[browardchad]

Would you go back into the American Media building at this point?

Being a beleagured, American-born, Republican in South Florida, here's my theory:

Since it is difficult to cause widespread illness with anthrax without sophisticated machinery and precise weather conditions, this "envelope" (if that was the source) was sent out in hopes of spreading the disease to at least one person in a high-profile location. Since these tabloids are sold all over the US, and abroad, the American Media Building was the theater of choice.

Once that plan succeeded (and it may be the only viable spores these people have), it was, and will be, followed up by random mailing of "white powder," designed to create panic and inevitable mistrust of the government (who are supremely positioned for mistrust, after the last 8 years).

Psychological warfare, played to by the media which is ticked off about being left out of the war planning. They are angry at the government due to lack of information, and what better way to get revenge, knowingly or unknowingly, by pointing out that "the government's not telling us everything."

[Iwo Jima]

Your theory contains some uncommonly good common sense.

It may be that the terrorists explored "high tech/high kill" delivery methods, but they proved to be too expensive, too much trouble, and too unpredictable. But they are not too proud to go a "low tech/low kill" route. They can use trial and error to find something that works well enough. Nothing is considered a "failure."

Some things work as desired, some things don't, and some things work in a totally unexpected manner. And a "false alarm" can be considered just about as much a success as actually killing a few people.

One thing I don't agree with is that these may be the only viable spores that they have. I have to assume that anyone who can get one batch of the stuff can get more from the same source.