SocraticGadfly: Why does a Coast Guard commander visit more than 40 countries?

August 27, 2008

Why does a Coast Guard commander visit more than 40 countries?

I heard a radio interview on NPR this afternoon with the commander of the Coast Guard cutter Dallas, bringing relief supplies to Georgia. The ship’s commander said he had been to more than 40 different countries while on duty during his career.

Excuse me?

The Coast Guard, except when militarized during war, is supposed to watch OUR coast. I can understand CG vessels visiting an internationalized area such as Antarctica, but that’s it.

The CG is not supposed to be a junior U.S. Navy.

And, given that the Dallas commander had a career of more than 20 years, this all was happening during the Clinton Administration as well as Bush II.

And yes, per NPR, I don’t blame Russia for criticizing the U.S. for sending humanitarian aid to a war zone on military ships. Can you totally blame Russia for suspecting we’re shipping arms there, too?

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