anysia | I don't often email newspapers or their reporters

But sometimes, it needs to be done.

Keith Olbermann opened a letter, and there was a white powdery substance in it. He did what everyone has been told to do, called 911. Hazmat arrived, as did the police. KO was put in a decontamination shower there, the substance in the envelope was carefully gathered and contained. KO was then, as protocol dictates, taken to the hospital for complete examination and given a prescription for a strong antibiotic, one given to anyone suspected of being exposed to anthrax.

So, what has my knickers in a twist? A very stupid (at the very best) or downright nasty (more likely) 'journalist', who decided to make light of the event.

"POWDER PUFF SPOOKS KEITH"
Keith Olbermann flipped out when he opened his home mail yesterday. The acerbic host of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" was terrified when he opened a suspicious-looking letter with a California postmark and a batch of white powder poured out. A note inside warned Olbermann, who’s a frequent critic of President Bush’s policies, that it was payback for some of his on-air shtick. The caustic commentator panicked and frantically called 911 at about 12:30 a.m., sources told The Post’s Philip Messing. An NYPD HazMat unit rushed to Olbermann’s pad on Central Park South, but preliminary tests indicated the substance was harmless soap powder. However, that wasn’t enough to satisfy Olbermann, who insisted on a checkup. He asked to be taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, where doctors looked him over and sent him home. Whether they gave him a lollipop on the way out isn’t known. Olbermann had no comment.

Not only did she make sport and light of this, but she lied as to KO's actions and reactions, not to mention the things that will end up screwing up the FBI investigation of said event.

So, I got flaming mad, as the NYP didn't have this sort of 'reporting' when others received letters with suspicious white powder. And I emailed her paula.froelich@nypost.com to tell her just how angry I was/am.

How dare you impede an FBI investigation like this? How dare you make light of a journalist receiving an envelope with white powdery substance? How dare you belittle Keith Olbermann and insinuate he was doing a "Chicken Little" over-reaction? That particular accolade goes to Bill Oh'Really? O'Reilly of FAUX news.

Mr Olbermann didn't panic.. he called 911 as he should have. He didn't demand to be taken to the hospital. FYI it is protocol for anyone exposed to suspicious substance to be taken to a decontamination shower, and then thoroughly examined by medical staff at a hospital, and then proscribed strong anti-biotics. How dare you come across like this was some panic attack?

That snide remark about the lollipop was uncalled for, and extremely childish, and beneath journalistic ethics, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Signed

Furious US-Expat living in Australia

Anysia Chung