Friday digest

- I was really impressed last night with the report on Bob Geldof's "Make Poverty History" campaign on CBC's The National. One year later, he's still talking about the need for Third World debt relief, but he's also talking about governance issues like the rule of law, private property, and free trade. So many people on the bumper sticker left tend to use the guilt-trip approach and totally ignore the vital role that market economics can play in helping Africa get out of poverty. Good for Geldof for not getting sucked in by the anti-globalization rhetoric.

- A scathing report here on how the Greatest Canadian advocated the forced sterilization of the mentally handicapped. Not that I actually watched the puff piece on him, especially after it was revealed Dipper activists stuffed the ballot boxes by voting multiple times, but for some reason, I'm pretty sure that Douglas' MA thesis where he went on at length about these ideas was conveniently ignored by his pals in Toronto.

- Loony left play of the day today comes to us from former presidential nominee George McGovern (D) who is teaming up with convicted felon Svend Robinson and the former Mr. Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, to address a draft dodger reunion full of American ex-pats in British Columbia this weekend.

Reports are stating that the entertainment will be provided by Buffy Ste. Marie. No word on whether or not she'll open the proceedings with a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner".