SYRIA GETS A NECKRUB

So let me get this straight: The U.S. wants to persuade Syria to distance itself from Iran and Hezbollah -- but we're not going to offer any anything in return and we're not even going to have the courtesy to talk directly to the Syrians?

Yup.

...Bush administration officials say ... they are seeking ways to peel Syria away from its alliance of convenience with Iran.

In interviews, senior administration officials said they had no plans right now to resume direct talks with the Syrian government....

But officials said this week that they were at the beginning stages of a plan to encourage Saudi Arabia and Egypt to make the case to the Syrians that they must turn against Hezbollah....

Several of Mr. Bush's top aides said the plan was for Mr. Bush and other senior officials to press both Saudi Arabia and Egypt to prod Syria into giving up its links with Hezbollah, and with Iran....

But so far, there appears to be little discussion of offering American incentives to the Syrians to abandon Hezbollah, or even to stop arming it. The Bush administration has been deeply reluctant to make such offers....

You know, I'm really starting to think Bush's forced neckrub really is a metaphor for his governing style. In his approach to Syria, he's like a guy who approaches women in the most boorish, demanding way possible, who's rude and obnoxious and inconsiderate, but who still believes that the women should be swooning at his feet -- it's ovious to him that he's God's gift, so isn't it obvious to everyone else?