I have lived in the Philippines and travelled to Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, France, and Jordan. My list of proximal nations is even larger. And, were you to include the nationality of the airlines I've flown on, or the makes of cars I've ridden in, or the types of foods I've eaten, the list would be significantly more absurd than that which I've enumerated above. But, I believe a very significant aspect of the debate on Sarah Palin's experience (or, lack thereof) is being left choking in the dust generated by list upon list of achievements those with a rational understanding of the situation are piling upon the distended stomach of the McCain campaign's claim that proximity is tantamount to experience. Anyone seeking the Presidency of the United States (and do not be misled, a Vice Presidential candidate is, by definition, seeking the Presidency) who has expressed in absolute and unequivocal terms no interest in, or opinions on, the great matters of the day that are impacting the nation would represent a clear and present danger should that individual obtain said office.
Sarah Palin has been Governor of Alaska for almost two years, which is about twice as long as she has held a passport. Since obtaining a passport (her first), she has claimed to not know enough about the conflict in Iraq to articulate an opinion about it. Though she has now modified her comments to fall squarely in-line with the McCain campaign's message, the fact that she was unable to express any opinion approximately three months prior to her unveiling as McCain's running mate should give one pause.
All three members of the Alaskan Congressional delegation are embroiled, to varying degrees, in ongoing scandals and corruption charges. These charges, and their associated criminal investigations and trials, have a direct impact upon the futures of both Alaska and the greater Union, and yet Palin, the self-described reformer, is conspicuously silent on the question of whether she continues unabated in her support of her home state's Senators and Congressperson.
These two examples are merely the lowest of the low-hanging fruit describing Palin's unfitness for the office of Vice President. Her self-professed ignorance and self-imposed silence make her more than unqualified for the position she seeks. They make her, arguably, the gravest threat America faces.