News Jan 6, 2009 at 5:45 pm

The Ricin Letter

Dan Savage
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Comments

1
ok.............
on January 6, 2009 at 5:51 PM Report this
2
what the fuck???
Can you elaborate, Dan? When and where was this found?
on January 6, 2009 at 5:51 PM Report this
3
Sick. Is s/he intentionally trying to sound like an uptight asshole subject of the former british empire?
on January 6, 2009 at 5:52 PM Report this
4
Maybe it's just a regional thing (I'm from the midwest), but isn't the phrase "in hospital" (as opposed to "in THE hospital") a European thing?
on January 6, 2009 at 5:52 PM Report this
5
Why didn't that numb-nuts coward sign it?
on January 6, 2009 at 5:53 PM Report this
6
Bring in the BAU!
on January 6, 2009 at 6:01 PM Report this
7
I've answered my own question by scrolling down ... I missed a lot of postings in just a few hours!
on January 6, 2009 at 6:02 PM Report this
8
Inkjet or laser?
on January 6, 2009 at 6:05 PM Report this
9
Also, notice the creepily meticulous spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:09 PM Report this
10
Anybody wants to fuck with Re-bar has to go through me first. Bring it, Xtian scum!
on January 6, 2009 at 6:11 PM Report this
11
I know this is a serious issue, but I can't help but criticize the author's grammar. When writing anonymous death threats, take the time to proof read! Come on, folks, what ever happened to common courtesy?
on January 6, 2009 at 6:16 PM Report this
12
guess this person misssed the whole microprinting thing. I hope they printed all these letters at home on the the printer that they bought from wallmart. Should hopefully lead to a quick arrest.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:16 PM Report this
13
Not European, but British. But much more likely to be an affectation. This is a legitimate terrorist threat, even the ricin itself is extraordinarily unlikely to be deployed, or even exist. 57 grams isn't enough to spread over multiple sites. Surface contamination isn't enough; it's got to be ingested, injected, or inhaled. But terror is the object, obviously.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:20 PM Report this
14
I blame hip-hop.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM Report this
15



Isn't ricin only deadly when injected into the victim?



The precautions seem simple enough:



Guys, don't let anyone inject you with anything other than the Hawt Salami.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM Report this
16
So you are going to poison a bunch of people but you tell them first? And you tell them where and how and what their symptoms will be? Now thats planning ahead.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM Report this
17
Is the Stranger going to hype every wacko in town? Don'tcha have enough bad relationships?
on January 6, 2009 at 6:43 PM Report this
18
IT'S TOTALLY WORKING.

Local media picking up on it and scaring the shit out of everyone.

Have you ever heard of terrorism, Dan?

This is how it happens.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:45 PM Report this
19
Ann Coulter's writing style has really declined lately...
on January 6, 2009 at 6:48 PM Report this
20
I can almost guarantee you that 1) this guy doesn't actually have any ricin and 2) he's a Slog reader/poster.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:49 PM Report this
21
@18

Who the fuck is scared? A terrorist threat in a metropolitan port city is certainly worthy of media attention. And if it brings the subject of an organized anti-gay push up in doing so, is that not an issue worth airing in the larger sense?
on January 6, 2009 at 6:53 PM Report this
22
Judging from the last sentences I think people should be on the look out for either Yoda or Mick Jagger. Or possibly the two working together.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:54 PM Report this
23
I'm not so sure that "the doctors will initially mistake the symptoms for violent stomach flu". I mean, what with the letter and all.
on January 6, 2009 at 6:56 PM Report this
24
@15 You don't have to inject someone with ricin to kill them, it is toxic if inhaled or ingested as well. It comes from the castor bean and only a small amount (wikipedia says 500 micrograms) is needed to be lethal.

J.D. Robb used ricin poisoning in one of her recent mysteries. The guilty party was a child who poisoned her teacher in his hot chocolate.

I think this is awful and I hope they catch the person who made this threat very soon and that they discover the person never really had any ricin.
on January 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM Report this
25
Huh.
on January 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM Report this
26
This is sickening to read. I'm so sorry Seattle. Please everyone be safe.
on January 6, 2009 at 7:05 PM Report this
27
People being critical of or taking offense at the quality of written grammar from somebody who threatens a homophobic terrorist act seem to have some bizarre priorities.
on January 6, 2009 at 7:19 PM Report this
28
Will The Stranger share with the feds/SPD the IP and email addresses of particularly homophobic SLOG posters?
on January 6, 2009 at 7:33 PM Report this
29
granted, I haven't exactly read a lot of threat letters, but doesn't "Your establishment has been targeted" sound a lot more like a news report than a threat letter? it's in the passive voice, which is weird given that the writer is doing the targeting, and uses that kind of objective news-speak like "establishment" rather than club, or bar, and saying things like "vicinity" rather than area. same thing with the weird plot outline-- it's like a news report, or how someone would imagine a threat letter being written. plus, the last sentence is a nonsensical string of cliches taken from hostage movies and law & order (and the rolling stones, I guess).

I guess what I'm saying is...this is some weird shit. it's pretty hard not to be skeptical about the validity of the threat.
on January 6, 2009 at 7:45 PM Report this
30
"in hospital" - Along with British, I've heard Australians use it too. And maybe a few Canadians?
And I wouldn't be surprised if some Europeans did use it as well, given that a lot of them learn their English from the British.
But definitely not a USA kind of term.
on January 6, 2009 at 7:53 PM Report this
31
Offhand thought, is there any numerical significance to the 11x5 element that I'm unaware of?
on January 6, 2009 at 8:01 PM Report this
32
Quick Google:

"Epsilon is the 5th letter of the Greek alphabet, ELambda is the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet, LProduct of the 3rd & 5th prime numbers: 5 x 11 = 55 = ELEL is an ancient Semitic title for God.

Numerology: words whose letters add up to 55

Hemoglobin = 8 + 5 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 9 + 5 = 55

Universal Self = (3 + 5 + 9 + 4 + 5 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 3) + (1 + 5 + 3 + 6) = 40 + 15 = 55

Christ-Logos = (3 + 8 + 9 + 9 + 1 + 2) + (3 + 6 + 7 + 6 + 1) = 32 + 23 = 55"

Total random and almost silly speculation there, but, um, huh.
on January 6, 2009 at 8:29 PM Report this
33
best promotional scheme the local clubs have thought up in awhile
on January 6, 2009 at 8:31 PM Report this
34
DOUG @28, what page of the witch hunt manual did you find that on?
on January 6, 2009 at 8:39 PM Report this
35
Hmph. This is nothing. I was visiting friends in Milwaukee when Dahmer was doing his thing. Now THAT was creepy.

Speaking of freaks and bars, anyone remember the bomb in the chimney of the old Elite?
on January 6, 2009 at 8:51 PM Report this
36
Using the phrase "in hospital" instead of "in the hospital" is no typo. This was written by somebody who is not from this country (duhn, duhn, duhnnn... that means nothing in of itself) so it's that tiny omission alone that leads me to believe it isn't just some American douche letting off steam but is instead a non-american of some sort who comes from a culture where flagrant homosexuality is apparently much more of an immediate threat to he/she/them.

It is irrelevant whether their "retaliating" threat in the form of this letter is real or not in the aspect that it nonetheless reveals that pure, unjust hatred remains toward innocent queers.

That said, damn it, can't some of you commenters leash your cynicism for once?
on January 6, 2009 at 8:57 PM Report this
37
The posts only talk about contacting the police, has anyone contacted the FBI?
on January 6, 2009 at 9:00 PM Report this
38
@ 18.

maybe i missed it, but was this threat political? and whose getting the shit scared out of them? .... im glad the local media is reporting on local issues that are of importance to the community they serve, something in which they are supposed to be doing.

until you learn about terrorism and the role of media, shut your pie hole and go back to crocheting your cat her easter costume.

on January 6, 2009 at 9:19 PM Report this
39
medium @36, i wouldn't place too much emphasis on the use of the phrase "in hospital." there are plenty of non-brit anglophiles out there who adopt characterisations of british spelling and grammar.
on January 6, 2009 at 9:22 PM Report this
40
Hmm... the bad poetry aspect ("no salve for their unbearable pain", don't care that they're dead -- and almost frozen! -- just like they didn't care when they were alive, yadda yadda) makes me think pretentious, emotionally disturbed local much more than "foreigner from a country where being gay is more of an immediate threat." (Whereabouts would that kind of person be from, hmmm?)
on January 6, 2009 at 9:23 PM Report this
41
Finley finally cracked.....
on January 6, 2009 at 9:27 PM Report this
42
I think someone got a hold of a page from the script of Saw VI and is threatening actors and writers everywhere with it with illegal copying violations.
on January 6, 2009 at 9:54 PM Report this
43
@39, I don't know if you are referring to those from the U.S. who supposedly use "in hospital" as a general phrase (anyone, anyone? East coast somes-wheres?). If you are referring to those that learned English as a second language whom are taught British ("proper") english just as we in public schools are taught Castillian ("proper") spanish, well then, that is my small point.
on January 6, 2009 at 10:08 PM Report this
44
From the Q13Fox website (the only mainstream media to mention this so far)

"Seattle police say they are taking this threat very seriously and are working with multiple agencies to resolve this case."
on January 6, 2009 at 10:47 PM Report this
45
Yes, 'in hospital' is a Commonwealth English phrase, although I believe it's not common in Canada.

A very serious thing, even if it's just some sick nobody with a LaserWriter and Palatino 12.
on January 7, 2009 at 1:31 AM Report this
46
@37: According to the Seattle PI, the SPD released a statement that they are coordinating with the FBI and "other Federal partners".

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seatt…
on January 7, 2009 at 4:41 AM Report this
47
I feel nauseous and angry. there is so much hate in this world.
on January 7, 2009 at 4:57 AM Report this
48
Interesting. The writer took the time to follow a manual of style of some sort -- spelling out a number when less than 10 (five targets), but using numeral when more than 10 (11 locations).
on January 7, 2009 at 5:59 AM Report this
49
Yes, it's obviously a European. An American would never, ever, ever use a phrase a European would.
on January 7, 2009 at 6:35 AM Report this
50
The author of the letter writes like a Bond villain. I know this is most likely a hoax, but keep safe in Seattle!!! Don't let this Dr. No wannabe win. Go out, but watch your brother's, and sister's back. Make this stunt backfire on this creep. Come together.
on January 7, 2009 at 6:40 AM Report this
51
@48: But then how do you explain the lack of a period following the ellipsis at the end of the second paragraph? That's just ugly and wrong. Not as ugly and wrong as the Eagle sign pictured below (oh Jesus Christ, I wept), but still....
on January 7, 2009 at 6:45 AM Report this
52
What the fuck is wrong with Seattle these days? First we have the not nazi guy, then the white trash hip hop shootings, and now some crazy fuck is sending ricin to the fucking Rebar?

I'm glad I got out when I could.
on January 7, 2009 at 7:32 AM Report this
53
Why isn't there the same fear and protection against AIDS and HIV?
on January 7, 2009 at 8:39 AM Report this
54
53, if you go into almost any gay bar, and you will find condoms being offered for free. Posters and information pamphlets are everywhere.

A person can choose to bareback, and will face the consequences of that decision, good or bad.

A person does not choose to have someone slipping poison in their drink. Those consequences are not the result of a decision by the person being poisoned.

Do you honestly not see the difference?
on January 7, 2009 at 8:52 AM Report this
55
Just waiting for Hutcherson, Fuiten and the other Professional Xtian Haters to *repudiate* this terrorism against "sinners" they supposedly love.

I'm waiting...
on January 7, 2009 at 9:02 AM Report this
56
@54, I see the difference, I just don't get why one would choose to not mitigate potential harm in the face of an obvious danger.
on January 7, 2009 at 9:23 AM Report this
57
@43: Nope. Not an East-Coast-ism.
on January 7, 2009 at 9:52 AM Report this
58
56, Why do people choose to do this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F9RJSPnf…

The point is that they CHOOSE. They don't have it covertly done to them.
on January 7, 2009 at 9:54 AM Report this
59
to the letter's author: get a life, or maybe just get laid. That could perk up your mood enough to just be happy, and feel better about yourself. And I am as straight as they come (and always have been). Live and let live, you creep. Hope my kid never is so miserable to waste his time and energy on useless things like that.
ArrowZ
on January 7, 2009 at 11:40 AM Report this
60
Event: “Capitol Hill Pub Crawl”
Date: Friday January 9th
Time: 8PM-2AM

11 Bars in the Capitol Hill area have received Death threats from anonymous letters graphically depicting the possible threat of Ricin poisoning.

On Friday Night January 9th 2009, 11 Bars operating in tandem to combat Hate and Fear, have organized a Capitol Hill PUB CRAWL. All people are encouraged to support our efforts to bring life to our local bars for support against Fear and Hatred posed to our local Gay community.
The Pub Crawl will began at 8pm and continues until 2am at all the 11 bars.
We ask that you gather your friends, pick a specific bar and work your way around the 11 establishments, we are trying not to get everyone at one point and move around together as most of the establishments cannot fit an overload of people at one time
The Elite 1520 E Olive Way (206) 860-0999
Neighbours 1509 Broadway (206) 324-5358
The Wildrose 1021 E Pike St (206) 324-9210
The Cuff 1533 13th Ave (206) 323-1525
Purr 1518 11th Ave (206) 325-3112
The Seattle Eagle 314 E Pike (206) 621-7591
R Place 619 E Pine St(206) 322-8828
Re-bar 1114 Howell Street (206) 233-9873
C.C.Attle’s 1501 E Madison Street (206) 323-4017
Madison Pub 1315 E Madison St (206) 325-6537
The Crescent 1413 E Olive Way (206) 726-1774

And remember not to leave your beverage unattended
Peace and be safe
on January 7, 2009 at 6:57 PM Report this

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