October 8, 2001: Bioterrorism - Linda Moulton Howe | Investigative Journalist - Chris Ruddy
Chris Ruddy discusses the broader implications of the attacks, arguing the government is withholding critical information from the public about bioterror preparedness. He reveals that a Russian government economist predicted a devastating financial attack on America months before September 11th, and raises concerns about missing nuclear suitcase bombs from the former Soviet arsenal.
Art shares news of Rush Limbaugh losing his hearing and announces plans to conduct a mass consciousness healing experiment the following night. The conversation spans anthrax preparedness, geopolitical threats from Iraq and Russia, and whether America is truly ready to confront a new era of unconventional warfare.
Key Moments
First inhalation anthrax case since 1970s: Linda Moulton Howe reports two confirmed inhalation anthrax cases in Florida - photo editor Robert Stevens (deceased) and mail-room worker Ernesto Blanco at American Media. First inhalation anthrax in the US since the mid-1970s, and Stevens lived a mile from the airstrip Mohamed Atta used.
Anthrax victim lived a mile from Atta's airstrip: Howe notes that Robert Stevens' home was approximately one mile from the airstrip where September 11 hijackers, including Mohamed Atta, rented planes. Art jumps to the conclusion the anthrax came through the mail.
Nano-bombs against bioterror: Howe interviews Ted Annis, CEO of NanoBio Corporation, about Dr. James Baker's invention of nano-bombs - microscopic oil droplets in detergent that fuse to and rupture anthrax bacteria and smallpox viruses without harming people. Army tests showed it worked best, but timeline for deployment was 2006.
By the time you have symptoms, you're dead: Chris Ruddy relays a New York doctor's warning that the government is misleading the public on anthrax: by the time symptoms appear, treatment is futile and roughly 90 percent of victims die even with massive intravenous antibiotics. He says antibiotics have already sold out in Palm Beach and Manhattan.
Bush's prayer meeting and the nuclear fear: Ruddy reveals that before his address to Congress, President Bush met privately with Billy Graham's son and other clergy and told them he could not share everything but that the possibility of a nuclear weapon being used meant their prayers were more needed than ever. Ruddy ties this to a Russian Pravda warning of a coming financial attack on the US.