Embassy opens at last

I missed the grand opening of Bush's Folly.

The United States inaugurated its largest embassy ever on Monday, a fortress-like compound in the heart of the Green Zone — and the most visible sign of what U.S. officials call a new chapter in relations between America and a more sovereign Iraq.

"Iraq is in a new era and so is the Iraqi-U.S. relationship," Ambassador Ryan Crocker proclaimed.

And a new era it is. In a sign of deep and abiding respect, Maliki skipped the the ribbon cutting ceremony. He went on a state visit to Iran instead.

But maybe he just couldn't keep his datebook open. Wasn't it supposed to open in Sept of 06? Or was it 07?

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