http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/09/03/foreign_policy_experience
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Foreign Policy "Experience"
by Thomas Sowell
Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of experience in general-- and foreign policy experience in particular-- is a terrible danger in someone just a heartbeat away from being President of the United States.
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But the big talking point is that the Democrats' vice-presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, has years of foreign policy experience as a member, and now chairman, of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
That all depends on what the definition of "experience" is.
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Senator Joe Biden's years of service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is even further removed from foreign policy experience. He has had a front-row seat as an observer of foreign policy. But Senator Biden has never had any real experience of making foreign policy and taking the consequences of the results.
The difference between being a spectator and being a participant, with responsibility for the consequences of what you say and do, is fundamental.
You can read books about crime or attend lectures by criminologists, but you have no real experience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.
...
Originally posted by zeeblebotAnd Palin's experience is?
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/09/03/foreign_policy_experience
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Foreign Policy "Experience"
by Thomas Sowell
Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of exp ...[text shortened]... perience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.
...
Spin away, little boy, spin away.
Originally posted by zeeblebotBy this logic no one prior to election ever really has the experience for the job. Its only in the heat of the moment that their true character surfaces, for good or ill.
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/09/03/foreign_policy_experience
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Foreign Policy "Experience"
by Thomas Sowell
Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of exp ...[text shortened]... perience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.
...
Case in point Winston Churchill during the first world war, generally considered incompetent and responsible for lots of stuff ups, yet 20 years later has the right stuff to fight them on the beaches etc and provide the taciturn stoic resolve that helps the British lock down and not crumble.
It seems its a total lottery in terms of the quality of leadership you get once any candidate takes office. To what extent are they allowed to lead these days anyway?
Originally posted by treetalkAll the "experience" in the world isn't worth anything if you're wrong.
And Palin's experience is?
Spin away, little boy, spin away.
Biden was wrong about the surge, so what good did all those years on his little committee do? He didn't get it. Palin supported the surge. She was right. Biden was wrong.
Alaska deals with Russia, Japan and Canada... check a map, if you have one.
What's the closest international border to Delaware?
When they meet (maybe for the first time) at the VP debates, I'm sure that after the debates are over, she and Biden will chat a little...
Biden could ask her things like "Is it scary living so close to the Russians?" and "What's it like being a Governor and being held accountable for your decisions?"
And there are things that Biden could teach her too...
For example, Palin could say "oh, so THAT'S what hair plugs look like, I've never known anyone that felt it was important to get them"
Wonder what Clinton's foreign policy experience was as Gov of Arkansas?
Of course, we already know about Obama's vast experience and long list of accomplishments (e.g. running for President)
Originally posted by treetalkPerhaps you have been completely ignorant of Palins foreign experience. Let me enlighten you:
And Palin's experience is?
Spin away, little boy, spin away.
If "osmosis" is indeed the case then is not Illinois much closer to Canada, then alaska is to russia 😲
Originally posted by weirdboy120Of course, Alaska is even closer to Canada than Illinois is.
Perhaps you have been completely ignorant of Palins foreign experience. Let me enlighten you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikVFN6R7Wug
If "osmosis" is indeed the case then is not Illinois much closer to Canada, then alaska is to russia 😲
Alaska is, like, zero miles away from Canada.
Originally posted by TheBloopIf the "surge" was such a fabulous success, how come we still can't leave?
All the "experience" in the world isn't worth anything if you're wrong.
Biden was wrong about the surge, so what good did all those years on his little committee do? He didn't get it. Palin supported the surge. She was right. Biden was wrong.
Alaska deals with Russia, Japan and Canada... check a map, if you have one.
What's the closest intern ...[text shortened]... vast experience and long list of accomplishments (e.g. running for President)
Originally posted by TheBloopCan you name ONE THING that Palin has done to "deal" with Russia?
All the "experience" in the world isn't worth anything if you're wrong.
Biden was wrong about the surge, so what good did all those years on his little committee do? He didn't get it. Palin supported the surge. She was right. Biden was wrong.
Alaska deals with Russia, Japan and Canada... check a map, if you have one.
What's the closest intern ...[text shortened]... vast experience and long list of accomplishments (e.g. running for President)
Originally posted by zeeblebotDon't be so hard on Biden. After all, he has more experience than Obama.
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/09/03/foreign_policy_experience
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Foreign Policy "Experience"
by Thomas Sowell
Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of exp ...[text shortened]... perience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.
...
Thomas Sowell would then fall victim to his own argument. What makes him an expert on anything since, for the vast majority of his career, all he has done is educate (i.e. observe, report and instruct based on his observation). Particularly in the field of foreign policy, he has no expertise. Consequently, how can he say what does and does not constitue valuable experience?
Personally, I disagree with his premise. I say that being on a committee that conducts votes and directs discourse is quite valuable experience.
Originally posted by zeeblebotThe Foreign Relations Committee is responsible for more than observing foreign policy. It is responsible for gathering information on world affairs, understanding foreign policy matters, and revising and submitting proposed legislation to the senate, and also has an "advise and consent" role with regards to treaties and nominations to diplomatic positions. To a substantial degree this committee shapes foreign policy, since it vets proposed legislation, treaties and nominations. I'd prefer a candidate with a broad and thorough understanding of foreign affairs to one who merely had experience in administering foreign policy but not shaping it. In fact, I'm not sure why administering foreign policy is important at all, unless you think it is the only way to really understand foreign affairs. But I would need to see an argument in support of this claim, and I doubt Sowell has one to hand.
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/09/03/foreign_policy_experience
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Foreign Policy "Experience"
by Thomas Sowell
Now that the Democrats have recovered from the shock of Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican's candidate for vice president, they have suddenly discovered that her lack of exp perience or expertise about crime unless you have been a criminal or a policeman.
...
Originally posted by no1marauderThe surge was a success because before it we were losing and Iraq was on a downward spiral toward civil war. Now, because of the change in strategy called "the surge", violence has plummeted, and we have been able to withdraw US troops from 13 of the 18 Iraqi provinces, even including AQ's former stronghold of Anbar.
If the "surge" was such a fabulous success, how come we still can't leave?
We have not left because there is still sporadic violence and we don't want to jeopardize the gains that have been made by leaving before the Iraqis are ready. Even so, plans of further hand overs of provinces continue, as well as time lines for troop withdrawal.
This is indeed a success story. Can you really not see that? Or are you just bummed that the only Democrat who can claim any credit for it is Joe Lieberman?