Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

["Shea Tisdale" <shea AT sheatisdale.com>]

They just hate you.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: internetworkers-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:internetworkers-
> bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of matusiak
> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:03 PM
> To:
> "Internetworkers:http"@happyhouse.metalab.unc.edu://www.ibiblio.org/intern
> etworkers/internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: [internetworkers] Outgoing Package Inspections at Post Office
> 
> hey all --
> 
> I just had a strange experience and I'm interested to know if anyone
> else has had similar.  Basically, I mail a good bit of stuff to folks
> around the world -- pictures, data cd-roms, stuffed animals, etc.  In
> 15+ years of doing this, I've never been asked to have my package
> inspected before postage will be sold.
> 
> Well, at the PO today, I had to send off 5 soft mailers.  The only
> contents were a paper slip (short personal note) and a cd-rom.  Of
> course, I had them sealed and addressed before I ever left the house,
> so they were not "open" when I went to purchase postage.
> 
> Thankfully, the clerk I was dealing with appeared to be very new to the
> job.  After getting me squared away with postage, never questioning
> what I was sending other than "CD-ROMs", I was ready to pay and get on
> with my day.  At that point, I noticed a large-print note on the
> counter top.  It clearly stated that ANY MEDIA (incl. books, tapes,
> CD-ROMs, magazines, etc) being sent in the mail had to come to the PO
> in an UNOPENED package that MUST BE inspected before postage is sold.
> 
> Well, we were clearly past this stage, but I curiously asked about the
> policy.  The new clerk said it was just for "books," but I pointed down
> to the clip art images of cds and tapes and books and the words "ALL
> MEDIA" and asked for clarification.  At this point, the other feistier
> clerk piped up and started making like they were gonna saw open my just
> completed packages.
> 
> I contested saying that the original clerk should have informed me of
> the new policy and that our transaction was completed.  The
> ferociousness of my argument obviously paid off because she quickly
> retreated from this position.  All in all, I got to send my packages
> with little bother, but they reinforced that IN THE FUTURE ALL MEDIA
> must be inspected before being sent.
> 
> Does this not sound like a way to track copyright infringers to you?
> Like I said, I've been mailing for many, many years and never had a
> problem.  Now, all of a sudden (and a good 2 1/2 years after terrorism
> central) they want to inspect all media being mailed via their service?
>   WTF?
> 
> Besides my above guesstimate, I have no idea what they are trying to
> prevent or what trick they are attempting to pull, but I feel as though
> my civil liberties just got a lot more restricted.  Anyone else have
> this experience?
> 
> dave m.
> 
> ---
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