10 October 2003

From: WMadsen777@aol.com
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 14:15:30 EDT
Subject: Message I sent today to the FBI Public Tips web site:

Message I sent today to the FBI Public Tips web site:

On Thursday, October 9, 2003, M.G. "Pat" Robertson, a resident of Virginia Beach, VA, communicated a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) terrorist threat against the U.S. State Department building in Washington, DC. Robertson's business address is 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (phone: 757.226.4127).

During a broadcast of Robertson's syndicated television program, the "700 Club," Robertson said the following to National Review journalist Joel Mowbray, "'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom (the State Department building), I think that's the answer." Robertson then reiterated his threat, "'We've got to blow that thing up."

I live some 4 miles from the State Department building in Arlington, VA and I feel personally threatened by Robertson's remarks. Robertson also has the financial means to acquire WMDs. I would like to know what measures the FBI will take to prevent Robertson from communicating more terrorist threats to the metropolitan Washington, DC region.

If an Islamic cleric in the United States were to say what Robertson said, I am sure he would now either be under arrest or detained incommunicado under the provisions of the Patriot Act.

Signed,

Wayne Madsen, a concerned resident of Arlington, VA and employee who works in Washington, DC

The following Reuters article is germane:

State Department Protests Televangelist's Remark

Fri Oct 10,10:48 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department has protested to televangelist Pat Robertson about his "despicable" suggestion that someone blow up the department with a nuclear bomb, an official said on Thursday.  

Robertson, a former presidential candidate, made the remark in an interview with Joel Mowbray, author of a new book entitled "Dangerous Diplomacy: How the State Department Endangers America's Security."

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, asked to comment, said on Thursday: "I lack sufficient capabilities to express my disdain. ... I think the very idea is despicable." The department has made its views clear to Robertson, added a State Department official, who asked not to be named.

Introducing Mowbray on his Christian Broadcasting Network, Robertson said that a person who read Mowbray's book would reach the conclusion that a nuclear explosion at the State Department was the best solution. "I read your book. When you get through, you say (to yourself): 'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom (the State Department's main building), I think that's the answer' and you say: 'We've got to blow that thing up.' I mean, is it as bad as you say?" he said.

"It is," Mowbray replied. Mowbray himself did not make the suggestion, either in his book or in the interview. According to the network's Web site, Mowbray's book "exposes the mixed allegiances, hidden agendas, and outright anti-Americanism found in the State Department."