group, or any political party), I am just clarifying.
Thank you
Dorian
P.S. Perhaps our Site Adminsitrator ( T.S.) can dig up the “tags,” where I clearly included “satire.”
I don't know how to do it”
It was not unintentional and it was not a mistake. No need to correct, apolgize, or retract
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AsiaHotelDeals and ebug. ebug said: RT@TMV Palin Now Sees China Clearly from Hong Kong Hotel Window: After becoming an expert on U.S-Russia relations duri.. http://bit.ly/SPeEu [...]
Please not the change in the opening paragraph and the Note.
I can see where, even in satire, it was not correct.
Thanks for pointing it out quite persistently. You were righj
Dorian
Dorian,
Thank you for your reply to my comment. Had I read your previous comment in which you elaborated in more detail about Palin's remarks during the Gibson interview, I probably would have written my comment differently.
However, since Palin did not literally say that she could see Russia “from my house”, I still feel that the remark in your initial post could be misconstrued. Maybe a link to the Gibson interview would clarify her actual remarks?
I don't see much difference between Palin claiming foreign policy experience because Russia and Canada are neighbors and the Tina Fey line that claims foreign policy experience because she can see Russia from her house. Both statements are equally laughable as a qualification for foreign policy experience. But Fey'[s is funnier, only because Palin's stretching is so sad because that is how deep she had to dig to come up with ANY foreign policy experience.
Thanks for the suggestion, nicrivera. That might have helped. Even better would have been to refer to Tina Fey.
Hopefully any misunderstanding has now been resolved…we'll see.
Dorian
SmoothJazz: “Funny, I didn't see too many jokes around here when Obama pronounced there were 57 states in the ole USA.”
An occasional slip of the tongue, as in Obama's “57 states” comment is one thing, particularly since Obama had previously said many times on the campaign trail that there were 50 states. And as I recall aren't there 57 states and territories which participated in the primary, i.e. D.C, Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.?
A continuous slip of the entire mind is something else. During the campaign when people attacked McCain for “a slip of the tongue” there were liberals on here who defended him and pointed out that the statement in fact was a slip of the tongue.
With Palin, on the other hand, it's hard to determine what exactly is “a slip of the tongue” since she can neither speak nor clearly organize her thoughts.
Thanks for the reply, and yes not your fault if they are inactive, but if it gets too much of a lean on the active ones either to the right or the left, may be time to nudge a few or find others.
P.S. should you ever need another right of center and are willing, I'd be happy to contribute. I think folks here would be a tad surprised in the differences between what I'd post on a site seeking to be moderate compared to my remarks as only a commentator who can merely react to the topics that are posted. I'd be right of center, but more often moderate than not.
You are incorrect Kathy, this is what was said:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?i…
GIBSON: Let's start, because we are near Russia, let's start with Russia and Georgia.
The administration has said we've got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
PALIN: First off, we're going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCain's running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And we've got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable and we have to keep…
GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.
PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there. I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals.That's why we have to keep an eye on Russia.
And, Charlie, you're in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors.We need to have a good relationship with them. They're very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor.
GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?
PALIN: They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.
GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they're doing in Georgia?
PALIN: Well, I'm giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it's in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.
————-
As you can see she is NOT claiming foreign policy experience by living in close proximity to Russia, she is caliming only that such proximity makes her well aware of how important good relations with Russia are. Consider that Alaska and Russia have certain interests based on their proximity such as in the realm of trading partners and sharing the same fishing areas and such.
Forgive me for the log excerpt but I think in this matter it was required as a means to clarify and actual fact of what was said.
We have to give Sarah Palin her dues for Sarah Palin is one of a kind. . .
http://www.streetprophets.com/storyonly/2008/10…
You still aren't you have this in the opening paragraph:
” After becoming an expert on U.S-Russia relations during her campaign for the vice-presidency by claiming that Russia could be seen from Alaska, Sarah Palin can now add a second major power to her foreign policy credentials: China:
As I pointed out above and is clear from what she actually said (see here http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?i…) Palin made no such claim of expertize, only that her State's proximity made her aware of how important relations with Russia are. Your first paragraph is still grossly inaccurate.
BTW I don't like Palin as a GOP candidate and I don't like a lot of her viewpoints, but I do think she should not be so obviously misrepresented. All it does is show how many people base their knowledge on what parody is given on SNL than by actually looking at the interview.
Nope she merely claimed to understand how important relations were with Russia due to that.
Now, that is unequivocally false. Go back and listen to the Katie Couric interview. Your statement is flat-out untrue.
As a non-administrating contributing writer, for whatever my opinion is worth, you don't need to apologize. And I want to thank you for that quote from Charlie Gibson, because I remembered her saying that, but I couldn't find a link to the Gibson interview that included it.
No she did say something to that affect in an ABC interview:
http://www.slate.com/id/2200155/
There *isn't* much difference; that's the whole point. That's why Tina Fey's satirical line made sense as satire.
Leonidas, if being a contributor would end your incessant complaining about TMV not being moderate enough, I'm for it.
The “see Russia from my house” statement was said by Tina Fey on SNL as a gag line. Palin said you can see Russia from Alaska, which is true. That hardly qualifies her as any kind of an expert on Russia I agree, but the post by DDW was a misquote and I'm glad he fixed it. Palin is plenty successful at making herself look foolish and doesn't need any help.
Thanks for your moral support, Kathy
Dorian
Leonidas, “Nope she did no such thing [claim to have foreign policy experience by virtue of Russia being in close physical proximity to Russia]…”
Straight from the horse's mouth at time marker 35 seconds (or so):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nokTjEdaUGg
To quote from the above link:
Couric, “Explain to me why that [close proximity to Russia] enhances your foreign policy experience.”
Palin, “It certainly does because our next door neighbors are foreign countries…”
DLS: (On Palin): “Official object of federal-government-fan hatred.”
Haha. Remember she's a strong supporter of the Alaska Independent Party which advocates succession from the US.
Governor of Guam.
Ref: George W. Bush
@@Leonidas, if being a contributor would end your incessant complaining about TMV not being moderate enough, I'm for it.@@
Leonidas! Leonidas! Leonidas!
Sounds like I'm in the Roman Colliseum. Although being appointed to contributing an alternative view here would bring a new definition to “being thrown to the lions”.
Leonidas,
Click “Contact Us” at the top of the site and send e-mail so I have your e-mail address. And we'll go from there.
No Kathy, her response to Gibson when he asked if that gave her any insight into what the Russians were doing she said. “Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relations with these countries.” She was making the same point with Couric only Couric interpreted her comment to Gibson equating proximity with experience. It's clear from her clarification to Gibson she was speaking of maintaining good relations with foreign governments. Don't confuse her ability to express her ideas clearly with stupidity. Unequivocally false and flat-out untrue? Harsh and uncalled for.
casualobserver, “Sounds like I'm in the Roman Colliseum. Although being appointed to contributing an alternative view here would bring a new definition to “being thrown to the lions.”
ROFL. I love that image you conjured up. Thanks!
From Katie Couric's interview with Sarah Palin, September 25:
Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?
Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don't know, you know … reporters.
Couric: Mocked?
Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.
Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.
Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…
Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.
“It certainly does” That sounds like a pretty affirmative answer to Couric's question…I could be wrong
Glad to do it, Dorian.
Thank you for answering Marsh so I don't have to, Dorian.
Marsh, “It's clear from her clarification to Gibson she was speaking of maintaining good relations with foreign governments.”
That is simply too delicious to pass up. You have a weird sense of what constitutes “maintaining good relations with foreign governments”.
http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story/ABC-News-…
Thanks for saving me the trouble of posting what she actually said. You will note no claim of being an expert. None, Nada, ZILCHO. She only claims that her experience in dealing with her “neighbor” in such things as trade missions makes her more aware of issues affecting US Russian relations. Does anyone disagree with that? Would a Texas governor likely be more aware of issues regarding US-Mexican relations than say a governor of Alaska? This is common sense. She makes no claim at expertise, just that she knows more about US Russian relations as an Alaskan governor than she would if she weren't one. It is simply not accurate to represent this by:
Why?
sent with an ATTN T-Steel =D
LOL, well I promise it will stop my complaining more than control of all three branches of government and a filibuster-proof majority by the democrats has stopped your incessant whinning about Republicans. =D
But thanks for the support. I do promise should I be made a contributer I won't be in any disagreement other than a civil one with you or any commenter no matter what barbs they throw at me. In such a position of trust I would see myself as a representative of the blog and therefore make every attempt to be respectful.no matter what my personal thoughts were.
Marsh, “Why?”
I don't believe maintaining good relations with foreign governments means saber rattling. Did you read the linked article in my reply?
She and McCain both came out against Russia in the South Ossetia flare-up.
SB -
but that wasn't the topic under discussion . . .
“Remember she's a strong supporter of the Alaska Independent Party.”
There's nothing wrong about this, or with being friendly to Texas secessionists, for example, for so much of the public has opposition of various kinds to federal overgrowth and overreach. Not only that, but the GOP has failed in past years in doing its job among those of us non-libs who want right-sizing of the federal government (if not going all the way back to its proper constitutional constraints, which is sound philosophically but a mirage in political reality). A better GOP and better kind of US conservatism, as a real alternative to liberalism and the Democratic Party, would be like turbo-doctors researching and practicing their way out of most of their current jobs.
I'll read your stuff, Leonidas. Your long posts a long time ago got me thinking you're more of a contributor than a commenter, anyways. But be warned: I'll criticize you like I criticize others. Also, as a former solo blogger, be aware that it can get obsessive. The first thought when you get out of bed will be: What's something fresh that I can put up on the blog today?