Two visions of disaster...one man-made, and limited to the U.S., the other natural, which could strike anywhere on Earth. I am inclined to believe that the natural disaster is more likely than the man-made one, at least in this case.

Niall Ferguson also believes the U.S. could be faced with a sudden collapse of its global power due to our insatiable appetite for spending more than we take in. His view is more plausible, and worrisome.

Ralph Peters has determined, after a closer examination of the leaked documents about the war in Afghanistan, that it is a disaster that will cost Afghan and American lives. I wish we would return to the notion that people who leak classified documents are traitors, and should, if convicted of their treason, be hanged.

Arthur Herman believes congressional hearings on the release of the Lockerbie bomber were cancelled because they could be damaging to President Obama. If the Republicans take control of Congress in January, expect those hearings to happen.