Since inhalation seems to be the least common of of the possible anthrax infections can we not infer that the anthrax spores were manipulated in some way so that we are now faced with such a high percentage of inhalation anthrax? (yes I realize it is exactly the same microbe and only particle size is different).
May we not reasonably conclude that there would be rather extensive contamination at the site where the letters were prepared for mailing unless at least some relatively sophicticated measures including a negative air pressure containment system were used for loading the letters.
I do realize that anthrax is naturally occurring and has been freely shipped (at least until 1998) for research purposes but does it not take some relatively sophisticated equipment to overcome the clumping of spores into particle sizes greater than 5 microns?
Might we presume that the combined problems of creating an anthrax weapon that had a majority of the particles under 5 microns which is inferred from the number of inhalation anthrax cases proven and suspected indicate at least a very heavy knowledge of microbiology and several other disciplines including chemistry, phyiscs, and some engineering?
I discount the una-bomber theory on the basis that the multi-disciplinary knowledge and the difficulties this would pose for a single individual make this a beyond the capability of one nut case. As to a homegrown hate group all of the above problems apply to such a group but there are added problems of operational security within that group, probable prior FBI penetration of that group, a lack of demands from such a group, and the much higher probability of decfections from within that group after 09/11/01.
This article is a hatchet job and obvious disinformation. The larger questions are who is behind this article and why.
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
Are there still anthrax-laced letters going through the mail?
When were the last known postmarks?
FoxNews now saying that Clinton received two vials of salmonella. I'd check his biotech connections first before considering the "right-wing." The most divisive man in the country would do anything for power and fame.
I think your questions and concerns are reasonable.
I was at a discussion of this on Tuesday, and someone brought up the possibility (which I had not considered) that sorting and processing of letters by high-speed equipment might either further pulverize the crude spore mix, or allow finely milled spores to become airborne. Both the NJ and DC sorting facilities had been using high pressure compressed air to clean the sorting machines, which may have played a role as well.
I find it somewhat confusing that there appear to be (we don't really know this) different grades or different particle sizes involved. Perhaps variations in mailhandling could explain this.
I don't doubt your inferences, they seem reasonable to me. But within my own field, I like to stick to facts, (although I am happy to command special forces from my keyboard), and facts are in very short supply at the moment