That outstretched hand of US friendship to Iran to join the USA’s 4th of July celebrations round the world?

The hand draws back.

On the somewhat doubtful (in etiquette/protocol terms) basis that the Iranians have not replied to the invitations. When there is still some time to go before the receptions start? Tsk.

Where flip meets flop:

Yesterday’s left-wing conventional wisdom: We can’t jeopardize diplomacy by taking a meaningless moral stand!

Today’s left-wing conventional wisdom: Obama has taken a bold moral stand against regime abuses!

What I liked about diplomacy were these little symbolic details.