See Russia from Alaska
Sarah Palin called Russia and the USA "neighbors", in response to an interview question.
- "They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska."
She was referring to a pair of islands in the Bering Strait. Big Diomede, a Siberian island, is 3 miles west of Little Diomede, an Alaskan island.
In a comedy skit, actress Tina Fey mocked Palin by saying:
- FEY AS PALIN: "And I can see Russia from my house." [1]
Some people who dislike Palin quote Fey's satirical words as if it were Palin's own words.[2]
Journalists who are opponents of Palin's political party have twisted her words. Palin had brought up Alaska's nearness to Russia to emphasize the need for good foreign relations; the journalists claimed that Palin was had said that this proximity (a) gave her insight or (b) amounted to foreign policy experience. She was too polite to contradict this claim, possibly not realizing that by simply attempting to return to her talking points she had left "live ammunition" in the hands of the enemy.
