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 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.

Leonidas, if being a contributor would end your incessant complaining about TMV not being moderate enough, I'm for it.

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.

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.

sent with an ATTN T-Steel =D

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. “Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials”

Of course, I could me misinterpreting that, or taking it out of context.

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:

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.

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-…

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

ROFL. I love that image you conjured up. Thanks!

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.

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”.

Ref: George W. Bush

Haha. Remember she's a strong supporter of the Alaska Independent Party which advocates succession from the US.

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…”

Dorian