How about a “non-government mission” to our new democratic ally Iraq for some cultural and creative exchange? If ancient Persian culture can broaden Anette Bening’s worldview, surely Mesopotamia has just as much to offer, yes? Oh well, maybe next month.

And Zhombre, Penn will be at the Tehran premiere of ‘Milk’ just as soon as he gets back from showing the film in Cuba, where, along with supercool writers and historians he will petition the Castros for the release of all the poets, librarians, and homosexuals rotting in prison there. Patience — walking on (blood-filled) water wasn’t built in a day.