Odds ‘n Sods:

Cooking with lime heat, fireless cooking in medieval, renaissance and victorian times. – G.P.

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Obama deliberately emboldening America’s enemies – J.R.

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Civilians not ready for EMP-caused blackout – M.A.

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West African Ebola outbreak caused by new strain of disease: study – J.P.

HJL Adds: We’ve been following reports of this new outbreak, and there is no shortage of rumors. Unlike previous outbreaks, where the infected areas were in relatively remote areas where containment was easier, this one may be more difficult. The first response of people who hear that they may be in an affected area is to run as hard and fast as they can to get away. (They may be carrying the disease with them.) Governments are extremely reluctant to release data on suspected infections for fear of causing panic, and those who are already panicking are seeing infections everywhere they look. We will be keeping a close eye on this as it unfolds, but as of right now, potential infections outside of Africa are only rumors.