MEANWHILE, BACK IN IRAQ...

(You remember, the war the gasbags like Limbaugh and Hannity LOVE TO DEATH!) The good news for today is ASSASSINATION and CHOLERA.

Ambush Injures Polish Diplomat in Iraq
Oct 3, 4:49 PM (ET)
By KIM CURTIS

BAGHDAD (AP) - A daring ambush of bombs and gunfire left Poland's ambassador pinned down in a burning vehicle Wednesday before being pulled to safety and airlifted in a rescue mission by the embattled security firm Blackwater USA. At least three people were killed, including a Polish bodyguard.

The diplomatic convoy was hit by three bombs and then attackers opened fire in the Shiite-controlled Karradah district. Polish guards returned fire as the injured ambassador, Gen. Edward Pietrzyk, was pulled from his burning vehicle. At least 10 people, including four Polish security agents, were wounded.

WHO: Cholera Outbreak in Iraq Spreading
Oct 3 06:50 PM US/Eastern

GENEVA (AP) - The toll of people infected with cholera in Iraq has risen to 3,315, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The number of confirmed infections compares with 2,758 cases reported Sunday by the U.N. health agency. The death toll of 14 has been unchanged in recent days, WHO said.

The outbreak first detected Aug. 14 in Kirkuk in northern Iraq has now spread to half of the 18 provinces in the country.

The agency said the Iraqi government has taken steps to curb the disease, but that the overall quality of water and sanitation is very poor, which greatly facilitates cholera contamination.

Cholera is a gastrointestinal disease that is typically spread by drinking contaminated water and can cause severe diarrhea that, in extreme cases, can lead to fatal dehydration.