This is making the rounds on the right winger boards about Palin and security clearance

[ORDagnabbit]

Subject: SARAH PALIN'S SECURITY CLEARANCE
Before you dismiss the fact that Sarah Palin is Commander of the Alaska National Guard consider this.
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. It'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 and certainly by far exceeds Obama'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.

She can be entrusted with our national security, because she already is.

[davepc]

1. bullshit. NORAD and SAC do not call the Govenor of Alaska.

[magellan]

She's been governor for less than 2 years

And the titles come with the job. Big deal.

[EFerrari]

2. There was a post about what a trainwreck the Alaska SDF is. Link:

The term used was "crisis" iirc.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6927455

[sui generis]

3. I feel so safe with the Alaska National Guard between us and

Them pinko commie russians who keep trying to invade us and march troops down from alaska.

do these people have brains or just moose fur between their ears?

[Tesha]

12. Hint: It's not the moose's *FUR* between their ears... (NT)

[annabanana]

4. If she's so damn good, how did all those German tourists surprise

the good folks of Barrow with an unannounced "invasion"?

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20080820_There_s_more_coast_to_guard_in_Alaska.html

[fed_up_mother]

5. ROFLMAO

How many lies can one fit in four paragraphs?

[grasswire]

6. I saw something about this on MSNBC

The talking heads (I don't remember who it was now) said that she had received additional intel or military briefings about Russia because of its proximity. Nothing was said about security clearance, though.

The rebuttal to this, of course, is the incident this year where a German tour ship arrived in Alaska and spilled its passengers on streets without any Alaska authorities knowing that the ship had come via the Bering Strait and landed.

Edit: I see that someone upthread has posted the link.

[EC]

7. No she doesn't have the clearance

that's already been pointed out. She's basically an accessory to the guard, the commander of the base is in charge, not her...

[MadrasT]

8. Nope. Not buying. I'm calling "bullshit" on this one. n/t

"Used to keeping secrets." No doubt. But the secrets I think she's used to keeping are NOT matters of national security, by any stretch of the imagination.

[PVnRT]

9. I have security clearance at a chemical weapon storage facility. Am I qualified too?

[Newshues]

10. um, why does "whole cloth" come to mind? n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Partially true. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion is maning a base that has 11 silo missles.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=2483

"The unit is a cross-section of America, at one time representing 46 states and territories, and all its members applied for three-year, Active Guard and Reserve assignments with the program, Miley explained."

The article is from Dec. 2006.

However, governors are not CIC of National Guard units.

http://www.buffalogeek.wnymedia.net/2008/09/02/palin-and-the-alaskan-national-guard/

National Guard units are administratively managed by the Department of Defense. The Governor must give consent when the units stationed in their states are called to active duty or to quell invasion or otherwise made part of the National Guard of The United States. It is a matter of course that Governors simply rubber stamp such requests from the DoD.

Operationally, the Governor can activate the Guard unit only after that governor has declared a state of emergency.

So, unless she declared a state of emergency in Alaska during her time in office, Governor Plain had no role whatsoever in equipping or commanding the Alaska National Guard or Alaska Air National Guard.

[VOX]

13. After careful reflection, I can only conclude that Palin is GOD.

She's a hockey mom who's also "briefed on highly classified military issues," and then there's the real deal-closer: "Given Alaska's proximity to Russia, she may have security clearances we don't even know about." She's an end-times believer who believes Alaska will be a refuge state after Armageddon. She has kids, kinds, and more kids, all with cute little oddball names. She is personally going to head-butt the glass ceiling.

I also have it on good authority that she walks on water. What else could anybody want in a vice-presidential candidate? The right-wing media keeps blaring away about how she's perfect, funny, caring and feels that a higher power called her into service.

With all these qualities, and with many more sparkling facets of her personality just waiting to be exposed, I can only conclude that God walks among us in the guise of Sarah Palin. Peace be unto Her. :puke: