WebCrime

"link=bacillus"
Home
THE PROFIT MOTIVE: MyDoom Redux:
MALICIOUS CODE
HORROR STORIES
SPYWARE
SPOOFING
ANTHRAX
VIRUSES BY OTHER NAMES
PROGRAMMING VIA BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES
MYDOOM
WORMS
KEYLOGGER
SPYWARE
HYBRIDS
ANTHRAX ON THE INTERNET
ANTHRAX CHATTER
CELLPHONE VIRUS CHATTER
VIRUS CHATTER
ANTHRAX CHATTER
MICROSOFT CHATTER
"link=bacillus"
MSBLASTER
PHISHING
SWEN
FIREWALLS
TERMS GLOSSARY
MALICIOUS SCRIPTS: THE STATE OF THE ART DELIVERY METHOD
RESOURCES: FIGHTING BACK - FREE UTILITIES
CODE RED
WHAT'S IN A NAME
MICROSOFT
NIMDA
ANTHRAX-NIMDA CONNECTION
SCRIPT KIDDIES VRS ENGINEERS
THE UNLIKELY LADDS
VIRUS ALLERTS
IDENTITY THEFT
HEADS OFF
HEADSUP

 
 
 
 

Skip to comments.

Voodoo powder blights Miami courts
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_847912.html ^ | Story filed: 17:03 Wednesday 17th December 2003

Posted on 12/17/2003 12:36:21 PM PST by Van der Waals

Prosecutors in a trial in Miami complain that their seats and evidence boxes are being covered with voodoo powder.

US District Judge Patricia Seitz has been shown a large quantity of the greyish dust which was dumped in what's believed to be a Santeria ritual.

Santeria experts say voodoo powder can bring good luck, swaying juries, judges or prosecutors in favour of the accused.

The powder was left in evidence boxes next to the prosecution table in the courtroom which is trying defence attorney J.C. Elso on money-laundering charges.

Veteran Assistant US Attorney Richard Gregorie said he respects all religions but is tired of getting his suit coats cleaned of powder residue, says the Miami Herald.

A team of cleaners, known as the Voodoo Squad, regularly remove sacrificial chickens, roosters and goats from the grounds of the courthouse.


TOPICS: Anthrax Scare; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: ANRHRAX; ANTHRAX; HOAX; POWDER; VOODOO; WHITEPOWDER
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-60 next last
If it's not one powder, it's another.
1 posted on 12/17/2003 12:36:22 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
I, for one, embrace the beauty of multiculturalism.
2 posted on 12/17/2003 12:38:06 PM PST by riri

To: Van der Waals; dighton; martin_fierro
Now go do... that VOODOO... that you do... so well!


3 posted on 12/17/2003 12:38:48 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: Constitution Day
ROFLOL! That's the image that always comes to mind for me whenever I hear that old line.
4 posted on 12/17/2003 12:42:13 PM PST by martin_fierro (Holder of an M.A. degree in The Obvious)

To: Van der Waals

5 posted on 12/17/2003 12:43:10 PM PST by martin_fierro (Holder of an M.A. degree in The Obvious)

To: martin_fierro; Constitution Day
It's scary that I think like you two.
6 posted on 12/17/2003 12:44:24 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim (Saddam looked like he could use a "Baath Party".)

To: Van der Waals
Isn't that terrorism?
Voodoo works by terror.
Their source of power is fear
achieved through the zombie powder
of Tetrodotoxin (biological warfare)
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/ttx/ttxv.htm
7 posted on 12/17/2003 12:44:32 PM PST by PaxMacian

To: Van der Waals
I've been to St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans. Ernest Morial (the first black mayor of New Orleans) is in his family's tomb right next to the one where the voodoo queen Marie Laveau is supposed to be. People make brick-dust crosses on the Laveau tomb to ask for favors, and there are some on the Morial tomb as well. I'm not sure if it's because they get the two tombs mixed up, or if it's because they're trying to do business with the city and they're trying to get Dutch to put in a good word for them.
8 posted on 12/17/2003 12:44:50 PM PST by RichInOC (...somebody had to say it...why not me?)

To: Constitution Day
One of the best. Movies. Ever.
9 posted on 12/17/2003 12:46:27 PM PST by RichInOC (...'scuse me while I whip this out.)

To: Tijeras_Slim; Constitution Day
It's scary that I think like you two.

I was just thinking that. >> sHuDdEr <<

10 posted on 12/17/2003 12:46:42 PM PST by martin_fierro (Holder of an M.A. degree in The Obvious)

To: PaxMacian
Correct. And the courts should call them on it and charge the voodooers with unlawful intimidation/tampering of/with witnesses and jurors; then unlawful disposal of noxious substances.
11 posted on 12/17/2003 12:47:42 PM PST by dasboot

To: Tijeras_Slim; martin_fierro
It's scary that I think like you two.

If your minds work anything like mine, you should worry.
Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. ;^)

12 posted on 12/17/2003 12:50:45 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: RichInOC
Got it on DVD, my friend.
13 posted on 12/17/2003 12:51:37 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: Xenalyte; Allegra; Flyer; Bacon Man
Dis be dat outrageous voodoo powder, mon!
14 posted on 12/17/2003 12:51:59 PM PST by humblegunner

To: Van der Waals
Aatually, the situation is much worse than this. MSNBC had a segment on it last night. Miami has a special squad that removes this stuff, which is used to influence juries. They also have to remove chickens and goats. I assumed that he meant parts, but he just said the animals. Then they followed up with a segment on the revival of voodoo. This is incredibly scary stuff and is alarmingly on the rise.
15 posted on 12/17/2003 1:01:17 PM PST by twigs

To: Constitution Day

16 posted on 12/17/2003 1:05:00 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals; dighton; Poohbah; hellinahandcart; general_re; BlueLancer; L,TOWM
Van der Waals:

That's a very interesting site that the photo on your FR homepage is stored at.

Is this your work?
Please advise.

Regards,

Constitution Day

17 posted on 12/17/2003 1:30:17 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: Constitution Day
I too find it a very interesting site.

Michael miserable failureMoore

18 posted on 12/17/2003 1:48:07 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population - have them spayed or neutered. ©)

To: JoJo Gunn
Heh heh. Thanks! *wink*
19 posted on 12/17/2003 1:51:02 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: Constitution Day
Nope. Just Googled up the image, sitelessly.
20 posted on 12/17/2003 1:59:39 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Constitution Day
"Bush declares America and himself trifecta winners"!

…."As I begin to create this webpage on the morning after the 2000 United States Presidential election (November 8th, 2000), the outcome is still is too close to call. Whether George W. Bush or his Democratic rival, Al Gore, becomes President, depends on a recount of the votes in Florida, where Bush is currently ahead by less than 2,000 votes out of over 5,800,000 votes cast. (Florida's official certification, on November 26th, reduced Bush's lead to 537 votes....)

If the election goes to Gore, I will delete this page from my website. If George W. Bush becomes the 43rd President of the United States, I will collect here examples of his in your face petulant stupidity and ignorance -- for which he seems to expect to be universally esteemed and rewarded…."

Hmmmmm.... A rat in our midst?

Michael miserable failureMoore

21 posted on 12/17/2003 2:01:24 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population - have them spayed or neutered. ©)

To: Van der Waals
Well, you most certainly linked to a site of dubious distinction.

If that's not your site, I of course owe you an apology.

Michael miserable failureMoore

22 posted on 12/17/2003 2:10:55 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population - have them spayed or neutered. ©)

To: Van der Waals; JoJo Gunn
Nope. Just Googled up the image, sitelessly.

Ok, thanks for the clarification.
The woodcut(?) is cool, so I thought I'd look further to see from whence it came.

Then I found... a rambling leftist, bloviating for pages and pages!

23 posted on 12/17/2003 2:12:00 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: JoJo Gunn
Don't think so.


24 posted on 12/17/2003 2:13:22 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
Thanks. You had me worried for a minute.
25 posted on 12/17/2003 2:15:51 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: Constitution Day
26 posted on 12/17/2003 2:22:05 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
You're welcome, and if you like the photo, you can always upload it to Imagestation or some such site to post on your page.

Since the source is given as "Sebastian Brant's Ship of Fools, 1494", I would imagine the copyright has... expired. ;)

Take care.

CD

27 posted on 12/17/2003 2:25:59 PM PST by Constitution Day (Iraqi blogger to President Bush: "The bones in the mass graves salute you, Avenger of the Bones.")

To: Van der Waals
Here's the page you linked to:

http://www.users.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/fools.html

Might I suggest from now on you check below the Google frame to see what the source is? We get a little jumpy around here. ;)
28 posted on 12/17/2003 2:30:54 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population - have them spayed or neutered. ©)

To: JoJo Gunn
HOLY MOLY! I unwittingly slipped into the trench of the enemy (red-faced).
29 posted on 12/17/2003 2:40:56 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
You're lucky they haven't switched the picture on you.

That happened to me once. I posted a pic of Joe Scarborough here once, without looking at the link too closely, and the next day the webmaster had his revenge on me. He changed the picture to Bush superimposed over a swastika.

Which was now posted under my name, at FreeRepublic. LOL. I had to hit Abuse on myself to get rid of it.
30 posted on 12/17/2003 5:53:40 PM PST by hellinahandcart

To: Van der Waals; JoJo Gunn; Allan
This is silly. Are people going to be ostracized now for posting an image of a 15th-century woodcut, if the source webpage is by a scholar who happens to be a liberal (and who voices his political opinions on another minor part of his website)?

For your enjoyment, here's another woodcut from the Ship of Fools, with McCormick's accompanying quote:

[ Enlarge Moralist fool! ]
The Moralist
Mistakes knowing about a thing for being responsible for it....

31 posted on 12/17/2003 8:49:07 PM PST by Mitchell

To: Mitchell
Thanks for your input.

BTW - Remember Nimda?

Virus, Worm

Released on September 18, 2001

W32.Nimda.A@mm


Discovered on: September 18, 2001

Also Known As:
W32/Nimda@mm, PE_NIMDA.A, I-Worm.Nimda, W32/Nimda-A, Win32.Nimda.A


W32.Nimda.A@mm is a mass-mailing worm that uses multiple methods to spread itself. The name of the virus came from the reversed spelling of "admin."
___________________________________________________________


NMDA receptor


The NMDA receptor is a receptor for the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is the most important excitatory transmitter in the brain. It is not only a receptor, but also a channel (it is thus a ligand-gated ionic channel). N-methyl-D-aspartate is the famous agonist of the NMDA receptor, the latter being named after it. It is a very complex and fascinating ligand-gated channel that seems to be involved in the toxic effects of excessive glutamate, and in many other processes like synaptic plasticity and target recognition.

32 posted on 12/18/2003 4:33:57 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
Yes, I remember Nimda. I don't know whether it was connected with the anthrax mailings or not.

But the name "Nimda" is of no import. It was picked by the anti-virus people, not by the writer of the worm. In fact, in one of the later Nimda releases, the author of the worm objects to his work being called Nimda; he apparently named it Concept Virus, or CV. (As I recall, there was an earlier virus that had been called Concept Virus, which is why a new name was assigned to this one.)

33 posted on 12/18/2003 10:08:33 PM PST by Mitchell

To: twigs
I'm surprised PETA hasn't spoken out against this. If PETA started throwing red paint on them, would they be charged with a hate crime? Intolerance to anothers religion?
34 posted on 12/18/2003 10:21:32 PM PST by An American in Turkiye

To: Van der Waals
blow job from bubba
35 posted on 12/18/2003 10:23:21 PM PST by RIGHT IN LAS VEGAS

To: RIGHT IN LAS VEGAS
Is that what you call a reverse Lewinsky or is more a Lewinsky by proxy?
36 posted on 12/20/2003 12:33:28 AM PST by Van der Waals

To: Mitchell
Good, you're still as sharp as ever, now...

September 18, 2003

Kaspersky Labs, a leading information security expert, announces the detection of the network worm, I-Worm.Swen. This malicious program spreads via email, the Kazaa file sharing network and IRC channels.

The worm, which goes by a variety of names, including Swen, W32/Swen@MM, Gibe, and W32/Gibe-F, can pose as an e-mail from Microsoft bearing a bogus security update as a file attachment.

October 9, 2003

Two additional variants of this worm have been received by AVERT, created by minor edits of certain strings within the initial worm, and subsequent packing with UPX. Both are already detected as virus or variant W32/Swen@MM with the 4294 DATs or greater. Exact identification of the first (as W32/Swen@MM ) was included in the 4297 DATs. Exact identification of the latter will be included in 4298 DATs. Both of these variants are of filesize 52,224 bytes.

When first launched, the worm accesses the following remote website:

http://ww2.fce.vutbr.cz/bin/counter.gif/link=bacillus&width=6&set=cnt006

37 posted on 12/20/2003 1:27:38 AM PST by Van der Waals

To: Shermy
Ping.
38 posted on 12/20/2003 1:33:30 AM PST by Van der Waals

To: An American in Turkiye
Hate crimes come in different colors and consistencies.

Some even come in small pre-stamped envelopes.
39 posted on 12/20/2003 1:43:00 AM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals; Allan; Shermy
Cute. Needless to say, this isn't the same situation as with Nimda, because when Swen was released in 2003, the significance of the dates Sept. 18 and Oct. 9 was public knowledge (as was the theory that Nimda might have been related in some way to the anthrax mailings). Anybody could have intentionally released a virus on those anniversary dates in 2003 to make the virus appear to have something to do with the anthrax mailings. (In contrast, at the time of Nimda's release, nobody knew the significance of those dates except for the people involved with the anthrax mailings.)

By the way, I don't think the "bacillus" keyword for the counter means much here. Perhaps you look at the word "Bacillus" and imagine "anthracis" after it, but I think it would be quite natural for computer virus writers to pick words with biological connotations, like "bacillus", for use in their code.

Also note that the worm called Swen is apparently the latest incarnation of the earlier Gibe worm, so 9/18/2003 and 10/9/2003 are just the latest two dates in a longer series of release dates.

So, here are three possibilities regarding Swen:

  • Possibility 1. The dates are just a coincidence. If you look, you can find many things that happened on Sept. 18, and some that happened on both Sept. 18 and Oct. 9 in some year.
  • Possibility 2. Someone who had nothing to do with the anthrax mailings intentionally picked the anniversary dates, just because he thought it would be a cool thing to do.
  • Possibility 3. Someone who had something to do with the anthrax mailings picked those dates on purpose. But why would he do that? Two possible reasons:
    • Possibility 3(a). Disinformation. This presupposes that the Nimda theory is false; the purpose of Swen would then be to divert resources into investigation of a (false) Nimda connection to the anthrax mailings.
    • Possibility 3(b). To draw attention to the earlier release dates of Gibe/Swen:
      • Mar. 4, 2002
      • Feb. 24, 2003
        (There were also minor follow-up variants released on Mar. 16, 2003, and Mar. 24, 2003.)
      Why draw attention to these earlier dates? I don't know, but that attention to the earlier Gibe-worm release dates is a predictable consequence of the later Swen releases on the anthrax anniversary dates. In this theory 3(b), it's as if someone is saying: "Look at the release dates!"
My guess is that it's just a coincidence - Possibility 1.
40 posted on 12/20/2003 9:50:27 PM PST by Mitchell

To: Van der Waals
I tend to agree, nevertheless the "link=bacillus" - not just "bacillus" is, as you say, cute.

BTW, have you by chance taken a look at the "hoax" chemical letters released in Europe some months ago?

41 posted on 12/21/2003 8:43:08 AM PST by Van der Waals

To: PaxMacian
What?! Tetrodotoxin, an ancient alkaloid from the sea, a God-given compound not unlike cannabis and opium poppies, and there's PaxMacian acting like a Blue Meanie.
42 posted on 12/21/2003 8:50:25 AM PST by Cultural Jihad

To: Cultural Jihad
It has its uses in modern medicine, fascinating ones.
But, this kind of activity is a danger to others.
The dissemination of unknown agents in public spaces
should be considered dangerous anti-social behavior
verging on acts of terrorism.
43 posted on 12/21/2003 10:50:15 AM PST by PaxMacian

To: Cultural Jihad
My reasoning is the same as regards RU486 or the morning after pill. It is that these subtances are deadly poisons which possess qualities likely to induce their use for evil ends. This line of reasoning cannot be extended to all other herbs.
44 posted on 12/21/2003 8:07:59 PM PST by PaxMacian

To: Van der Waals
I tend to agree, nevertheless the "link=bacillus" - not just "bacillus" is, as you say, cute.

Oh, yes. I was aware of the 9/18 date, which I had dismissed as a random coincidence of dates. But the 10/9 second release and the bacillus link were new to me and did make me take a second look.

I think the http://ww2.fce.vutbr.cz/bin/counter.gif/... link might be a publicly available web-hit counter script. I'm not sure, though, because the only documentation I could find was in Czech. If this is correct, the "link=bacillus" part might identify the particular count being incremented (assuming that the counter script is in use by many different people, one would need some way to keep the counts distinct and to identify which of the many counters being maintained was to be incremented).

BTW, have you by chance taken a look at the "hoax" chemical letters released in Europe some months ago?

Do you have a link on this? Thanks.

45 posted on 12/21/2003 8:27:36 PM PST by Mitchell

To: Van der Waals
A team of cleaners, known as the Voodoo Squad, regularly remove sacrificial chickens, roosters and goats from the grounds of the courthouse.

If we must respect Islam, then it seems we must respect Voodoo just as much.

46 posted on 12/21/2003 8:36:10 PM PST by FITZ

To: PaxMacian
Thanks for the clarification.
47 posted on 12/21/2003 8:41:50 PM PST by Cultural Jihad

To: FITZ
"If we must respect Islam, then it seems we must respect Voodoo just as much."

A quote from the Koran?


48 posted on 12/21/2003 11:02:37 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Mitchell
Belgian media reported the envelopes included a card signed in English by the "International Islamic Society,"

(Also "cute", wouldn't you say?)

Letters laced with toxic powder
By Constant Brand in Belgium
June 5, 2003



BELGIAN authorities were today investigating 10 letters laced with toxic powders that were addressed to Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the American, Saudi and British embassies and other offices.

The letters, discovered over the past two days, apparently were all sent by the same person or group, said Jaak Raes, an Interior Ministry official.

Belgian media reported the envelopes included a card signed in English by the "International Islamic Society," and Raes said a "full investigation" was underway.

Two postal workers were hospitalised with a skin irritation after coming in contact with the brown powder, but were expected to be released later today, officials said.

Government toxicologists said the powder contained hydrazine, used as a garden pesticide, and phenarsazine, an arsenic derivative used in rat poison. The chemicals found can irritate the skin, eyes and nasal passages.


Belgian Authorities Investigate Envelopes with Toxic Powder
VOA News
04 Jun 2003, 16:46 UTC

Authorities in Belgium are investigating 10 letters with a toxic powder found in envelopes addressed to the prime minister's office, the U.S. Embassy and other recipients.

Officials say tests on some of the letters found at least two substances. One is hydrazine, which is used in rocket fuel, and the other is a derivative of arsenic commonly used as rat poison. Officials said the chemicals can irritate the skin, eyes and nasal passages.

The letters were found at mail depots in a number of cities including Ghent and Brussels. Some of the letters contained messages full of with expletives that were signed in English with the words "Islamic Community."

Recipients of the dangerous mail included the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Britain.

Belgian investigators are trying to fully identify the powder, where it came from and who was responsible for trying to mail it.

The incident was reminiscent of the anthrax scare that gripped the United States two years ago. Five people died and 11 others became ill after coming in contact with anthrax spores sent through the mail.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.








Toxic Powder Mailed to Embassies in Belgium



Wednesday, June 04 2003 @ 04:24 PM GMT


"That letter also contained a slip of paper which read simply 'bastard'. One letter was addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Brussels .."

BRUSSELS - Ten envelopes containing toxic powder were mailed to several embassies and public buildings in Belgium, local radio RVI reported today.

The letters arrived on Tuesday and Wednesday and contained the chemicals Hydrazine and Phenarsazine.

The last of the letters arrived at the embassies of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom in Brussels. The Saudi embassy was evacuated and some employees were taken to hospital.

That letter also contained a slip of paper which read simply "bastard". One letter was addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Brussels. Another was addressed to the cabinet of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.

Hydrazine and Phenarsazine are irritating and potentially toxic chemicals. Hydrazine fluid can be used as fuel for rockets and is very explosive. It is readily available in powder form as a pesticide, noted the radio.

The federal prosecutor's office in Belgium and the anti-terror squad are investigating.


I believe there are more - I'll look further.
49 posted on 12/22/2003 12:50:57 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
Miami has been covered in one sort of powder or another for so long that I'm surprised anyone knows the difference.

At least they aren't covered in powdered cocaine.
50 posted on 12/22/2003 1:02:00 PM PST by quadrant


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2003 Robinson-DeFehr Consulting, LLC.

 
 

Skip to comments.

Voodoo powder blights Miami courts
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_847912.html ^ | Story filed: 17:03 Wednesday 17th December 2003

Posted on 12/17/2003 12:36:21 PM PST by Van der Waals

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-5051-60 last
To: quadrant
Florida Powder Party: Boca Raton


51 posted on 12/22/2003 2:44:11 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
First the Reichstag has bad feng shui, now this.
52 posted on 12/22/2003 2:45:32 PM PST by Liberal Classic (No better friend, no worse enemy.)

To: dasboot
Seems to me that while thinking people do not believe that "voodoo powder" has any effect, those who employ such practices surely do, and should be prosecuted for attempted murder or whatever it is they are attempting to do. If I sell talcum powder as cocaine, the police do not let me off the hook because I wasn't "really" selling cocaine, the penalties are the same.
53 posted on 12/22/2003 2:57:10 PM PST by Freedom4US

To: Liberal Classic
There is a certain severe origami to it, don't you think?
54 posted on 12/22/2003 3:16:27 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
They're taking instructions from the Master Control Program.
55 posted on 12/22/2003 3:17:43 PM PST by Liberal Classic (No better friend, no worse enemy.)

To: Freedom4US
Sure, but then there's the "conceptual artwork" defence:

Anthrax hoaxer case adjourned

A former chemistry teacher due to be sentenced on Monday for posting hoax anthrax letters containing flour will have to wait a further fortnight to learn his fate.
Nicholas Roberts, 50, was found guilty in February of attempting to cause a public nuisance by sending packages to public figures, including Welsh Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan.


Roberts sent four letters in the wake of a major anthrax alert in the United States, which began following the 11 September terrorist attacks.

Roberts, an unemployed former chemistry teacher from the Riverside area of Cardiff, had also sent a hoax letter to travel writer Jan Morris.

At Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, three pyschiatrists disagreed over whether Roberts has a mental illness.

Roberts had claimed he was sending the packages as a "work of art".

Judge John Griffith QC, sitting at Cardiff Crown Court, said Roberts was "clearly a very strange man indeed".

Earlier this year, Roberts was sent for psychiatric assessment at Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff to undergo tests before sentencing.

The hoax letters were sent in the wake of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington, and sparked a major security alert in Cardiff.

Spraying road signs

The court heard Roberts has a previous conviction for throwing four eggs at the Queen's car during a Royal visit three years ago.

He also had convictions for spraying road signs with black paint because they were written in English and not in Welsh.

At an earlier hearing, Roberts said he thought the letters were beneficial to society because they were pieces of "conceptual artwork".

As well as the letter sent to Mr Morgan and Jan Morris, Roberts sent two more packages to his own friends in October 2001.

Roberts told the court his actions would "benefit society" and denied doing it to cause a nuisance.



Prosecuting counsel Peter Murphy said although the substance turned out to be flour, a major security operation had to be set up to intercept all post to the assembly in Cardiff Bay.

It had to be carried out by post office managers and police because it would have caused widespread panic among Royal Mail workers due to the climate of fear.

Three of the letters were found in Cardiff's main sorting office while the fourth was discovered in the offices of Ms Morris's publishers.



56 posted on 12/22/2003 3:44:58 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
I don't practice Santeria
I ain't got no crystal ball
Well I had a million dollars but I, I'd spend it all
If I could find that heina and that sancho that she'd found
Well I'd pop a cap in sancho and I'd slap her down
What I really wanna know (my baby)
What I really wanna say, I can't define
Well it's love that I neeeeeed
My soul will have to wait till I get back
Find a heina of my own
Daddy's gonna love one and all
I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break
And I gotta live it out
Oh yeah un-huh
Well I swear that I, what I really wanna know (my baby)
What I really wanna say, I can't define
Got love! Make it go
My soul will have to...
What I really wanna say (my baby)
What I really wanna say, is I've got mine
And I'll make it
Yes, I'm going up
Tell sanchito that if he knows what is good for him
He best go run and hide
Daddy's got a new .45
And I won't think twice
To stick that barrel straight down sancho's throat
Believe me when I say that I got something for his punk-a**

57 posted on 12/22/2003 4:17:10 PM PST by Lazamataz (BadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerBadger MUSHROOM MUSHROOM.)

To: Lazamataz

You don’t need no stinkin’ badges
You don’t need no map to hell
You don’t dance or eat no quiches
You’d demand a smaller cell

You don’t cast no evil shadows
You don’t talk no hidden trash
You blow smoke rings at the gallows
Should you hang you wouldn’t thrash

So bring on the Federales
Add more bloodhounds to the pack
You don’t sweat no bloody footprints

You alone can watch your back


Sanchito



58 posted on 12/22/2003 6:31:50 PM PST by Van der Waals

To: Van der Waals
Thanks -- I guess I did see these at the time.

I don't know quite what to make of these letters. As far as I can tell, the chemicals used aren't weapons of mass destruction in any sense of the phrase; far more destruction would be wrought by an ordinary bomb.

So, what is the purpose of the letters?

59 posted on 12/22/2003 10:40:41 PM PST by Mitchell

To: Lazamataz
"So, what is the purpose of the letters?"

Perhaps you would like to field this one, Laz.

How about another song?
Something with dark lyrics and a
Hitchcockian melody would do nicely.

Or, you sing us a few bars from:
"1st case of disease
Now blow away this dust
So you can see
How the real thing flys
Oklahoma-Ryder Truck
Skyway bridge-18 wheels"...remember the tune?



60 posted on 12/23/2003 7:16:57 AM PST by Van der Waals


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-5051-60 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2003 Robinson-DeFehr Consulting, LLC.
 

HOME

Enter supporting content here

HOME