Headlines, 9-25-08

"Obama calls on McCain to keep Friday Debate Date," LA Times.

Either McCain has the worst campaign manager ever or he is afraid to debate Barack Obama or he truly wants to lose the election. Or, all of the above.

"NYPD investigates two officers in Taser death of naked Brooklyn man," Daily News.

The NYPD lieutenant who ordered the second officer to Taser Inman Morelas was stripped of his badge and gun and assigned to desk duty. Yet another example of persistant problems with NYPD officers' aggression towards minorities.

"Energy Drinks can cause caffine intoxication," LA Times.

Lay off the caffine. From the LA Times, "Caffeine intoxication is a recognized clinical syndrome. It is described as nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, tremors, rapid heartbeat, restlessness and pacing. In rare cases, caffeine intoxication can cause death."

"Judge Orders Mistrial in P2P Piracy Case," PCMag.com.

From PCMAg.com, "Jammie Thomas, who was ordered to pay $222,000 to a group of music labels for allegedly pirating songs using the Kazaa peer-to-peer service, has been granted a new trial...The key word and definition was 'distribution,' which both the labels and Thomas' lawyers disputed. Both sides agreed that the only copying of files in the case was by MediaSentry, a firm hired by the labels to seek out pirates. The lawyers for Thomas had argued that a copyright holder or its agent, MediaSentry, can not infringe its own copyright."

"Johnny Depp Signs on to bring back Captain Jack in 'Pirates 4,'" MTV.

Oh, please. Give it a rest. The man is 45 years old and his most famous role is a pirate with make-up and the movie is based off of a roller coaster. Time to move on.

Granite Head of Ramses II Found

Today, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities announced the finding of a gigantic granite head of Pharaoh Ramses II. Ramses II, "or Ramses the Great, came to power at the age of 25. He is most renowned for building great monuments and warring with the Hittites for 16 years. He had 100 sons and eight 'principle wives.' He may have been the pharaoh of the Exodus. He ruled for 67 years before dying when he was 92" (History Compendium). Check out the article below.

Egypt unearths granite head of Ramses II

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Egypt's antiquities council says that archaeologists have unearthed a 3,000-year-old red granite head believed to portray the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities says the discovery was made recently at Tell Basta, about 50 miles northeast of Cairo.

The council's statement Thursday says the 30-inch high head belonged to a colossal statue of Ramses II that once stood in the area. Its nose is broken and the beard that was once attached to the king's chin is missing.

The site at Tell Basta was dedicated to the cat-goddess Bastet and was an important center from the Old Kingdom until the end of the Roman Period. Archeologists are still digging on the location for the rest of the statue.

New President of South Africa

Taken from the Associated Press:

Anti-apartheid activist elected South Africa president

By CLARE NULLIS, Associated Press Writer

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - An anti-apartheid activist was elected South Africa's president on Thursday, assuming what many believe will be a brief caretaker role after Thabo Mbeki was ousted in a power struggle within the ruling party.

South Africa's Parliament, which elects the president from among its members and is dominated by the African National Congress, elected Kgalema Motlanthe with 269 votes to 50 for the main opposition party's nominee.

Jacob Zuma, whose allies engineered Mbeki's ouster, watched from the public gallery. Zuma was not eligible for the presidency because he is not a member of parliament.

Motlanthe is expected to step aside after elections next year, when Zuma was expected to become president.

When the vote results were announced, members of Parliament rose to cheer, and Motlanthe gave a two-thumbs up salute to the gallery. He was sworn in shortly afterward at the presidential office in the Parliament complex.

Later he briefly address the house in measured tones that reflected his reputation as a cool, no-nonsense politician.

"I am deeply humbled and honored by the faith and confidence that the members of this assembly have in me," he said. Motlanthe stood, rocking slightly, as he recited the oath of office, pledging to "do justice to all."

The festive mood at Thursday's parliament session and swearing-in ceremony was in marked contrast to the tumultuous week in South African politics. ANC lawmakers sang anti-apartheid anthems and cheered when Motlanthe cast his vote.

Mbeki did not attend the National Assembly session and Cabinet ministers who have said they were leaving with him also were absent. Among them were the former deputy president, defense minister, intelligence and prisons ministers.

Other members of Mbeki's team have said they would be willing to serve in the next administration.

On Saturday, the ANC ordered Mbeki to quit. Urged on by Zuma's leftist allies, it acted after a judge threw out a corruption case against Zuma on technical grounds and said Zuma may have been a victim of Mbeki's political machinations.

The ANC struggled to reassure South Africa and the world there was no reason to fear instability in Africa's economic and diplomatic powerhouse.

But the situation is fragile, as was clear Tuesday when Mbeki's office announced that 13 ministers and three deputies had resigned from the 28-member Cabinet, among them the highly respected finance minister, Trevor Manuel.

South Africa's stocks and currency reeled. Only later did it become clear that six of those who resigned, including Manuel, had already told the ANC they were willing to serve in a new government. Manuel was expected to be named to a new Cabinet later Thursday.

Zuma is seen as owing his rise to support from labor, the South African Communist Party, and the ANC's increasingly impatient youth wing. But Zuma has said repeatedly he does not plan a major departure from the free market policies of Mbeki and Manuel. South Africa enjoyed unprecedented growth during Mbeki's nine-year tenure, but critics say he did too little to ensure the new wealth trickled down to the black majority.

For all the uncertainty of recent days, some South Africans say the smooth transition was a mark of the maturity of their democracy 14 years after the end of apartheid.

Muzi Sikhakhane, a Johannesburg attorney who was visiting Cape Town and among a handful of people who gathered outside parliament Thursday, said South Africans would "emerge from this stronger."

But he added: "I hope that the new leaders are not just fighting for positions, that they are fighting in order to make our lives better."

South Africans have been anticipating a shift from Mbeki to Zuma at least since December, when Zuma defeated the president in a party election for the ANC's leadership.

Tony Leon, a leading member of the opposition Democratic Alliance, called the ANC ouster of Mbeki in December "brutal, but democratic," and found reason for hope in the events following it that culminated with Thursday's election.

"South Africa's current uncertainty could, over time, lead to far less predictable and far more democratic political outcomes, not immediately, but certainly over time," Leon said in a speech to university students in Cape Town Thursday.

Steve Matomane, an 18-year-old student who also was in the crowd outside Parliament, criticized the way Mbeki was ousted. But he said he did not expect much change in the way his country would be governed.

"As South Africans we don't have to panic," he said. "I think Mr. Zuma will do a wonderful job because he was selected by the ANC and they believe in his ability, his capability."

About 40 people demonstrated in support of Mbeki outside Parliament Thursday. Mzoxolo Sume, a 42-year-old security guard, stood with a sign saying he believed Mbeki had been the victim of a "coup."

"I don't think this is in the interest in the nation," Sume said. "It's about the infighting within the ANC."

Ahmadinejad Speech and Press Conference

Here is Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech to the General Assembly at the United Nations as well as the subsequent press conference.

United Nations address:


Press Conference:

What's Up With the Bailout?

Who knows? I've been reading almost every article I've come across and things are still a little fuzzy:

What's going on in Congress? On Monday, there was a tangible fear that a Congress pressured by Bush, Cheney, Treasury Secretary Henry "Hank" Paulson, Fed Chief Ben Bernanke, and SEC Chairman Christopher Cox would hurry up and pass a bill without holding hearings or bothering to think about granting broad new powers to the Treasury Department and expanding next year's deficit to $1 trillion. Newt Gingrich complained that conservative voices were "silent or confused" because this fiscally irresponsible, socialist (We are basically nationalizing the financial industry here.) plan was proposed by Republican leadership.

On Tuesday, Congress woke up. Bernanke, Paulson, and Cox testified before the Senate Banking Committee. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) asked if $150 billion would be enough for now with a promise of more to come later if needed; Paulson said that would be a "grave mistake." However, compromises were made. Paulson agreed to assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure, limits on compensation for participating firms' executives, and congressional oversight of the program. He balked at the idea that the government should receive stock for helping these companies so the taxpayers could recoup their investment, saying that companies would be less likely to participate if this stipulation was made. (Never mind that that was part of the deal with the savings and loan scandal in the '80s.)

The consensus seems to be that Congress will pass a bill, just one significantly different from Paulson's original proposal.

What's happening on Wall Street?

It seems like nobody knows what's happening. On Friday, the Dow rose nearly 369 points on news that a bailout plan was being suggested. On Monday, it fell 372 points supposedly because investors had a weekend to examine the plan and did not like the lack of details. On Tuesday, it fell an additional 161 points supposedly because investors did not like the details Congress was considering. (Today, it remained relatively stable, losing only 29 points.)

How is it affecting the race for president? Hoo boy. A mere yesterday, both Obama and McCain trod softly, reluctant to make the first move. Neither had given any word about how the expensive deal would affect campaign promises. But it was clear that the bailout was becoming increasingly unpopular; by Monday night, 44% opposed the plan compared to 25% supporting. It was less clear, but the economic mess seemed to help Obama in the polls; a WaPo-ABC poll showed Obama with the first statistically significant lead in the general campaign. (Both campaigns found it hard to believe that Obama could gain 11 points on McCain in one week.)

Yesterday night, Obama said the bailout would likely delay implementing his campaign proposals as president.

And if they were reluctant to make the gambit 27 hours ago, the chess pieces are flying tonight. (Perhaps you'd prefer a poker metaphor?) First, McCain said he'd suspend his campaign tomorrow and fly back to Washington. He also asked that Friday's debate be postponed. The two campaigns agreed to issue a "joint statement outlining their shared principles," which turned out not to say much. But Obama said he'd still want to hold the debate:

With respect to the debates, it's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess. . . . In my mind, actually it's more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people.

Are these gimmicks? Probably. But the issue could fundamentally alter the presidential race.

Ahmadinejad on Larry King

This is the interview between Larry King and Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.



He may be the Iranian version of George Bush, however, he makes some valid points amid the rest. One example of this is the double standard of the US calling on the IAEA to do more investigations on Iran than in the history of the organization rather than allowing themselves to be monitored. While Ahmadinejad may not be the best at promoting positive relations between Iran and Israel to say the least, he makes a point that the US avoids which is the plight of the Palestinean people.

While there are some valid points made, Ahmadinejad doesn't disappoint American audiences. His comments regarding Iran's own human rights issues and homosexuality are still as concerning as ever.

So, what's the answer?

Diplomacy. Diplomacy. Diplomacy.

Losing a Little More

Under Michigan state law, political parties are allowed to post election challengers at polling sites to prevent voter fraud. James Carabelli, chairman of the Macomb County Republicans, might be taking the law a bit too far.

About two weeks ago, the Michigan Messenger, an arm of the Center for Independent Media, reported that Carabelli planned on dispersing lists of foreclosed homes to the election challengers to "make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." Now Carabelli claims he never said it and is suing Michigan Messenger for libel. Right...

Meanwhile, the Obama campaign and DNC filed suit against the Michigan GOP for the plan, citing in particular a state law allowing people to vote if they've lost their homes within 60 days of the election.

Obviously, voter fraud is not the primary concern of either party, but the fact that the Republican Party would discount a legitimate vote is sleazy, if not particularly surprising.

For more.

Save Troy Davis!

In 1991, Troy Davis was convicted of murdering police officer Mark Allen MacPhail and is scheduled to be executed on September 23. However, serious doubts regarding his guilt remain. There was no physical evidence; the weapon was never recovered. The case rested entirely on eyewitness accounts. All but two of the witnesses have since recanted their testimony, some of whom say they were coerced by police. And one of the two witnesses who have not changed their story is the best alternate suspect.

Last year, the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles gave Davis a 90-day stay of execution, saying they would "not allow an execution to proceed in this State unless and until its members are convinced that there is no doubt as to the guilt of the accused." But last Friday, in spite of the above issues, the Board denied Davis clemency.

The Board can still reverse its decision. Take action! You can also find out more information here.

Lies and Blinking

"This is the narcissism of partisan. You get furiously outraged at the other campaign's lies, and you love your own. Nonetheless, I do think it is fair to say that the McCain campaign has been more egregious than the Obama campaign." --David Brooks

John McCain is drawing criticism for claims he's making about Barack Obama, even from the normally welcoming ladies on The View:

In one of the two ads to which Joy Behar is referring, McCain accuses Obama of sexism for saying, "You can put lipstick on a pig; it's still a pig." But Obama wasn't insulting Sarah Palin; he was referring to the McCain-Palin ticket's attempt to portray themselves as agents of change. And compare Obama's comment to Palin's "What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick," and McCain's saying the same thing about Hillary Clinton's health care plan during the primaries.

The other ad accuses Obama of perversely wanting to teach comprehensive sex ed to kindergartners, when he really supports teaching what constitutes inappropriate behavior from adults.

And while speaking in Missouri last week, McCain said that Obama's health care plan would "force small businesses to cut jobs and reduce wages and force families into a government-run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor." Even though Obama's plan drew criticisms in the Democratic primaries for not forcing all Americans into a government-run system. Said Jonathan Oberlander, a professor of health policy at UNC-Chapel Hill, "I would say this is an inaccurate and false characterization of the Obama plan. I don’t use those words lightly.”

"We must do whatever it takes, and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions of where we go and even who we target." --Sarah Palin

On the New York Times' most-emailed list lie at least three editorials criticizing Sarah Palin's naïveté. And why not? Her ignorance is shocking even if you're not an Eastern media elite. (Side note:

Perhaps Mitt Romney thinks he's a reporter for the Daily Show?)

Palin argued that Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her better insight into Russian affairs. Can you "[i]magine the derisive laughter in conservative circles if the Democrats had tried such nonsense"?

She was completely ignorant of the Bush Doctrine. Talking heads later argued that most Americans couldn't explain the Bush Doctrine, but how many of them are running for vice president? Others have argued that several policies could be labeled that way, but Palin seems completely unaware that the label exists at all.

She claimed that our soldiers in Iraq are fighting "the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans." In short, Sarah Palin's ignorance is frightening, reflects poorly on McCain, and is oddly reminiscent of Bush circa 2000.

It is also nicely satirized by Tina Fey:

Palin Problems

Personally, I think Sarah Palin is a terrible choice for McCain's running mate. But the general public seems to disagree. Palin embodies the conservative myth of small-town America. And McCain is now leading among white women 52% to Obama's 41%, when they were basically tied a month ago. (Some of this is probably attributed to a post-convention bounce, so don't worry too much, but worry a little.) And she's received 10% more press attention than Obama last week, and nine times more than Biden. (Who's the real celebrity?) So, for all of you enamored by the Palin story/myth, here are the facts.

THE TOP TEN REASONS TO DISLIKE SARAH PALIN:

10. She may have odd political affiliations. Her husband Todd was a registered member of the Alaskan Independence Party from 1995 to 2002. The AIP advocates greater state sovereignty for Alaska, and some members, including its founder Joe Vogler, have advocated secession. (Rumors have circulated that she supported Pat Buchanan in 1996 and 2000. These appear to be untrue.)
9. She taxes your oil. Sarah Palin is the most popular governor in the U.S. Perhaps because Alaska makes 89% of its revenue on four different taxes on oil. Enough for every Alaskan to get a $3200 check from the state government last year.
8. She was for the "Bridge to Nowhere" before she was against it. Thanks, then no thanks. When running for governor, she was asked if she supported the bridge. She answered, "Yes...The window is now — while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.” Congress stripped the appropriations bill of language saying the $233 million had to be used for the bridge, so Alaska still received the money.
7. She supports shooting wolves from helicopters. I'm not making this up. She even offered a $150 bounty per wolf.
6. She charges the state more than a "crusader for fiscal rectitude" should. Governor Palin received per diem allowances, intended to cover travel costs, when she stayed at home, which is perfectly legal if not exactly in accordance with her principles.
5. She supports teaching creationism in public schools. Of the three candidates running for governor of Alaska in 2006, she was the only one to support it.
4. She believes humans are not responsible for climate change. She even sued the Bush Administration for listing the polar bear as an endangered species because it would hamper drilling for oil and gas in Alaska.
3. She is inexperienced, making her an especially odd choice for McCain, seeing how his best attack against Obama was Obama's inexperience. (For those keeping score, Obama has spent four years in the Senate, and Palin has been Alaska's governor for two.) And it's telling that she thinks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are taxpayer-funded, especially when they hold 80% of the country's mortgages and are being bailed out by the Treasury Department.
2. She tried to ban books from the Wasilla library. She asked the librarian how one would ban books from the library, particularly Go Ask Alice (about drug use) and Pastor, I Am Gay. When the librarian refused to answer the question, she was fired then reinstated after a public outcry.
1. She does not support abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.

Veiled Racism abord the "Straighttalk" Express

New York Governor David Paterson today gave a statement at a business conference in which he states that the McCain campaign is using the term "community organizer" as a shield for their veiled racism against Barack Obama.

As stated by Governor Paterson, "I think the Republican Party is too smart to call Barack Obama 'black' in a sense that it would be a negative. But you can take something about his life, which I noticed they did at the Republican Convention – a 'community organizer.' They kept saying it, they kept laughing."

For the video, please see below.



Matt Damon gave an interview with the Associated Press that also critiques the McCain/Palin campaign. He compared it to a "really bad Disney movie" and stated that "...this [McCain/Palin campaign] is absurd...I want to know if she really thinks dinosaurs were around 4,000 years ago...because she will have the nuclear codes...I want to know if she banned books or tried to ban books because we can't have this."

First Pictures of Okapi in 50 Years

Today the Agence France-Presse reported that a British zoological team captured the first pictures of Okapi, an African animal whose closest relative is the giraffe, in the wild in over 50 years, proving that the animal did not go extinct as was previously believed. The elusive animals were photographed using camera traps in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For more, please read the article below.

British team capture first pictures of

Africa's 'unicorn'

LONDON (AFP) - The okapi, an African animal so elusive that it was once believed to be a mythical unicorn, has been photographed in the wild for the first time, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said Thursday.

Camera traps set by the ZSL and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) captured pictures of the okapi in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The pictures have dispelled fears that the species had died out in more than a decade of civil war.

Dr Noelle Kumpel, ZSL's Bushmeat and Forests Conservation Programme Manager, said: "To have captured the first-ever photographs of such a charismatic creature is amazing, and particularly special for ZSL given that the species was originally described here over a century ago.

"Okapi are very shy and rare animals, which is why conventional surveys only tend to record droppings and other signs of their presence."

The okapi, which have a black, giraffe-like tongue and zebra-like stripes on their behind, were last spotted in the Virunga National Park nearly 50 years ago on the west bank of the Semliki River.

The new ZSL survey revealed a previously unknown okapi population on the east side of the river.

Thierry Lusenge, a member of ZSL's Democratic Republic of Congo survey team, said: "The photographs clearly show the stripes on their rear, which act like unique fingerprints.

"We have already identified three individuals, and further survey work will enable us to estimate population numbers and distribution in and around the park, which is a critical first step in targeting conservation efforts."

The exact status of the okapi is unknown as civil conflict and poor infrastructure makes access to the forests of DRC difficult.

But ZSL warned that even the newly-discovered okapi population was under threat from poachers.

Okapi meat, reportedly from the Virunga park, is now on sale in the nearby town of Beni and ZSL warned that if hunting continues at the current rate, okapi could become extinct in the park within a few years.

Head of State Update

Meet the new president of Pakistan: Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's widower, was sworn in earlier today. Zardari had been elected on Saturday, receiving 481 of 702 votes cast by an amalgamation of the national Parliament and four regional assemblies. Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, a former judge who had the backing of Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N, and Mushahid Hussain Sayed of ex-President Pervez Musharraf's PML-Q also ran.

Afghan-Pakistani relations were at the forefront of the ceremonies today, with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in attendance. Zardari and Karzai held a joint press conference with Zardari pledging to continue Pakistan's cooperation with the United States' "war on terror." Although this will be difficult as Pakistan's intelligence service, the ISI, has been accused of assisting with attacks in Afghanistan, and the war is unpopular among Pakistanis, who see it as fanning extremism.

Also, Sharif recently pulled out of the coalition in Parliament that was united in opposition to Musharraf before he resigned. And Pakistan is facing an economic slump worsened by inflation.

Thailand Update: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled today that PM Samak Sundaravej violated the Thai Constitution by accepting payments to appear on the cooking show "Tasting and Complaining." Samak has been forced from office, yet his party is putting forth his name when Parliament selects a new PM Friday, making it possible for "Samak to succeed himself." Such is Thailand.

Beleageured Prime Minister Omnibus

Let's stop talking about what a particularly putrescent pick Palin (I like alliteration) was for a moment and discuss other (foreign) political leaders in trouble.

First up, Canada: Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally scheduled a parliamentary election for October 14, despite previously specifying a much later date (by about a year) and promising to end this sort of political manipulation. Harper is hoping to build a larger Conservative bloc in Parliament by capitalizing on his own popularity before opposition to the Canadians' commitment in Iraq and discontent with a sluggish economy grow.

Next, Israel: PM Ehud Olmert is scheduled to resign this month, as mentioned before. And now the Israeli police have formally recommended that Olmert be indicted for bribe-taking, breach of trust, and fraud. However, the recommendation has no real meaning, and it's up to AG Menachem Mazuz to actually file charges.

And no beleaguered prime minister omnibus would be complete without Thai PM Samak Sundaravej. Anti-government protesters have been camping on the grounds of Government House, the PM's residence, demanding Samak's resignation. Violence between the protesters and Samak's supporters flared five days ago, prompting Samak to declare a state of emergency and empowering the army to restore order in Bangkok. Then on Friday, in a move to defuse the situation, Samak announced that a referendum on whether Parliament should be dissolved would be held within the month, all the while steadfastly refusing to resign. Detractors are not impressed, saying a simple up-down vote cannot cover such a complex situation.

Okay, you may continue with our election now:

Attention Young People!

Attention young people! It's time to be inspired!

Indecision 2008 Liberal and Conservative Agendas

So with the election getting pretty intense, I think we could all use a little break from thinking about the candidates.

So, as courtesy of The Daily Show and Colbert Report, I have provided the Indecision 2008 Liberal and Conservative agendas. Enjoy.

Sarah Palin at the RNC

Last night at the Republican National Convention, Alaska governor Sarah Palin gave her acceptance speech for the GOP's Vice Presidential nomination. The full speech is as follows below:



While Sarah Palin's speech appeared well-received at the convention, the GOP seems to have quite the lesson to learn about honesty. They'll have to learn this lesson, especially since bringing in Palin and touting her as better than Washington politics. Below is an article from the Associated Press that fact-checked Palin and others' speeches last night. Enjoy.

Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention

By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 3, 11:48 PM ET

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.

Some examples:

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.

And now once again, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show weigh in on the RNC with incredible insight. Enjoy the following clip.