What Was Bioterrorist's Motive for 2001 Anthrax Killings?

This morning brought media coverage of the apparent suicide of Dr. Ivins, a bio-warfare scientist with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). According to Joseph Schuman’s “The Morning Brief,” http://www.wsj.com/ , Dr. Ivins’ apparent suicide followed his being informed of his imminent prosecution for the 2001 anthrax attacks that resulted in the deaths of five people and terrified a country that was already in shock from the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

There is one aspect to this long running investigation that did not go unnoticed by Mr. Schuman or myself; that is the lack of discussion concerning a motive. Here, I would like to begin a discussion that may lead to thoughts on a possible motive.

Soon after the anthrax attacks in 2001, I did an Internet search of the known intended victims of the anthrax terrorist (i.e., letters were addressed to them) and found that most had one thing in common: they were supporters of embryonic stem-cell research.

Senator Daschle: He is described as a strong supporter of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. A website for The Public I, An Investigative Report of the Center for Public Integrity http://www.public-i.org/ lists him as one of the senators “who support funding for stem cell research” and received contributions “from PAC’s and individuals in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Biotech Industries.” This posting was dated August 30, 2001.

Senator Leahy: He was a cosponsor of the bipartisan Senate bill (S. 723 [107th]: Stem Cell Research Act of 2001) to authorize federal support of embryonic stem cell research. His name was also listed on http://www.public-i.org/.

Tom Brokaw: He, according to a story on http://www.life-edu.org/, was the emcee for the opening event for the University of Miami Lois Pope Life Center on October 26, 2000. The story, which was reported in The Miami Herald, October 26, 2000, indicated that the center would be involved in stem cell utilization. One would conclude that Mr. Brokaw was a supporter of stem cell research.

Editor, New York Post: As this was not addressed to the editor by name, one may assume this letter was for general media attention.

Back in 2001, as soon as I had the above information, I logged on to the United States Postal Inspection Service website. This website directed “anyone having information” to contact America’s Most Wanted http://www.amw.com/, which I did. At that time, I provided additional information which I will not divulge here (e.g., written clues in the return address and letters), as it pertains to my own “person of interest.” I soon received an e-mail from a person with AMW which stated that my findings had merit and were being forwarded to the Postal Inspectors. Understandably, I was not contacted after that.

As Americans, we are a culture driven to search for the "big why," even if knowing why is just the booby prize.