Thursday digest

- Note to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: like Ernie Eves, Joe Clark and Kim Campbell before you, your Liberal-lite Conformatory routine is failing to put you in to majority territory. Maybe it's time to start acting like a right winger to differentiate yourself from the alternative.

- Eco-vandalism has taken root in DC.

- Here's a study which suggests that if you eliminate non-citizens, those who choose not to purchase health insurance and those who qualify for government health insurance but haven't applied, the number of uninsured Americans is far lower than the 45 to 47 million figure which is often claimed.

- Speaking of which, the City of Ottawa has decided to stop subsidizing crack addicts. Usually, I would totally applaud this decision, but under Canada's no-fault public health care system, it will probably end up costing taxpayers money in the long run because in the Great White North, individuals aren't held accountable for behaviour-driven costs but are instead expected to contribute to its financing based on only one variable: personal income. Take a look at this lengthy yet vital contextual piece for more.

- Ed Koch says he's done with Iraq.

- Valerie Plame, your fifteen minutes of fame are officially up.

- The Washington Post agrees: it's time to target northwestern Pakistan.

- Everyone interested or concerned with Third World poverty will enjoy this piece from The Economist.

- Other items a little less serious here and here.