"On Monday 3/16/15, an envelope was received at the White House Mail Screening Facility. Initial Biological testing was negative; however, on 03/17/15, the chemical testing returned a presumptive positive for cyanide," Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said in a statement. "The sample was transported to another facility to confirm the results."
According to US Environmental Protection Agency cyanide, which is used in a number of industries, is "extremely" toxic to humans.
"Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure of humans to cyanide results primarily in effects on the central nervous system (CNS)," the EPA warns.
Other effects include cardiovascular and respiratory, as well as an enlarged thyroid gland, and irritation to the eyes and skin.
AP : #AP10Things to know: White House letter tests positive for cyanide; latest church to... http://t.co/EFCPdU5NrM) pic.twitter.com/RtM3hGMdG7According to The Intercept, which first reported the incident, the envelope containing cyanide listed the return address of a person who has a record with the Secret Service dating back to 1995. It is alleged that this individual previously sent packages covered in urine and feces. The last one received from this individual in June, 2012, contained mini alcoholic beverages.
โ TVMS8 (@TVMS8news) March 18, 2015
The cyanide incident which is now being investigated follows a number of security lapses on behalf of the secret service at the White House.
The agency has been the focus of a series of security breaches that have raised questions about safety at the White House. For instance, last month, an off-duty defense employee flew a drone that crashed on the White House lawn. Four months prior, a man with a knife climbed over the White House fence and made it deep inside the building before officers tackled him.
The Secret Service's previous director, Julia Pierson, resigned in October after a number of security lapses. A critical report released in December found that the agency is stretched beyond its limits, is too insular, and is "starved for leadership." Five agency managers were removed from their positions in January as a result.
When the new Secret Service director Joseph Clancy went to to Congress on Tuesday requesting more money for 2016, including $8 million for building a replica White House, he instead had a tough day dodging questions about an incident two weeks ago, allegedly involving drunk agents running into a White House fence.
If so, shame on those behind this.
If not, and it really was some deranged bozo sending this in hopes to harm Obama and Co., any rational decent person opposed to all violence must find such actions reprehensible. I certainly do, and always will.
While I despise the zionist-neocons and their ilk, I do NOT want them to be murdered, assassinated, or otherwise harmed. Why? Because I oppose violence in every circumstance except in direct self-defense. Murder is ALWAYS wrong. Violence is to be avoided at nearly all costs (again, except in true self-defense.) I believe Vlad Putin would agree, and that's probably why I like and admire him so much.
If this truly was the act of a lone loony-tunes nut-job, let's hope he or she's apprehended quickly and without violence to anyone (which is a lot to ask in the Police State Amerikkka.) Such a person needs psychological help, at the very least, or if found sane, a nice long term in prison to get their priorities straight, hopefully. Innocent handlers of such a letter were in potential danger. A very thoughtless, reckless, and ultimately useless means of expressing disapproval.
But if just another false flag, then I am once again disgusted by the depths to which this administration would stoop for sympathy from a war-torn, shell-shocked citizenry, constantly assailed by repulsively open propaganda from the MSM megaphone continuously spewing their lies and deceit.
I fully understand the anger and frustrations of watching this administration murder and steal without pause or punishment. But violence and acts of terrorism are NOT the way to bring about effective change. Of course, blind anger can easily overtake reason when emotions flare to a thermonuclear degree. And people can say things they otherwise do not really believe in their heart of hearts, but instead allow their futility in opposing such horrific injustices to get the better of them briefly. Understandable, but if it then leads to actions or plans of committing violence or mayhem, I cannot accept or defend such conduct. It is not humane, civilized, or beneficial.
Just my 2 cents.