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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Most of the reaction to the rate case decision yesterday was pretty predictable, but as Postcom has pointed out, the fixation on the ‘forever stamp’ was surprising. The predictable is typified by the blogger who noted “I can remember when postcards were only 4 cents each. 1963..”. Well yes, and candy bars and sodas were 5 cents. And gas was 19 cents. And the minimum wage was $1.25. And your point is…?

Probably the most worrisome comments were found in the Salt Lake Tribune story that found customers really weren’t that concerned about the rate increase. Not because they felt the USPS deserved the money, but, as one customer at the PO put it, ‘”I’m here to get my passport,” she shrugged. “I rarely mail anything anymore. I do everything online.””

Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

Subscribe to Postage Due:

From the Times of London:

A postcard from Poland that was addressed “Khumi, Yellow Door, Wilmslow, England” has arrived at the correct house.

Which prompted this letter to the editor:

Sir, Congratulations to the postmen of Wilmslow (news report, Feb 16). My brother (6ft 5in in his socks), who lives in the second largest town in Orkney, once received a card addressed to “The Big Englishman, Stromness”.

Followed by this:

Sir, Like “The Big Englishman, Stromness” (letter, Feb 19 ), my late father also received prompt delivery of a letter with a descriptive address.

His was: “Colonel with three moustaches, c/o Buckingham Palace, London”.

Larger-than-average eyebrows are a (male) family feature.

Which in turn led to:

Sir, Some years ago, I had a similar postal experience to those of “The Big Englishman, Stromness” and “Colonel with three moustaches” (letters, Feb 19 and 22 ).

I received an aerogramme addressed to “Napoleon and Josephine, Halesworth”.

My husband (Nicholas) wasn’t sure whether its exceptionally speedy delivery was cause for congratulation or concern.

Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Nope, don’t think this is gonna catch on…

Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Not a big surprise- ADVO shareholders today approved the revised acquisition agreement under which the company will be acquired by Valassis. According to the Associated Press, “Valassis will buy all outstanding common shares of Advo for $33 per share in cash, or about $1.08 billion. The company also assume about $125 million in existing Advo long-term debt.”

The PRC issued the following press release today:

WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 22, 2007: The Postal Regulatory Commission will announce its Recommended Decision to the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service at 11 AM, Monday, February 26, 2007 in its Hearing Room located at 901 New York Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor, West Tower, Washington DC.

The decision will include recommendations on postal rates and fees affecting all mail users. The decision will also address the request to establish a “Forever Stamp” that would allow consumers the opportunity to purchase a non-denominated, non-expiring stamp that would be valid regardless of future rate changes.