It’s not nice to fool mother nature. Just ask George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev.

The two almost were swamped this weekend when a winter storm rolled into Malta, making things a bit difficult for everyone attending the summit. It seems ludicrous to think the storm was conjured up by some mystic, but it can be thought of as a reminder that although economics and Eastern Europe are important, we are at the mercy of our environment.

Symbolism aside, the summit seems to have been a success. Both sides came away from the weekend meeting with feelings of accomplishment. Little was formally decided, but the Superpowers have set yet another agenda for further meetings in the United States and Europe.

The highlight seemed to be President Bush’s unveiling of a 20-point proposal ranging from renewed trade with the Soviet Union to the decommissioning of nuclear weapons and troops in Europe. Bush also called for a U.S.-European summit to be held in Vienna next year to sign an agreement to reduce military forces in Europe.

The recent signs of international cooperation and dialogue coming out of East Germany and Czechoslavakia have given many people warm feelings. Others have voiced skepticism and concern that things are happening too fast.

Regardless of how you look at it, things are changing. And if you are optimistic, the changes are welcomed.