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And so it begins… G.W. and Rummy are still busy playing whack-a-mole in Iraq and the administration is already threatening Syria. Several pro-Israel congressmen are apparently reintroducing a bill to slap sanctions against Syria for their support of terrorism. Rep. Engel of the Bronx was quoted as saying, “Now that Saddam Hussein’s regime is defeated, it is time for America to get serious about Syria.” Meanwhile, our military is massing along the Syrian border to prevent escaping Iraqis and incoming weapons. And they’ll be well positioned should we just happen to need to teach Syria a lesson. Consider that, according to a new poll, published Saturday by the Los Angeles Times, 42 percent said the United States should take action if Syria, in fact, provides aid to Iraq, while 46 percent said no.

On the bright side, Iran and North Korea are breathing easier on the assumption that Bush is working his way through the alphabet (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria) and is apparently saving them for the second global pass. Turkmenistan is reportedly a little nervous though.

Meanwhile, Dick Cheney’s alma mater, Halliburton Co., has been awarded an oil services contract in Iraq worth up to $7B. I’m not a huge Hillary Clinton fan, but kudos to her for at leasting having the gumption to put forth a bill requiring Bush Inc. to justify why they are awarding these contracts without even putting them out for bid.