Photo: Bacillus Anthracis (Anthrax)
Bruce Ivins, a 62 year old Ft. Detrick scientist,who specialized in protective vaccines,�had a long,distinguished record ; and - perhaps - a secret life.
At the time of his apparent suicide this week,he is said to have been facing arrest and indictment in the Anthrax Murders of 2001. He certainly believed that was the case - according to a Protective Order filed on behalf of a psychological counselling center,where he had - for a while - been in treatment.
I think it very possible Dr. Ivins might have acted in concert with others ; might have been part of an ad hoc group ; might even have had "lofty" intentions - although the group itself had more sinister motives....BUT: I'm looking at things as an outsider, who has not even a fraction as much information as the FBI has gathered over the last (nearly) 7 years.
IF the FBI decides to� close its investigation, and "go public" with what it knows, I would certainly want to know when, where,and how Dr. Ivins made up the Anthrax batch that was sealed into the deadly envelopes. I would also want to know how the envelopes found their way to a mailbox in Princeton,NJ.
It could be this case is like a pedestal table , with only one central leg ; but common sense suggests the presence of other supporting legs.
Admittedly,�common sense�has little�to do with random mass murder; so,�let's see how things play out.
Above all,let's not rush to judgment.
UPDATE: 08/03/08 - There is an interesting Washington Post article on this very topic: scientists who worked with Dr. Ivins are skeptical of the Government's handling of this case.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/02/AR2008080201632_pf.html
I've noticed in some of the news stories, Ivins was polygraphed - as were the rest of the Ft. Detrick scientists-to a fare-thee-well.He obviously passed,or he would not have been asked to assist in the investigation. In fact,given the mood of national terror,he would probably have been suspended on the spot if he had failed.
UPDATE: 08/04/08:� It appears, from this NY Times story,the evidence against Dr. Ivins was circumstantial : strong in some ways;�but incomplete.
While much has been made in the press about DNA evidence linking the anthrax to him,it develops 8-10 other people had access to the same materials .
�There is also NO indication he ever travelled to New Jersey -from where the letters were mailed ; however, the envelopes used were part of a batch sent to three post offices near Ft. Detrick.
�He DID have opportunity: worked late and alone prior to the mailings.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/us/04anthrax.html?em
FURTHER UPDATE: 08/04/08 - The detestable Justin Raimondo weighs in. Justin has been trying to make this a "Mossad plot" for several years now. (Seems , back in 1998,an Army officer named Zack - used to command an Army Bio-research unit,and apparently had an interest in a Civil Service employee named Marian Rippey; AND,after retiring from the Army, used to pop in and visit Ms Rippey.)
Justin - who has frequently expressed an intense dislike of "Zionists"-apparently did not know Col. Zack wasn't Jewish...
Mere facts have never proved much of a stumbling block for this "gentleman" .
Update, 08/05/08: Richard Spertzel, who is said to be very knowledgeable about weaponized Anthrax, says the FBI is dead wrong:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121789293570011775.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries
(I continue to reserve my opinion. Let's see the official files - if and when they become available.)
UPDATE 08/05/08:� There has been much said about Ivins' Social Worker, Ms Duley,whose unrestrained disclosures have been making headlines.
SLATE weighs in on Ms Duley:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/04/anthrax/index.html
UPDATE,August 6,2008: The FBI has made parts of its investigation public today.The believe Dr. Ivins was responsible for the Anthrax attacks,and feel he acted alone.
One of the "damning" incidents listed was the submission by Dr. Ivins of false lab samples-ostensibly in an effort to prevent the material actually in his "exclusive" possession from being tied to him. He is also stated to have made statements to the FBI,implicating a co-worker.
I sincerely hope - if he was indeed responsible - he WAS acting alone; otherwise,one could infer the danger of a "post mortem" attack : in which a co-conspirator-by pre-arrangement- mails out a new batch following the primary suspect's death.
What do we know about Bruce Ivins , the man ?
Not a great deal. He was a family man,an Evangelical Christian, a registered Democrat,who voted regularly in general elections and primaries,a reasonably skilled musician-who sometimes played the organ at a local Catholic church,an entertaining juggler-and-it would seem-a man with serious emotional problems.
He is beyond all that now,and I sincerely hope this is truly the end of the case !!
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