BreakTheChain.org
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The Postman Always Rings TwiceDate Added: Oct. 12, 2001
Though it contains no direct references to the the terrorist attacks on the U.S., it is certainly no coincidence that this old hoax has resurfaced in the aftermath. Hey Everyone, I got this from my friend who is a State Policeman. Thought if he thought it was important to send I should pass on. Donna This is an alert about a virus in the original sense of the word...one that affects your body, not your hard drive. There have been 23 confirmed cases of people attacked by the Klingerman Virus, a virus that arrives in your real mail box, not your e-mail in box. Someone has been mailing large blue envelopes, seemingly at random, to people inside the US. On the front of the envelope in bold black letters is printed, "A gift for you from the Klingerman Foundation." When the envelopes are opened, there is a small sponge sealed in plastic. This sponge carries what has come to be known as the Klingerman Virus, as public health officials state this is a strain of virus they have not previously encountered. When asked for comment, Florida police Sergeant Stetson said, "We are working with the CDC and the USPS, but have so far been unable to track down the origins of these letters. The return addresses have all been different, and we are certain a remailing service is being used, making our jobs that much more difficult." Those who have come in contact with the Klingerman Virus have been hospitalized with severe dysentery. So far seven of the twentythree victims have died. There is no legitimate Klingerman Foundation mailing unsolicited gifts. If you receive an oversized blue envelope in the mail marked,"A gift from the Klingerman foundation", DO NOT open it. Place the envelope in a strong plastic bag or container, and call the police immediately. The "gift" inside is one you definitely do not want. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU CARE ABOUT. Since the horrific events in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. on September 11, 2001, the media has warned that this is not the end. Experts have been predicting that the next attack may be biological or chemical. This sets a perfect a stage for the return of the Klingerman Virus hoax. This chain letter and subsequent debunkings by the CDC and US Postal Service predate September 11 by at least 16 months. Regardless, it seems a logical connection because it is another example of terror-minded criminals using our own infrastructure and freedoms against us. But, it is no more true than it was in May, 2000 when I first saw it. Later versions claim to come from Schwab Corporate Headquarters. What this most likely means is that somebody who works at Schwab received it at one time and forwarded it, thus adding his or her name and false authority to the message. This is yet another reason why you shouldn't forward these. You may unwittingly become an "expert." It is very difficult to believe that some national or international conspiracy could be responsible for 23 hospitalizations and seven deaths and you haven't heard the first peep on the news (especially at a time when public, media and government scrutiny of anything resembling terrorism is at its highest). The delivery method described is pure urban legend narrative. It is extremely detailed, talks of events that are possible, and cites authority figures as saying this is the worst (insert crime here) ever. And, good old Sergeant Stetson is investigating this along with the CDC and USPS. Pinpointing Sergeant Stetson in the "Florida Police" could be difficult, if not impossible. But, my attention was drawn to the government agencies said to be investigating the matter. The Postal Service does not investigate mail crime - that is the jurisdiction of the FBI. The CDC also defers all criminal investigations to the FBI and/or local authorities. Both organizations dismiss the claim as a hoax. A few weeks after the first nationally televised reports of anthrax infection via mail, a chain began circulating that is very similar to the Klingerman letter in that it describes anthrax or "other such chemicals" (anthrax is a biological agent, not a chemical) being mailed to our homes as free sample sponges. Subject: free (Anthrax) sponges I got this forward at work. Don Hey guys, I am writing you to inform you of something I personally heard today. My friend Dana's uncle is a very high ranking in the military and he told her father that Afganistan is planning on sending germ warfare in the form of sponges. A "free trial" sample of a new sponge...the problem being is these sponges are supposed to be soaked in the Anthrax and other such chemicals. Please DO NOT OPEN them...DO NOT throw them away..CALL THE LOCAL OFFICIALS and notify them about it. Better be safe then sorry!! Please pass this on to everyone you know so that we can protect people! Thank you guys! Again, we're given vague, third-person information from an anonymous person's friend's father's brother about a theoretical event that could happen, but for which there is no evidence. Break this Chain! References: None |