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Postal Wierdness (with a request for opinions)

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:35 am
by trevor_macfee
So, today at the church where I work I received a letter that was "Return to Sender: Refused." It came to me because the sloppily typed return address was my name and the church's address.

The thing is, I never sent the thing. It was addressed to a Maryland State Delegate, and was probably refused because it looked like it could have been from the Unibomber or something - everything on the envelope was typed (on an actual typewriter) with lots of overstrikes and even some Bible verse references interspersed with the addresses.

Inside was some sort of xeroxed newsletter about how McCain is the anti-Christ and other such stuff about Jews and the Catholic Church, etc. Also there was a lot of handwritten stuff scrawled in the margins of the first page.

There were no threats or anything like that, and no powdery substance, but it did make me feel very strange that someone had used my name to send that kind of material (there was no indication inside who it was from, so a recipient would only have my name/address to go on). I also wonder if this was the only thing the sender mailed; perhaps these went to a number of people and I just happened to get this back because it was returned to "sender."

I assume this person got my name from J!, and the address from our church website or whatever. All the other J!-associated recognitions, e-mails, and cards have been very positive, including contacts with folks I hadn't seen or heard from in 20 years, which has been quite cool. Much more of that than with Millionaire, but also nothing strange like this mailing with Millionaire either.

Anyway, some folks have said to just ignore it, some have said to take it to the post office just to have it "on record" that it didn't come from me.

What do ya'll think?

Re: Postal Wierdness (with a request for advice)

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:40 am
by MarleysGh0st
trevor_macfee wrote: Anyway, some folks have said to just ignore it, some have said to take it to the post office just to have it "on record" that it didn't come from me.

What do ya'll think?
I vote for putting it on the record. Not only is this creep besmirching your name, who knows what else he might try?

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:41 am
by silvercamaro
I think you should report it to the authorities. Even though this envelope apparently included no threats or harmful substances, sometimes crazy people become even crazier.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:45 am
by ulysses5019
silvercamaro wrote:I think you should report it to the authorities. Even though this envelope apparently included no threats or harmful substances, sometimes crazy people become even crazier.


Hmmm. Evilsquirrel asked to use my typewriter.......or was that anniecamaro?

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:45 am
by peacock2121
I am in the report it camp.

Report it to the post office, report it to the FBI and report it to Homeland Security.

Waiting for it to escalate would not be a good thing. If it never escalates, that is a good thing as well.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:49 am
by silvercamaro
The next question is, if it looked like the Unibomber might have sent it, why the heck did you open it?

Strange, scary letters and unexpected parcels from people you do not know should not be opened.

Unless it's from me, of course.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:49 am
by BackInTex
I'm with Pea on this one.

US Post Office security, FBI and Homeland Security. I'd rather go to them, than have them come get me out of bed some night.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:52 am
by tlynn78
Absolutely, report it. And if you get anything else like that, take it to the post office without opening it, please. We've kind of gotten used to having you around and would prefer it continue.


t.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:54 am
by PlacentiaSoccerMom
silvercamaro wrote:I think you should report it to the authorities. Even though this envelope apparently included no threats or harmful substances, sometimes crazy people become even crazier.
I agree. You should go to the police and have them take a report. That way it's on the record.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:54 am
by Rexer25
BackInTex wrote:I'm with Pea on this one.

US Post Office security, FBI and Homeland Security. I'd rather go to them, than have them come get me out of bed some night.
What he said.

and her, and her, and him, too.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:55 am
by ulysses5019
Rexer25 wrote:
BackInTex wrote:I'm with Pea on this one.

US Post Office security, FBI and Homeland Security. I'd rather go to them, than have them come get me out of bed some night.
What he said.

and her, and her, and him, too.
How a bout me?

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:57 am
by Rexer25
ulysses5019 wrote:
Rexer25 wrote:
BackInTex wrote:I'm with Pea on this one.

US Post Office security, FBI and Homeland Security. I'd rather go to them, than have them come get me out of bed some night.
What he said.

and her, and her, and him, too.
How a bout me?
Yeah, the photographer of the two holer, what he said, too.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:00 pm
by mellytu74
I join in the chorus of "Report it!"

Local police, FBI, USPS and Homeland Security.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:04 pm
by ulysses5019
mellytu74 wrote:I join in the chorus of "Report it!"

Local police, FBI, USPS and Homeland Security.
Don't forget your Neighborhood Watch and the Inquisition.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:07 pm
by trevor_macfee
Well, it seems unamimous.

I have to go pick my son up from tennis camp, but will swing by the Post Office on my way back to the church. I'll start with the postal authorities and go from there. When I return in a couple hours, I'll let the Bored know what happens.

Thanks for your input!

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:09 pm
by trevor_macfee
ulysses5019 wrote:
mellytu74 wrote:I join in the chorus of "Report it!"

Local police, FBI, USPS and Homeland Security.
Don't forget your Neighborhood Watch and the Inquisition.
Good idea.

Nobody expects the (Spanish) Inquisition!

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:11 pm
by themanintheseersuckersuit
Where's Deputy Barney Fife when we need him?

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:16 pm
by Deputy Barney Fife
themanintheseersuckersuit wrote:Where's Deputy Barney Fife when we need him?
Riiiiiiight cheer, bubba. Sheriff done said if it's the U. S. mail, let the nice federal agents handle it. I would advise ol' Pastor Trevor to warsh his hands thoroughly immediately, if not sooner.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:19 pm
by themanintheseersuckersuit
Deputy Barney Fife wrote:
themanintheseersuckersuit wrote:Where's Deputy Barney Fife when we need him?
Riiiiiiight cheer, bubba. Sheriff done said if it's the U. S. mail, let the nice federal agents handle it. I would advise ol' Pastor Trevor to warsh his hands thoroughly immediately, if not sooner.
We can all rest easy now that the Deputy in on the job.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:04 pm
by trevor_macfee
Well, the folks at the local Post Office weren't real sure what to do with the thing, so they referred me to the Postal Inspector's Office.

I called them, and since I didn't have an "emergency" I got a "customer service representative" who was nice but had a very bad phone. It was a long process, but she got all my information and a real live Postal Inspector is supposed to call me tomorrow.

We'll see what happens.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:07 pm
by themanintheseersuckersuit
trevor_macfee wrote:Well, the folks at the local Post Office weren't real sure what to do with the thing, so they referred me to the Postal Inspector's Office.

I called them, and since I didn't have an "emergency" I got a "customer service representative" who was nice but had a very bad phone. It was a long process, but she got all my information and a real live Postal Inspector is supposed to call me tomorrow.

We'll see what happens.
If his or her name is Barney let us know.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:40 pm
by tlynn78
Aren't you glad you don't post to a spy novel fans message board?


t.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:01 pm
by Evil Squirrel
ulysses5019 wrote:
silvercamaro wrote:I think you should report it to the authorities. Even though this envelope apparently included no threats or harmful substances, sometimes crazy people become even crazier.


Hmmm. Evilsquirrel asked to use my typewriter.......or was that anniecamaro?

I only wanted to use it to write a letter to my attorney. I always use the NSAS as my return address so I don't have to pay for postage....