Thanks for the insight on the mail processing, Rick, and the link to
a great video. I now understand why we have to send out several
copies of Chevelle World magazine each time to ACES Members who call,
saying they "have missed my copy." We play the postal game by all
the rules and regulations, and still get some back in "body bags,"
likely because the only part of the magazine left that's legible is
the return address to ACES. LOL! Of course, I've consulted many
postal employees from the local counter clerk to the postmaster in
Nashville where they are mailed from, asking why things happen the
way they do, and always get the same "hundred yard stare" and a trite
"Dunno what's causing this to happen like that. Could be lots of
things." Now I know. Again, thanks for the insight, Rick.
BTW, I, too, agree with the sentiment you've supported/expressed. And
I believe a lot of other Americans do too. But respectfully request
that folks follow your sage advice and NOT mail the tea bags, except
by the method you suggested. Afterall, the Chevelle World magazine
you save may be your own! Or a fellow ACES Member's. Unfortunately,
with the "movement" gaining momentum, the sorting system may be in a
lurch for quite a while as it's inundated with well-meaning
intentions and ill-advised contents. Y'all take care, and keep on
cruisin'!
Chuck
On Mar 12, 2009, at 10:04 AM, Rick Schaefer wrote:
This is a youtube video showing the mail processing machines 2 min
long - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB7dhE_TW9g&feature=related
On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 10:03 AM, Rick Schaefer <[email protected]>
wrote:
I've got to chime in here. I LOVE the sentiment. I'm so
frustrated about this - I bought my first house in 1983 in after
returning from overseas in the West Texas oil patch. Within 2
years it lost 25% of its value due to price of oil dropping to $10
and lose of 400 military positions at my base . NO ONE helped
me with payments or anything else, Took 13 years for the value to
return. When I sold it, i got $500 (before real estate fees)
more than I paid. Having said that;
PLEASE DON'T just put a Tea Bag in an envelope & mail it. It
won't make it out the door of your local Mail Processing
Center. The machines we use to process mail will eat it. And
in the process eat LOTS of other letters with it.
Most people don't realize that when you drop a letter in a mail box
- NO human touches it until the carrier drops it in a mail box at
the destination. The process is 99%+ automated. The machines
process 10+ letters per second. When 1 letter jams a machine (and
the irregular shape of Tea Bags surely will) - at least a dozen
more letters pile into the jam before the machine can sense the jam
and stop.
Emptying or partially emptying the Tea Bag would help your letter
get through - but then maybe we lose some of the symbolism. My
recommendation would be to mail the Tea Bag in one of those small
brown packing envelopes that are not put thru the canceling &
sorting machines.
My Editorial Comment - Everyday I pull jams out of machines that
are caused by people mailing: Pens - Cassettes (not so much any
more) - Thumb drives - coins - jewelry (cheap & expensive) -
Hankerchiefs (the convicts at our local prisons use them for
paper ???) - and most anything else you can think of. PLEASE
don't mail this stuff. It won't arrive alive - if your lucky it
will get to the destination a week late in a body bag. And in
the process of jamming the machine it will tear up OTHER folks
letters. Including birthday cards, credit card payments, personnal
letters etc etc. If you've ever recieved a letter in a bag OR a
payment never reached its destination- this is most likely what
happened to it.
Having said all that, I agree we must do something to make the
politicians in Washington take notice.
On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 8:49 AM, Daniel Solomon
<[email protected]> wrote:
Sorry if this off topic post bothers anyone. I normally only post
stuff about Chevelles, just a little frustrated at the way Congress
has been spending my hard earned money.
Thought this sounded like a good idea.
Dan
"It is a mistake to allow any mechanical object to realize you are
in a hurry."
http://www.freewebs.com/chevelles1970/
IF THIS IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA, DELETE IT, IF IT IS COMPLY!
There's a storm abrewin'. What happens when good, responsible
people keep quiet? Washington has forgotten they work for us. We
don't work for them. Throwing good money after bad is NOT the
answer. I am sick of the midnight, closed door sessions to come up
with a plan. I am sick of Congress raking CEO's over the coals
while they, themselves, have defaulted on their taxes. I am sick
of the bailed out companies having lavish vacations and retreats on
my dollar. I am sick of being told it is MY responsibility to
rescue people that, knowingly, bought more house than they could
afford. I am sick of being made to feel it is my patriotic duty to
pay MORE taxes. I, like all of you, am a responsible citizen. I
pay my taxes. I live on a budget and I don't ask someone else to
carry the burden for poor decisions I may make. I have emailed my
congressmen and senators asking them to NOT vote for the stimulus
package as it was written without reading it first. No one
listened. They voted for it, pork and all.
O.K. folks, here it is. You may think you are just one voice and
what you think won't make a difference. Well, yes it will and YES,
WE CAN!! If you are disgusted and angry with the way Washington
is handling our taxes. If you are fearful of the fallout from the
wreckless spending of BILLIONS to bailout and "stimulate" without
accountability and responsibility then we need to become ONE, LOUD
VOICE THAT CAN BE HEARD FROM EVERY CITY, TOWN, SUBURB AND HOME IN
AMERICA. There is a growing protest to demand that Congress, the
President and his cabinet LISTEN to us, the American Citizens.
What is being done in Washington is NOT the way to handle the
economic free fall.
So, here's the plan. On April 1, 2009, all Ameicans are asked to
send a TEABAG to Washinton , D.C. You do not have to enclose a
note or any other information unless you so desire. Just a
TEABAG. Many cities are organizing protests. If you simply
search, "New American Tea Party", several sites will come up. If
you aren't the 'protester' type, simply make your one voice heard
with a TEABAG. Your one voice will become a roar when joined with
millions of others that feel the same way. Yes, something needs to
be done but the lack of confidence as shown by the steady decline
in the stock market speaks volumes.
This was not my idea. I visited the sites of the 'New American Tea
Pary' and an online survey showed over 90% of thousands said they
would send the teabag on April 1. Why, April 1?? We want them to
reach Washington by April 15. Will you do it? I will. Send
it to; 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington , D.C. 20500 ...
Forward this to everyone in your address book. Visit the website
below for more information about the 'New American Tea Party'. I
would encourage everyone to go ahead and get the envelope ready to
mail, then just drop it in the mail April 1. Can't guarantee what
the postage will be by then, it is going up as we speak, but have
your envelope ready. What will this cost you? A little time and a
42 or 44 cent stamp.
What could you receive in benefits? Maybe, just maybe, our elected
officials will start to listen to the people. Take out the Pork.
Tell us how the money is being spent. We want TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY. Remember, the money will be spent over the next
4-5 years. It is not too late.
--
Rick Schaefer
72 TPI El Camino
--
Rick Schaefer
72 TPI El Camino
