Clemons,

You may be excited about Obama's empty message to Iran. But to quote the response of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, "Change only in words is not enough."

Waters on Twobly should be fascinating. TWo strangers in
strange lands, doing remarkable work. I hope you will fill us in.

As for Obama's opening to Iran, it gives you hope that progress
might replace posturing. Fortunately, hopefulness does not
require you to make any bargain, irregardless of the cost. Iran's
position is vastly superior to what it had been prior to Bush's
decision to invade Iraq. But there are circumstances where the
US and Iran can aid each other and where their objectives align,
and level heads may be able to make something of these
opportunities to the benefit of both countries.

Obama has extended a palm branch. it will take a while to see
what the Iranian's do, and what fruit it might bear. In the
meantime, it undercuts their Great Satan rhetoric and might
improve the chances of a moderate government being elected

Well, that ought to be interesting, one the most overrated cult artist praising one the most underrated cult artist - or one the least celebrated, in Twombly's case.

In the same vein and even more uncelebrated though, is the New Zealand artist Colin McCahon