Rubbing salt in old, Russian wounds
Is this part of the “reset” of U.S. relations with Russia? The president made what Reuters is calling a “pointed quip” about the sale of Alaska to the United States by Russia.
Unfortunately, the Russians weren’t, and still aren’t, happy with the deal they gave us back in 1867.
Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama made a pointed quip Tuesday about Russia’s sale of Alaska to the United States in the 19th century.
Referring to the long history of Russia-U.S. trade stretching back more than two centuries, Obama told an audience of business people in Moscow:
“Along the way, you gave us a pretty good deal on Alaska. Thank you.”
Czar Alexander II’s sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million in gold, around 1.9 cents per acre, was regarded by Russians as a national disgrace — particularly once it became clear that the province was rich in oil.
Moscow was short of cash at the time.
The president seems to have a knack for offending people while he’s trying to be cool and funny. Note to Obama: A joke like this only works when the audience thinks its funny.
