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From the High Desert book cover

From the High Desert

A Cultural History of Art Bell

Thumbnail for October 22, 2001: Bio Terror - Steve Quayle

October 22, 2001: Bio Terror - Steve Quayle

Oct 22, 2001
2h 47m
0:00 / 0:00
Art Bell welcomes author Steve Quayle, who years earlier wrote Breathe No Evil, a prescient book warning about biological terrorism in America. With 42 confirmed anthrax exposures now reported nationwide and two postal workers dead, Art expresses deep unease that the official narrative does not add up, particularly regarding how sealed, taped letters could cause widespread inhalation infections among postal employees.

Quayle argues the anthrax attacks represent a probing action by state-sponsored terrorists, likely a prelude to something far worse involving smallpox or weaponized plague. He cites former Soviet bioweapons director Ken Alibek's congressional testimony on smallpox and reveals that an entire Afghan village was reportedly exposed to Crimean hemorrhagic fever weeks earlier. Quayle contends that Russia's sudden withdrawal of diplomats from the United States signals insider knowledge of an impending escalation.

The discussion covers practical preparedness measures including stockpiling antibiotics, acquiring NBC-rated masks, and sealing living spaces against airborne pathogens. Art questions why the government continues to downplay threats while officials privately secure their own protective supplies. Quayle urges citizens to take personal responsibility for their safety rather than relying on a government he believes is dangerously unprepared for what may come next.

Key Moments

  1. Postal workers become targets: Art opens with the news that anthrax had killed two postal workers and that postal employees had become terrorist targets.

  2. Sealed letters do not explain the infections: Art questions how sealed and taped letters could account for widespread inhalation infections among postal workers.

  3. Anthrax as a probing event: Quayle characterizes the anthrax attacks as a probing event rather than an isolated episode.

  4. Russian diplomats pulled back: Quayle points to diplomats and travel restrictions as signs that foreign actors may know more than the public.

  5. Crimean hemorrhagic fever warning: Quayle describes a reported Afghan village exposure to Crimean hemorrhagic fever as a message to intelligence agencies.