An odious assault on Seattle gay bar patrons

The anonymous threats to poison patrons of 11 Seattle gay bars is a particular cold calculation intended to intimidate. Seattle police and other law-enforcement agencies are right to vigorously pursue the culprit.

Seattle Times editorial

USING the word terrorism is wholly appropriate to describe the anonymous letters sent to 11 Seattle gay bars threatening to poison at least five customers in each establishment.

The author's cold calculation of mass murder is intended to intimidate for some addled, unknown purpose. The writer's loathing is transformed into a monstrous desire to rob people of their personal security and peace of mind.

The Seattle Police Department is pursuing this criminal act, "actively investigating and coordinating with the FBI and other federal partners."

Employ all the resources available, because this intolerable and carefully premeditated assault is no prank.

A drink or a bite to eat with friends now includes a measure of vigilance and caution. A pleasant time tainted with a self-conscious tending of one's beverage. A reaction to a threat that cannot be ignored.

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Comments

AIDS is a health threat to all of us, so be careful up there in Mill Creek. We all face mortality and threats to our health, but we shouldn't... Posted on January 9, 2009 at 4:38 PM by jsprings. Jump to comment

Little danger of AIDS, regardless of sexual orientation, if you ain't out playing the hokey pokey with anything that will drop its pants and... Posted on January 9, 2009 at 4:43 PM by East of Eden. Jump to comment

Great, address an Op-Ed about threats against the gay community with additional, trite hate speech. Real classy, bigDavid. Posted on January 9, 2009 at 10:34 PM by Jothika. Jump to comment

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