GRACIOUSNESS, ALWAYS GRACIOUSNESS - AT 11:12 A.M. ET:  Now the Iranians respond to our decision to enter negotiations with them, although they'd said they wouldn't discuss their nuclear program:

Teheran will not negotiate with the West over its nuclear "rights," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said again on Sunday, after the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany accepted the Islamic republic's offer to hold talks.

"From the Iranian nation's viewpoint, [Iran's] nuclear case is closed," Reuters quoted Ahmadinejad as telling Britain's new ambassador to Teheran, citing a report by official media.

Do you love the progress?  Do you love the change we can believe in?

Oh, there's also some news following our cave-in to the North Korean demand that we meet them one-on-one:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, during his most recent meeting with party and military leaders, reportedly gave instructions that the reclusive regime prepare for a third nuclear test, this time using enriched uranium, according to reports from Free Radio of North Korea, based in South Korea.

Kim "emphasized the importance of improvement of nuclear technologies with the aim of attracting the U.S. to direct bilateral talks," according to the radio station's source.

COMMENT:  All of us will go to bed tonight knowing that Barack Obama has made us safer.

Sleep somewhere underground.  Have food and water for three months.

September 13, 2009