There was a time when President Bush would compare someone who wanted to negotiate with Iran to a big, Hitler-appeasing pussy. But that was two whole months ago. Things are different now, presumably, since the Bush administration is quickly inching towards diplomatic relations with Iran and is, uh, meeting directly with them tomorrow. Without meddlesome preconditions!

The president is sending a top State Department diplomat to a meeting where EU and Iranian negotiators will discuss whether or not Iran is interested in accepting a couple bribes (like this and this) to stop enriching uranium.

The Bush administration says this isn't a big deal at all and that they're only going to "listen" at the meeting. But those who saw what happened with North Korea or have noticed that John Bolton's mustachioed head is about to explode would be excused for seeing this as a coming-out party for a burst of back-channel diplomacy with Iran that was sparked largely by Bush's weak negotiating position and his desire to get something done before heading back to the ranch.

All in all, this could be good news for those who would rather we not attack Iran and might enjoy seeing President Bush sell out those cocky neocons who stood by him after getting the war they wanted so badly. Tough times may lay ahead, however, for anyone who actually wanted to stop Iran from developing nuclear capabilities, or was just pining for the historic opportunity to pay $15 for a gallon of gas.