News Jan 7, 2009 at 10:00 am

RICIN: Seattle Gay Bars Receive Threatening Letters

Comments

1
Jesus, that's fucked. Thanks for getting the word out, and may this asshole accidentally ingest some of his own goodies, if he has them.
2
Dan - the permalink is broken, linking to different article.
3
sounds like a closeted fatty with a vendetta on happiness
4
I'm guessing it's one of the radical religious extremists that aren't allowed to hold services at Neumo's anymore.
5
Charming.
6
People: DO NOT accept drinks brought to you by a suitor or stranger. Keep an eye on them.

We should always be doing this like chicks at a frat party, but now it seems even more important
7
Imagine if someone sent a letter out claiming to have AIDS and they would purposely infect people they met at gay bars...it'd be business as usual I suspect.
8
Want to hear my theory?
9
Well, fuck. Every bar I patronize on the hill was on that list...

and since when is the Crescent considered a gay bar? All I ever see there are hipsters.
10
Why are they giving these letters to the police? The FBI should be contacted.
11
@2 - The permalink is fixed now, thanks.
12
The good news is, any psycho stupid enough to send out (to 11 establishments) such a letter is bound to get caught. Gay bars as targets or not, I couldn't imagine an issue the Feds take more serious.

And holy hell, the Crescent is still there (that's the place near City Market, right)? How long has it been in business, anyhow? It must be some sort of landmark, no?
13
So, where's Homeland Insecurity?

You did call them, right?
14
@10, I agree. This is not a job for the Seattle PD - it's clearly a matter for the FBI.
15
Fuck that's nasty. Ugh. Careful.
16
Yet one more reason to stay in.

It definitely is staying in season as it is, and not much going on at the clubs/bars anyway that draws anyone out. And now this? Shit, I pour stronger drinks at my place, with better music, and better eye candy.
17
That is so fucking lame. What an asshole. This douchebag is such a dickless piece of shit. Fuck him, I'm going out to every bar on that list every Saturday this month, I don't give a shit how much it fucks up my god damn liver.

Pardon my french.
18
Well, Homo Will, I think you should prove it -- better eye candy at your place? Send pictures. And if you're serving strong drinks, invite us all over, would you?

But let's not be shitty to the bars or their owners and managers. This isn't a time to be tossing attitude at them, or encouraging people to stay away.

I'm going to Purr and Madison Pub for drinks after work, and will hit 'em all on the Pub Crawl later this week.
19
Sounds like someone feels bad about himself and the sweaty man sex he had...so he's lashing out.

Or maybe no one sucked him off when he went down to the OLLLLD GLOORYYHOOLE! (Whitest Kid You Know reference).
20
This is just sick, and we have do something to let this idiot know that this sort of thing is NOT OKAY HERE.

It makes me want form a coalition of folks, so that we can head out to each and every one of these bars for each of the coming Saturdays, and ensure that they are full to capacity, as a our own little protest that we won't stand for this hateful asshat's actions. Our own organized protest, with fine adult beverages?

And given that this is a target threat with use of a chemical weapon, this MUST be submitted to the FBI immediately, as SPD isn't going to have the tools or resources to properly investigate this.
21
Hope the FBI nails this fucker's dick to the wall.

Any of these bars have good happy hours?
22
um.. guys... the stupid FBI probably SENT the damn letters
23
Aren't crazy closet cases just the worst?

This is almost a perfect example of what a hate crime is. Most people think a hate crime is the violent part of a crime, but it's not. The fact that a crime is intended to inflict terror on a group of people is what makes it a hate crime.

That said, my bullshit meter is screaming right now. Regardless, stay safe out there kids.
24
How ultra lame. Hard to believe that some one in Seattle has it in them to hate themselves sooo much that they actually send "threatening" letters to gay bars.
You know, I'll bet this person would attest to "hating terrorists" too. Oh the hypocrisy.
See you all out there each Saturday this month for drinks.
25
This sucks, I really wanted to go out this weekend! I need laid! I need gay cock so I can make sure I am gay!!!
26
Did anyone check to see if there was a Mr. Poe monogram on the stationary?
27
@26: I was thinking more like John Bailo.
28
I hope we can all do a Pub Crawl this weekend to show that fear will not work on our gay community
its probably a hoax but Ricin is serious and everyone should be very carefull not to leave there drink alone and if you see anything suspisious to please tell your bartender about it.
29
This is all kinds of lame. But it is a good reminder to keep an eye on your drink. This guy is probably full of shit. But I have a number of pals, men and women, who have been randomly roofied this year. Though none of them got hit at any of the bars mentioned in this post.

Another silver lining, I didn't realize that Purr was a gay bar! I'll have to add it to my drinking rotation.
30
I'd be very surprised if the FBI gets involved. I'll go out and buy a beer and have a good time. It's a Bush-ism, you know when they attack we go shopping. It's something like that.

31
LOL WTF happend to Mr. Poe
32
This guy's straight Al Qaeda, brah! He's gonna be everywhere!

Gimme a break. He not only advertised WHERE he's targeting, but he also sends a copy to the Stranger so they can get the word out. Bouncers beware, look for the dude with a dozen stamps on his wrist.

Still, thanks for the heads-up, Dan.
33
If you stop drinking, the terrorists win.
34
I bet the author of the letter calls himself a Christian ...
35
i just ate half a box of zatarans, some lemon yogurt, and one chicken breast grilled and dipped in thai peanut sauce.
36
Am I right that it is not just your drink? They can simply dump some into a ventilation system in a bar or in the smoke machines?
37
the ld50 on ricen is 30mcg/kg. What does that mean? It means a 190lb dude would have to ingest about 2.6 GRAMS of the powder to have a 50% chance of dying. That's FIVE extra strength Tylenol tablets. Little hard not to notice in a drink.

So, to review : watch out for 1/4" of crap in the bottom of your drink, don't snort anything you don't know is drugs, and watch out for syringe-wielding madmen.

So, now your faced with the question : go to your favorite bar, or cross the street? I'll bet crossing the street is more dangerous.
38
I called and asked about the FBI being involved and the officer said that the FBI screens all their cases anyway. So if it's something that they feel they need to look into, they will. See you all out this weekend!
39
I'm stumped, it's too well written to have come from Daniel “Go live in France pussy you faggots!” Freykis. Maybe it's from Hutch...
40
Well, after we all march on Saturday to protest DOMA (because WE ALL ARE GOING TO MARCH, RIGHT, AREN'T WE?) we can go, en masse, to the targeted clubs and show them our love with our almighty gay dollars, right? Right?
41
@37: Check your math dude. That's 30 *MICRO*grams per kilo of body weight. So your hypothetical 190 lb dude only needs to ingest 0.0025 grams of pure ricin in order to have a 50% chance of dying.
42
UNFORTUNATLY, The sicko peep that is doing this is probably sitting back and reading all this and laughing their head off loving every momment that they are in the spotlight, and then thinking when will I strike!!!
Threats are not to be taken lightly of any kind.
I hope the police find him/her quick.
43
I work at one of these establishments, and all I can say is I hope people dont stay away. It's idiots like this that try to prey on our fears. Hopefully the police and the FBI can find this guy before we wake up tomorrow. Maybe he can hate gays while he's getting his ass pounded in jail!
44
22. Why would it go that far up the chain? It was probably someone with SPD or the City of Seattle, maybe even someone with a developer eyeing valuable Capitol Hill property, someone local who has some sort of interest in seeing gay bars fail.
45
If the Crescent isn't gay- I don't know what is.
46
This interesting fact from Wikipedia (Ricin is made from castor beans):
"In January 2006, ricin was found in a home in suburban Richmond, Virginia in the form of mashed castor beans. Although the suspect, Chetanand Sewraz, was allegedly isolating the toxin to kill his estranged wife, and not for some form of bioterrorism, it nonetheless highlighted the ease with which ricin toxin can be made." So watch your drinks, homo's, and your beans.
47
Gomez, I thought you gave up commenting?

loser
48
Wait, I formally gave up commenting? When did I tell you this, stranger?
49
That letter appears to be a photo copy - assuming that the perp. was the one who did the photo copying it might be possible to track down which machine was used. Given the cost, size, and need for easy access it seems reasonable to consider copiers at public libraries as those are readily available to all and it would be unlikely the perp. would want to make the copies at work. Granted that's all speculation since its possible the letter that was scanned was copied by someone else prior to being posted online. peace out.
50
I think it's time to call Scooby and the gang. In the meantime, I think this straight guy might just go out to a few gay bars this weekend. I'd prefer to see a quiet backlash, saying 'you don't scare anyone, you're eventually going to jail, and these bars had their best weekend since the block party.' I could use a change of scenery anyway.
51
Screw FBI... give that letter to the CSI crime lab. They'll bust out blacklights and science music and solve that shit like BOW!
52
Thanks if fucked up! All the bars in question should start serving all their drinks in coffee cups with tops or plastic cups with straws. Out smart the ass hole! He obviously thinks he is smarter than all the gay people and bars he is targeting, not to mention the cops. I definitely support the a bar crawl in support of these establishments.
53
My gut tells me this clown is trying to kill business at these bars, not actually kill the patrons. If he really wanted to kill the patrons, he wouldn't have advertised it. If I was a patron of any of those bars, I'd still go to them and spend lots of money and have fun; that's the best way to fight assholes like this. Whoever did this is a coward and a bully; the best way to fight them is to show that while you may be scared, you're not so scared that you're going to stop living. Go out, have fun, but keep an eye on your drinkies - just in case!

One interesting thing: it's curious how he/she used the term "in hospital", rather than 'in the hospital'. That style of speaking/writing suggests the author is either English/Canadian, or wants you to think they are. It's too bad there were no words in the letter that have different English/American English spellings (favour/favor, etc).

I hope they catch this sick fuck. Maybe we should analyze the ink and compare it to what Rev. Ken Hutcherson is using.....
54
Gomez: maybe, on a technicality, you were lying to the stranger
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archive…

Either way, you have absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation.

Go away.
55
That's it, everyone bring their sippie cups with lids and have the bar tenders pour your drinks in there!
56
It is my understanding that printers encode anything printed on them with an ID from what printer it came from. Assuming the printer was registered for its warranty, it is possible to catch the culprit. Surely the FBI (which has thousands of job openings and is way understaffed, thanks bush.)can trace where these letters came from.

As for the F-TARD that thinks 'it' is going to go to 11 bars and slip posion into 5 drinks with out getting seen and caught, think again. After you get the shit kicked out of you, you will have plenty of time on your side in JAIL. Assuming the GAY MAFIA lets you live.

One more thing, dont let the Seattle Police Department slack off with a typical "theres really nothing we can do about it" until somebody gets injured or worse. Squeaky wheels get the grease and they probably need some pressure to take threats like this more seriously.
57
A) Sippy cups are a good idea for all sorts of reasons.
B) So are bottled beers.
C) Isn't this an act of domestic terrorism? Who ya gonna call?
D) I just saw a soccer mom with her car battery dead with TWO police cars AND a two truck on Madison.
E) I also just saw a dude totally whacked out of his skull pissing on a car on Broadway.
F) Serious about the who to call if you suspect terrorism. Anyone?
so...
G) Let's just move the big Homo scene to Georgetown. Bikers down there won't put up with this shit and if we suck 'em off every once in a while they'll actually like us. Who's with me?
59
This letter is photocopied. I gave the original to the SPD (this is Carla from Re-bar). I am going to be a squeaky wheel believe you me! thanks everyone
60
Jet City Jim @56, the microdot identifications are only printed with color laser printers. thanks, xerox!
61
I wasn't going to go out this weekend, but hell yeah! I'm joining that bar crawl and I'm going to show this "person" that they cannot scare us. I'd blow that letter up and turn it into a poster if I owned one of those bars.
62
Georgetown is cooler than the hill anyways. How come no one has opened a gay bar down there yet?

Seriously, I think we should peg this letter on the Prop 8 supporters.
63
Some of U guys R fuckin HEEE-LARIOUS!

Ricin in the ventilation ducts?

Tracking the copy machines the letters were printed from?

Serving drinks with lids and straws?!!!!!

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

You know, it's not the Joker you're up against.

Although, whoever commented "don't snort any powder this weekend" ,that's probably good advice for ANY weekend.
64
WARNING!

Dan described the first symptoms as vomiting and diarrhea.

So how is that different from most Binge-Drinking hangovers?

I know if I drink and then hit Dick's up, the next morning my beer-farts are so bad they could kill a car engine.

Just saying, look for lotsa worried gay people in the ER this weekend.
65
Hey, I'm straight but I live up here and this pisses me off. Can I come drink at all those bars too? (Not like I don't anyway)
66
Not everyone who goes to a gay bar is gay, either. Ann Rule wrote a book about a woman who was using ricin to poison her husband, and they tracked her down via the purchase of a large amount of castor bean seeds at a local garden and nursery. If I recall, it is rather bitter-tasting, as well. I hope the jerk DOES try something, something traceable, something that connects them to the letters, and that before the cops can get to him, he gets his ass KICKED!!!
If I lived closer, I'd be there for that pub crawl, and I seldom drink!
67
I like living in a city that has 11 gay bars. :)
68
Having been a target of anonymous gay harassers for years (death threats via untraceable phone calls, trash dumped into our yard, items tampered with, drive by yelling to keep us at night, being called faggots by some anonymous cowards in the dark), I know these haters exist right here in liberal Seattle.

We should be vigilant to root out these disturbed individuals. They hide because they know if exposed they would be at the mercy of people like us, who are tired of being humiliated and threatened simply because of our sexual preference and activities. And I doubt law enforcement will help -- some of em likely are haters themselves.
69
I'm going out every night this month... with pre-funk, post-funk and all other kinds of funky funk at my place. STRONG DRINKS, HOT MEN, and et cetera et cetera throughout.

see yinz out there.
70
So far I give the Mayors response to this a B+ as well.
71
Real serial killers kill first, taunt after. This guy is a wannabe. People should exercise ordinary caution, of course, but I wouldn't think that the actual chance of an attack like this is any greater than it was the week before the letter was sent (which is to say, very very small).
72
Ann Coulter's writing style has really gone downhill...
73
I dated this gal in HS and her dad was arrested because the FBI thought he was manufacturing ricin ( http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.c… ) . I'm sure the FBI already has someone of interest in mind. They don't take bio-terrorism lightly.

I agree...form an alliance with your fellow patrons. Watch out for each other...

74
@37 according to wikipedia, the Center for Disease Control 500 micrograms is the minimum reqirement for a lethal dose. Thats the size of a grain of salt. Although it might be bitter as others mentioned it, in a 120z beer you'd never notice it. Come out. Support the bars. Dont let this person bully you. But for god's sake BE CAREFUL and WATCH YOUR DRINK!
75
@16: You're one of the people terrorists like since you're ready to cave into what they want to do... to terrorize.
76
This is seriously terrifying. I have already called friends and told them to spread the word. How incredibly wrong is this person?
77
lol, i'd like to see someone successfully put that shit in 55 drinks.

He would be caught quickly and judging from his obsessive numerical fascination and laughably over-dramatic sci-fi influenced writing style he is probably: awkward, nervous, overweight, and generally pretty incompetent.

The nerd is also reading these posts after writing to the stranger. He knows he would be caught if he attempted it and also knows how much he would be ass fucked in prison when he does get caught. Hard. It's quite ridiculous. Ha ha comedy.

Really it is another reason to support these bars and look out for one another.
78
I'm sorry, did someone say a pub crawl? Did someone have crazy for breakfast? C'mon, we all LOVE all these places - and this sentiment is valorous and quite touching. But have you really sat down and thought this through? You are willing to actually risk your life - in support of a BAR? Really? This is likely just a maladjusted fuck with a typewriter, or it just may be someone with the means and the will to ACTUALLY KILL YOU. What if - he (or she) isn't going to spike your drink? Do you think perhaps they'll spritz it in your face? put it on a q-tip? In the coat check? On a toilet seat?

Sorry to be fatalistic here folks but life and limb trump EVEN our beloved local drinking holes. Call me a pussy but taking such a risk, albeit likely negligible, even for the right reasons, goes beyond customer loyalty and neighborhood solidarity, and crosses over into suicidal behavior. How about a compromise? Perhaps mailing your favorite targeted bar some 20-dollar bills? You were going to drop $40 on drinks anyway, how about just not getting shit-faced for a few weekends? These places ARE our community, and even under the circumstances I feel kinda shitty for writing this, but look at it this way - would you walk right into a building that had just received a bomb threat - based solely on principle? You would? You wouldn't?
79
Not opposed to going out this week end, and will for sure join in the bar crawl, but if this individual is targeting all 11 of these venues, and will have enough of this substance with him, would it not be a good idea to do some patting down or mild searching of bags (for females or anyone for that matter) when entering the premises? I understand this may increase the wait time to get into the club, but just taking precaution. Also, I feel the best way to avoid from something being slipped in your drink is for us to be cautious, and not leave it unattended. This would be a good reason to not get a pitcher of beer and leave it behind while you dance. Three weeks ago some one slipped something on my friend's cocktail at Neighbours, presumably GHB, and I feel as if we only become cautious when things like this hit home. Instead of worrying who this guy/gal is, protect yourselves and those around you by being alert.
80
isn't it funny how everyone assumes this letter came from a male?
81
Anyone else notice that the sign has got 3 t's in ATTTENTION?
82
@78, Yes, I totally would. If you don't, the terrorists win! CapHillNeighbor, are YOU the mad Ricin terrorist? And yeah, you're a pussy!
83
@ 78. You are a "pussy". Over 15 years ago someone targeting a gay bar with violence was very much a real threat. Yet week after week I went to the bar without hesitation. Back then it felt like almost an obligation to go out.
84
this doesn't sound like one ass hole. this sounds either a group of assholes or a really angry stupid person. there would have to be 11 people in each one of those bars to target 55 people exactly on the same day......this person/people would either have to have access to a medical facility or have extensive knowledge of the castor bean- which is the plant that ricin is extracted from. i hope everything will be okay.
85
Oooo...I've always had a thing for Crippen! Maybe if I go out, I'll get to meat him.
86
@80. Do you want to wager it isn't a male? Sounds like a good wager. I, however, am a lousy better and would go with the safe answer. Yes, it is a male. But that's just me being chicken-shit with my money.

It is obvious that 8 years of the Bush administration has taught the fundamentals of terrorism quite well in this country. At least we can prove he improved education in at least one capacity.

@78. You completely lack a spine. If you can't see straight through the intent of this letter and the intended results your brain went missing when your spine took off. If the goal *was* to kill gay people, then they wouldn't have warned everybody about it first. Crazy psycho killers don't start writing to the press with crazy manafestos until *after* they hurt people, not before. This is 100% domestic terrorism. Probably targeted towards Seattle for sparking that nation-wide Prop 8 protest.

Just goes to show that Larry Kramer is right when he warns that gay people are *HATED* in this country, still.

Lots of work left to do. Don't drop your guard, but don't abandon your balls either. You're gonna need them at the bars anyway, yes?

Was the Wild Rose targeted? Anyone know? I ask, because in that case I mean balls to include ovaries as well. :)
87
@69...a noble cause, but you better not be the same JT that lives below me cuz I gotz to work during the week, and you know I can't avoid the temptation of 'funky funk'
88
This is just another reason I continue to ask myself, can the gay rights movement succeed without a militant faction that protects our community and raises awareness/outrage about this kind of behavior?

http://blog.jreignconsulting.com/2009/01…
89
Fuck yeah, the Crescent Lounge is very gay. Matter of fact, it was one of the original undercover lesbian bars in the 70's. It's been owned by a gay man for the last 30 years. It's 70% staffed by gay people. I am one of 5 straight people out of 20+ employees.

I'll tell you what happened when the news broke to the staff and regulars of the Crescent. The regulars shrugged and kept drinking like nothing happened, and the staff has got it's eyes out. I'm pretty sure the sales impact will be zilch.

When you're a community bar, and the majority of your customers are your next-door neighbors, it's like a staff of 40 customer service trained people working at the bar at all times. If there actually is a hate-monger in our bar, he will get caught so fast it's not even funny.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same guy who tried to get SSP shut-down. Both cases reeeeek of a closeted loser.
90
It makes me sad to see people perpetrate such ugliness. I will pray for safe, happy and tipsy homos! 8-)
91
Will this be treated as a terrorist threat? The targets are only gay people, so I seriously doubt that DHS will do anything helpful.
92
If I lived in Seattle, I'd now make a special point of patronizing these bars, 'though I'm straight. Don't let this dangerous fool succeed with his/her terrorism. Patronize these bars. I'll make a promise: if there is such an attack, I'll fly to Seattle just to patronize these bars. I'd rather die than let somebody get away with this. These bars should have the best January they have ever had. In solidarity, from Chicago,

93
Check the stamps and envelopes for DNA from saliva or a loose hair. Figure out which post office originally sent the letters. I hope the FBI is taking this very seriously. A threat to kill 55 people is absolutely terrorism. This is on par with the Zodiac killer.
Bars could also help by video recording who is walking through the door. Eight hours worth of tape is only $20. Just a suggestion.
94
@ 81 And that's not to mention "have abandon," "possablity," and "safty." Yeesh.
95
Might be time to bring back the old "members-only" club concept with some physical security around HVAC systems as a second level of caution. Don't know.

Will say that "gather the troops and protest mightily" works better against people than poisons, flying objects, and sudden chemical reactions.

YMMV. Balance your priorities, talk with friends, examine your ethical imperatives...and pass the word along.
96
Well then, I know what I'm doing on Saturdays this month - sticking it to this asshole and going to some great gay bars!
97
"A closeted fatty with a vendetta against happiness?" That sounds like Bill Donohue of the Catholic League.
98
Too bad white Christian Americans will never be classified as terrorists in this country. Because that's what this is - terrorism. But I do not expect one bit of outrage or support from the American public.
99
Judging by the use of such phrases as "in hospital" (which is just so British) and the allusion to "Time on my side", it's clear to me that this was sent by Mick Jagger. Arrest him!
100
Let's not call names to those that have expressed their fear. We are one of the most educated cities in the nation, no? And we are better than that.

CapHilNeighbor - I understand your concern. However, threats of violence have always been the tool to use against any "hated" group. But standing up for your rights is the only way to advance freedom. Imagine if Rosa Parks had not sat in the front of the bus. She was but one of many African-Americans who refused to back down. Yes, I'm quite sure she was very fearful of retribution. But if you back down, then the "other side" wins.

I'm a straight female in Federal Way. If I lived closer, I would join you in your pub crawl.

My suggestion to everyone on this blog is to arm yourselves with the knowledge of how Ricin can be distributed. Stay safe, my friends!

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