As the founding father of the U.S. Postal Service, I take a particular interest in news relating to this organization’s modern-day activities. Back in the 1700s, the postal service I helped establish was a lot simpler, of course. So it is fascinating to read about how far it has come in this future world.
The latest development, I hear, is a proposed postage stamp honoring Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs. I find it particularly ironic that the USPS is celebrating the very man who was partly responsible for traditional postal deliveries going into decline as the result of increased use of email. The USPS can thank Mr. Jobs for being one of the causes of its present financial troubles.
I’ve also heard, however, that Mr. Jobs is not the only one on this list of prospective postage stamp subjects. Others include singer Michael Jackson, soul artist James Brown, rocker Jimi Hendrix, talk show host Johnny Carson, basketball star Wilt Chamberlain, actor Charlton Heston, and gay rights leader Harvey Milk.
Obviously, I have not yet caught up with all of the new people of note in this world of 2014. So many of these names are unfamiliar to me. But I would wonder whether the postal service is in such dire straits that it has come up with this idea of honoring celebrities, entertainers, athletes, and other famous people only for purposes of returning to profitability.
Personally, I would not quarrel with that, being well-known myself for frugality and practicality when it comes to business. But what I do question is the choice of these particular stamp subjects… especially Mr. Jobs, who is the enemy of traditional mail. We might as well add to that list a postage stamp honoring the Kardashians... or perhaps Donald Trump.
Whatever happened to honoring presidents, humanitarians, and other leaders known for world betterment, rather than for greed or self-aggrandizement?
This unfortunate development, I fear, is as shameful as the Stamp Act of my own time, leading up to the Revolutionary War.
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin
The latest development, I hear, is a proposed postage stamp honoring Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs. I find it particularly ironic that the USPS is celebrating the very man who was partly responsible for traditional postal deliveries going into decline as the result of increased use of email. The USPS can thank Mr. Jobs for being one of the causes of its present financial troubles.
I’ve also heard, however, that Mr. Jobs is not the only one on this list of prospective postage stamp subjects. Others include singer Michael Jackson, soul artist James Brown, rocker Jimi Hendrix, talk show host Johnny Carson, basketball star Wilt Chamberlain, actor Charlton Heston, and gay rights leader Harvey Milk.
Obviously, I have not yet caught up with all of the new people of note in this world of 2014. So many of these names are unfamiliar to me. But I would wonder whether the postal service is in such dire straits that it has come up with this idea of honoring celebrities, entertainers, athletes, and other famous people only for purposes of returning to profitability.
Personally, I would not quarrel with that, being well-known myself for frugality and practicality when it comes to business. But what I do question is the choice of these particular stamp subjects… especially Mr. Jobs, who is the enemy of traditional mail. We might as well add to that list a postage stamp honoring the Kardashians... or perhaps Donald Trump.
Whatever happened to honoring presidents, humanitarians, and other leaders known for world betterment, rather than for greed or self-aggrandizement?
This unfortunate development, I fear, is as shameful as the Stamp Act of my own time, leading up to the Revolutionary War.
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin