Today it was announced that Rice will take Powell’s spot as Secretary of the Defense. In a move that made the shiver that went down the world’s spine on election day go back up for a return trip, Bush has effectively replaced who was widely condsidered the most palatable and moderate member of his cabinet with a bona fide hawk.

One would wonder why, that is, if Iraq is indeed in hand and we are indeed looking to recreate alliances to create a broader, more stable peace in the area. Perhaps it is that Bush feels he does not need to – that Iraq is ours, essentially, with both its troubles and spoils.

With all the hawks flying around, it simply makes one wonder: what is their current flight pattern? Where next? There must be a trip planned after sunny Fallujah. Any comment, Condie?