WAR CLOUDS OVER IRAN & SPRING IS SPRUNG

THE MOVE IS IRAN'S

     The best analysis comes down to this-Iran will be hit by

an Israeli strike unless it shows the world a sign that it has or 

will shut down its nuclear weapons program.

     As a counter to the almost universal attitude of an inevitable Israeli strike is the threat by the supreme leader,

Ayatolla Khamenei that a strike on Iran would be more damaging to the United States.  
     Iran calls the US freezing of Iran's assets "psychological warfare" as they have begun a series of war games.
     Clearly the situation is a tinderbox. Israelis have stepped up security and Jewish organizations in the US and elsewhere have been told to do likewise.  US Military and Intelligence warn that an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear program would prompt an Iranian missile retaliation.
     The statement today by Khamenei is deemed a serious escalation.  Until now western sources have tried to portray the Iranian regime as being rogue and even without support of Iranians.  Now that the holy man has spoken, it will make it tougher on those elements in Iran who have been identified
as reasonable or pro western. The power remains someplace between the megalomania of Ahmadinejad and the zealotry of the Ayatolla. 
     Tricky and critical at this time.

DAY BOOK

NATURAL RHYTHM

     Coastal California is getting some needed rain today.

Amounts vary, but any precipitation is welcomed. It may be 

drier than it should be, but spring has arrived.  After 5 years

on the Central Coast, this former mid-westerner is still amazed to see blooms in early February.  We used to wait till

late March or April.  

 This is also the time of year when controlled burns are permitted.

      A personal note.  Congrats to Indianapolis for the superb job of hosting the Super Bowl.  Many friends and former colleagues were involved in a myriad of functions.

I have enjoyed hearing their reports and was proud

of how it all looked and came together.

     See you down the trail.

STABILITY? AND CAT PLAYS

WHO IS DISSIN' WHOM

PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
As of this posting, American officials say they've heard
from several sources that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal
will be released soon. As I noted earlier this week, I feel
connected to the two free lance journalists. In
this post we also featured an interview with Sarah Shourd, who was captured with Bauer and Fattal.
What is troubling is that Iranian officials are playing power games with each other, using the freedom of the hikers as a pawn.  President Ahmadinejad said earlier they would be free, but since then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini  said not so fast. The unpredictable President and the Supreme Leader have been engaged in a power struggle.
The significance of that is for other analysts, but the 
off shoot is that troublesome Iran has inner political struggles.
In the meantime I hope American diplomacy, public 
and otherwise, is successful in getting Bauer and Fattal
free and on the way home.
AS THEY SAY,
NOW FOR SOMETHING
ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
DAY BOOK
KITTEN TIME

It seems to be bath time

beneath the jade.  I'm

wondering how long until

they are too big to fit.

Also wondering how long until Luke realizes he's getting
too big to fit here.
See you down the trail.