The suspicious package sent to Joe Biden’s brother happens shortly after Vice President Biden thwarted President Obama’s attempt to release the Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard.
Report: Obama Wanted to Release Pollard, Biden Refused
President Obama was set to release Jonathan Pollard but Vice President Biden told him: “Over my dead body.”By Elad Benari
First Publish: 10/2/2011, 2:25 AMU.S. President Barack Obama was set to release Jonathan Pollard but his vice president thwarted the move, The New York Times has reported.
According to the report, Vice President Joe Biden met last week with 15 rabbis in Boca Raton, Florida, when he was asked by one of them why Pollard, who was convicted in 1986, was still in prison.
In response to the question Biden said, “President Obama was considering clemency, but I told him, ‘Over my dead body are we going to let him out before his time.’”
He added, “If it were up to me, he would stay in jail for life.”
Another article from CNN:
Agency: Suspicious package delivered to home of Joe Biden’s brother
By the CNN Wire Staffupdated 12:16 AM EST, Sun October 2, 2011(CNN) — A suspicious package containing powder that was delivered Saturday to the Florida home of Vice President Joe Biden’s brother has been determined not to be a threat, authorities said.
A bomb squad and a hazardous materials team were called to the Ocean Ridge home of Francis Biden after a package with powder coming out of it was delivered, said Steve Lewis, a spokesman for Boyton Beach Fire Rescue.
The FBI has taken custody of the package, Lewis said.
In a statement, the FBI said preliminary tests indicate the contents of the package are not threatening.
“No further details are available at this time as the matter is still under investigation,” the statement said.
No injuries were reported, though two people were taken to the hospital as a precaution, he said. The identities of the two were not released.
Ocean Ridge is about 30 miles north of Fort Lauderdale.
