It seems to me unlikely that he would forget learning of AFIPs results on Monday, March 31, 2003.
After all, he had gone to considerable lengths in November 2002 to emphasize that “Until knowledgeable government investigators announce their results, statements attributed to anonymous sources or from persons who have not examined the actual evidence should be greeted with caution.” He did this by writing a letter to the Washington Post.
I assume you will agree with me that AFIPs report is by “knowledgeable government investigators” - after all they were the lab charged by the FBI to analyze the powder.
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/bioter/anthraxundermicroscope.html
As you know, I credit the AFIP’s finding that silica was detected.
But I also credit the report by Dr. Alibek and Dr.Meselson that silica was not seen on the SEMS that two professionals were shown. They certainly would not lie —as it is a criminal investigation and then when they were contradicted by other scientists (like Patrick) consulting for the FBI, they’d be in a predicament.
Moreover, beyond the face of that report, I find the backstory about the interviews conducted of the EDX operator (by a investigative/science reporter for major outlets) very compelling. In short, I believe he was highly qualified at detecting silica using an EDX. The AFIP has never taken back the claim.
But, I would ask again that you go on record, as a trained chemist, as to your view as to whether the patents are consistent with a finding of silica by EDX and the high concentration evidenced by the Daschle product.
I’m not asking you agree with me. I’m just looking to establish for the record your view so as to advance discussion.
The same-old “there was coating”/”there was not” debate that has been repeated endlesslyl for 5 years is not interesting. Let’s move forward.
Moreover your ad hominem attack on Ed was really lame. Let him continue with drawing a Sponge Bob figure with the Goldman Sachs letters and instead I want one or both of you to get me an expert opinion on the patents by someone qualified to render one.
Ideally, Ken himself.