Grrr

This is a POLITICAL post. If you dislike POLITICS, you should NOT READ THIS POST I have put a cut line here so you can AVOID READING IT. Have fun!

Sarah Palin on geopolitics:

It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia — as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where do they go?

It’s Alaska, It’s right over the border. It is from Alaska, that we send those out to make sure an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

Note to Palin, the Republicans, and interested parties: Russia is a VERY LARGE COUNTRY. In fact, it’s the biggest one! No, really! Much like Alaska is the biggest state. So you can be proud of that. Go Alaska! But Russia is big, too.

This is a picture of Moscow:

Moscow is the largest city in Russia. It’s the hub of Russia. Economically, politically, all that. It’s their capitol! 

Moscow is 4,351 miles away from Anchorage, Alaska. You could almost say it was on the other side of the world. And it is!  It looks a LOT farther on a globe,  but like Anchorage, Moscow is close to the top of the world (which is spherical) so you can fly over the top and take a short cut. By the way, Stockholm, Sweden is closer! It’s only 4,087 miles away from Anchorage. And Anchorage is only 3,161 miles from Austin! I could hop in my car and drive there. Eventually.

But… Russia is a really big place. And Ms. Palin is correct – there’s a part of Russia that is in fact right there, next to Alaska. 

It’s called the Chukchi Peninsula. It’s the verrrry tip of Siberia.

It’s kinda desolate.

As a further guideline: people you will see in Moscow:

People you will see on the Chukchi Peninsula:

Hopefully this helps everyone on the Republican campaign trail, and the media, the next time discussions of the Alaska-Soviet, er Alaska-Russian border come up. Because, honestly? It’s kind of embarassing when a random game designer knows more about geography than our political leaders and media figures. Please fix. Thank you.