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Palin leaves open option of war with Russia

The Associated Press and Staff

Latest comment posted at 8:44 PM EST 11/09/08

Vice-presidential candidate says Georgia and Ukraine should be admitted into NATO ...Read the full article

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  1. Tom H from Canada writes: Ok, Team Obama, pounce on this!!!
  2. Murray Richardson from Canada writes: Well, is anybody scared yet? War with Russia? Mission from God? I dunno about you, but this flake is pretty scary - and she may be only a heartbeat away from being in a position to unleash the real weapons of mass destruction. George W. Bush looks quite moderate compared to this wing nut.
  3. Mitch Sprague from Ottawa, Canada writes: There must be a serious lack of oxygen in Alaska. The US would go to war with Russia over Georgia? That's just nutty.
  4. D S from Victoria, Canada writes: We are all in big trouble if McCain and Palin take office. We are in BIG BIG trouble if they take office, and if Palin unexpectedely has to take office. BIG BIG TROUBLE. She has no idea what shes talking about.
  5. p m from Canada writes: McCain just lost me....side with georgia!..that scatterbrain who runs georgia is an imbecile!..against russian? she's got cabin fever!
  6. R L from Canada writes: 'For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable.'

    Wow....... just wow.... unprovoked. The 5-day bombardment of South Ossetia, massacre against civilians in the middle of the night while they slept in their homes.... no provocation from Saakashvili's Georgian forces there...... right....

    Do these U.S. politicians actually believe the things they are saying out of ignorance (and I'm including Obama in this criticism, with his ignorant statements about Afghanistan, Iran, etc.), or are they really that keen to get in on the lying and propaganda even before getting into office?
  7. BeerBelly Buddah from Wpg, Canada writes: John Mccain, in a banal attempt to echo the words of a greater American than himself, that: 'We are all Georgians now!'

    If this nut-bar Veep gets in we can rest assured that not only will we 'all be Georgians', but we will all be glowing in the dark as we survey what is left of our radiated society.
  8. Roaming Newfoundlander from Waterloo Region, Canada writes: Murray Richardson from Canada writes: Well, is anybody scared yet? War with Russia? Mission from God? I dunno about you, but this flake is pretty scary - and she may be only a heartbeat away from being in a position to unleash the real weapons of mass destruction. George W. Bush looks quite moderate compared to this wing nut.

    -----

    Saying someone is worse then GW is pretty horrible (I agree totally).
  9. D Chiu from Victoria, Canada writes: Another ordained path by her God ? What a relgious nut case.
  10. s from canada from Canada writes: I guess its time to evacuate any part of Canada that lies within 100 miles of the US in order to escape the ensuing nuclear fallout.
  11. Elliot Donovan from Vancouver, Canada writes: OMG _ THIS 'LADY' SCARES ME TO DEATH!

    As a dual citizen, I just gave 100$ to Obama for this, and another will come on payday.
  12. Ian B from Canada writes: p m from Canada writes: McCain just lost me....side with georgia!..

    ===

    Every country did, except of Syria.
  13. Joyce Smith from Canada writes: She's an idiot.
  14. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: On the Chicago Tribune's political blog The Swamp, it took about 20 posts before somebody pointed out that Georgia is not a member of NATO. But apparently this answer's 'truthiness' sounded good enough to McCain-Palin supporters.

    Let's hope that enough McCain voters will mark Biden for their VP choice ... (yes, that can be done in most states)
  15. R L from Canada writes: Both McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden sound worse than George W. Bush on foreign policy. As much as I despise the Bush Administration with a passion, 4 more years of Bush is better than anything offered by both the Democrats and the Republicans.

    Both camps are desparate to prove how 'tough' they are, how willing they are to send troops around the world to fight in the 'War on Terror', and now the blatant aggression/intimidation against Russia.
  16. A.J. Maynard from Canada writes: It totally frightens me to think of the republicans in power again. But with a v.p. who believes that what ever she thinks or does is ordained by god is even more frightening
  17. R L from Canada writes: Sadly, while this is news on G&M, this won't even register in the U.S. media. Because Americans AGREE with Palin's statements. They majority of Americans (at least 95%) are just that ignorant about the Georgia/S.Ossetia/Russia situation due to being lied to by CNN, NBC, Fox, etc.

    And for those of you hoping that Obama will condemn these statements, will be sorely disappointed. Expect Obama to try to one-up his opponents by proving how tough he really can be.
  18. Ian B from Canada writes: Obama team is in full force on this board.
  19. Colin C from Canada writes: What is it with you people - did you not even read the article? Palin did not say she would go to war, but that if an allied country were invaded, they would be called on them to support them - and I'm sure they would do everything under their power not to go to war. What did you expect her to say? If Russia invades our allies, we'll let 'em, cuz they're Russia??? Hypothetically, of course war is possible under conceivable circumstances. And when asked if either the US or her son were on a 'holy war' (the interviewer's expression, not hers), she made no such claim. My goodness, any mention of a person's faith in God and you folks start foaming at the mouth... Get a grip.
  20. R L from Canada writes: Excuse the grammatical errors, due to speedy editing.
  21. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: What is NATO? What is NATO if member states don't come to the aid of others within it? Let Russia have Georgia - no problem, let Russia have the Ukraine - again no problem, let Russia have Poland - sure why not?, Slovakia, Czech Republic - sure what the heck they used to own them didn't they?, then Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain perhaps? And after all this, when they come for the Great White, who will be left to help us? Give an inch, they'll take a mile. It's always been that way with dictatorships and Russia is under dictatorship. Talk about a pig with lipstick! Besides if you'd read the article, she isn't talking about going to war, simply talking about aiding a NATO member (should Georgia and or the Ukraine become members)
  22. Douglas Freestone from Canada writes: This may not be completely fair to say as I have not read the entire interview (I think I had better though), but that news report unsettled me a bit. All of eastern Europe isn't worth a fight with Russia.

    So, we have loose-talking, chest-thumpers in the Kremlin, and the possibility of a senior citizen and a woman trying to sound tough entering the White House. And I was worried about my investment portfolio this morning?
  23. who's your daddy from Canada writes: If McCain wins it will be God's will. Just as the American soldiers in Iraq are on a mission from God and don't forget we should all pray to God and ask God to build a new Alaskan pipeline.
  24. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: The actual question was 'Under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?'

    To which she answered correctly. If Georia were a member of NATO, and Russia invaded, possibly the US would have to take military action. There are about three hypotheticals there, and her answer was exactly right. NATO is a military treaty formed for mutual defence.

    In fact, I think it was a real softball. If she had been asked 'What if Russia invaded Latvia?' (obscure NATO member) or 'What if Russia invaded Ukraine?' (predominant non-NATO member) it would be a lot more interesting. I can't say I'm impressed, but at least we know she's not a complete idiot and she didn't suggest the useless UN.

    And why shouldn't the US keep an eye on Russia? They are militarily belligerent, nuclear-armed, and they control the gas supply. Putin's got Western Europe by the short and curlies and they are rightly scared.
  25. R L from Canada writes: It is sad that countries such as Canada continue to NOT oppose the entry of more and more dangerous 3rd world countries into NATO. Supposedly if these unstable countries engage in war, then we're all engaged in war.

    That sounds a lot like how WW1 started (alliances which HAD to go to war if even one member state went to war). These countries see war frequently, so is Canada then expected to go to war every time some tiny new 3rd world NATO country gets into a fight?

    NATO is an irrelevant relic of the Cold War, today it exists only as a way for Washington to extend its influence into Europe (where it is becoming less and less relevant).
  26. A T from Canada writes: Caribou Barbie must be stopped! Let's hope Americans have some common sense and don't go for another term of George Bush policies.
  27. Harry Feld from Providence, United States writes: When the enemy invades a democratic country should not other democracies come to its aid? Hey Canada what about world war 2. It would have been better if the US helped England in 1939 against Germany. Russia will push until pushed back. But I suppose all you liberals do not really care if Georgians live or die.
  28. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: To be fair, please stream the interview from abcnews.com later when it's posted ... so far, reports don't reflect whether there's any disconnect between the question on NATO membership for Georgia and the question on Russia attacking Georgia again, whether Palin answered as if Georgia WERE TO BE (correct) or IS (wrong) a member of NATO.

    http://abcnews.go.com/

    I believe that this just aired in New York City and Chicago, and won't air in Portland, Oregon until 17:30 PDT on KATU.
  29. Misery No one from Angus, Canada writes: Here we go again fear mongering, the bogey man is just around the corner. The mushroom cloud over Manhattan.

    Palin be careful what u wish for.
  30. Last one in's a rotten egg from Canada writes: She's not well-briefed, in any case.
    NATO is already off the table in Ukraine. Hoping to create a crisis in Ukraine, Cheney succeeded. Only it went the other way.
    And the rest of Europe won't let Georgia in for a long time.
    The US is being isolated increasingly. What it needs to do is pull back its military invasions to both garner diplomatic points and to save money. Watch for the economic collapse after the election.
  31. Michael S from Canada writes: 'Unprovoke'??? Are you kidding. The USSR is still there. The cold war has always remained; just underground.

    And, Georgia?? Are you kidding re a war. And, NATO ... exactly how does Afghan-land risk NATO? And, why are our people being wasted in the American war?
  32. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: Gary Dare: The transcript from the interview is available at ABC. It is very clear that the question is in response to the hypothetical if Georgia were a member of NATO. There is no confusion that they are NOT a member of NATO.
  33. Child of the North in Canada from Canada writes: Why would the US provoke Russia by pushing for the Ukraine and Georgia to be admitted into NATO, especially after egging on that nutbar, Mikheil Saakashvili, to poke a finger in the eye of Russia. The Americans will try to bully NATO countries into getting involved in another one of their 'missions'. Remember McCain's remark, 'Today we are all Georgians'.

    The world has got to start pushing back at the US, especially now when their country is bankrupt and they are destabilizing the world economic order. Time to send them to the corner for a time-out.
  34. Mr. Justice from Anytown, Canada writes: Wow . . . she's so SMART.
  35. R L from Canada writes: Imagine how much power NATO membership gives to mass terrorists such as Georgian President Saakashvili? And he most definitely is a mass terrorist, for ordering the genocidal attack on South Ossetian civilians while they slept.

    NATO membership gives Georgia the arrogance to provoke/intimidate/attack their neighbouring states, because now it's expected for NATO to come to their aid when they face retaliation.
  36. Matt Toma from Vancouver, Canada writes: Maybe someone should remind her that the Cold War, when all was said and done, didnt end up too badly. A lot of innocent people died in proxy wars, yes, but humanity managed to avoid nuclear annihilation.

    Then again, when you equate nuclear war with the rapture and are just waiting for God to sweep you up in his chariot as bomg the non-believers to hell, those pesky nuclear weapons arent too much of a concern.
  37. The Iconoclast from Canada writes: Mr. Justice from Anytown, Canada writes: Wow . . . she's so SMART.

    No. It was the coaching.... and she tried very hard to change the subject when asked about her experience on foreign affairs.
  38. R L from Canada writes: Child of the North in Canada from Canada writes: 'Why would the US provoke Russia by pushing for the Ukraine and Georgia to be admitted into NATO, '

    .

    And for that matter, why is this only decided by USA, Ukraine, and Georgia?

    The other NATO countries (including Canada) are so fearful of angering Washington, so grateful for their membership in NATO, that they leave all of the choice in the hands of insane Washington bureaucrats.
  39. ryan . from Regina, Canada writes: If the Russian's don't believe that the US is willing to go to war to protect a NATO member then the theory of NATO deterrence is compromised.

    We would have said the same thing if Turkey had been threatened by the Soviets during the Cold War.

    These boards are full of crazy people or pacifists--I don't know what's worse.
  40. ryan . from Regina, Canada writes: R L says 'And he most definitely is a mass terrorist, for ordering the genocidal attack on South Ossetian civilians while they slept.'...

    You need a dictionary. There was nothing genocidal about a state trying to end a rebellion.

    Genocide: 'the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group'
  41. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: Well let's see. You guys just keep going until you hit Chechnya and Afghanistan. They are a pain in the butt so you probably don't want them. Loaded question to provoke the reaction it received. Who would O talk to? Can't we all just get along? Might work....naw.
  42. CM Chen from Toronto, Canada writes: If Russia attacks Canada, should NATO members like U.K, Germany, U.S. not come to the defence of Canada?

    Is this not the core raison d'etre of NATO, of providing collective security, in an alliance?

    The basis of ABC's question of hypothetically if Georgia become a member of NATO, would U.S. come to its defence (just like any other NATO member). The answer would hypothetically YES, of course.

    Gov. Palin answered the questions fairly and directly and in my humble view, did not take an extreme position. In these limited excerpts from the interview, ABC tried, but there is no gotcha moments. Afterall, she did not avoid answering by saying it is above her pay grade.
  43. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Thanks, B Fulsom in Menlo Park, CA. It wasn't posted prior to airing on (e.g.) WABC in NYC and WLS in Chicago.

    The postings on the Trib's The Swamp were of Harry Feld's variety, regardless of NATO or not. Well, Harry, there was Hungary in 1955 and Czechoslovakia in 1968, not to mention the Kurdish uprising in Iraq in 1993.
  44. R L from Canada writes: 'You need a dictionary. There was nothing genocidal about a state trying to end a rebellion.'

    Ahh those darned unarmed rebels sleeping in their civilian homes.

    Saakashvili went on TV and told the South Ossetians to sleep well, for they are their closest friends... and then proceeded to bomb and shell their houses and apartments late into the night.

    Genocide or not, it's mass terrorism.
  45. El Cid from Canada writes: It was only a matter of time before she said something this stupid. Aside from the outright lies regarding her supposed non-support of the Bridge to Nowhere...and her opposition to earmarks, now we've got a winner! If Team Obama can't capitalize on this, then they're going to have a problem. Even though the question was hypothetical, this was not the right answer. I'm sure this will do a lot of help US-Russian relations. Great VP pick, John!
  46. R L from Canada writes: CM Chen from Toronto, Canada writes: 'If Russia attacks Canada, should NATO members like U.K, Germany, U.S. not come to the defence of Canada?'

    .

    If Canada was attacked by any nation state, the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and other allies of Canada would come to the defence of Canada, WITH OR WITHOUT NATO. Canada would do the same if the U.K. were attacked by a nation state, and so forth, with or without NATO.

    And NATO no longer has a raison d'etre. NATO is an irrelevant relic, and exists today only to maintain and/or extend Washington's political and military reach into Europe.
  47. John Ishmael from Brampton ON, Canada writes:

    FIRST: CANADA SHOULD INVITE ALASKA TO SECEDE AND JOIN CANADA.

    Or ANNEX ALASKA.

    IF Georgia joins NATO, moms, dads and wives should be ready to send their males to fight Russia. NATA is 'One for all and all for one'

    Or since NATO is the American Foreign legion, whose mission is to supply treasure and bodies from the Empire's economic supplicants - QUIT NATO NOW.
  48. Festina Lente from United States writes: ABC news should reprimand Charlie Gibson for his theoretical questions of which he received theroretical answers. But that is what ABC pays Charlie for...baiting politicians... which btw is proof enough to brand ABC News and all of its sister agencies of bias and bent in the political race at hand. I hope they keep it up as Mr McCain's lead will grow accordingly.

    The media are claiming a fourth estate in US government. Not so, according to Chief Justice Burger in a comment to Roger Mudd (a decendant of Dr Mudd from the Civil War). The individual rights of any American is equal to the rights of the press!.
  49. James Tod from Vancouver, Canada writes: I don't think that Palin is experienced enough to truly understand the gravitas of her statements as a vice-presidential candidate for the United States. I'm now going to wait to see what comments come out of Russia on this. In my opinion, she might have just sunk her and McCain's fortunes a few.
  50. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: R L from Canada writes: 'Genocide or not, it's mass terrorism.'

    You're backpedalling. You called it genocide; it was not. There was no evidence of a systematic ethnic cleansing. The term was used as Russian propoganda to justify their occupation. Speaking of which, what of the Russian invasion of Abkhazia? How do you justify that?
  51. Festina Lente from United States writes: Sorry for the typo DESCENDANT. Doctor Demento would hop all over that!
  52. John Sherlock from Toronto, Canada writes: Say 'NO!' to end-timer (Christians who believe the book of Revelation will literally come true) lunatics like Palin and Harper (he attends the East Gate Alliance Evangelical church - end-timers). This from the Christian Missionary and Alliance - What We Believe: 'The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal and visible.' And from Palin's Wasilla Assembly of God: 'WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope. When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever.'

    These types are courting world conflict and no more fear thermonuclear annihilation than Jim Jonesers downing poison Kool-Aid.
  53. G. Veneta from Calgary, Canada writes: Ah, the little hockey mom warrior. Ignorance is certainly not a virtue but dangerous combined with hubris. This is the person to be in charge of the free world if old boy Mcain's health gives up?

    This is like living in a South Park or Simpsons episode. Only, it's not fiction. One couldn't make up this stuff.

    America come to your senses. This is truly bizarre. Guess, the Americans want to be in war forever.
  54. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: And for the record, I am not really interested in admitting Georgia or the Ukraine to NATO. They need a much more demonstrable record of being a peaceful, prosperous, stable democracy first.

    Having said that, what if Russia were to invade Finland? Should we let that one go too?
  55. Joshua Gardiner from creston, New Zealand writes: what disturbed me most about all this is that palin is apparently unable to speak in a meaningful and purposeful way. after eight years of suffering someone else whose lack of command of the english language signified much greater mental inadequacies below the surface, i'm immediately skeptical of palin's so-called 'readiness' to lead.
  56. Al B from Canada writes: I have a problem with people who embarrass their kids by giving them weird names. Piper? Track?
  57. by jove from Canada writes:
    Russia covets the north with all of it's natural resources. Especially the Canadian section.

    So according to the lefties, if Russia decides to annex Canada's north by armed invasion that's just fine with them. After all, what could Canada do to Russia if they decided to do just that, complain to the UN.

    OPPS Russia has a veto in the UN.

    The only thing that protects Canadians from the Russian bear is our alignment with like minded, freedom loving nations, our inclusion in NATO.

    If other nations including the USA abandoned their pledge to come to the aid of a NATO member then their word is meaningless, and countries like Canada with relatively small armed forces would fall prey to larger nations.

    The question she was asked she answered correctly, which galls the left, because it demonstrates her political savvy and knowledge of how the world works.
  58. CM Chen from Toronto, Canada writes: Hello R.L.

    I somewhat disagree with your assertion that non NATO countries , however friendly to Canada, will come to our defence militarily automatically.

    The existence of NATO, by treaty, without prolong added debate in parliaments or equivalent, are to come to its member's aid.

    The charter of NATO has this clause.

    'The Parties of NATO agreed that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. Consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense will assist the Party or Parties being attacked, individually and in concert with the other Parties...'

    Take a country like Australia, about the most friendly of all non NATO countries to Canada, will have a tough time to send its troops against Russia, without lengthy debate, consultation, and parliamentary votes or even national consenus before taking such action.
  59. just another Canadian from Calgary, Canada writes: Are the Rebulicans using their politics of fear, this time of Russia, as the means to get Americans afraid enough to vote MaCain and this war monger idiot in?
  60. Jah Nee Kah Sun from Canada writes: Georgia and Ukraine aren't NATO worthy. Yanks shouldn't be talking hypothetical war in regards to NATO anyways. Take on Russia on your own USA. No one else craves war.
  61. Richard Williams from Canada writes: To Colin C - nicely done. Its nice to see that someone actually read the article.
  62. El Cid from Canada writes: B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: And for the record, I am not really interested in admitting Georgia or the Ukraine to NATO. They need a much more demonstrable record of being a peaceful, prosperous, stable democracy first. Having said that, what if Russia were to invade Finland? Should we let that one go too? --------------------------------------------- In order for two countries to go to war, there has to be something in it for them. Russia slapped Georgia around a little bit, knowing that in the end, they'd gain two small provinces. They also knew that given the Georgian attack on South Ossetia, they had some justification, whether rightful or not. Russia is not going to invade Finland, nor will they do anything significant enough to provoke another Cold War, which would destroy their economy...or a real war with a real power, which would have catastrophic results for everyone. I agree with you that Georgia and the Ukraine have no business in NATO until they get their own houses in order and I question the value of including them even then. Palin should never have answered this 'hypothetical' question because there was no right answer...and she obviously is NOT qualified to even talk about it. Cowboy diplomacy might impress some people, but it's the main reason why the United States under Bush has lost so much credibility and respect throughout the world. Funny how I don't see a lot of the people who praised her vast 'governing' experience posting in favour of her tonight. I guess even they don't want to put lipstick on a pig.
  63. Andrew E from Canada writes: We're facked
  64. Garth Staples from PE, Canada writes: From reading these comments I would say not many Canadians can read and worst of all ------think.
  65. CM Chen from Toronto, Canada writes: just another Canadian from Calgary, Canada writes: Are the Rebulicans using their politics of fear, this time of Russia, as the means to get Americans afraid enough to vote MaCain and this war monger idiot in?

    ===========

    It is fair to disagree with certain segment of the American public, but not go overboard in our language.

    Say I disagree with Mr. Dion's stance on Green Shift, I would avoid statement like

    ' Are the Liberals using their politics of fear, this time of Anthropogenic Global Warming, as the means to get Canadians afraid enough to vote Mr. Dion and this environmental extremist idiot in?'
  66. Pohaku Pohaku from Hawaii, United States writes: Caribou Barbie.. America's own Rambolina. Mark Twain always said Facsim would come to America as a cross wrapped by a flag. She is the fundamentalist Joan Of Arc.... everyone better pray, even if you don't believe in it
  67. R L from Canada writes: 'You called it genocide; it was not. There was no evidence of a systematic ethnic cleansing. The term was used as Russian propoganda to justify their occupation.'

    I used the term on my own accord, I have not read any Russian use of the word genocide. It is still my opinion that Saakashvili would love to wipe out the Ossetians (both North and South), and that the attack was genocidal in nature. But genocide or not (I repeat: regardless of the term), it is unquestionably 'mass terrorism' targeting the South Ossetian civilians, which means that Russia was justified in militarily coming to the rescue of the South Ossetia. And Russia has not been targeting Georgian civilians, as the Georgians have done against Russians.

    'what if Russia were to invade Finland? Should we let that one go too?'

    First of all, this hypothesis presumes that Russia is some evil regime, but I'll ignore that. Let's say it was completely unprovoked and without reason, then of course we should come to the rescue of Finland. However, if Finland were to first launch a cruise missile strike against a civilian Russian town, wiping out 1,000 Russians, and Russia reacted by attacking Finland, then no, we should NOT come to the rescue of Finland in that case. Absolutely NO. And it's another reason why NATO should not exist... each situation should be analyzed separately, there should not be an automatic function to launch every NATO member state into war, which only gives unstable NATO states the political ammunition and arrogance to engage in hostile acts.
  68. Festina Lente from United States writes: John Ishmael from Brampton: You got it all wrong! Alaska would ask Canada to unite with her but first we must correct the border disputes with BC and the territories. In the latter the Queen has no right of prerogative! The worth of Canada, a great country, would best be compared to California extra the sovereign issue.

    If there is to be a war with Russia your clamor for breaking out troops to fight is a redundant and spurious call.

    You forget the lessining importance of Canada in world affairs. The problem therein is, that Canada does not stand up to her importance for reasons not totally understood in the US and Canada and indeed in the world.
  69. Egg Beater from Canada writes: R Williams & Colin C the alternative response for Ms. Palin is simply 'I am not going to entertain hypothetical scenarios', thereby avoiding further tension escalation between the US and Russia, but we are now too late for that...
  70. R L from Canada writes: And by the way, Finland is not a NATO member. The Finns prefer to remain neutral (as they should, and we should follow their example).
  71. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: Talk to me about NATO being irrelevant when Russia lays claim to Canada's Arctic - a very real possibility as they, just a few months ago, planted their flag at the bottom of the Arctic. Think you might like a little US of A Sarah Palin type help then boys? Or do you think we should just roll over and give it to them?
  72. Dennis sinneD from Calgary, Canada writes:

    America! Please, toss this nutbar to the curb!
  73. just another Canadian from Calgary, Canada writes: Bush has been using politics of fear for 8 years to keep the religious right frightened enough to allow him to get away with murder. When people are afraid they turn to religion and the religious leaders are being paid by Bush, Millions of taxpayers dollars have been given to the wing-nut churches.
  74. Pohaku Pohaku from Hawaii, United States writes: Maybe she ate some bad moose meat. Is there such a thing as Mad Moose Disease?
  75. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: El Cid wrote: Palin should never have answered this 'hypothetical' question because there was no right answer...

    Her answer was straight out of McCain's platform. If she had said anything else, she would be faulted for being off-message and taken apart. I'm not saying I agree with her, but it was a loaded question and she answered it well from a political standpoint. Now, I don't buy for a second she came to any of these geo-political conclusions on her own, but she's only a surrogate and is doing that job well enough. She needs to pass every test up to and including the debate, then maybe I'll give her some credit. The same goes for Obama, and except for his convention speech, he hasn't done a whole lot right since his Middle East trip.

    BTW: Russia invading Finland was a facetious suggestion.
  76. George BrownIII from Christmas Island writes: Please give little sara more rope to hang herself.
  77. Festina Lente from United States writes: Most of the ignoble comments come to nil and not worth a bucket of warm spit. It must feel reeeeeeeal gooooood to take a swipe a the USA or some of its denizens. Rather it be something objective, informative or at least well intended. Where is all that humor and wit Canadians pride themselves on?
  78. Colin C from Canada writes: Egg Beater - the problem is not in her response, the problem is in the media that tries to blow everything out of proportion and create issues where there are none. (just like the lipstick on a pig fracas on the Democratic side). Her answer is not news - the problem is that too much 'news' is now just entertainment and an attempt to make the biggest splash out of the smallest perception. Politicians can't just be 'I don't want to answer that cuz people don't want to hear it types'. They are supposed to have leadership and clear direction. And for the record, I'm no fan of the Republican party and abhor what GWB has done over the last two terms.
  79. R L from Canada writes: Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: 'Talk to me about NATO being irrelevant when Russia lays claim to Canada's Arctic - a very real possibility as they, just a few months ago, planted their flag at the bottom of the Arctic.'

    Firstly, NATO is not relevant to the issue of the arctic dispute.

    Secondly, Canada does NOT claim the North Pole (or most of the arctic for that matter) as being part of Canadian territory. Our position is that it is neutral international waters. However, we certainly do claim the Northwest Passage as our own, a territory which has been violated by none other than the United States of America, and a territory which Russia has never claimed nor will ever claim as its own. The standard 200 nautical miles (from land) is what we use, which covers all of the Northwest Passage.

    Russia's claim to waters between Russia and the North Pole came from the vague idea of what constitutes land, as certain geographic features were recently discovered to the north of the Eurasian continent.
  80. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: R L, I know Finland is not part of NATO, that was part of my point. Anyway, you've made your stance on NATO pretty clear; there is nothing further to say about it.

    Or dare I ask how you feel about the UN? :)
  81. El Cid from Canada writes: Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: El Cid wrote: Palin should never have answered this 'hypothetical' question because there was no right answer...

    Her answer was straight out of McCain's platform. If she had said anything else, she would be faulted for being off-message and taken apart. I'm not saying I agree with her, but it was a loaded question and she answered it well from a political standpoint.

    -----------------------------------------------

    You have a point there...but I can't help think that there might have been a smoother way to answer the question without implying that open war with Russia would be an acceptable response.
  82. A B from Saskatoon, Canada writes: Wow, that's intelligent. Let's do a quick war with country that has the most of nuclear heads in the world. Brilliant. I hope cooler heads prevail in elections ...

    Yes, we can.
  83. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: R L from Canada writes:
    Russia's claim to waters between Russia and the North Pole came from the vague idea of what constitutes land, as certain geographic features were recently discovered to the north of the Eurasian continent.

    Perhaps you could volunteer to negotiate with Putin.
    Might makes right I'm afraid, and with Denmark, Russia and yes, the United States all vying for a chunk of, what was traditionally thought of (by us anyway) as 'our Arctic', and what is thought to lie beneath, Nato is indeed salient. Where you gonna go - the UN?
  84. Major Pain from Canada writes: This woman is a freakin' psychopath!
  85. Jan Burton from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Perhaps' war with Russia???

    This woman is insane.
  86. El Cid from Canada writes: Festina Lente from United States writes: Most of the ignoble comments come to nil and not worth a bucket of warm spit. It must feel reeeeeeeal gooooood to take a swipe a the USA or some of its denizens. Rather it be something objective, informative or at least well intended. Where is all that humor and wit Canadians pride themselves on?

    ------------------------------------------

    Festina, why is it that whenever anyone criticizes George Bush or the GOP that they're automatically accused of being anti-American? Does it have something to do with the fact that if you're an American and criticize George Bush or the GOP that you're considered unpatriotic???

    I been accused of posting anti-American comments before and I'll say this again. I LIKE the US of A. I LIKE Americans. I'm happy that they're our friends and largest trading partner. It doesn't mean that I have to like George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Sarah Palin, or Karl Rove and the rest of the GOP. I don't like Jack Layton either, but it doesn't make me anti-Canadian.
  87. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, Canada writes: El Cid from Canada writes: I can't help think that there might have been a smoother way to answer the question without implying that open war with Russia would be an acceptable response.

    In the context it was presented, ie: Georgia is in NATO and Russia invades, possible open war with Russia is an acceptable response because the answer is not really about war, it's all about deterrence. Realistically speaking, if Georgia were a strong NATO member in the first place, the Russians never would have attacked...which is why they went ahead and did it now. That's the biggest problem with this Ukraine-NATO talk, that Russia had better do it sooner rather than later or they'll miss the chance.

    As for a 'smoother' answer, who do you think could have given it? McCain would shoot from the hip, Obama would stumble and stutter, Biden would talk so long everyone would forget the question, and Palin is a 'trained pig' as it were.

    Hillary perhaps?

    Ok, too much snark for one day.
  88. E A from Canada writes: Wow, she is even more of an idiot than I initially thought.
  89. Offshore Reg from home for awhile, Canada writes: Good Grief.......and at least half the American public are apparently prepared to put this nutbar into the second highest office in the country? Doesn't say a lot for the collective intelligence of the US electorate.
  90. Festina Lente from United States writes: Finland and Sweden are not members of NATO but are partners and cooperate in naval and land operations with NATO countries.

    The US claims Northwest passage to be international waters with Canadian claims to police it due to Canadian contiguous zone claims. Russian and US subs play tag through it all the time. There are tacit understandings between Canada and the United States over other boundaries in the area and are not in serious dispute. Try buying a few US subs for a change instead of obsolete UK ones. That would make Canada a greater and more effective player in the arctic.
  91. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: I'm writing in Sarah Palin for Prime Minister. Give her honorary Canadian citizenship. This woman is amazing and since being vice president of the United States is no biggie (only has to attend funerals and such) she can do much better as a part-time Canadian Prime Minister than the three little 'piggies' we have here looking to get the job.
  92. Katherine R from Canada writes: I honestly believe any single person on this discussion board understands U.S. foreign policy more than Palin - I know I do. She just left the U.S. for the FIRST TIME last year! Personally, I would love to debate her.... This person is not even qualified to be the mayor of Vancouver, let alone vice-president of the most powerful country in the world....
  93. melissa wiebe from Abbotsford, BC, Canada writes: While ignorance is bliss at times, this is not when you want to be ignorant on international issues. I hope that most Americans realize what her comments may mean for the United States, if the Republicans are elected in November. I am also curious as to what Biden will say in the VP debate at the beginning of October in regards to the sort of language that she has put out there in regards to going to war with Russia.

    I don't see how going to war with Russia is going to solve anything; its just going to reignite the flame between the United States and the Russian Federation. Its also going to involve United States servicemen and servicewomen on three fronts and really stretch the resources of the United States military in an era in which they are already stretched thin. I don't think Governor Palin wants to see her son involved in conflicts that could potentially keep the United States in the area for years on end, with no end in sight.
  94. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: Katherine R from Canada writes: I honestly believe any single person on this discussion board understands U.S. foreign policy more than Palin - I know I do. She just left the U.S. for the FIRST TIME last year! Personally, I would love to debate her.... This person is not even qualified to be the mayor of Vancouver, let alone vice-president of the most powerful country in the world....

    Little lady - she'd have you for breakfast without breaking stride. Watch what this woman does to Biden! He won't know if he's punched or bored, coming or going - not that he's got a clue now.
  95. Bill Tweezer from Canada writes: If there was ever a war with russia the US can protect its own. Canada??? no way we dont have a military 1/10 of what would be needed alone for defense of our country. Red dawn watch it, it would likely be a reality if russia ever attacked from Alaska.
  96. R L from Canada writes: 'Might makes right I'm afraid, and with Denmark, Russia and yes, the United States all vying for a chunk of, what was traditionally thought of (by us anyway) as 'our Arctic', and what is thought to lie beneath, Nato is indeed salient. Where you gonna go - the UN?'

    How does this make NATO salient? The only disputes we have over Canadian arctic waters (to my knowledge) are with Denmark (Greenland) and the United States (the Northwest Passage, as well as the border between Alaska and the Yukon territory in which the Americans claim a ridiculous angle extending from Alaska). We certainly won't get help from NATO on either dispute.
  97. R M from Ottawa, Canada writes:
    She doesn't want a cold war; she'd rather have a hot war?

    Something new to cheerlead for?

    This woman is scary stupid and way over her (very small) head.
  98. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: R L from Canada writes:The only disputes we have over Canadian arctic waters (to my knowledge) are with Denmark (Greenland) and the United States (the Northwest Passage, as well as the border between Alaska and the Yukon territory in which the Americans claim a ridiculous angle extending from Alaska). We certainly won't get help from NATO on either dispute.

    So why are we getting more ice breakers, helicopters, re-outfitting our British cast off subs to increase patrolling the Arctic? At least Denmark, US are both in Nato giving us a venue for talks. Again I ask, think going to the UN for any resolution is wise? They won't be coming down on our side anytime soon.
    from: canada.com
    'OTTAWA -- The Canadian government shows no sign of flinching in the face of new Russian claims to a vast stretch of Arctic Ocean seabed that could conflict with this country's own territorial ambitions. Dr. Jacob Verhoef, the federal scientist leading Canada's own continental shelf research, told Canwest News Service on Thursday that the undersea territories formally claimed by Russia and Canada might be separated by a buffer of international waters, might meet mid-way across the Arctic Ocean, or might 'overlap' in areas of contested ownership.'
    Who you gonna call RL?
  99. Sniggly Wiggly from Canada writes: No world leader in their right mind says that they would engage in war with Russia. You manage these messages very carefully, and don't carelessly throw words around like that.

    Let's not bash her for being a woman, nor for being a mom: there have been many great, strong woman leaders, even on the right (Maggie Thatcher comes to mind). Instead, let's bash her for being a stupid ditz way out of her league.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtilB1teksc&feature=related

    SW
  100. National Action Committee on the Status of Elvis in Canada from Canada writes: El Cid from Canada writes: 'I been accused of posting anti-American comments before and I'll say this again. I LIKE the US of A. I LIKE Americans. I'm happy that they're our friends and largest trading partner.'