But then our modern legal system gummed up the works, when someone discovered a registered sex offender volunteering for the program in Maryland in 2008. (I can't find any mention of what offense led to his registration, which seems like info you would need before determining whether he posed a threat. It's a lot easier to say "Omg sex offender coming after your children!" though.) In a panic, the USPS closed the entire program for a few days while they addressed security issues.
Now they've addressed it: the last names and addresses of kids who write in are encrypted, and it's up to each participating post office to decide whether or not they can handle the new complexity. Alaska can't.
Anchorage-based agency spokeswoman Pamela Moody said dealing with the tighter restrictions is not feasible in Alaska.
"It's always been a good program, but we're in different times and concerned for the privacy of the information," she said.
If that news didn't shatter your holiday illusions about the postal service, here's one more thing: Anchorage is now handling all the North Pole postal cancellation marks. To be fair, North Pole was never equipped to handle the thousands of requests each year, so Fairbanks did it until this year. Fairbanks, however, is only about 10 miles northeast of North Pole, while Anchorage is about 260 miles south.
"Popular Santa letter program ends in Alaska" [Associated Press]
"Postal Service Tells Gift-Givers Not to Help Santa" [New York Times]
RELATED
"Microsoft Releases Dirty Santa Chatbot On Unsuspecting Children!"
"Dirty Elf Shuts Down Canada's "Write to Santa" Program"
(Photo: fyunkie)
@Trai_Dep: Well, it doesn't get any more illegal due the age of the animal, so I guess they can get all the action they want
]]>@sk1d: Yup. I have my grandkids send their letters to
Santa Claus
North Pole
CANADA
H0H 0H0
just because the postal code tickles me, and because the North Pole is really closer to Canada than Alaska.
(And yes, I know about North Pole, Alaska. I own a square inch of land up there.)
]]>@Nidoking: I like your reason better
]]>@nbs2: The star indicates that the children were on steroids when they were molested.
]]>Looking at this photo I come to realize that the Consumerist is definitely not kid-friendly.
]]>@nbs2: Possibly to mean that in this case it would only be children we are worried about. If the guy showed is yutz to some old lady, chances are kids won't be his thing.
Most sexual offenders have a check list for what or who they want to "offend". the guy banging a horse probably* won't touch a kid (unless we mean a baby goat). The "glitch" within these people would be akin to a fetish. Foot fetish people aren't the same as the guys who liked TWO GIRLS ONE CUP, they don't usually cross over to other fetishes. just like not all alcoholics smoke and not all smokers drink.
*may not always be true and I'm not an expert.
]]>@Trai_Dep: What's the * for? Enquiring minds want to know.
]]>After living in North Pole for 8 years while stationed at Eielson AFB, this is really sad. Volunteers from both the Army Post and the Air Force base would come over to the Santa Clause house and respond to letters from kids all across the USA. It was a lot of fun, what a shame that the Postal Service which is 4 Billion in the hole because of brian less idiots in DC, now can't continue a worth while program that's been around for 50 years. I am so looking foward to Nov 2010. So do all those kids get their money back for the stamps that were purchased since the post office "Can't" handle the actually delivering the mail?
]]>@Trai_Dep: could even be teen on teen stuff in some states. If the legal age is 18, a 17 year old dude with a 17 or 16 year old "lady friend" could become one of these sex offenders.
Granted, I have kids and if you show up on the list I won't bother to find out why. But, things like that happen.
]]>I believe Santa Claus, Indiana still processes Christmas letters and adds a Santa Claus postmark to the forwarded mail. [www.squidoo.com]
]]>@Trai_Dep: I finally got around to reading this story this morning, and that thought crossed my mind as well. While a great deal of offenders have histories of violence and severe criminal charges and/or convictions, there's a big difference between a guy who just got caught taking some photos during a drunken night at the bar, and a guy who tried to lure kids away from the playground.
]]>And, I share Chris' skepticism regarding nebulous sex offenses: getting caught by Johnny Law peeing in public, or doing the Nasty(ish) with your significant other in a car overlooking Lookout Point? They've both been situations worthy of becoming a registered sex offender.
If wanton public pee-ers can fix my Jumbo Jack, then by gosh, they should be allowed to send Billy in Arizona a reindeer-festooned postcard.
(I love being Jewish....so do my kids!)
]]>This has a one-word answer: ridiculous.
]]>When will her reign of terror end? WHEN?!?!
]]>God, the US is so fucking paranoid. Having anything to do with children puts you under more suspicion than trying to get a goddamn top secret clearance.
]]>Awesome.
]]>Request for urgent response for gifting relationship!
Hello. I am Parliment member Chiedu Boglo of the North Poal , and I must solicit your strictest confidense in this transaction. I have am in possesion of the gifts which were left to you after an unfortunate death of your friend, Satna Claus in a mudslide. In order to process your gifts left in his will, I am requiring you to send an advance depsoit to cover shipping of the reindear to show up to deliver them. Please obtain a credit card and call me at.....
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