Monday, January 25, 2010
Dear USPS Stamp Services
Sent: December 14, 2009Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St. Suite 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432
Dear Stamp Development People,
I know planning and approving and putting out a stamp takes a lot more time and work than anyone probably gives you credit for. First, I'd like to thank you for all your hard work and time spent making wonderful stamps (I particularly like the self adhesive ones). So thanks!
I have a great idea for a stamp. Perhaps you've heard of poet and novelist Charles Bukowski? Well, it's coming on 20 years since his death (March 9, 2014), and since you put notable people on stamps it seems to me he'd be perfect to put on a commemorative U.S. postal stamp. This gives you a little over 4 years to approve this idea, hire an artist, and get this stamp painted! I think you can do it. I have faith in you!
Bukowski even wrote a book about working in a post office called "Post Office" (he's often more creative than this). If you won't give the man his stamp, you should at least read this book. I think it should be required reading for every postman, but then I am uncertain how well women postmen would like it.
If a Charles Bukowski is out of the question, what about Dennis J. Kucinich? He'd be cool too.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
United States Postal Service
thank you for your recent correspondence. Each year, the Postal Service receives thousands of suggestions for new postage stamps. As the number of stamps we issue is limited, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee was established in 1957 to review all suggestions and make recommendations for new stamps to the Postmaster General. The Committee members base their recommendations on national interest, historical perspective, and other criteria.
There is no specific time frame for the issuance of stamps featuring a particular subject. The Committee decides on new stamp subjects two to three years in advance of the issue date in order to provide lead-time for planning, designing, production, and distribution. Although many of the subjects for upcoming stamps have been identified, no public announcement is made until the entire philatelic program for that year has been approved. This normally occurs in the fall preceding the year of issuance.
Your comments are being included in the Committee’s files.
My reaction:
You, dear reader, should write your own letter. Let’s make this happen! You can sign a petition here.
I really do think “Post Office” should be required reading for every mailman even though it’s a bit misogynistic and sexist, but it’s still a good read. Bukowski is the reason I am half the hits on goggle for the search term, “Betty’s warm ass.” Thanks to this update I’ll now be 3/5ths!
I don’t mind the the canned response here. I’m not sure what else a person could expect. Some bureaucrat somewhere dropped my name in a database that generated the postcard. I’m happy to just have my vote for Chuck on a stamp registered. What does upset me is this: MR CHRISTOPHER L JORGENSON. For fuck’s sake, it’s not hard, spel mai naym write!
Oh, and I do realize that Dennis J. Kucinich can’t be on a stamp until he’s dead. Sadly, somehow, I bet Dennis will see his stamp before Bukowski will, but this shouldn’t be the case! I wrote Dennis J. Kucinich and asked him to support my efforts. He probably won’t. He hasn’t replied yet. Mr. Kucinich, why do you hate Bukowski?
Website:
Posted by cjorgensen on 01/25 at 07:00 AM
Institution •
