UK Independent:

An outbreak of cholera in Iraq, which has so far infected 1,500 people, has now reached Baghdad, the World Health Organisation reported yesterday [Here].

The revelation that cholera has now spread to the Iraqi capital, with its vast population of internally displaced refugees and crumbling water and sewage system offering scope for rther [sic] proliferation, is a matter of great worry, say health officials.

Fadela Chaib, a spokeswoman for the WHO, said: “The first case of cholera confirmed in Baghdad was two days ago. A 25-year-old woman had contracted the disease. For the time being we have only one case. It is likely others will be identified. The most important thing for Baghdad, even if it is difficult, is to strengthen the disease surveillance system, to be able to identify all the suspected cases and to know what we need in terms of oral rehydration salts, intravenous fluids and antibiotics so we can be ready when we see more cases.”

Of course, maintaining public health—one of those government services that Conservatives are ideologically opposed to—can get pretty difficult in a war zone, yes?  Read more 

Whew! Been a bunch of busy bees here today, readers and writers and researchers and translators and good folk all around. Give yer good selves a wild cheer, round of applause, and all other well deserved kudos.

Now. We must at some point turn ourselves from the body politic to the body human, and fuel for same. Anybody here about to drown in garden produce? Too much of it to use, give away, or even feed to the pigs? Here’s a middlin’ easy solution to the problem. The list of ingredients looks long but modify it to suit yourself, that’s most likely what “Dr. Kitchiner” did in the first place. Gather ye veggies while ye may—

INDIAN PICKLE

Food to be pickled (see recipe for details)
1 gal. strong vinegar
4 oz. curry powder
4 oz. dry mustard
1/2 pint salad (olive) oil
3 oz. ginger root, bruised
2 oz. tumeric
1/2 lb. shallots, peeled and lightly baked
2 oz. garlic cloves, peeled & baked
1/4 lb. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

The flavoring ingredients of Indian pickles are a compound of curry powder, with a large proportion of mustard and garlic.  Read more 

Who cares about a TV “drama” like “24”? It’s just entertainment, right?

I would argue that a hugely popular, relentlessly marketed, well-produced show like 24 has more influence over the US population’s opinion on issues like torture, terrorism, civil liberties, and presidential authority than any kind of News Media.

Besides it’s “reach” - 24 is seen by more viewers than any TV news program - as a slick Hollywood action series, 24 is very persuasive. It creates an immersive alternate reality built up over months in weekly reinforcements.

How does it work? In the words of Harold Pinter, it’s a “a brilliant, even witty, highly successful act of hypnosis.”  Read more