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ARE YOU AFRAID?
a thread on the 2001 Anthrax Panic
ARE YOU AFRAID?
a thread on the 2001 Anthrax Panic
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On October 3, 2001, a photojournalist in Florida was diagnosed with pulmonary anthrax. He died two days later.
Sometime between Oct 6 and Oct 8, letters containing anthrax spores were sent to the offices of Senators Thomas Daschle and Patrick Leahy.
On October 3, 2001, a photojournalist in Florida was diagnosed with pulmonary anthrax. He died two days later.
Sometime between Oct 6 and Oct 8, letters containing anthrax spores were sent to the offices of Senators Thomas Daschle and Patrick Leahy.
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The anthrax letters, coming less than a month after the events of 9/11, rocked a frightened nation.
The anthrax letters, coming less than a month after the events of 9/11, rocked a frightened nation.
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The text of the letters containing the deadly spores attributed the attack to Muslim extremists.
Naturally, connections were made between the al-Qaeda hijackers and the sender(s) of the anthrax letters.
The text of the letters containing the deadly spores attributed the attack to Muslim extremists.
Naturally, connections were made between the al-Qaeda hijackers and the sender(s) of the anthrax letters.
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However, there was one problem with that hypothesis: the letters appeared to have been written by a kindergarten while the ability to send anthrax spores were the actions of a sophisticated actor.
However, there was one problem with that hypothesis: the letters appeared to have been written by a kindergarten while the ability to send anthrax spores were the actions of a sophisticated actor.
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One way to explain this seeming incongruity was the Dual Perpetrator hypothesis: the terrorists acted with the assistance of a state sponsor.
One way to explain this seeming incongruity was the Dual Perpetrator hypothesis: the terrorists acted with the assistance of a state sponsor.
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The leading advocate of this theory was James Woolsey.
In a lengthy Wall Street Journal editorial, he made the case for Iraq’s involvement with the 9/11 terrorists.
Surprisingly, this op/ed can no longer be found on the WSJ’s website.
https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg78973.html
The leading advocate of this theory was James Woolsey.
In a lengthy Wall Street Journal editorial, he made the case for Iraq’s involvement with the 9/11 terrorists.
Surprisingly, this op/ed can no longer be found on the WSJ’s website.
https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg78973.html
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Woolsey even throws in the now debunked “Atta in Prague” accusation, hinting Atta met an Iraqi official for the purpose of acquiring anthrax.
Woolsey even throws in the now debunked “Atta in Prague” accusation, hinting Atta met an Iraqi official for the purpose of acquiring anthrax.
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Earlier in 2001, it just so happened that Woolsey participated in Operation Dark Winter, an exercise that tested the nation’s response to a smallpox attack. https://twitter.com/SeekerOTL/status/1082681231278571524
Earlier in 2001, it just so happened that Woolsey participated in Operation Dark Winter, an exercise that tested the nation’s response to a smallpox attack. https://twitter.com/SeekerOTL/status/1082681231278571524
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(the Patriot Act was signed in a law a week after the publication of Woolsey’s op/ed)
(the Patriot Act was signed in a law a week after the publication of Woolsey’s op/ed)
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However, on Oct 24, the Washington Post reported that the FBI was leaning toward a domestic origin for the anthrax. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/24/germ-laced-mails-source-still-a-mystery/4baf5fa7-ff5c-41d3-8f0f-b6d7299a8a65/
However, on Oct 24, the Washington Post reported that the FBI was leaning toward a domestic origin for the anthrax. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/10/24/germ-laced-mails-source-still-a-mystery/4baf5fa7-ff5c-41d3-8f0f-b6d7299a8a65/
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Just as the Dual Perpetrator hypothesis was losing steam….
enter ABC reporter Brian Ross.
Just as the Dual Perpetrator hypothesis was losing steam….
enter ABC reporter Brian Ross.
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Ross reported that the anthrax sent to Tom Daschle was laced with bentonite.
The only country known to produce the additive was Iraq. DUN DUN DUUUUN!!!
https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92270&page=1
Ross reported that the anthrax sent to Tom Daschle was laced with bentonite.
The only country known to produce the additive was Iraq. DUN DUN DUUUUN!!!
https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92270&page=1
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And just like Woolsey, Ross mentions “Atta in Praque” in his story, as if to suggest the meeting (which never happened) was about acquiring anthrax.
And just like Woolsey, Ross mentions “Atta in Praque” in his story, as if to suggest the meeting (which never happened) was about acquiring anthrax.
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As it turns out, NO TEST EVER FOUND the presence of bentonite in the anthrax.
Yet, Ross claimed he had “four well-placed and separate sources” claiming otherwise. (What are the chances Woolsey is one of those sources?
)
As it turns out, NO TEST EVER FOUND the presence of bentonite in the anthrax.
Yet, Ross claimed he had “four well-placed and separate sources” claiming otherwise. (What are the chances Woolsey is one of those sources?
)
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ABC News and Ross have refused to reveal the sources for his reporting.
This is borderline criminal.
ABC News and Ross have refused to reveal the sources for his reporting.
This is borderline criminal.
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Were Ross’ sources connected to the lab?
That’s important to know since the tests were conducted at Fort Detrick, Maryland in the SAME LAB the FBI eventually determined was the source of the anthrax.
Were Ross’ sources connected to the lab?
That’s important to know since the tests were conducted at Fort Detrick, Maryland in the SAME LAB the FBI eventually determined was the source of the anthrax.
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The 9/11 terrorists had no connection to Iraq, no connection to anthrax and the anthrax had no connection to Iraq.
So Ross’ sources were instrumental in lying the US into a war in Iraq.
The 9/11 terrorists had no connection to Iraq, no connection to anthrax and the anthrax had no connection to Iraq.
So Ross’ sources were instrumental in lying the US into a war in Iraq.
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And those lies mattered. On Oct 28, John McCain appeared on the David Letterman Show, suggesting that the US would have to invade Iraq because they ::may:: have been responsible for the anthrax attacks.
And those lies mattered. On Oct 28, John McCain appeared on the David Letterman Show, suggesting that the US would have to invade Iraq because they ::may:: have been responsible for the anthrax attacks.
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OF COURSE, Bill Kristol’s Weekly Standard did its best to push the theory that Saddam was responsible for the anthrax attacks.
https://www.newsmax.com/pre-2008/mylroiesaddam-behind-the/2001/11/07/id/660589/
OF COURSE, Bill Kristol’s Weekly Standard did its best to push the theory that Saddam was responsible for the anthrax attacks.
https://www.newsmax.com/pre-2008/mylroiesaddam-behind-the/2001/11/07/id/660589/
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And who can forget the image of Colin Powell holding up a vial of anthrax at his speech before the UN justifying the invasion of Iraq?
And who can forget the image of Colin Powell holding up a vial of anthrax at his speech before the UN justifying the invasion of Iraq?
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Ross’ and ABC’s reporting was so erroneous and ultimately ruinous that many years later former members of the Bush administration are still attempting to distance themselves from it.
Ross’ and ABC’s reporting was so erroneous and ultimately ruinous that many years later former members of the Bush administration are still attempting to distance themselves from it.
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As you may know, or maybe don’t know since the anthrax attacks are largely forgotten today, Robert Mueller’s FBI developed a bad case of tunnel vision when it set its sights on a biological weapons expert named Steven Hatfill.
As you may know, or maybe don’t know since the anthrax attacks are largely forgotten today, Robert Mueller’s FBI developed a bad case of tunnel vision when it set its sights on a biological weapons expert named Steven Hatfill.
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In 2008, the government settled a lawsuit with Hatfill, agreeing to pay him nearly 6 million dollars. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/washington/28hatfill.html
In 2008, the government settled a lawsuit with Hatfill, agreeing to pay him nearly 6 million dollars. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/washington/28hatfill.html
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The FBI was on the verge of charging a biodefense researcher from the Ft Detrick lab, Bruce Ivins, for the crime when he committed sucide in July 2008.
The FBI was on the verge of charging a biodefense researcher from the Ft Detrick lab, Bruce Ivins, for the crime when he committed sucide in July 2008.
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A lot of questions remain unanswered about the Anthrax panic. Journalist Richard Cohen wrote an article in 2008 about his regret for supporting the Iraq War. He claims he was warned of a possible anthrax attack in 2001.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/03/i-was-
A lot of questions remain unanswered about the Anthrax panic. Journalist Richard Cohen wrote an article in 2008 about his regret for supporting the Iraq War. He claims he was warned of a possible anthrax attack in 2001.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/03/i-was-
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But how could a “high government official” know that a “lone wolf” was potentially planning an anthrax attack?
But these questions have largely been forgotten.
But how could a “high government official” know that a “lone wolf” was potentially planning an anthrax attack?
But these questions have largely been forgotten.
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And, unfortunately, we forgot how unreliable Brian Ross’ reporting could be.
Back in 2009, Gawker was already referring to Ross as ABC’s “Wrongest Reporter.”
https://gawker.com/5437245%2Fabc-news-wrongest-reporter-strikes-again
And, unfortunately, we forgot how unreliable Brian Ross’ reporting could be.
Back in 2009, Gawker was already referring to Ross as ABC’s “Wrongest Reporter.”
https://gawker.com/5437245%2Fabc-news-wrongest-reporter-strikes-again
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This is the definitive thread on Ross’ role in the creation of the Russia Hoax. Not much I can add. https://twitter.com/MonsieurAmerica/status/1186722015757004801
This is the definitive thread on Ross’ role in the creation of the Russia Hoax. Not much I can add. https://twitter.com/MonsieurAmerica/status/1186722015757004801
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Ross is fond of the ambush interview. https://twitter.com/MonsieurAmerica/status/1006610483841884160
Ross is fond of the ambush interview. https://twitter.com/MonsieurAmerica/status/1006610483841884160
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Showing he’s not afraid to stoop to even the lowest tactics, Ross ambushed Mike Flynn as he was spending time with his family
Showing he’s not afraid to stoop to even the lowest tactics, Ross ambushed Mike Flynn as he was spending time with his family
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And who makes an appearance later in Ross’ report? None of other than James Woolsey.
And who makes an appearance later in Ross’ report? None of other than James Woolsey.
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Ross was eventually suspended over a report that Trump had directed Flynn to make contact with Russia while he was still a candidate.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-variety-entertainment-tv-news/brian-ross-who-aired-erroneous-trump-report-to-leave-abc-news-idUSKBN1JS2C3
Ross was eventually suspended over a report that Trump had directed Flynn to make contact with Russia while he was still a candidate.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-variety-entertainment-tv-news/brian-ross-who-aired-erroneous-trump-report-to-leave-abc-news-idUSKBN1JS2C3
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It’s amazing that a reporter as seasoned as Ross would base his entire report on one single anonymous source. He must have really trusted that source.
It’s amazing that a reporter as seasoned as Ross would base his entire report on one single anonymous source. He must have really trusted that source.
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What the anthrax panic, the Russia Hoax and the COVID hysteria demonstrate is how government officials and the media work together to foster fear in the citizenry.
What the anthrax panic, the Russia Hoax and the COVID hysteria demonstrate is how government officials and the media work together to foster fear in the citizenry.
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A frightened people are more likely to turn to the media to inform them of looming danger and the government to protect them.
A frightened people are more likely to turn to the media to inform them of looming danger and the government to protect them.
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
End
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
End
