If the plan was stupid, I would guess that the Brits were involved in carrying out a false flag operation.

If the goal was to terrorize others into submission, I would suspect that it was Putin.

The Manhatten Project was the first time that polonium was handled in (relatively) large amounts, and in doing so they found that it is a “pervasive” material. E.g. if a microscopic sample were handled at one end of an open laboratory, using all due precautions, within a few hours there would be detectable amounts at the opposite end of the lab. Not good if the more dangerous isotopes are involved.

But I would urge people to remember one thing: “radioactive” does not mean “instantly and utterly destructive of all living things”. Your body is naturally radioactive. If you live in Colorado you are more radioactive, and exposed to more natural radioactivity, than if you live in Mississippi (taking into account only natural sources, not mine tailings). Radioactive materials are useful for many purposes and in many cases can be handled safely by anyone (including high school students) with basic training. (Others of course are quite dangerous)

And uranium, specifically, is a useful element that is not as dangerous or destructive as many web site commenter would have you believe. In some countries (not the US) depleted uranium is used as a component in tooth fillings and crowns, since in the ceramic form it is extremely hard, extremely strong, and the same color as natural tooth material. This poses no more danger to the fill-ee than the ingrediants of other tooth filling material including those used in the US.

Cranky

Never stay at the Millenium Hotel in London.

However, if absolutely necessary, bring a Geiger counter.

Another excellent post, TRex.

Given the tangled skein of political, diplomatic, and criminal interests involved in this case, it should be fascinating to see on trial. I wonder if they’ll be able to pin anything on Putin and the FSB.

Sounds like they already have, according to the Blotter:

The official says investigators have concluded, based on forensic evidence and intelligence reports, that the murder was a “state-sponsored” assassination orchestrated by Russian security services.

That would be Putin and the FSB. The Russian government will never extradite its own, so it will never come to trail.

It will be interesting to see if the British choose to stick with leaking it, pointing the glowing finger at the FSB or if their going to officially announce. This will tell us a lot about how strained British-Russian relations are.

clueless — shooting could have been easier, but not necessarily what was wanted. Think about it.

- Po-210 being an alpha-emitter, would not have been detected in transit, and possibly detected not at all if administered properly.

- If detected, it could send a message or two to other potential targets.

- Could also make a political statement to certain states/nations in addition to potential targets.

Shooting might not have accomplished the mission — depends on the real mission.

Yeah, but it’s not like no one knew who Litvenenko was. Shoot a known ex-KGB guy like him, and who among those who are to be impressed will not notice? Who missed Politkovskaya? Unnecessarily fancy, if you ask me.

British health officials say some 128 people were discovered to have had “probable contact” with Polonium-210, including at least eight hotel staff members and one guest.

Take that, Clouseau!

The Andy Warhol Fiestaware collection has a number of radioactive teapots too.

Actually, I think that’s two entries. But without the hots, how could the collection be worthy of Warhol?

On the upside, you can leave the potato salad out for a really long time.

Or, use the dish to keep foods warm at the table. But, though that Mad Hatter tea party passage is amazingly apt, I’m with this guy in the end:

clueless @
131

Why didn’t Putin just shoot the fucker? Why all the screwing around trying to hide a ‘nuclear’ murder? Just shoot his ass, ruffle up the hotel room, take his cash/watch/jewelry and make it look like a simple robbery? You know…not make it look like an espionage murder.

- Po-210 being an alpha-emitter, would not have been detected in transit, and possibly detected not at all if administered properly.

- If detected, it could send a message or two to other potential targets.

- Could also make a political statement to certain states/nations in addition to potential targets.

Shooting might not have accomplished the mission — depends on the real mission.