Clinton FBI Fingers "Right-Wing Hate Groups" in Anthrax Probe

Saturday Oct. 27, 2001; 2:31 p.m. EDT

Clintonized FBI Fingers 'Right-Wing Hate Groups' in Anthrax Probe

In a move reminiscent of the botched FBI investigations of the Clinton era, the bureau is actively pursuing weak leads suggesting "right-wing hate groups" are involved in the recent wave of anthrax attacks on the U.S.

Meanwhile clear circumstantial evidence pointing to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden appears to have been placed on the back burner.

Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 the U.S. hadn't suffered a single case of inhalation anthrax since 1976.

Still probers continue to insist they see no connection between the events of that day and the anthrax-laden letters sent out the next week to every branch of the U.S. government, the CIA, the big three network news divisions and the headquarters prominent newspapers from New York to Florida.

"Everything seems to lean toward a domestic source," one senior FBI official told the Washington Post Saturday. "Nothing seems to fit with an overseas terrorist type operation."

For some victims, such a claim seems more than a little absurd.

Steve Coz, for instance, whose National Enquirer headquarters in Florida was the first to be hit with an anthrax attack, complained two weeks ago that al Qaeda terror kamikaze pilot Mohamed Atta had been spotted in a local drugstore with reddened hands -- a condition he thought could be a symptom of cutenacious anthrax.

Another detail the FBI seems anxious to overlook: The widely reported visits by Atta and his coconspirators to Florida airfields where they inquired about renting cropdusters and the size of the chemical loads the planes could disperse.

The bureau seems none too interested in other potential evidence that could tie Atta to the anthrax assault.

"In Florida, agents haven't tested cars or residences used by some of the hijackers, including those of Mohamed Atta," reported the Wall Street Journal Thursday. "FBI officials said testing isn't a priority, because they assume that by now, the hijackers' cars and apartments would have been cleaned, removing any trace of anthrax."

Ken Alibek, who headed up the Soviet Union's biological weapons program said the FBI's "assumption" is wrong. He told the Journal that investigators should be conducting extensive testing for anthrax traces in vehicles used by suspects and in all places that a suspect resided.

Alibek's advice notwithstanding, Special Agent Rene Salinas told the paper, "At this time, there are no plans to go back and check (Atta's car and apartment) for traces of anthrax."

The FBI's belief that so-called domestic terror groups are behind the bioterror scourge is also belied by Friday's reports that anthrax found in a letter sent to Sen. Tom Daschle contained bentonite, a substance weapons experts say is Iraq's signature.

While some analysts point out that bentonite was also used in U.S. anthrax production, the Journal reported Friday that those stocks "were destroyed in the 1960's."

Dr. Khidhir Hamza, a former top official in Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program, also disagrees with the FBI's domestic terrorism hunch.

"This is Iraq," Hamza told CNBC.

"This is Iraq's work. Nobody (else) has the expertise outside the U.S. and outside the major powers who work on germ warfare. Nobody has the expertise and has any motive to attack the U.S. except Saddam to do this. This is Iraq. This is Saddam." (Read NewsMax.com's exclusive report on Dr. Hamza's comments.)

Saturday's news that the Czech government now confirms several meetings betweeen Atta and a top Iraqi intelligence official in Prague last June -- combined with reports last week that bin Laden was able to purchase anthrax from a factory in the Czech Republic -- add further legitimacy to suspicions of a foreign bioterror tie. (See: Osama Bought Anthrax)

Still, as the evidence mounts of al Qaeda and Iraqi involvement, the FBI seems hellbent on looking the other way.

"Ultra right-wing organizations -- including a particular West Coast Group -- have become a key focus of the massive federal investigation into the murderous anthrax attacks," the New York Post reported Thursday.

"Our feeling is the anthrax does not point to an international terrorist group," an FBI source told the Post for its front page report.

The sentiment was echoed by a Washington Post front page report two days later:

"The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are considering a wide range of domestic possibilities, including associates of right-wing hate groups and U.S. residents sympathetic to the causes of Islamic extremists," reported Post star reporter Bob Woodward.

What actual evidence does the FBI's have of a homegrown anthrax plot? Not much, at least if published reports are any indication.

Charges against suspected domestic bioterrorist Larry Wayne Harris, who was thought to be targeting Las Vegas with "weapons grade anthrax" earlier this year, had to be dropped after the "suspicious biological agent" he was carrying turned out to be a harmless anthrax vaccine.

At least 20 abortion clinics have been evacuated in the last three years after receiving anthrax threats -- including powdered letters. All turned out to be hoaxes.

The only U.S. prosecution for domestic bioterrorism to date was for a man who had mailed out two suspicious vials along with the note, "You have just been contaminated by anthrax."

Though the threat alone was a crime, the vials themselves turned out to contain nothing more toxic than tap water.

In fact, of the more than 300 homegrown anthrax scares investigated by the FBI in the last three years, all proved to be bogus -- until Sept. 11, that is.

Still, federal probers seem anxious to round up the usual suspects, no matter how unconvincing the evidence. One supposed hot lead currently being pursued: the gun show conection.

"The FBI has been making inquiries about a Nebraska man who for several years has been selling manuals at gun shows that provide information on making chemical and biological weapons," the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. If the FBI thinks the unidentified suspect actually possesses any anthrax, it isn't saying so.

Then there's the ever popular militia angle, which the bureau is reportledy following with little apparent reason:

"In Michigan, FBI agents have met several times since Sept. 11 with Ann Arbor police to talk about the whereabouts and capabilities of local militiamen," the Journal noted. "(There's) some concern that people in that element might see Sept. 11 as a good way to get more notoriety and exposure," the local police chief told the paper.

If these reports reflect the true thrust of the FBI's anthrax investigation, it's clear the bureau has yet to overcome eight years worth of Clintonization, where the only leads pursued were the ones that supported predetermined outcomes.

In fact, the bureau's decision not to test Atta's apartment for trace anthrax seems like deja vu all over again.

Recall the Vincent Foster death case, where FBI agents told Congress there was no need to analyze blond hairs found on his body or carpet fibers on his clothing.

Or Flight TWA 800, where investigators were uninterested in 300 witnesses who said they saw a missile strike the plane.

With blunders like that, it's no wonder Mideast terrorists thought they could get away with anything.

Bubba crys fake tears at Ron Browns Funeral

Clinton refused to send a search team to find Rob Brown, and said it would "just have to remain a mystery."
Browns plane was found by a forrest ranger.
When Kennedys' plane went down, HOLLY COW! CALL IN THE NATIONAL GUARD, THE ARMY, THE NAVY, THE MARINES!!!!

This may be a couple of dumb thoughts, and I'm not one who goes for conspiracy theories, however, it occurred to me a week or so ago, that Anthrax has certainly caused a panic (a known to whomever it is that has sent this stuff in the mail). Since it would be a known to cause panic (especially since it was sent to the media--which likes to self-report, and politicians (who have the same problem), the perpetrator would figure they'd get "free airtime." With the free airtime comes free information through the media. The perp. is learning how the postal service and government will detect future Anthrax mailings.

Not to mention all of the hoaxes going on. Almost every day in every city in this country, Fire and Police are running "scary letter" calls. Some are elaborate hoaxes, others are just a piece of junk mail with a NY or NJ postmark and no return address. People are scared.

I imagine that the folks who sent the first round are taking notes and learning fast.

Alibek's advice notwithstanding, Special Agent Rene Salinas told the paper, "At this time, there are no plans to go back and check (Atta's car and apartment) for traces of anthrax."

Yeppers... if you "see" the evidence... you have to deal with it. Easier to point fingers, make a confused mess out of the investigation, then hope it fades into oblivion. They are protecting SOMEONE, imho.

All sources indicate that whomever it is sending Anthrax, it's not someone dumb. Ari Fleischer (sp?) yesterday said it's not going to be an 8th grader in a home lab; it's no amateur. Lot's of thought and forethought went behind this Anthrax mailing. And I agree with you, they are probably taking notes, lots of notes.

The left clearly do mean middle of the road right wing groups when they say "Vast Right Wing".

So the FBI is "the Left" now, eh?

Now who were you calling dumb?

I just wish the disinformation was not at the VRWC's expense. My family already thinks I am a kook because...

A. I have cats

B. I frequent Free Republic

C. I frequent Free Republic a lot

D. When talking to them nine times out of ten at some point in the conversation I will say "I read on Free Republic where ..."

To FBI Lurkers:.....

Name the Right Wing groups that are responsible for the terror attacks!.... Name them now...right here on this Website...or tell us where to go to get the list. If you cannot, or will not, shut the f**k up and go find out who is really doing the dirty work. It's easy to blame people who love their Country, but not necessarily their *government* for actions perpertrated by sick, demented, rag-headed, stone-age, Christian-hating, radical Moslem jerks. It is easier to round up "the Right Wing" than to track down the real terrorists, isn't it?...no real effort has to be done...just jump in your car and pick them up....besides, rounding up the WRWC always makes the communist democrat politicians happy...more money for the effort!

This shows that The White House knew of the anthrax attacks much sooner than admitted. See “White House Mail Machine Has Anthrax,” Associated Press, October 23, 2001.

This might have been just a coincidence, but on the weekend prior to the eleventh, the Fairfax County Rescue squad stage an excercise that was a mock response to a chemical/biological attack. It is possible that they do these things all the time but I found the timing to be very interesting. Of couse it could just be very fortunate timing on their part that made them more prepared for what lay in the near future.

"FBI agents have met several times since Sept. 11 with Ann Arbor police"

I know an Ann Arbor-based FBI agent. He's the single most politically-corrupt "LEO" I've ever met.

" . . .on the weekend prior to the eleventh, the Fairfax County Rescue squad stage an excercise that was a mock response to a chemical/biological attack. It is possible that they do these things all the time but I found the timing to be very interesting. Of couse it could just be very fortunate timing on their part . . ."

Yes, it could be just a coincidence. But, then, for a country such as ours, which has the FBI, CIA, the alphabet media, and a host of other "sources," I would have to say, probably not.

Whoever is doing this is an enemy of freedom and deserves swift justice. I have no idea whether it is a home grown terror roup - nor do any of us (unless you are that group!) I sure as hell hope it is not a domestic brand of nutters.But - let's face the truth here - groups like God's Army and various so-called Aryan groups have been taretting and threatening with anthrax for years. Maybe, just maybe, they are crazy and sick enough to jump on the terror war. Let's go get whoever is responsible.

And then let NYFD Fire Chief Von Essen show - he who lost many friends in the WTC - and they will boo again. It's a compliated world we live in. Best not to boo those who are just doing their best.Best to engage in debate about ideas not personalities. Conservative ideas are superior not just because we say so but because we can argue and demonstrate that they are.

Anthrax sent to only Liberal media commentators. Liberal head of the Senate and Liberal media newspapers?

A minor point but actually, to the leftists in this country (academics, etc.) the New York Times, Wsahington Post, CBS, etc. are all right wing media. There are University courses that teach that there is a right wing media conspiracy dominated by what conservatives see as the mainstream liberal media.

So, if your assumption about this series of anthrax attacks being homegrown is correct, you cannot exclude the hard left as suspects just because the major liberal media outlets were the recipients.

I'll admit that there is no solid evidence yet showing that any particular group or individual is responsible, but there is certainly an abundance of cirumstantial evidence that points to Muslim extremists tied to Bin Ladin and the source of the biological materials being Iraq.

The media in this country would love nothing more than to have this tied to some "right-wing extremist group" that they could then connect idealogically to mainstream conservatism.

The facts are: 1. First anthrax case showed up within miles of where hijackers staying and learning how to fly and ASKING ABOUT CROPDUSTERS (WHY?? Well, b/c they HAVE anthrax, like they say in their letters!) [What ever happened to that govt cropduster missing from Bahamas, anyway??] And, let's not forget Atta put some thousands of miles on his rental car--driving from FL to NJ would do that. That was one of the first tidbits they released. 2. Middle Eastern people were witnessed celebrating in NJ after WTC attack and that is where a hijacked flight originated. [Oh and as an aside a family friend who was biking down by the river in NJ saw a well-dressed ME man with a Mercedes parked besides the bridge there taking pictures from UNDER the darn bridge just two days after the WTC attack! Don't worry--he called the FBI] These are indisputable facts that make it way more likely than not that the AQ people are responsible for this anthrax stuff!! I am getting really sick of the media and the govt not facing reality. So much so that when they found more anthrax in DC I was kinda like it serves you right for not being on the ball and taking this seriously from the VERY FIRST CASE, not to mention with regards to the postal workers!! I do not want to feel this way, but come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finger Clinton along with all the other pols who have underfunded and continue to underfund our public health system. Germs and bacteria respect no borders and have a nasty way of sneaking up on all of us. Think of the flu pandemic of 1918-1919 - 40 million dead world wide. You can run from this stuff and you can't hide. The best defense is a good offence - a well funded, well trained public health system just as the best military defence is a well funded army, navy, airforce etc.

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