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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2001

Terrorism has had an impact on the nation's highest court and its nine black-robed Justices.

First, September 11's terrorist attacks -- which grounded air travel -- threatened to prevent Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen G. Breyer from returning to the United States from India. But after some scrambling by the State and Justice Departments to find "VIP-like" accomodations for the pair, they were able to catch a flight home.

Now, the discovery of anthrax at an off-site mail room and at the Supreme Court itseld forced the entire crew to hear arguments at the D.C. Court of Appeals. There, they heard two cases in less opulent surroundings, drank water from the same type of glasses normal people use and even had microphone problems.

Testing continues at the Supreme Court building. Anthrax spores were found in a basement mailroom.

Buildings belonging to other federal were found to test positive for the rare bacterium as well. So far the Department of Interior, which houses the Bureau of Indian Affairs in both the Capitol and suburban Virginia, has not been reported affected and neither has the Indian Health Service, which has offices in Maryland.

About 80 to 90 percent of the BIA's workforce is Native American.

Get the Story:
Altered Circumstances, and a Little Less Pomp (The Washington Post 10/30)
Latest Mailroom Finds Fuel Workers' Worries (The Washington Post 10/30)

Relevant Links:
Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, Department of Defense - http://www.anthrax.osd.mil

Related Stories:
Deadly anthrax case diagnosed (10/29)
White House anthrax test questioned (10/25)
In The Hoop: Smallpox, again! (10/24)
Bush: I don't have anthrax (10/24)
Congress asked for anthrax protections (10/18)
Daschle anthrax called 'potent' (10/17)
Penicillin can treat anthrax (10/17)
Anthrax no worry to Native newsrooms (10/16)
Indian Affairs not affected by anthrax (10/16)
Poll: Public concerned about anthrax (10/16)
Among cases, four with anthrax disease (10/16)
Letter mailed to Senate has anthrax (10/15)
New York City hit with anthrax scare (10/12)
Supreme Court Justices left in lurch (9/19)