Spring!

Well, the calendar says it's the first day of spring so I guess it must be true.  Indeed, the past two days have seen temperatures in the low 40's during the day and some serious melting of ice and snow.  Good riddance!  Unfortunately at night the temp is still getting down into the low 20's so the glaciation ain't gonna disappear in a day or two.  Still...definitely a hint of spring.

I've spent a lot of time this past week watching CNN.  First the Japanese earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster and now the Libyan gig.  It appears there is a chance that the corner has been turned in Japan - there is now electricity at the complex and apparently water is being applied to the nuclear fuel rods more consistently.  Still, the situation can change in a heartbeat.

The Libyan situation remains a puzzle to me.  I understand what the coalition says they want to do...protect civilians, particularly in the east of the country.  What I do not understand is how this situation can be resolved in any reasonable period of time in the absence of Mr. Ghadaffi simply packing his bags and turning himself over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague (very unlikely) or some of his henchmen whacking the guy (not implausible - but certainly not guaranteed).

If he hunkers down and holds on it seems to me this situation could drag on indefinitely.  Are we then going to arm the insurgents in the east and play for partition of the country?  Or will the pressure build to put NATO boots on the ground?

Oh, and who's going to pay for this?