Surprise: Baghdad, Colorado

From Atrios comes this story from The Denver Channel (lucky Denver to have such an honor bestowed upon them by BushCo by total surprise):

Denver officials say the White House prematurely announced that Denver was adopting Baghdad as a sister city.

City officials and members of the Denver Regional Council of Governments were caught off-guard by a news release announcing the partnership Wednesday.

The White House promised that Denver -- which faces a possible $33 million budget shortfall in 2005 -- will give Baghdad "humanitarian assistance" and "other aid initiatives."

But Denver area officials say no vote was taken on the proposal.

Watch out that the White House doesn't nominate your household to take care of Fallujah or Nejaf!