This is why you should read Atrios and bookmark him and subscribe to him in your reader:

No one could have predicted that building a massive $600 million fortified embassy compound in Saddam Hussein's palace would maybe send the wrong signal.

I know it's so stunningly obvious that no one bothers to point it out anymore, but didn't anyone raise their hand at a meeting [meetings? -ed.] and say that maybe, just maybe, taking control and occupying Saddam's palace might not be such a good idea?