Monday digest

- During the Leafs-Penguins game on Saturday night from the Igloo in Pittsburgh, they played some great tunes during stoppages in play, including Donnie Iris' "Ah Leah", Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks", the Scorpions' "No One Like You", the Red Hot Chili Peppers' version of "Higher Ground", and Motorhead's "Ace of Spades".

I need to get myself a gig spinning tunes at sporting events.

- So now, Iran is barring international inspections of its nuclear facilities, however, post-Iraq, there are going to be some who tragically are going to demand nothing less than a second holocaust as proof of their existence before any meaningful action is taken. Meanwhile, a lot of controversy about the "Islamists nuke LA" storyline on 24 last week. Take a look at stories like this - I don't think it's that far-fetched a possibility, personally.

- Great article here by VDH on the impact a pullout of Iraq would have on the Democrats. Hawks like myself can take heart that the front-runner in the primary race for that party, Hillary Clinton, is much closer to individuals like this than she is to some of the radicals that have dominated her party in recent years.

- Hitchens comments on Steyn, here.

- More statistical sleight of hand has been used to push a feminist social agenda and bought wholesale and without criticism by most of the mainstream media.

- Why is everyone making a big deal over the fact that Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are the first two black coaches to face each other in the Super Bowl? Is it because we are to be surprised that African-Americans can reach the top of their profession or something, especially without help from white do-gooders? The more I hear about it, the more I'm reminded of the phrase "the soft bigotry of low expectations". These men should be applauded for reaching the pinnacle of their sport and the commentary should end there because talking about their skin colour condescends, patronizes and diminishes their accomplishments as individuals.

- Some scientists seem a little unsure of themselves on issue of global warming. This issue isn't settled by any means.

- I've said it before and I'll say it again: raising the minimum wage harms more than it helps.

- Finally, I am still having a hard time getting my head around the fact that Canadians have to rely on a New Democrat from Saskatchewan to call out the former policy chief of the Reform party and current Prime Minister on his naked determination to curry favour in Quebec by buying votes and screwing over everyone who, for the last fifteen years, thought his commitment to the concept of ten equal provinces - rather than special status for one - was unwavering.