Don't Know Much About National Security

Can we please cut the nonsense?! This notion that Sarah Palin has national security experience and would be a fit commander in chief is laughable. That much was abundantly clear after she stuttered her way through a list of neo-con talking points on ABC News. If she does not win the vice presidency, I'm sure there's a warm chair at AEI or Heritage waiting for her.

Let's be frank: Sarah Palin bombed -- just as I guess she would do to Moscow, were it to send tanks into Moldova or Georgia or the Crimea. Does she have any idea the impression she is making across the globe when she says Russia is not off-limits to a U.S. attack? Then she softened her rhetoric -- saying that she would just slap sanctions on Russia (um, Sarah, we don't do all that much trading with Russia so sanctions really wouldn't work). Obviously Palin was prepared for the Georgia question, which makes her remarks that much downright scarier.

Then there's the Bush doctrine -- remember that phrase? Palin doesn't. Her blank deer-in-headlights look she flashed proved she'd never even heard of it (these were not exactly gotcha questions either). Apparently she is tough on terrorists and solidly pro-Israel, but would not go into specifics. She could not talk in any detail about U.S. commando raids against sovereign Pakistan or whether she is for or against anticipatory self-defense (or whether Article 51 of the UN Charter covers such use of self-defense). She would not get into what she would do as president were Israel to start raining bombs on Natanz, a nuclear reactor in Iran. Her mental capacity betrayed that of a stay-at-home hockey mom, not a serious candidate for any office, much less vice president. Her grasp of world affairs is so bad, so shallow, so slippery, every foreign service officer deployed overseas should be shaking in their boots.

Comments

[justathinker]

palin's statements about NATO, Russia, and Georgia were 100% accurate, and while we certainly would not want war with Russia, we must treat all countries the same. therefore, no option is off the table. her saying that Russia is not off-limits to a U.S. attack is commendable in the view of many, considering the obvious desire of the Russians to play wargames for energy.

the problem with the liberal talking points is that you take issue with Bush trying to develop a trusting relationship with Russia, then you take issue with Palin being honest about what Russia really needs, which is someone to stand them down and put them in their place. you can't have it both ways, libs.
and the Bush Doctrine? seems that should be the United States Doctrine, given the unstable nature of the world combined with the obvious desire of some countries to harbor terrorists. we must protect ourselves first and foremost, not talk to the world first and ask permission to protect ourselves.

[KillTheMessenger]

WW III anyone? Follow justathinker. He knows where to find it.

[SusanK1951]

You would welcome a nuclear event then. . .wow.

[DallasMike]

Do you really think the Russians want a nuclear war with us?
Or are you saying we would start it because we are a nation of war mongers.

[arsphidius]

You say "we must treat all countries the same". Does that mean we treat all countries the way we treat Iraq? Because I don't think we have enough military to invade every other country on the planet.

[Kirk59]

The Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war has a number of serious flaws and must be discarded by the next President, though McCain will only expand on it.
1. Any administration can falsify the "threat" as this one did in order to start a war for purposes of their own, usually financial reasons.
2. If we can do it then anyone else can and should be able to claim the same right of action. Under those conditions, India and/or Pakistan could pre-emptively launch nuclear weapons at one another and it would be totally justified. Likewise, Iran should be able to invade Iraq, since they were already invaded by them once. There is no end to the violence if this "doctrine" becomes operational for other countries, and why shouldn't it if we subscribe to its principals.

[Eolianharp]

First of all, the fact that you dismiss people who disagree with your worldview as "libs" doesn't jibe with your self-applied title of "justathin­ker." I would say that one who draws conclusions from assumptions and uses glib lines etched with sarcasm to make their point is not a thinker, but an ideologue. You say her statements are "100% accurate," but provide no proof. Try that in a university politcal science class. You wouldn't make waterboy on a community college debate team.

And sir--in order to have a "doctrine" one must be able to enforce it. Hollow rhetoric is a dangerous thing. Our armed forces are over-extended and unable to respond to another crisis. Further, our economic engine is funded by the money we send to communist China for cheap goods. They could cripple us economically in a day. Tomorrow's wars will not be fought with tanks and missles, but with economic clout. You exhibit a simplisitc and deeply flawed understanding of the modern world. Tomorrow's wars will not be won by bluster. And not by violence. But by sorting out what is in the best interest of both parties and coming to a compromise. It's hot-heads like you, McCain, Palin, and maybe Putin and his ilk that will turn this earth into a wasteland. I'd like to say that your time has passed--but evidently it hasn't. Maybe we can remedy that in the near future. In the meantime, read a little Socrates.

[Reagan-ite]

Here's hoping the Obama campaign keeps their blinders up like you and your fellow pundits, and continues to underestimate Palin. My more objective view is that she did fine in a situation that Obama has never been in before. They only difficult interview Obama has EVER participated in was the one with O'Reilly. Which was certainly tough, but was much shorter than what Palin is offering ABC news.

[MHR55]

That's absurd. Where have you been for the last year? Did you just wake up for O'Reilly's interview?

Obama's been through dozens of interviews, debates and press conferences. Palin flubs her first interview with relatively easy questions and you think it was tough?

Anyway, who cares about her. She's just a distraction from the real issues that Obama needs to keep hammering on and the Repubs are loathe to discuss. Bring on the debates.

[DallasMike]

Without being long winded hear is a part of the 1st interview Charles gibson did with Obama.
Notice the tought questions he asked Obama

November 1, 2007
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rich-noyes/2008/09/12/2007-interview-abc-s-gibson-greeted-obama-softballs

GIBSON: Your mom comes from the Pacific Northwest, migrates to Hawaii, goes to college there, right away, meets a dashing young Kenyan, gets pregnant and the result-

GIBSON: For five years out of college, he worked to pay off student loans and was a community organizer in Chicago, which led him back to school, Harvard Law School, and on a summer job, met this young woman. (to Obama) Did you know right away?

GIBSON: They have two daughters, Malia and Sasha. At first, Obama was intimidated by the Harvard law students.

OBAMA: You got a sense, these folks are running on nuclear energy and I'm running on, on steam.
GIBSON: But he found he could more than hold his own, finishing first in his class and being editor of the 'Harvard Law Review." He's candid: it was at Harvard he first thought of running for President.

GIBSON: You have written, "I learned to slip back and forth between my black and my white worlds." The simple question I guess is in which world do you really belong?

[Seattlelite]

Regan-ite -- You're kidding right? Obama has been interviewed by every major political reporter in this country, not once but on numerous occasions. He's done what, 20 debates? He's been out there for what, 18 months answering to the press reporters on a daily basis and you compare tthat history to "one:" interview by O'Reilly!!

[Ulysse]

If you ask me, I am sure that if somebody would present her with a world map whitout the country names, she would be incapable of saying where is located half of the following countries :

1 - Georgia
2 - Afghanistan
3 - Pakistan
4 - Venezuela
5 - Thaïland
6 - North Korea

She would be clueless on most counts, I would bet my house on it!

[bazokbros]

I'm not so concerned about Palin not knowing about the Bush Doctrine, because I had to look it up myself. I do have a major problem with someone not blinking an eye that going to war with Russia is the first response and her expertise on Russia has to do with the proximity of the state of Alaska, linking 9/11 to Iraq and making statements that she hadn't been following what was going on in Iraq. Now that's why she's not qualified.

[balikian]

Yeah, bazokbros, you might have had to look up the Bush Doctrine - but YOU'RE NOT RUNNING FOR VICE PRESIDENT!

[jimspy]

What Balikian said, plus, do you think Joe Biden would have had any trouble enumerating the various aspects of the Bush Doctrine? (By the way, it was poorly worded by Charlie Gibson - the Bush Doctrine has several elements to it, but I doubt if Palin was familiar with any of them).

The commentary by Bay Buchanan afterward was the most telling. She was absolutely thrilled with Palin's answer, and said that she seems so real and just like the rest of us, rather than these Washington insiders with all their facts and figures. Voters, please take note: We do NOT hire/elect politicians to be just like us. We hire/elect them because they know MORE than us. We are supposed to be hiring professional country-runners, with real live qualifications and expertise, and yes, facts and figures. I fear that this will be the deciding factor in the election: Low-information voters voting for low-information politicians because "We want someone just like us."

Watch the movie "Idiocracy­." And sleep well tonight.

[Buj]

Well said!

[justinknechtel]

I don't find anyhing laughable about your post, or the situation. The sad fact that she could be a part of the next administration doesn't make me laugh at all - it terrifies me. More importantly, if her performance last night reflects even an ounce of her intelligence she, then I hope McCain's selection process for VP entailed throwing a dart at a map and choosing that governor, rather than actually doing some reasearch, because that would be a silly concept. This duo could be worse than our current administration.

- Justin
theknechtelgroup.com

[Nickesq]

I agree. McCain-Palin combine reckless with bouts of forgetfulness and shallow mental capacity. Bush-Cheney displayed the same recklessness combined with ideological and religious zeal and a total disregard for human life and values.

[KillTheMessenger]

But even Bush-Cheney were lightyears away from declaring the preconditions for global nuclear war. McPalin, on the other hand, seem to have their fingers on the button by default.

[GraceNeeded]

What bothers me more than lack of knowledge is the seeming lack of recognition that more knowledge is required. Both her and Senator McCain are now known for acting impulsively - rolling the dice, taking high risks, and shooting for the moon! Is this really what characteristic we want in a Commander of our armed forces with codes for nuclear weapons? His poor judgment in selecting her and her poor judgment in accepting are apt criteria for NOT voting for them.

[Cheyennne]

You hit the nail on the head: McCain's poor judgment in key areas, including his selection of an obviously unqualified, unprepared person for VP is the main issue here. We need to stay on point. She's doing well enough on her own showing her incompetence on the world stage.
We'll do well to get past airing her dirty (personal) laundry and re-focus on McCain's poor decision-making skills.
That being said, who could NOT be nervous listening to this interview?

[BBGCali]

Her knowledge of foreign experience only shows that John McCain's first most important decision was not a good one.

[JRsNana]

This has gone beyond laughable into the realm of truly scary. I'm simply aghast that we're looking at rising polls for these two. I think the question "Are American's too stupid to see through all this neo-con bs?" has been answered. I've gone beyond worried into abject terror. These people are dangerous. Not just to the middle and lower class - to our COUNTRY.
"Nukular" war with Russia? Perhaps so.
Guess we'd better get out all those old 8mm's that showed school kids how to get under their desks to save themselves in the event of a mushroom cloud blast.

[DallasMike]

I did not get the sense she is for nuclear war.

[RedneckNOT]

Mr. Beehner,

"Her mental capacity betrayed that of a stay-at-home hockey mom." Seriously? That is offensive to ALL women.

Millions of women elect to stay home with their children; many choose to give up lucrative careers for this. What we do not give up is our intelligence or our ability to reason and think for ourselves.

Yes, Gov. Palin's interview was less than stellar. And no, she isn't prepared to be VP. But that doesn't give you the right to insult intelligent women everywhere.

[PioneerKing]

RedneckNOT:
You have to re-read Beehner wrote betrayed NOT portrayed. Palin betrayed the mentality of a stay-at-home hockey mom. What Beehner is indicating is that she failed to meet the mental capacity of a stay-at-home hockey mom those moms would have obviously done much better in their sleep than Palin did fully awake (Palin was awake but obvioully far from alert).

[RedneckNOT]

Re-read attentively and after first cup of coffee. Apologies to Mr. Beehner!!!

[JennyLane]

Actually, no, I read it as betrayed, as in the sense that she "showed" a mentality of a stay-at-home hockey-mom.

From The American Heritage Dictionary, via dictionary.com: "betrayed: 4. To make known unintentionally"

This suggests that stay-at-home hockey moms have a limited understanding of foreign policy or even any current events at all. And this understanding is confirmed when he continues "...not a serious candidate for any office, much less vice president, " which shows a comparison of mental capacity between the mom and the vp, as if the job title makes the difference.

So, that statement is offensive to me, as is the fact that McCain would choose someone who has such a limited understanding of this nation's challenges, beyond ethics and oil (which are important, but not the end-all-be-all).

[rhdsma]

While some may focus on women being offended by the opinion that Palin is a non-qualified candidate, was it ever considered how many more Americans of all stripes and sorts would find offense that this is the very best Republicans can offer as our possible Presidnet at this time? Do the GOP really think Americans, and particularly Republicans, would find this untested candidate suitable to lead America?

[DallasMike]

you guys seem to think Barry is ready to lead.

[boophus]

I agree. I personally am repulsed by her as I am by Bush. And he ain't no mom. What is so repulsive about both of them is the inadequacy they bring to the national stage when we need some THINKING and restraint.
What many are trying to get past is the swing in woman voters to Palin for superficial reasons that are ridiculous in light of the cost these same women will pay for that misinformed choice. It is outraging them and making them foolishly attack what is not the issue. I have hopes that furor will die down and people will focus on McCain and his age related dysfunctioning mind.
FOCUS on McCain, don't do the republicans work for them. Don't you think this was the idea, distract us, use up our ammo on the sidekick while letting the bottom of his class mental giant skate & insulting women?

[jingles32]

Well I'M offended that the Republicans, Car*l Ro*ve and McC would believe THIS woman, ME, to be so STUPID as to not see through this obvious scam; that it wouldn't matter to me that she is totally unqualified to be VP, certainly president of this country and leader of the free world; that I would vote for her simply because, "she's like me!!!" Well, first of all she is not like me simply because she has a uterus and procreates. Unlike the good governor I don't condone the slaughter of wolves from helicopters for a bounty, keeping polar bears off of the endangered species list, banning books; unlike Ms. Pa lin I DO believe that global warming is caused by man, do believe in affordable healthcare for all Americans, raising the minimum wage, equal pay for equal work, the right to choose, contraception, age appropriate sex education. Shooting moose for sport and skinning and "dressing" them before breakfast? SO not me.

[sleek]

She is, simply, a FRAUD.

[Miravanguild]

You know what is hard to understand­... Over on AOL while 58 % supposedly think she is qualified, 53% were frightened by her answers... Is there a disconnect here?

[AmericasMostGangsta]

No, that's 111 percent. That's McCain's age...so it all adds up.

[justathinker]

almost the same number of times obama voted 'present' while in the illinois senate. remarkable.