There's some indication the sniper is working to a theme of the American People, American Business and the American President: the shooting at Home Depot, the shooting at a Presidential Taxi driver , "Father, mother, priest and King" on the tarot card, the shooting at the gas stations, the shooting of and threats on children.
Continuing on the "children" aspect. Remember Saddam's usage of "baby milk factories", his taking of British children and families hostage during the Gulf War, his constant use of little children in photos. Saddam is fascinated with children as props and pawns.
And in the recent note: "Your childen are not safe anywhere and anytime". That "anywhere and anytime" is the exact phrase we -- the President -- have been demanding in inspecting for weapons in Iraq.
So *NO*, it is *not* apparent to everyone now that the sniper is a lone operative -- NOR SHOULD ANY SO BELIEVE! For safety's sake the best assumption is that this is one act of war, and others are planned.
I do not think he has the means or ability to carry out his biggest threats; he is bluffing with anything more than just his usual sniper attacks, one shot one victim.
Though he is good as egressing, he is no smartie. He thinks he is G-d and is in charge of this, but he is just an angry loser who, if denied his way, will make his fatal mistake and end up caught or dead.
He may well want to go out in a blaze of glory, and I would still consider him dangerous, but if I were the police I would risk making him angry, treat him as the idiot killer that he is (stop talking about his genius, maybe print all his error-filled letters in the press!), refuse to negotiate with him, and let him get so angry that he reveals himself and can be caught. That risks other deaths or innocents, though... that may be more than the police are willing to do.
About 1 hour ago, MSNBC stated that they have found out that the second letter left yesterday was definitely written in the same manner as first, BUT the handwriting was different. (2 people ?) I've only heard this report once so far. I'm monitoring MSNBC and will update. Karen.