'K... but if the DNA of the anthrax found in the letters matched the DNA used at Fort Detrick... well then... it was somebody at Detrick... I'm sure that kind of public scrutiny could drive anyone over the edge.. but all circumstantial data points to Ivins... and nobody else at Detric appears as squirrelly as he was.. may he rest in peace...

Agreed that the FBI really botched the job on this one

With a few exceptions, the media (and the FBI) are still claiming that Dr. Bruce Ivins submitted false anthrax samples designed to mislead investigators. This contributes mightily to the FBI's theory that Ivins was guilty of preparing the anthrax and mailing the letters containing that anthrax. But who is really misleading who?

In February 2002 the FBI asked for anthrax samples from flask RMR-1029 in Bruce Ivins' lab. Ivins prepared two slides; one went to the FBI (they subsequently destroyed it) and the backup sample went to scientist Paul Keim in New Mexico. These samples were smears--a representation of the entire set of cultures in the flask. After destroying the first sample, the FBI asked Ivins for another sample, which he provided early in April based on verbal instructions, in advance of receiving the subpoena in May 2002 that contained written details on the required sample preparation protocol. The sample Ivins provided this (second) time was a pure culture sample instead of a smear. Remember, he had already provided a smear sample.

The FBI now says the first sample was prepared in such a way that it would make for poor evidence in court, so they threw it away. The FBI also now says the second sample was false, that is, not from the RMR-1029 flask, because it did not contain the newly discovered genetic markers unique to the anthrax used in the attacks. With all their technological advancements of late, they still seem unable to tell the difference between a pure vs a smear sample.

The innocent explanation for the mismatching samples is that the second sample was a pure sample from the single dominant culture in this flask of mixed cultures. Of course it didn't match the initial smear sample from the contents in flask RMR-1029.

Years later the FBI remembered there was a backup of the original smear sample, which they went and got from Keim. Surprise, surprise, it had the genetic markers -- and it is exactly what Ivins gave them in the first place. It is exactly what they threw out. And now they are blaming Ivins for having misled them.

It should be obvious how ridiculous this "proof of guilt" is. It looks to me like Ivins was doing his best to help the FBI, who threw out his first sample and miscommunicated what they wanted for the second sample. So, who is really misleading who?

(The above is partially paraphrased from my blog post of today linked in my signature.)

About thirty years ago the F.B.I. murdered a hoodlum it had a difficult time putting evidence together to prosecute. They framed a small time hoodlum for the murder. He was taken off of death row two years ago.

In 1977 Carl Bernstein had an article published in the Rolling Stone that claimed over four-hundred journalists either worked or volunteered for the C.I.A. Thirty years later that number is certainly higher.

When observing television news with a remote it becomes blatantly obvious that there is collusion between news gathering organizations, the government, and the intelligence community. The propaganda is plain to see in the priority of the stories, the legs that they have, and most of them hitting on the same note or spin in similar time frames.

Americans do not receive news, factual information, or objective analysis. What Americans view in their homes, read in their newspapers, and hear on their radios is government through public relations. Public relationships firms loyalty is to their clients not to the American people. Public relations does not abide by the same rules as news organizations once did.

The problem is one of respect. Americans' ideas and viewpoint is perceived as entirely useless, since their decisions are based on the deceptions that are sold them on a daily basis. An informed population is essential to a functioning democratic republic, but when the corporate media is only selling a product of its imagination the public's input is meaningless.

As another comment mentioned America is not a democratic republic in its current configuration. America is a fascist state. Our democratic principles and our freedom are perceived as an impedement to the efficient operation of government. According to Mussolini fascism is the marriage between government and business and what we are observing occur in our government is the result of just such a marriage.

It is as if the three entities above have decided for us that freedom and democratic principles are naive concepts and what is most important is that government be run as a business. Businesses are dictatorships not republics. The dictator-like relationship is obvious in legislation that awards business while stealing power from Americans.

Our large arrogant consortium that took over when they knew we were not paying attention has proven to be entirely useless in protecting Americans, but has become very effective in convincing leaders that fascism is a better way to govern.

The fear that brought the consortium together is based on paranoia of the "sleeping giant" when it fully discovers that i has been had by big business. Very few events occur due to natural forces, they are manipulated by arrogant, sadistic, and greedy pricks who do not give a damn what you think or anyone else for that matter. They have an agenda and as stupid as that agenda is they have the power to shove it down our throats. This power is derived from the reality that America is no longer free, if it ever was.

It sickens me when I think of all the lives that have been lost due to the misguided and belligerent aims of this country's leaders for something that doesn't even exist - freedom. The only freedom that exists is for an immergent aristocracy that couldn't find it ass with its own hands. Only they can retroactively change laws that they broke. Only they can decide which laws they obey and which they shall break. Only they can exhibit as much disrespect for human life in general and Americans in particular that we are witnessing.

The intrusion of business and its cynical concepts can be seen in everything it touches. Yesterday I heard the phrase, "Let's see how much Phelps, (the Olympic swimmer,) will rake in when we return," dozens of times, as if the money was the sole purpose behind his eight gold medals. "Rake in" was usued in every report throughout the day with regard to Phelps victory.

The statement, "What is good for business, is good for America," has taken on an oppressive tone, because business is not constrained by a constitution. Business is only constrained by its ability to manipulate people to do its bidding. It is the third largest political entity in America.