Last night Keith responded back to the NY Post's smear article regarding the fake anthrax letter Keith received.
Download 
Download I am a formerly trained hazardous materials specialist and first responder. With that experience and knowledge under my belt, I can only say that the series of events Keith describes is right on. There are set out protocols on every incident and considering all field tests are not 100% accurate and only preliminary, you take all known precautions to make sure the victim(s) and scene are secure. That includes having the victim(s) go to the hospital for necessary testing.
The FBI asked that the media keep this story quiet and they abided by that, with the exception of the NY Post. The fact that the NY Post may have interfered with a federal investigation is not the most disturbing part. Even worse is the tone in which they reported it. The headline alone, "POWDER PUFF SPOOKS KEITH" could very well have caused more damage then the actual reporting. Not only did that headline alert the person who sent the letter that it did reach Keith, but it also makes it sound like the tactic was very effective. This now gives the person fuel to do more of these letters just for the "shock" value.
In a post 9/11 America, shouldn't our first responders be utilized more effectively, instead of having to respond to a sick joke? Shouldn't the NY Post, a publication based in a city that knows terrorism all to well, be a little more upset that their first responders and emergency services were tied up for hours for a sick joke?
There is a very serious side to what happened. Emergency services had to respond to an incident and spend hours securing the scene, all for someone's sick enjoyment. What if a true hazardous material incident happened (over turned truck, derailed train, or even terrorism) in the same area? The response to the scene would be delayed because units from another station would have to respond. This could cost lives and property. This is also the very reason why pulling a fire alarm, or calling 911 as a joke is a serious crime and prosecuted as such. Apparently not to the NY Post's Paula Froelich, and the publication as a whole, who find this criminal act humorous.
The Moderate Voice has much more on this.
