The World Has Learned Aboutthe Special Relations BetweenRussia and Alaska

Sarah Palin awaits the same fate as Bush

In the U.S., a debate is scheduled for tomorrow between vice-presidential candidates – Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin. To us, simple Russians, watching from the sidelines, its purpose is not entirely clear. In our latest election, a commercial assuring us that “everything is fine” was enough. Americans, on the other hand, believe that it would be nice for the country to know not only those who may occupy the Oval Office, but also those who, if necessary, may take over the steering wheel of the government. Thus, on the threshold of the debates, Sarah Palin has big problems. Even supporters of the party recognize: when it comes to foreign affairs, her experience is not the cat’s meow, whereas Biden is top dog in these matters. For example, very recently Palin said that the number of American troops in Afghanistan should be increased, because it – “will lead us to victory there, as it has proven to have done in Iraq.” How Americans “won” in Iraq is well known to everyone – they are still celebrating that victory, and one key question currently posed to US citizens could be formulated as follows: “Should we continue to celebrate the victory in Iraq, or take a break?”

Sarah Palin, as you know, is the governor of Alaska. In the fight for the White House, Alaska is a key state: three whole electors out of 538! Besides, as it turned out based on last week’s interview Palin gave to CBS, the position of governor of Alaska automatically expands international experience of the person who occupies it. Why? Because it neighbors foreign land: alarming Russia, and unknown, unpredictable Canada. From Russia to Alaska and back, stretch strings of vessels and trade caravans. Sometimes, Russian aircrafts appear in the sky above the State. That’s Putin “raising his head,” while residents of Alaska shake their fists at Russian pilots. From this specific location, onto Russian soil, United States sends spies – “to observe” the dangerous neighbor. The picture, drawn by Sarah Palin’s brush, is so attractive that one is tempted to believe it. It somehow resembles the times when, before the invention of the telephone and global networking, people traveled long distances in order to say a few words to each other, those conversations being ritualistic. In those days, Sarah Palin would have had the title of the Great Countess of Alaska…

There is another “blunder” by the lady-governor going around on the Russian Internet. Allegedly, in a recent interview with Fox News, she characterized Russia and North Korea as countries where “Islamic extremism reigns.” It begs the question: What about Cuba? What about the nest of Islamism, Venezuela? Isn’t Lukashenko – a radical imam? In front of our eyes appeared another amusing picture – Sarah Palin behind her desk in her governor’s office constructs the syllogism: “Islamic extremism – bad, Russia and North Korea – bad, hence, in Russia and North Korea there is a bearded fanatic with a machine-gun at every turn.” American media, typically sensitive to any kind to absurdities, stayed quiet for some reason. After reading the transcript of the interview on Fox News, the reason became clear. Palin was asked: “What countries today pose the most danger, in your view, to America?” She said literally the following: “Any country that is going to house violent Islamic terrorists. We have to keep our eye, of course, on Iran. We’ve got to keep our eye on some of the ongoing activities in Russia, also. North Korea under the leadership of Kim Jong Il — certainly there is a lot of concern there.” Only someone with great desire would be able to find in this passage the attribution of Russia to “extremist countries.”

Although, taking everything into account, this desire seems to have emerged. And this is completely understandable. Let’s say, the media and ill-wishers turned George W. Bush into a walking-joke, and a mine of effervescent aphorisms like, “I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.” Such pearls are expected from each of his speeches. It seems like the same fate awaits Sarah Palin – if the Republicans manage to stay in the White House. The material is too attractive.