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| Commander of the Alaskan National Guard |
| 2008-09-01 |
| Jonah Goldberg -- The Corner -- I really find this interesting From Jimbo: Hey Jonah, Before you dismiss that Commander of the Alaska National Guard stuff. This came from a reader who plays the game and it jibes with my knowledge. Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. ItÂ’s on permanent active duty, unlike other Guard units. As governor of Alaska, Palin is briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism. Her exposure to classified material may rival even Biden's. She's also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security's counterterrorism plans. Palin is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to the entire country's defense. Given Alaska's proximity to Russia, she may have security clearances we don't even know about. According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain in February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used to keeping secrets. Keeping secret a conversation she had in Feb with McCain tells me, she can keep our countries secret. Just how many of our politicos have kept "secret" about their ratings in the race for VP? She the only one. She can be entrusted with our national security, because she already is. Me(Johan): Oh I don't dispute that she has more national security bona fides than the press is making it seem. Alaskan governors deal a lot more with international and national security issues than, say the Governor of Arkansas. There are all sorts of treaty issues, missile defense stuff, bases, etc up there. The military is a very big presence. Also, while I think there are political drawbacks to the fact that Alaska's government lives pretty much entirely off oil revenues, understanding of international energy markets requires a grasp of international affairs as well. My only point is that Commander of the Alaska National Guard sounds defensive and lame. It sounded defensive and lame when Bill Clinton bragged about his role as the Commander of the Arkansas national guard too. More Alaska Guard Troops Conduct Vital Missile Defense Mission Alaska Guardsmen Serve on Front Line of U.S. Missile Defense |
| Posted by:Sherry from Arkansas |
| #5 I loosely know the Alaska AG, and Alaska's mission is a it different than the standard Guard mission because of ALCOM (Alaska Command). That 3-star slot has produced an unusual number of 4-star and USAF COS due to the DHS tie (huge USCG presence) and fighting the Russian bear. I can tell you the mission is going to increase as the Baltic and Pacific fleets stretch their legs into the Arctic. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2008-09-01 22:39 |
| #4 Gustov also presents an legitimate opportunity for "W" and Cheney to skip the convention. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-09-01 09:17 |
| #3 Gustav provides a context for Palin to discuss how she has been involved in emergency response planning in coordination with DOD etc. I hope she will. It not only plays up her experience, it also informs people who might otherwise not realize just how much work NORTHCOMM and this administration are doing in coordination with regional and state governments to prepare for any type of disaster, manmade (WMD) or natural (pandemic flu, hurricanes etc.) Funny, but I haven't heard anyone screaming about posse comitatus this time around. Compare and contrast to the runup to Katrina. |
| Posted by: lotp 2008-09-01 09:15 |
| #2 AzCat: you are correct even if this is not a deliberate setup. Anyone want to do one of those good old essays that compare and contrast the resposibilities of the Arkansas vs. Alaska Nat'l Gaurd? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2008-09-01 08:53 |
| #1 My only point is that Commander of the Alaska National Guard sounds defensive and lame. Given how sharp the McCain campaign has been lately I wouldn't be at all surprised if this were a setup. A seeming throw-away line apparently cribbed directly from Bill Clinton but one which masks far more substance here. |
| Posted by: AzCat 2008-09-01 04:53 |