Is more flowers. That picture is cropped from the original collection of local flowers put up by Hipparchia at Corrente. The picture is much larger than the actual flower which is only about ½-inch across. This is a native wildflower, Spiderwort [Tradescantia virginiana]. If it isn’t blooming it looks like a clump of tall grass.

We are also seeing a lot of “volunteer” sunflowers coming up, especially if someone has a bird feeder in the neighborhood.

You might want to get some of both. Below the fold I tell you why they are worth planting.

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CNN reports today that NATO approves expanded role in Libya

Brussels, Belgium (CNN) — NATO’s North Atlantic Council on Sunday approved an operations plan that will shift the entire Libyan military mission to alliance command, officials said, easing the burden on the United States and its allies to protect civilians in the war-torn country.

NATO ambassadors unanimously approved a so-called “no-fly plus” plan that will put the alliance in charge of protecting civilians as well as enforcing a no-fly zone and an arms embargo.
…

[A senior U.S. administration official] stressed the NATO mission is to protect civilians and did not rule out the possibility of an attack on the rebels if they were to go on the offensive and strike cities with civilian populations, now held by pro-Gadhafi forces.

While this was expected, it’s nice to see it handled quickly by NATO, because they aren’t known for their speed on the political side of the organization.

The last paragraph deals with a major misconception that is spread around blogtopia™ by people who haven’t read the UN Resolution, and aren’t familiar with UN operations.

The UN does not take sides. This isn’t about helping the anti-government forces in Libya. The rebel forces have aircraft, tanks, and artillery that they captured. If they launch an aircraft, it will be shot down because of the no-fly zone. They will not be receiving arms or ammunition from outside sources, because of the arms embargo in place. If they attempt to use the tanks or artillery against a city held by the government, they will receive the same treatment as the government tanks that threatened Benghazi.

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