[Tax] dollars go to projects that have little or nothing to do with the public good — things like fruit fly research in Paris, France. I kid you not. - Sarah Palin

While we recognize the occurrence of these natural, cyclical environmental trends, we can't say with assurance that man's activities cause weather changes. We can say, however, that any potential benefits of proposed emissions reduction policies are far outweighed by their economic costs.

Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?<p>Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.<p>Couric: What, specifically?<p>Palin: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.<p>Couric: Can you name a few?<p>Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, "Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?" Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

Charlie Gibson: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?<p>Sarah Palin: They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.