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Little Diomede

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That title mean anything? It should. Little Diomede is the name of the Alaskan Island from which you can actually see Russia, which is of course Sarah Palin’s foreign policy credentials. While Mrs. Palin repeats the mantra about seeing Russia, she has never actually been to this remote island of 150 people 25 miles off the Alaskan Coast.

The town has no roads, no television, and the poverty rate hovers around 40%. Many of the residents hardly knew the name Palin, let alone the fact that she is running for vice president, and touting the island in her interviews. CNN’s Gary Tuchman found out all of this when he traveled to the island:

The mayor of the city, Andrew Milligrock doesn’t even think the proximity of the island is basis for foreign policy experience. “Has this governor, Palin, or any Alaskan Governor ever said to the mayor of this city saying we need to work hand in hand dealing with the Russians if A happens or B happens?” “Nope” “No discussion with the state capital?” “Nope”. Hell none of the people there have any issues with the island being so close to Russia

Milligrock is right, why should they? Big Diomede, and even mainland of Russia is just as desolate and empty as Litte Diomede. Being 500 or so miles from a desolate rock in the middle of the Bering Strait is not Foreign Policy experience Mrs. Palin. How about you admit the fact that up till last year you had never traveled outside North America, let alone met a foreign head of state? Admit that Juneau and Washington D.C. are a comparable distance from Moscow and the rest of Eastern Russia. The only person you’re helping at the moment Sarah is Tina Fey.