Anthrax a dangerous red herring?

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: Thomas C. Greene <tcgreene () bellatlantic net>

[Please reply back to the original poster since its a little off
topic.  - WK]

I hope I'm wrong, but the recent spate of anthrax mail strikes me as a
red herring intended to preoccupy us while a more dangerous attack is
carried out.

The chance of anthrax being used for mass infection is negligible.  
But it does command extraordinary press and popular attention because
Americans are inclined toward hypochondria.  People who agonize about
carpal tunnel syndrome, and who buckle to pharmaceutical company
come-ons urging them to perceive shyness as 'social anxiety disorder'
for which they should seek 'treatment', and who shovel Ritalin down
their children's throats because they act like children, are an easy
mark for distraction by a fatal bacterium which can arrive in their
letter boxes.

Add to this an odd statement by Al Qaeda Saturday, warning against
flying in planes and dwelling in skyscrapers.  To my knowledge, Al
Qaeda has never issued warning of an attack.  And to my knowledge,
they've never revisited a method of attack or type of target.  
Assuming that this impression is fair and not mere securocrat
mythology leaked to the press, then the Al Qaeda 'warning' is
disinformation -- possibly bluster, possibly meant to divert our
attention from a unique attack in the works.

If we assume the latter, and also assume that the anthrax mail is
connected for the same purpose, then we may be witnessing a concerted
effort to set us searching for trouble in the wrong places.

And what would be the right places?  You tell me.  I think first of
petroleum assets, nuclear power facilities, major manufacturing sites,
mass entertainment venues, hazardous materials transport, city water
facilities, food production sites, <<insert your personal favorite
here>>.

I hope I'm barking up the wrong tree.  Any thoughts?

t.



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