We all know the outline of the story. Refusing to listen to the voices of caution around him, Dick Cheney charges ahead with a takeover that quickly proves disastrous for the conqueror. "Iraq?" you say. No, Dresser Industries -- a company whose seemingly limitless asbestos liabilities continue to eat away at Halliburton like a wasting disease.

POSTSCRIPT: You'll find a grimly amusing recap of the vice president's misadventures in the private sector here.