The case against the Elvis impersonator turned alleged ricin poisoner is laughably weak [and the charges have been dropped]:
Investigators have not found ricin or ingredients for it in the house or vehicle of a Corinth man accused of mailing poisoned letters to President Obama, a senator and a local judge, an F.B.I. agent testified Monday. A search of a computer belonging to the man, Paul K. Curtis, found no evidence that he researched making ricin, Agent Brandon Grant said. Through his lawyer, Mr. Curtis has denied involvement, and his lawyer said he may have been framed.
Mr. Curtis is out on bail. His attorney says he was framed, which prompts us to hark back to the case of Barbara Joan March:
Barbara (Bonnie) Joan March (b. 1945/6) is an American criminal from Connecticut, United States of America who is currently imprisoned for 'Mailing Injurious Articles' to fourteen United States government officials.
In April 2005, she sent several food items, including baked goods and candy, to the fourteen officials. Each item was laced with a lethal dose of warfarin (rat poison). Each package included a typewritten note that threatened the recipient with being poisoned, and had the return address of people she had a grudge against, such as former co-workers and classmates.
The items were sent to the:
- Nine justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert Mueller
- Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Chief of Naval Operations of the United States
- Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
- Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Yes, we had our fun back in the day. In any case, the idea of attempting to get someone else in hot water by mailing poison in their name is not new, so the possibility that Mr. Curtis is a victim here should be taken seriously. It's sort of as if SWATTING went postal.
We are encouraged to see the Feds investigating other possibilities. They did not exactly set the gold standard for these investigations with their Hatfill/Ivins anthrax imbroglio.
For once I agree with Shepard Smith. They don't think Elvis-lite is responsible for sending ricin to the president. He wouldn't get bail if they thought he tried to kill the president. Those words typed together probably get Tom''s blog visited by SS.
Posted by: Sue | April 23, 2013 at 05:40 PM
"the idea of attempting to get someone else in hot water by mailing something in their name is not even new"
Even the FBI is rumored to have heard of it.
Posted by: DoT on iPad | April 23, 2013 at 05:52 PM
This is a less angeous thread than the diet one which impelled me to finally follow frau's advice and get a proper German pickling crock.
Posted by: Clarice | April 23, 2013 at 05:57 PM
*Dangerous* thread
Posted by: Clarice | April 23, 2013 at 05:57 PM
I'll still be very surprised if the "ricin" was pure enough to worthy of the name. Castor bean mash, maybe.
If it is, this case becomes a completely different animal than it now appears.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | April 23, 2013 at 06:03 PM
was it ricin, or did the lab misidentify it? Where was the postmark from and what connected the suspect to the envelope?
And why did the DoJ drop the case like a hunka hunka burnin' love?
Posted by: matt | April 23, 2013 at 06:06 PM
Shannon Bream via Twitter...
FOX confirms charges against ricin accused - dropped
Court document dismissing charges - "investigation has revealed new information."
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 06:07 PM
Would Hannity have tortured Ricin-Phony given the chance?
The way he is talking about Susan Sarandon*, I would assume he would.
http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2013/04/23/republican-defends-tweet-advocating-torture-boston-bombing-suspect
*in an effort to not give anymore notoriety to Chetz and Chong I am now referring to Jihad Major as Robert Redford and Jihad Minor as Susan Sarandon.
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 23, 2013 at 06:15 PM
I know you're shocked as well;
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/23/world/europe/spain-terror-arrests/index.html
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 06:19 PM
We have our very own Elvis impersonator in town. The thought crossed my mind that he was getting rid of his competition. Crazier things have happened lately.
Posted by: Sue | April 23, 2013 at 06:20 PM
Maybe he was set up by a Jerry Lee Lewis impersonator.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | April 23, 2013 at 06:25 PM
Why is it "fairness" always accrues to the benefit of the federal government?
Posted by: Jane on Ipad | April 23, 2013 at 06:25 PM
Dave,
That's funny.
Posted by: Sue | April 23, 2013 at 06:27 PM
I feel oh so safe with Butch Napolitano and Eric the Chinless Holder protecting this nation.
Posted by: Gus | April 23, 2013 at 06:29 PM
LOL! Per a report from Twitter (NBC):
Paul Kevin Curtis: "I have contempt for rice, anything that sounds like rice. Even mice."
--------
The guy detests "rice." LOL!
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 06:31 PM
Court document dismissing charges - "investigation has revealed new information."
Yeah, now they're after this guy.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | April 23, 2013 at 06:32 PM
Benghazi Gate - New Details Of Benghazi Attack Revealed In Gop Report
http://commoncts.blogspot.com/2013/04/benghazi-gate-new-details-of-benghazi.html
Posted by: Steve | April 23, 2013 at 06:32 PM
Maybe he was set up by a Jerry Lee Lewis impersonator.
The Killer would've set up a Chuck Berry impersonator; once he ended a manic set by torching the piano and saying "Follow that, N-bomb" as he strode offstage.
Maybe Carl Perkins would've set up Elvis...
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 23, 2013 at 06:33 PM
CT, Mensa aint what it used to be.
Posted by: henry | April 23, 2013 at 06:35 PM
Oh well, Cecil - the new accused ricin guy is a Republican and, perhaps, a child molester. oy vey.
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 06:35 PM
There was a mention at hotair that there may have been just some guy in the Elvis dude's neighborhood who may have a had a motive to frame him.
No mention of whether Billy Ayers has a second home in Mississippi.
I'd try to link the story but why disturb my placid afternoon trying?
Posted by: Ignatz | April 23, 2013 at 06:36 PM
Never mind.
Posted by: Ignatz | April 23, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Let me try again;
http://hotair.com/archives/2013/04/23/was-ricin-letter-suspect-framed/
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 06:41 PM
Mensa aint what it used to be.
My thoughts, exactly.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | April 23, 2013 at 06:42 PM
Seeing as they never got the first bomber of that type, in part due to Nick Kristof who demonized Hatfill on Meryl Nass's say so.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 06:45 PM
Can't believe there hasn't been a Return to Sender joke yet.
Posted by: Rocco | April 23, 2013 at 06:46 PM
Not ALL MENSA MEMBERS are ricin senders. MENSA is the organization of PEACE.
The future does not belong to those who make fun of MENSA.
Let's not jump to any conclusions about MENSA.
I will stand with MENSA should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.
Quotes you will never hear Obama say!
Posted by: Gus | April 23, 2013 at 06:47 PM
Hah, Rocco. TM is off his game, apparently.
Posted by: boatbuilder | April 23, 2013 at 06:51 PM
Then there's this Mensa guy.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | April 23, 2013 at 06:52 PM
well could you be a little more specific;
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/chambliss-law-enforcement-agency-may-have-known-ab/nXT7x/
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 06:55 PM
Some guy on twitter:
Only fools ricin
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 06:57 PM
Look at this - David Brooks: Ted Cruz 'Has a Face That Looks a Little Like Joe McCarthy'
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2013/04/23/david-brooks-ted-cruz-has-face-looks-little-joe-mccarthy#ixzz2RKX2G6lw
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 06:58 PM
David Brooks can - no, I don't even want to say what he can go do with himself. I just wish he'd go do it and stop inflicting himself on the rest of us.
Posted by: James D. | April 23, 2013 at 07:03 PM
That's much too silly, this is less so;
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2013/04/23/washpost-suggests-its-not-tsarnaevs-are-sick-islamophobic-americans
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 07:03 PM
He can go Frum himself, James D.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 07:07 PM
David Brooks is a highly respected conservative. Why I sat next to a guy at a meeting a few months ago and watched him read a piece by Paul Krugman with rapt attention, and then a David Brooks piece with the same level of consideration. David Brooks allows liberals to think they're getting both sides.
Leave David Brooks alone!
Posted by: Extraneus | April 23, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Ex-
I followed your advice and have immediately given up my subscription years ago.
And somewhere in there lies the truth.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff on Kindle | April 23, 2013 at 07:27 PM
The people on 'The Stage' - politicians & media- are just beyond sickening. I can't stand it anymore.
I think I've already decided I'm gonna vote for Ted Cruz for President in 2016...even if he doesn't run. He's about the only one I can stand.
narciso's link to the WaPo story is uber sickening.
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 07:32 PM
Someone just called my cell and asked to speak with Ussama.
What is this world coming to?
Posted by: Jane on Ipad | April 23, 2013 at 07:35 PM
I'm with you, Janet. Ted Cruz is the real deal, and he won't be as easy to take down as a woman. Why? Because woman can't hate him with the murderous rage that they can feel against another woman, and then cow their men into going along.
Posted by: Extraneus | April 23, 2013 at 07:46 PM
Ditto, what Janet said!
Sometimes liberal (but never insane) Kirsten Powers amazes me that she has converted to conservatism.
Kirsten Powers
The judge in #Gosnell trial throws out 3 murder charges b/c apparently breathing isn't scientific proof of life
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 07:47 PM
has s/b has not
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 07:48 PM
you should have answered "John has a long moustache" Jane. that would have confused the hell out of them.
Posted by: matt | April 23, 2013 at 07:49 PM
WZ links this story from Feb. 2013 - U.S. Imam Calls On Muslims In America To Wage Jihad…
from wiki - "Shaker Elsayed (born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1951) is a dual citizen of Egypt and the US, and has been the Imam of the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, ..."
We are such fools...
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 07:50 PM
(to the tune of "Bad Moon Rising")
I see the bad man wit' ricin,
I see trouble on the way,
I see letters he's a writin'
I had a bad time today.
Don't plead out tonight,
The FBI might get it right,
Hell, I don't even like rice.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | April 23, 2013 at 07:51 PM
I see reports that the DOJ has filed charges against Lance Armstrong. (and someone immediately commented - and not, John Corzine?)
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 07:52 PM
That was Al Awlaki's mosque, really their vetting procedures 'leave something to be desired' as with here;
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/04/23/obama-vows-to-ramp-up-support-for-islamist-rebels-in-syria/
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 07:54 PM
David Brooks allows liberals to think they're getting both sides.
My liberal friends think NPR provides "both sides"! No joke.
centralcal, I think Kirsten is less than one Presidential election cycle away from the dark side. I would be amazed if she votes for the Democrat in 2016.
Posted by: Porchlight | April 23, 2013 at 08:03 PM
the Moloch antechamber;
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100213545/obama-will-address-a-planned-parenthood-gala-this-is-the-group-that-knew-about-the-gosnell-abortion-horror-and-didnt-go-to-the-police/
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:06 PM
Heh, good one Cecil.
I actually used to not like rice (too boring), but I've kind of seen the light in recent years.
Posted by: Porchlight | April 23, 2013 at 08:06 PM
So the political world is arming islamic rebels while trying to take law abiding American's guns away.
The political world is working to help citizens of other countries while their own country is rotting.
The political world...having wasted trillions of dollars, is working to take in MORE of our money through internet taxes.
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 08:09 PM
CH, I recall a time in my yoot when The Killer was arrested for brandishing a Roscoe outside "Graceland".
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | April 23, 2013 at 08:14 PM
More mensa jenyus, 'Dr. Evil' is apparently advising McCain on the immigration bill.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:21 PM
Janet,
BOzo needs more dough for the Arab Spring Jihadi Resettlement Program. Those guys have short fuses and have to be handled very gently as we put them on the path to citizenship.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | April 23, 2013 at 08:21 PM
If you cook your rice in a pressure cooker, do the terrorists win?
(Yes, Clarice, I'm yanking your chain!)
Posted by: cathyf_in_the_typepad_naughty_chair | April 23, 2013 at 08:22 PM
Depends what kind of bean goes with it, cathyf.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:24 PM
I'm now cooking my risotto in my thermomix --even easier than using the pressure cooker, cathy.
Posted by: Clarice | April 23, 2013 at 08:25 PM
BOzo needs more dough for the Arab Spring Jihadi Resettlement Program. Those guys have short fuses and have to be handled very gently as we put them on the path to citizenship.
Seriously...how many have been coming over? How many different programs are there? Northern VA has tons more Muslims...how are they all coming over? Hardship visas? Do the 4 wives & 18 kids ALL get to come?
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 08:30 PM
Ok, that's better -- at least you are getting that stirring that way!
(Have you tried making polenta with the thermomix yet? When you first told us about it, I immediately thought of the hand-cranked stirrer that my nonno rigged up for my nonna to make polenta -- or "poenta" in dialect.)
Posted by: cathyf_in_the_typepad_naughty_chair | April 23, 2013 at 08:31 PM
OT, but with all the claims that we can't possibly deport the millions of Mexican illegals, and the slower rate of increase of spending means furloughs of air traffic controllers, but the Obama administration is going all out to deport these people, who seem to represent all that America stood for in its first 200 years.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/apr/23/appeals-court-weighs-home-schoolers-asylum-bid/
Posted by: jimmyk | April 23, 2013 at 08:42 PM
Just like it was an imperative to 'render' a 6 year old boy, 13 years ago, jimmy;
How could this possibly go wrong;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2313622/The-radicalization-Tamerlan-Tsarnaev-Older-bomber-studied-Koran-days-time-amid-bombings-shootings-increasingly-Islamic-Dagestan-capital.html
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 09:08 PM
Yeah, jimmyk. Aunt Zeituni living off the people of Massachusetts is okay...but we can't have this family.
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 09:08 PM
"Seriously...how many have been coming over?"
Janet,
Immigration statistics don't give breakouts by religion. When I run their numbers, I get 116K out of 1.03 million (11%) from Mahometan countries. It was 8% in 2003 and has averaged 12% under the BOzo regime.
The answer to your other question is "Yes" to all plus certain camels and goats who the Supremes may come to grant spousal status.
[Second try]
Posted by: Rick Ballard | April 23, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Apparently, there's a little more to the story, then the lad who wanted to change schools, back east, in the LUN
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 09:26 PM
OT for JiB and other fans of Cricket.
Last night in Bangalore, India, a Cricket Batsman for the Bangalore Royal Challengers did something no other Baysman in history has done. In just 30 swings at the cricket ball he scored 100 runs.
IPL 6: Chris Gayle blazes to 30-ball century, rewrites record books
"Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Chris Gayle scores fastest century in cricket history during IPL tie against Pune Warriors India...Rarer has the cricket ball been bludgeoned with such precision, authority and panache."
The huge Jamaican "tore the cover of the ball" as he pounded out 17 huge sixes (knocking it out of the park like Babe Ruth) and 13 fours (basically ground rule doubles) in just 30 pitches, and finished the event with a whopping 175 runs off just 66 balls.
The waiters and patrons at the Dublin Pub in my hotel went bananas, as did the fans at the stadium and the
Royal Challenger Cheerleaders, know affectionally in the papers as "The Mischief Girls."
Posted by: daddy | April 23, 2013 at 09:31 PM
Maybe now would be the time for someone in congress to float the old Anduril proposal: prohibit Muslims from entering the country.
It would be worth it just to hear the howls from our moral superiors.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | April 23, 2013 at 09:33 PM
Ah, Anduril. I think of him every spring when my roses (of a light or white color) burst into bloom and the beetles arise from the soil to attack them.
If I recall correctly, and I probably do not at my advanced age, he was rather fond of pliers or some such to crunch them. I am more of a Janet person - I maim them with a burning cigarette and the torture gives me much pleasure.
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 09:48 PM
Nobody of importance has complained about this, Danube:
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/23/bob-beckel-we-should-stop-giving-visas-to-muslim-students-n1576323
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 23, 2013 at 09:50 PM
The early complaints against the M-16 jamming were before the bolt assist and lined barrels
IIRC, they had to thicken the barrel very early on. GIs were using them to pry open ammo boxes, etc. and bending the barrels.
I once saw the storeroom of the Smithsonian's rifle collection--the hundreds of fancy guns they don't have room to display.
Posted by: Ralph L | April 23, 2013 at 09:54 PM
Good ol Anduril.
Can't remember his real name.
Mark Wauk or something?
Narc would know.
Wonder if he's still posting that turgid, whacko religious stuff at his blog, whatever it was called.
Posted by: Ignatz | April 23, 2013 at 09:54 PM
I'm having lots of trouble posting, except real short stuff.
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 09:56 PM
CC, I have developed an ingenious method of dealing with rose pests of all sorts.
I let my neighbor grow the roses and I just look at them.
Immensely satisfying.
Posted by: Ignatz | April 23, 2013 at 09:56 PM
That was three times...
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 23, 2013 at 09:56 PM
Waugh, I think.
Linux, anyone?
Posted by: DrJ | April 23, 2013 at 09:56 PM
a few words at a time seem to work
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 09:57 PM
Yes,Wauck, he was Hansen's brother in law, he was a talented classicist, but he had a way of being too byzantine, (I know, I should talk) and
rarely displayed a sense of humor,
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 09:59 PM
typepad sucks
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 09:59 PM
cathyf having D.T.s
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 10:01 PM
For your roses, cc, try Milky Spore
Stops beetles and grubs, won't harm beneficial insects or birds.
Posted by: AliceH | April 23, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Quoting Maxwell Smart, "Missed it by *that* much."
Posted by: DrJ | April 23, 2013 at 10:01 PM
burma shave
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 10:01 PM
I wanna' see the pictures of this new Ricin Tae Kwon Do suspect teaching Mike Huckabee to karate chop.
For some reason the alleged new perp
has me thinking he resembles Rex Kwan Do from the movie "Napoleon Dynamite."
Posted by: daddy | April 23, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Kirsten Powers
The judge in #Gosnell trial throws out 3 murder charges b/c apparently breathing isn't scientific proof of life
I would have thought that according to Lefty logic breathing would be the reason Gosnell could kill them, because they were producing Carbon with their exhalations.
Posted by: daddy | April 23, 2013 at 10:13 PM
WITHIN THIS VALE
OF TOIL
AND SIN
YOUR HEAD GROWS BALD
BUT NOT YOUR CHIN
Burma-Shave
Posted by: DrJ | April 23, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Burma Shave...
Cathy it is scary how many people, even at JOM, might be too young to get that!
Posted by: Old Lurker | April 23, 2013 at 10:15 PM
Somebody please help me out: how does one "misspell" a transliterated name that has its origin in another language with another alphabet? Could Q'ad'aff'i have walked across the border if he showed up on his travel documents as Qaddafi? Would Qa'daffi make it? How, really, does one spell Qadaffi? (D-E-A-D would be a starter, I suppose.)
Posted by: DoT on iPad | April 23, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Thanks SO much Rick.
I bookmarked the link & saved your post.
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Napolitano's admission, brings back the line from 'Hunt for Red October' when Ramius is trying to signal the Americans 'one ping, Vassili,
the characters would be the same, in cyrillic, backwards and forwards right, did you have any DLI training, Danube, anyone else here.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 10:21 PM
File this under things I didn't know were federal government responsibilities.
http://weather.yahoo.com/photos/starving-sea-lions-wash-up-calif-shores-slideshow/
Nothing against sea lions, they are cute and all, but we are furloughing air traffic controllers, and yet some malnourished sea lions trigger automatic spending.
Posted by: jimmyk | April 23, 2013 at 10:23 PM
Just a guy with a funny name...
Posted by: Threadkiller | April 23, 2013 at 10:26 PM
Khadaffi? Khadafi? Gadaffi?
Posted by: cathyf_in_the_typepad_naughty_chair | April 23, 2013 at 10:28 PM
C,
You made me laugh.
Posted by: Sue | April 23, 2013 at 10:29 PM
Assault weapons not covered by 2nd,
Posted by: cathyf_in_the_typepad_naughty_chair | April 23, 2013 at 10:46 PM
Muslims not covered by 1st?
Posted by: cathyf_in_the_typepad_naughty_chair | April 23, 2013 at 10:46 PM
Where is the diff?
Posted by: cathyf_in_the_typepad_naughty_chair | April 23, 2013 at 10:47 PM
Hey Sue, how have you been, looks like NCIS is doing their usual season ending twist, a little early,
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 10:47 PM
Think Sea Lions are bad?
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2013/04/feds-give-city-that-killed-400-trees-1-5-mil-to-plant-more/
Can't make this stuff up.
Posted by: pagar | April 23, 2013 at 10:51 PM
CH, I recall a time in my yoot when The Killer was arrested for brandishing a Roscoe outside "Graceland".
I saw the Killer once at a small club in Waldorf, Maryland in the early 70s. He was drunk on his ass and playing tributes to Stephen Collins Foster (zzzzzzzzzz) with absolutely no energy to them. He was trying to score with some of the women at tables by the piano and accusing them of being lesbians when they rebuffed him. After that evening, I'm kind of surprised he's still going strong. About the only thing I got out of that evening was the ability to tell people I saw him in person.
Don't get me started on Chuck Berry.
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 23, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Tamerlan Tsarnaev got Mass. welfare benefits
Massachusetts is very generous. Aunt Zeituni, Obama's Uncle, Tamerlan Tsarnaev & extended family.
Posted by: Janet | April 23, 2013 at 11:29 PM
"Somebody please help me out: how does one "misspell" a transliterated name that has its origin in another language with another alphabet?"
DoT - There are two ways I can think of that can happen. If you are working for an organization that has a stylebook that specifies the spelling of those names, then if you don't follow the stylebook, you are misspelling the name.
(I've chosen to follow the NYT examples on those names, because I want to be consistent, and they are still the closest we have to a newspaper of record.)
Sometimes the nation involved will specify how names should be spelled in English. I believe that's why we now say "Beijing", rather than "Peking", for example.
Posted by: Jim Miller | April 23, 2013 at 11:31 PM