posted on May 3, 2002 05:09:02 PM new
Sorry this is so long but please read.
Pipe Bombs Explode in Rural Mailboxes
Fri May 3, 7:29 PM ET
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Five pipe bombs, accompanied by a letter containing anti-government rhetoric, exploded in mailboxes in rural Illinois and Iowa on Friday, injuring five people, authorities said.
Postal Service officials said three postal workers and two customers were hurt, but none of the injuries was life-threatening. One person suffered an eye injury and another received thumb and shoulder injuries.
Two or three other pipe bombs, found in Iowa mailboxes, failed to detonate and were being "rendered safe," authorities said. The bombs were wired to nine-volt batteries.
All of the bombs apparently were planted and did not arrive through the mail, they said.
"It appears the explosive devices were intended to detonate when they were removed from the mailboxes," Postal Service representative Linda Jensen said.
The FBI (news - web sites), on heightened alert after the Sept. 11 attacks and deadly doses of anthrax sent through the mail last fall, described the mailbox bombings as "domestic terrorism."
"We looked at the letters that accompanied these devices and are viewing it as a domestic terrorism incident," FBI special agent James Bogner said.
He said the letters contained "general anti-government rhetoric."
"My understanding is that they are all the same, similar letters, similar information," Bogner said. The letters warned of future "attention getters," and were signed "someone who cares."
"Postal customers should be very cautious when opening their mailboxes. (The bombs) are accompanied by a clear plastic bag that contains a typewritten letter full of anti-government propaganda," she said. "If such material is discovered by a postal customer or a postal carrier, please, please do not touch the item or slam the box door."
Bogner said there could be other devices yet to be discovered. Mail carriers in the area were recalled from their routes, and customers were warned to be careful when opening their mailboxes.
Mail delivery was suspended through Saturday in the affected area within a 150-mile radius of Davenport, Iowa, along the Mississippi River.
posted on May 4, 2002 05:57:44 AM new
There are some simple electronic devices available that signal a home alert system when the box is opened. In fact with my radio-shack system, I can just put a $20 sender in the box and it is done. Many people have been using these devices so they can simply see if the mail man has been there, but now they may prove valuable for other purposes. BUT, it is sure a sad state of affairs for our free and open US society to have to worry about such things.
posted on May 4, 2002 06:11:51 AM new
I put the no-postage required envelpoes full of their original envelopes in my mailbox and put the red flag up to see when the mailman has come. Let the spammers pay a little for all the spam they send.
posted on May 4, 2002 07:05:33 AM new
The spammers just get reimbursed for the returned envelopes. Spam mail is a major source of funding and the USPS likes to keep their shooting star customers happy.
dendude
posted on May 4, 2002 11:23:01 AM new
I was just kidding around this week that the computer virus that makes us afraid to open attachments was probably initiated by the USPS to encourage us to send more stuff in the snail mail.
Now we are getting bombs in our real-time mail boxes - Retaliation?
On the serious side; how can ANYONE justify blowing INNOCENT people's hands off just to make a statement? May they hang by their toes.
posted on May 4, 2002 11:51:15 AM new
always... I have a R.S. $99 security system which includes a mag-switch alert sender and a motion detector sender. (I added a few more). Either one could be installed in the box. I expect the motion detector would be the easiest. If my alarm goes off, a red light on the little console shows what set it off. If it were my "opening mailbox" at night, I'd just call the sheriff.
posted on May 4, 2002 02:40:46 PM new
More Boombs found in Nebraska What is this world coming to. For more news go to
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&u=/ap/20020504/ap_on_re_us/mailbox_bombs_41
I hope this works. This is the Nebraska story.
posted on May 4, 2002 02:57:19 PM new
For the text of the note left with the boombs go to.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/747469.asp
This person is a nut case.
I have a buyer in Iowa I am waiting payment from.