cynicschism

       On the first day of March, in the mountains of western North Carolina, a strange phenomena occurred-a small “snowstorm.”  Snowfall does vary quite a bit from one area to another, but we wound up with a staggering 2 or 3″.  Guess we can survive that.  However little it may have been, it’s nice to see snow this late in the year.

       It seems to get quieter when the snow is on the ground and it surely improves the scenery, giving everything a blanket of white. Then there is the increasing brightness as the sun is reflected off the snow. But perhaps best of all we can sit inside our warm cozy house and watch the frozen doings outside. Have a good cup of tea and enjoy.

       Perhaps one reason that it’s so easy to enjoy the snow is that, in this neck of the woods, it’s apt to be gone in a couple of days, not a couple of weeks. The sun has been out and already a lot of green is back. The kiddies will have to hurry, cause it won’t be around long for them to play in.  Let it snow for a little bit, because before you know it, it’s all gone.

       President Barack Obama recently outlined his plan to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq over a period of three years.  The bulk of the troops will return in 2010, leaving  about 50,000 remaining in Iraq as trainers.  By the end of 2011, all U.S. troops will be out.  This timetable is the basic one agreed on with Iraq.  It also tracks closely to Obama’s campaign rhetoric, though he had a slighly quicker withdrawal in mind.  It’s not likely anyone is going to argue over a few months difference.

       Obama has also left open the possibility that there could be changes in the plan if the facts on the ground change and things get worse.  This seems to be a wise withdrawal plan, taking things are they are, but prepared to make changes if necessary.