BEP Destroyed, US Dollar out of Print
Washington, DC
World Press Association
May 28, 2009
After a pause in activity, the ‘Robin Hood Gang’ again struck last night. This time at the very heart of our financial system, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). The BEP, located in Washington, DC and Fort Worth, TX, is responsible for the printing of all United States paper money as well as some stamps, securities, and official awards. Coinage, alternately, is made by the US mint.
It is unknown how they were able to access the buildings, but at exactly 3:30 am EST last night. Explosions rocked both buildings destroying the printing presses and the inventory of paper and ink currently on hand. Witnesses describe a plume of smoke and flames rising into the air at least thirty feet above the height of the roof.
“The colors were spectacular,” a security guard from the BEP annex across the street said, “all that ink and chemically treated paper burned in the most magnificent spectacle. I am just glad no one was inside, though, cuz that stuff burns hot.”
A spokesman for the Treasury Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it would take at least six months to restart production of US paper money.
The White House announced plans to temporarily halt production of pennies and begin production of $1.00 and $5.00 copper coins from the US Mint until the “problem can be resolved”. The President stressed in his public address this afternoon that the effects of this attack were “more symbolic than real”, and we can continue to do business as usual. Stating that there is “plenty of currency in the marketplace and normal production of currency will resume shortly”.
The marketplace, however, did not seem to agree. Upon hearing that the US Dollar had suddenly become a rare commodity, the value of the dollar skyrocketed on world markets today. In Japan the dollar rose $.50 against the Yen, in London the Dollar rose $.75 against the Pound, and in Germany the Dollar rose $.35 against the Euro. In Chicago this morning, which has become the US market center since they reopened after the attack on the NYSE, the day opened with an initial panic selling causing the Dow to drop 500 points in an hour, but news of the increased strength of the dollar worldwide turned the tide. The day closing with the Dow up 100 points over yesterday’s close.
The ‘Robin Hood Gang’ released their first statement today; the full text is currently being withheld at the FBI’s request while they study its value as evidence. While we at the Post-Times are believers in free speech, we are also not interested in furthering criminal activity. We can however summarize the statement for you until a decision is made about its release in the future.
They stated that this was to be their last strike. They claimed they were not traitors or revolutionaries, but citizens who simply desired accountability. They do not feel that their actions were inclusive of all those who are responsible for this crisis, but that they had made their point. They then go on to provide what can only be called a manifesto of complaints and ideals for how a nation should be run. While the statement is well thought out, one cannot help but contemplate the hubris required to offer such a diatribe to a nation whose best and brightest has spent so much time considering these very issues.
If they indeed keep their promise to cease activities, what will happen to the FBI’s investigation, which has made little progress to date? And what will come of the grass roots support that has developed over the past few weeks for their activities? Most importantly, how will the damage they inflicted to the US fiscal infrastructure effect our economy long term and will they ever suffer accountability for their own actions?
JD Adler
WPA