Another Fine Example of Nation Building

AN OPEN SEWER ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BAGHDAD

While Saddam Hussein would never be confused with Mister Rogers, Iraq was relatively stable nation with a smoothly functioning infrastructure, including a public health system that did a pretty good job of keeping people on their feet. That is the ones that didn't get their heads lopped off by Saddam's secret service.

But that infrastructure -- from telephone service to electricity to refuse collection -- is in ruins as a result of the brilliantly botched occupation that followed the U.S. invasion and the ineffectual and corruption-ridden efforts to repair it.

This has had a number of unintended consequences. And now this one, as well:

A cholera epidemic in northern Iraq has infected 7,000 people or so people and could reach Baghdad within weeks as the disease spreads through the country’s decrepit and unsanitary water system.

More here.