Updated Jan 7, 2009 - 11:00 am

Death threats sent to 11 Seattle bars

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Tensions are running high on Seattle's Capitol Hill after someone sent death threats to 11 gay bars in the area.

The anonymous letter writer claimed to have the deadly chemical Ricin and threatened to kill at least five people.

Keith Christianson, at the Seattle Eagle, says his bar received one of the letters, but he was warned and gave it to police before it was opened. He says he's taking the threat seriously. "There's enough going on out there right now that it would be just up somebody's alley to stress the economy out in the gay market or whatever it could be."

Christianson is putting up signs and warning people not to leave drinks unattended where they could be easily poisoned. "You just want to make sure that people are aware that stuff like that is going on. If somebody tries to do it, people are watching and making sure that people are not missing something in public."

Dan Savage, "Savage Love" columnist and editor of The Stranger, isn't taking the threat too seriously. "I think it's a serious attempt on some demented individual's part to ruin everybody's day and scare people, but I don't actually think there's somebody sitting out there with pounds and pounds of Ricin in their apartment."

Seattle Police say they're testing the letters for any trace of the deadly chemical, and urging people to be cautious.

Listen to Savage's interview

Savage has ideas about the type of person that might be responsible for sending the letters. "I don't think it's a religious person, I don't think it's a right wing hater. It's obviously someone who spent time in gay bars and has a beef with gay people. Probably a gay person himself."

While Seattle Police and FBI investigate, the community is planning a massive pub crawl to the threatened businesses Friday night.

"In the long run, I think whoever did this is going to feel foolish because a lot of people who might not have headed out to the bars this week are heading out to these eleven bars," said Savage.

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• Captain America wrote...

  Why, in this time of financial trouble and world conflict...

  ...would someone look for another reason to divide us? To threaten an entire segment of the population is ignorant, bigoted, and unproductive. To do it anonymously is cowardly and childish. How can someone believe this is either productive or worth focusing on at this point in time? I guess there are morons capable of distorting priorities and being bigoted even at a moment in history when we should all be looking for ways to find common ground. This is both sad and stupid.

  January 7, 2009 7:49 am

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• swassociates wrote...

  You Don't Know Enough To Make That Assumption

  So how do we know these threats aren't done by homosexuals in order to gain sympathy?

  January 7, 2009 8:12 am

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• Captain America wrote...

  First, I didn't say WHO was trying to sow division...

  ...I only disparaged the attempt. Secondly, your assumption that I meant it was an actual bigot who made these threats supports the greater probability that it is in fact somone with an issue regarding the gay community. It is most likely someone tying to "overcome gay urges", or a religious fundamentalist. Although the possibility exists that a gay person or group is behind this, that is a remote and devious possibility. Someone would have to be extremely manipulative to think of that tactic. There is a far greater probability that some moron is looking for an opportunity to take peoples' anxiety and turn it against their favorite boogyman. Love and hate are strong emotions that can be manipulated in times of stress. Look at what happens when people are, or perceive themselves to be, involved in a conflict. The lowest among us have historically used crisis as an opportunity to turn others against groups they don't like. In general I think humans to be good natured, but there are those in any populace who seek influence at any possible opening.

  January 7, 2009 8:56 am

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• Captain America wrote...

  Hopefully we will know the truth soon.

  Unless the person or group who sent these letters was exceptionally clever they will be found. When that happens a gay perp would suffer more backlash than they could ever overcome. The risk would be too great. It is far more likely that someone was dumb enough to think this was a good opportunity while other things were going on to get away with it. If a gay person or group were behind this they would have to be simultaneously clever enough to think of the ruse, but dumb enough to overlook the consequences of being found out. Anyone who watches CSI knows how good the cops are at following the smallest clue to find the bad guy. The type of envelopes, paper, ink etc. could lead them to a particular locality. Postmarks indicate where it was sent from. Does the intimidator live or work near that location? If not, did their presence near an unusual mail drop stand out in a friend or family member's mind? Too many ways to be found out. It is most likely a dumb bigot... and the real police have other tricks we never see on television.

  January 7, 2009 9:06 am

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• Captain America wrote...

  Actually, I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with it.

  And I don't really watch much television. I don't need a chill pill Phil. I wasn't even a little wound up. I was just proposing that it's ridiculous to think it more likely a gay person, when there are so many who have serious issues with the gay community. I'm as likely as the next person to be critical of the behavior at gay pride parades. That is why I steer clear of them. But that is individuals behaving badly. I don't dislike the group because a few individuals behave like bufoons. If you think about it, I have every reason to be thoughtful and careful about generalizing. I'm a conservative in a sea of liberals. I'm subjected to enough generalization by people who think that because I'm fiscally and personally conservative I must also be uptight and/or bigoted.

  January 7, 2009 9:21 pm

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• Captain America wrote...

  To whomever marked Mike's post as "abuse":

  While I appreciate your concern, I don't think he needs to be edited out, or reprimanded. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. If I haven't a thicker skin than that, I shouldn't be putting my opinion out in a public place as often as I do.

  January 7, 2009 9:24 pm

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