Atrios is understandably appalled that this L.A. Times poll shows that the vast majority of Americans think Saddam Hussein has close ties with al-Qaeda, amnd most think he was involved in 9/11. But there's more grim news:

...substantial portions of the public are willing to consider military action against other potential threats in the area...

Americans are divided almost in half when asked whether the United States should take military action against Syria, which Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has accused of providing Iraq with military supplies. Syria has denied the accusation. But 42% said the United States should take action if Syria, in fact, provides aid to Iraq, while 46% said no.

...Exactly half said the United States should take military action against Iran if it continues to move toward nuclear-weapon development; 36% disagreed....

Yesterday Tony Blair said the U.S. has no plans to attack Iran or Syria. In an interview published today, Colin Powell said the same thing.

I hope they know. I hope they're still in the loop. I suspect they aren't. This, from The New York Times, doesn't exactly reassure me....

Shortly after Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld issued a stark warning to Iran and Syria last week, declaring that any "hostile acts" they committed on behalf of Iraq might prompt severe consequences, one of President Bush's closest aides stepped into the Oval Office to warn him that his unpredictable defense secretary had just raised the specter of a broader confrontation.

Mr. Bush smiled a moment at the latest example of Mr. Rumsfeld's brazenness, recalled the aide. Then he said one word — "Good" — and went back to work....