Quotes of the Day

At first glance, Denver and Baghdad don't have much in common, so the White House's recent announcement that the two will be sister cities came as a surprise. Denver city officials were the most surprised of all. Encouraged by a Denver reservist serving in Baghdad, the partnership is still being negotiated with a Denver-area council of local governments. City Hall was left in the dark. Given the city's $33 million budget shortfall, some residents balked at a White House suggestion that Denver will provide "humanitarian assistance" to its new sibling. But the two cities may yet find common ground: they both have pothole problems.

• Rita Healy