Katie Couric's Notebook: The Anthrax Attacks

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Anthrax

There was 9/11 ... and then there was anthrax. Remember the envelopes of poison sent to members of Congress and major news organizations just weeks after the World Trade Center attacks? They killed 5 people, and for a time made opening the mail a nerve-wracking ordeal.

Last week, the Army scientist that investigators believe was responsible for those attacks, Dr. Bruce Ivins, committed suicide.

And while we'll never know for sure why a man who was supposed to stop bioterrorism might have engaged in it himself, the New York Times reports that he may have just been trying to draw attention to his field and draw more money for his research.

If that was Ivins' plan, in a sick way, it's begun to work. Billions have been spent on developing and stockpiling vaccines.

But more labs mean more people who could deliver classified information into the wrong hands. Washington needs to take this threat seriously so the next 9/11 isn't planned in a government lab.

That's a page from my notebook. I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

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by patdwyer3 August 7, 2008 11:03 AM EDT: Katie,
Last night''s program had a segment on a Food Pantry in Endicott, New York. It looked like a St. Vincent de Paul Pantry, although no mention was made of the organization. The Society is celebrating its 175 anniversary this September and helps all people regardless of race, religion or creed.; Reply to this comment


by mseddy August 5, 2008 9:15 PM EDT: Katie,

I have never liked you, much less respected you as a journalist, thinking that your were basically just another mindless liberal Democratic mouthpiece. I have to say that for the first time ever, you proved you actually have a brain and some substance! Unlike the rest of the liberal media that just eats up whatever meaningless rubbish Barak Obama spews, you actually asked an intelligent question and furthermore, pressed him for a real answer when he was evading the question. You asked and asked Mr. Obama to admit that the surge has indeed worked, and despite the fact that he never did admit it, you braved on and continued to ask him repeatedly, and I was proud of you! Now, how about more of that journalism in the future; show the men that you mean business and are not just "cute", as is the word most used to describe you. I was impressed, and that does not happen often.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw August 5, 2008 6:13 PM EDT: All people working in our government agencies, and especially our government labs, need thorough initial and also ongoing top security clearance.; Reply to this comment


by suzyku August 5, 2008 3:03 PM EDT: Every once in a while I read your articles, for a good laugh. You are still pretending to be a real journalist and not succeeding! I hear Fox news has an opening for another useless "talking head"!; Reply to this comment


by ericmichael1 August 5, 2008 9:04 AM EDT: Katie,

The evidence is not all in. But it appears there is more to this than we see and know.

One loose end: The first attack, the American Media attack in Boca Raton, Florida. The suspect package was discarded and never recovered. A photo editor was killed and a mailroom clerk sickened.

The photo editor killed, Robert Stevens, had a wife in the real estate business. She was reportedly involved in the renting of an apartment to two of the 9/11 attackers.

Coincidence? What are the odds?

One of the 9/11 attackers was admitted to an emergency room with a blackish spot on his skin that was later removed by a doctor. The lesion was not kept for analysis. A possible indicator of cutaneous anthrax.

Coincidence? What are the odds with this added in?

Could the later attacks have been copycats? We will never know.

And I would not be too hasty to convict a suicidal scientist. The F.B.I. just paid millions to another scientist they maligned.

It is time for digging, not burying, Katie.

Eric; Reply to this comment


by edwinljones August 5, 2008 3:59 AM EDT: Over the last 18 years, the government has treated me like Steven Hatfill of the Anthrax case only much worse. At least his case was properly adjudicated, was cleared and received money. I was also arrested and detained without probable cause based on charges procurred by prejured "testimony". This so-called testimony was collectively know to police, prosecutor, and judge to be false before my arrest and 5 month incarceration. During that incarceration, police invaded my home several times creating several crime scenes reminicent of how evidence was planted in OJ Simpsons'' case. In Addition, not one piece of discovery was in affidavit form as required by State and Federal law. NOT ONE PIECE. That includes the Affidavit for Probable Cause, Search Warrant Affidavit, and witness statements.

To silience my voice, I was systematically separated from family and friends, and somehow all forms of media were prevented from covering my story. I am followed everywhere, my phone conversations and mail are tapped and censured. There is also an ongoing attempt to injure me in person and reputation.

Even civil remedies were denied. My pro se petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the 7th Curcuit Court of Appeals that I hand delivered was not filed by the US Supreme Court but destroyed and a bogus denial mailed to me. I made a personal visit to Governor Evan Bayhs'' mansion for help. He refused.; Reply to this comment


by cbsnewsblog1 August 4, 2008 11:52 PM EDT: Katie, CBS evening news you host is the best! keep up the good work!; Reply to this comment


by d1n2s8 August 4, 2008 9:28 PM EDT: Why didn''t they perform an autopsy on Bruce Ivins to make sure he wasn''t murdered?

Why doesn''t the "therapist" know how to spell "therapist"?

How did a man with "history dating to his graduate days of homicidal threats, actions, plans" get a top-level security clearance?

The "therapist" says, "As far back as the year 2000, the respondent has actually attempted to murder several other people, either through poisoning. He is a revenge killer."

Why does the media report such incredible accusations as being fact?; Reply to this comment


by jaguar0 August 4, 2008 9:04 PM EDT: According to D.C. news channel, four last year, an envelope, containing a suspicious white power, was delivered to Gannett headquarters, in VA. When I read about the anthrax suspect, the first thought I had, was, did Bio defense scientist Bruce Ivins, sent that package, which, according to my sources, turn out to be harmless. (Which mades me wonder, why Gannett, never publicly came out and said the power was nothing.),for that matter, was he the one, years earlier, spreading Anthrax rumors, on stocks message boards, about Gannett? I doubt if we will ever know. One thing for certain, since Ivins death, the news media, will have an easier time going to sleep now.; Reply to this comment