I thought that was obvious. I also allow the mighty Horowitz in on this. He's obviously found a way to make a lot of money by sensationalizing the anthrax threat wa-a-ay out of proportion to help with his book sales.

And no, just because there is the possibility of increased income does not mean companies bend over backward to get it. Some things are just plain wrong, and some things are just plain illegal. Many things are both. And since people are basically honest and hard working, this fact becomes a very, very large stumbling block for many. And guess what. Companies are run by -- people.

There are questionable corporations out there, true, but you're talking about premeditated murder on a global scale, and I just don't see it. I doubt if even Microsoft would be into something like that.

As for Battelle, there is still nothing for the authorities to investigate. a researcher opened his mouth and said something stupid that others reported. That was it. He was found to have dangerous chemicals on his home premises [many engineers take their work home with them -- though this one was a little over the top], but anthrax was not among them.

My mind is changeable with supported facts, as opposed to unsupported rumors.

And as for your Pandora's Box scenario, no. We do not deserve death by anthrax. Nobody does. What we do deserve is the knowledge that is gained in preparing for the worst, and the security in knowing we've done our best -- so far.

The box was never opened, btw. It was ripped to shreds in the previous century. It's all out there, and it's all deadly. And there's another box we're playing with today that shows promise, both miraculously good and horendously bad. We'll have to see what comes of it.

Meanwhile, you go right on believing what you will.

Ciao,
Dan