Stay with me, now

The rumbling in the distance is that of war clouds, still at something of a distance, held back by a stationary front of public skepticism, but always threatening.

The U.S. suspects Iran is providing weapons and other military support to both sides of the sectarian conflict in Iraq - not just to the Shiites who have historic ties to the Iranians, the No. 2 American commander in Iraq said Friday.

"We're working now to determine whether they are in fact not only providing support to Shiite groups, but also Sunni insurgent groups," said Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, referring to the Quds force, an elite unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Oh my, that would be serious, now, wouldn't it? Do you have any proof, General Odierno? Well, no, he said, but they did have "some indications." What kind of indications, he wouldn't say. Leaving evidence aside for the moment, then, why would Iran help Sunni rebels?

"I think it's mainly because they want to continue to create chaos in Iraq," he replied. "They do not want this government potentially to succeed. But additionally, I think they want to try to tie down coalition forces here."

Okay, let's see. First, bear in mind that most Arab Muslims are Sunnis. What Odierno is suggesting is that Shiite Iran is helping Sunni rebels prevent the Shiite-dominated government of majority-Shiite Iraq from succeeding - because they want US military forces (I refuse to use the misleading "coalition") to stay in Iraq.

Okay, that's it, I'm done for the night. There's only so much bizarro-ness I can take in one evening.