Why would the FBI publicize this information? Now the anthrax person will destroy his copy machine and thus any direct link that might have been established.

In addition, anti-abortion zealot Clayton Lee Waagner, who allegedly sent hoax anthrax letters to clinics, was busted last week at a Kinko's in the Cincinnati area where he used the e-mail and visited extremist Web sites.

What a doofus.

It sounds like Kinkos forgot to donate to the DNC this year.

Why would the FBI publicize this information? Now the anthrax person will destroy his copy machine and thus any direct link that might have been established.

If they own the copy machine. Kinko's are businesses & would have no reason to destroy the copy machine.

Why would the FBI publicize this information?

Because it is BS. Wipe a little Windex across the scanner of a photocopier and it has a brand new "fingerprint."

Because it is BS. Wipe a little Windex across the scanner of a photocopier and it has a brand new "fingerprint."

Not true. If you own a copier--and I own a large one for my business (but not one the size of a Geo Metro)--there's also a "signature," as it were, from the drum, the rollers, any scratches on the glass (exterior and interior), how the toner is distributed, what kind of toner the machine uses--in fact, there are a number of factors besides the "scanner" of the copier.

When you replace a toner cartridge, you replace most of that stuff.

Why would the FBI publicize this information?

I would hope it's because they actually have found the copy machine, but not the person who used it, and are setting a trap for whoever tries to destroy it.

Of course, I'm probably dreaming...

When you replace a toner cartridge, you replace most of that stuff.

Nope. In a small home version you use a drum-toner unit & a few commercial units may have them, but most of the larger copiers don't have the drum-toner unit, because a drum can last a whole lot longer than a container of toner. With my Big Guy, a Sharp, the toner is separate from the drum unit. With my copier, the developer is usually recharged when the drum is replaced (and that has at least a 350,000 copy cycle, which I've stretched out to a 600,000 copy cycle). When it has it's PM (Preventative Maintenance), they also include cleaning of the upper & lower wires (something I usually do myself because toner can build up on them from the electrostatic charge), because they'll add streaks. They usually replace or clean the upper and lower rollers as well. Of course, I add in my own toner and empty the old toner container--sometimes all over myself.

The earlier letters to Tom Brokaw and to the NY Post, postmarked 9/18, are also identical. Presumably either one is a photocopy of the other, or they're both photocopies of the same original. These are also the threats in which the letters A-T-T-A are clearly highlighted, perhaps making a hidden signature. Take a look:

Brokaw letter	N.Y. Post letter

Thanks for the heads up!

It is kind of obvious from the text why the FBI thinks a right-wing white male did this instead of an Arab....

The earlier letters to Tom Brokaw and to the NY Post, postmarked 9/18, are also identical. Presumably either one is a photocopy of the other, or they're both photocopies of the same original.

If the person who sent the anthrax letters wanted to disguise his handwriting further, he'd use photocopies of the original letters, rather than send an original. The original would have indications of handwriting (pressure, etc.) and the possibility the FBI could raise writing from other notes, find the original paper. All this is going to do, in all likelihood, is lead them back to a copy shop like Kinkos who may not even have a security system--or if they do, he tape has long been recorded over or replaced.

It is kind of obvious from the text why the FBI thinks a right-wing white male did this instead of an Arab.

Two questions:

1. Why would you think this points to a right-wing white male instead of a Muslim? [I know you said "Arab", but many of the Islamic fundamentalists are not Arabs.]
2. Why would you think the FBI believes this? I know they've made statements along those lines, but their actions belie their words. The actual investigation seems to be focused on Pakistanis, primarily in New Jersey and other states in the Northeast. Look at what they do, not what they say.

Good point.

Why would you think this points to a right-wing white male instead of a Muslim?

I was being sarcastic. It's a reocurring theme in the media that the anthrax is a homegrown right-wing job.

I was being sarcastic. It's a reocurring theme in the media that the anthrax is a homegrown right-wing job.

Sorry, I thought you were serious. As you say, it is a recurring theme. (Many, maybe most, of the people I run into in everyday life think that it's a domestic job.)

FBI sources told Time magazine that because the letter sent to Leahy was photocopied, they may stand a better chance of determining who sent it. Photocopiers tend to leave a "fingerprint" caused by tiny scratches and dirt on the machine's glass and optical system.

What is with the FBI giving out all of their information lately? I just don't get it.

Thanks for showing these letters again.

This has been a point (regarding the older letters) that was noticed almost immediately by readers on FR but that never got a mention in the press. The press pointed out how similar the characteristics were in way certain letters were written but never commented on how these 2 letters were identical in every aspect (either being photocopies or carbon copies).

I hope that this search for the photocopier used has been going on since September/October because it's been an obvious link since that time.

I feel like I'm watching a mystery movie where I pick up on clues a half hour before the main character.