Just How Tough Can It Be To Be Commander In Chief Of The Alaska National Guard?My response to Campbell Brown of CNN (Clinton News Network)
Yes, I watched as Campbell Brown snidely asked a McCain spokesman (Tucker Somethingerother) to name just one decision that Sarah Palin has made in her capacity of C-in-C of the ANG. Unfortunately, Mr Somethingorother stumbled all over himself.
Now I may not know all that much about various State Guards, but don't the governors approve or disapprove of all fiscal and troop strength decisions? I believe they do.
And along purely military lines, aren't governors the ones who approve of (ie: take responsibility for) any and all contingency plans for their particular Guard and Air Guard units? I believe they do.
And just to make sure I've got it right... isn't it the responsibility of the C-in-C of the Alaska NG to approve or disapprove of contingency plans if another earthquake or tsunami hits Alaska? Or if another industrial disaster (à la Exxon Valdez) should happen in Alaska? Or if there's a terrorist attack on, oh... let's say... Alaska's oil fields?
But I guess Sarah Palin should apologize to that smart-ass Campbell Brown for a disaster not materializing on her watch. Silly Sarah Palin.
And good Madame Campbell Brown also brought up foreign policy experience. I'd like to remind Brown that Alaska happens to be one of the natural resources richest states in the nation. I know for a fact that the Governors of North and South Carolina engage representatives of foreign nations concerning trade.
I'm quite sure the Governor of Alaska's done the same.
Cavey, for more info on Palin's foreign policy experience check out my blog posting, "About That Whole Lack of Experience Thingy." It's too long to paste here so I'm using this method to spread the info. Feel free to not publish this particular comment, just check out the post there. The sources "Vigilis" and "loddfafnir" have some good insights.
ReplyDeleteSome of the AKNG deployed to Iraq, and she visited them there. When, if ever, did any of the other candidates do that, exactly? She is also sending her son over to serve--once again, how may of these candidates can say that?
ReplyDeleteBut, we really shouldn't let the facts get in the way.... /sarcasm off
She has more experience than Obama!
ReplyDeleteThe Alaska Army National Guard's 49th Missile Defense Battalion is an Active Guard and Reserve unit that is a key part of the U.S.'s missile defense program. This is one of the few NG units that is always active, and in 2006, when North Korea was tossing missiles around and testing nukes, the 49th Missile Defense BN was on high alert just in case Kim Jong-Il decided to push the envelope too far.
ReplyDeleteOne would think that being Commander in Chief of an active National Guard BN that is instrumental in homeland defense for the entire nation would be considered an excellent bullet point on the ready-to-serve credentials list. Also, keep in mind that the Alaskan mainland and the Russian mainland are less than 60 miles apart at their closest point, so the Alaskan governor is quite likely privy to classified national security contingency plans.
Considering that, I would say that the Alaskan governor has a large duty to the State of Alaska, and to the United States, when it comes to being Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard. While it might not be any more or less difficult than other tasks required of the governor's office, it is still a major responsibility, and cable news anchors should probably either get the facts or just stick to their scripts if they want to present an opinion on the subject.
The AK Guard has more autonomy and key defense missions than any other States Guard. Period.
ReplyDeleteAn the Obamanation hasn't been C in C of anything, or any type of Government executive.
(If he-who-must-not-be-named wins, I fear we may have to take up arms to defend our liberty--his followers are that much into deception and violence! If he loses, we'll see rioting in the streets. From now on, I'm refering to him as "The Dark Lord" of he-who-must-not-be-named!)