MORE DIPLOMATIC VICTORY - AT 7:59 P.M. ET:  From AP:

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran dismissed American government reports that senior U.S. and Iran envoys had a cordial — and promising — face-to-face exchange at an international conference, saying Wednesday that no "talks" took place. The competing accounts of Tuesday's encounter in the Netherlands appeared to reflect the different approaches to overtures to end the United States' and Iran's nearly 30-year diplomat standoff.

Washington has seemed eager to build on President Barack Obama's surprise video message last month to seek engagement with Iran's ruling clerics. Iran has — in public, at least — been far cooler to making immediate contacts, but has not fully rejected some openings in the future.

COMMENT:  Oh, isn't this rich.  They can't even agree on whether talking took place.  Did mouths move?  Were sounds made?  Was there a smile?  A wink?  If they can't agree on this, imagine what happens when they try to decide who sits where at the table, and what kind of flowers to use in the centerpiece.  What do you think?  A two-year negotiation?  Three years? 

We're playing softball.  Our enemies are playing hardball.  The hardball does more damage.

April 1, 2009