Posted on 04/18/2014 6:41:03 AM PDT by McGruff
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday jokingly implied that Alaska wasn't worth reunifying with Russia because it was too cold.
At a nearly four-hour, question-and-answer event, one submitted question for Putin asked if, following the annexation of Crimea, he had designs for the largest of the United States.
“Are there any plans to annex Alaska to Russia? We would be very happy [about that],” said Faina Ivanovna, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“What would you need Alaska for?” Putin said with a smile.
“We are a northern country … 70 percent of our territory is in the north and far north. You think Alaska is in the Southern Hemisphere? It’s quite cold there, too,” Putin said. “Let’s not be overly enthusiastic about it because if we have our people there, we will have to pay extra to our employees there because they live in the north.”
Putin remarked that Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million in gold, which he said wasn’t that expensive.
A petition on the White House website calls for Alaska to secede from the U.S. and rejoin Russia. Since it was created in late March, nearly 42,500 people have signed it.
In the 19th century, some in the U.S. criticized Secretary of State William Seward's purchase of Alaska, calling it “Seward’s folly.”
Thirty years later, however, a gold rush hit Alaska and it was seen as a valuable addition to the U.S. The sale has since been a sore spot for Russians.
Let’s face it.
In a FR popularity contest with Caliph Baraq, Putin wins huge!
He could annex Minnesota, but we’re already too far communist for his liking.
Putin does have fear. He just doesn't have any for Obama. Nor does he have any for a nation stupid enough to elect this man. Twice.
Man could Russia pillage Alaska. They don’t care about native problems, caribou migrations or the environment.
There is more to patriotism, than just tax rates.
Just saying.
Not unless he pays for the relocation of all Cali Freepers to the place of their choice and the relocation of Free Republic hardware along with any upgrades that John deems necessary. ;-)
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