Sunday digest

- Respected Senator Chuck Hegel (NB-R) says it's time to pull out of Iraq and leave the likes of Moqtada al-Sadr, the Ba'athists and other interests to deal with it. I don't think that can happen right now despite the efforts of leaders like Mahmoud Abbas to calm the hostilities in the region. Syria, Iran and yes, Pakistan need to be brought to heel, and only overwhelming American pressure can do that. Meanwhile, one of the most clear-eyed observers of the Middle East, Caroline Glick, weighs in here.

- It would be a good thing if the European political class stopped gloating about the results of the US congressional elections for a moment to turn their attention eastward in Bad Vlad's direction, but I'm not holding my breath. The burden of proof lies with Moscow.

- Some statistics here which destroy the conventional wisdom that poor blacks are over-represented in the American military.

- This article by Steyn sums up his recent book "America Alone" in basically two words: we're screwed.

- An American political refugee to Canada dissects the notion that our Prime Minister is a mini-Bush, here.

- Did you know that this year's edition of "Buy Nothing Day" took place over a 24-hour period this weekend? I didn't, but remembering that I went to Walmart yesterday and picked up a $1.88 bag of Zesty Cheese Doritos alongside a new filter for my humidifier before stopping at the in-house McDonald's for lunch tickles me just pink.