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,[3] and always has tried to return to her original point, that being from a state which is close to Russia is a reminder of the importance of foreign relations.

Links[edit]

• Picture showing how close the two islands are
• Satellite photo of Bering Strait - showing the two islands
• unedited transcript of Charles Gibson's interview with Gov. Palin