http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/usps/ en-us Mon, 4 Jan 2010 15:00:31 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2420559/posts Nobel Peace Prize honoree Mother Teresa, legendary actress Katharine Hepburn, Negro Leagues Baseball and Cowboys of the Silver Screen are among the subjects headlining the 2010 stamp program, the U.S. Postal Service.... TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2420559/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jan 2010 15:00:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420778/posts The Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating a statewide anthrax scare. Local lawmakers are among the targets. Letters with white powder were sent to the offices of Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions and Congressman Jo Bonner around the state. The 15th floor of the RSA Tower in downtown Mobile, where one of Bonner's offices is located, has been evacuated as a precaution. So has Bonner's office in Foley. It's located in a shopping center on McKenzie Street. More than a dozen businesses, including the News 5 bureau, have also been evacuated. The FBI says everything they've tested so... WKRG News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420778/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jan 2010 19:46:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419971/posts President Obama has authorized the United States Postal Service to deliver self-administered antidotes in the event of a large-scale biological attack. He has also asked for a plan that would use federal guns to protect postguys and postgals while on their delivery route. The Patriot Room http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419971/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 15:00:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419602/posts The US Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency today announced that federal funds totaling $200 million has been awarded to assist organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering, and providing critical resources to our nation's hungry and homeless. Funding was made available by Congress for the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country... EFSP grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419602/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 18:30:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2419405/posts Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-medical-countermeasures-following-a-biological-attack Home • Briefing Room • Presidential Actions • Executive Orders The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release December 30, 2009 Executive Order -- Medical Countermeasures Following a Biological Attack ESTABLISHING FEDERAL CAPABILITY FOR THE TIMELY PROVISION OF MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOLLOWING A BIOLOGICAL ATTACK By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to plan and prepare for the timely provision... WHITEHOUSE.gov http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2419405/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 12:03:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419376/posts WASHINGTON — The US Post Office could play a key role in distributing medical aid in the event of a biological attack, according to an executive order released by the White House. The order signed by President Barack Obama directs government agencies, local law enforcement and the US Post Office to work on a model for distribution of medical countermeasures in the wake of a biological attack. "This policy would seek to: (1) mitigate illness and prevent death; (2) sustain critical infrastructure; and (3) complement and supplement State, local, territorial, and tribal government medical countermeasure distribution capacity," the order said.... AFP via google http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419376/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 07:04:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418148/posts WASHINGTON - If the nation ever faces a large-scale attack by a biological weapon like anthrax, the U.S. Postal Service will be in charge of delivering whatever drugs and other medical aid Americans would need to survive. In an executive order released Wednesday, President Barack Obama put the Postal Service in charge of dispensing "medical countermeasures" to biological weapons because of its "capacity for rapid residential delivery." While most likely unrelated, the release of the executive order comes less than a week after a man with alleged ties to al-Qaida tried to bring down a Detroit-bound U.S. airliner. In recent... NBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418148/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:36:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418090/posts WASHINGTON, DC, December 30, 2009 (ENS) - President Barack Obama today ordered federal agencies to establish a national system for dispensing medical countermeasures in the event of a large-scale biological attack, "with anthrax as the primary threat consideration." The U.S. Postal Service would be responsible for delivering the medical countermeasures, such as antibiotics, to residents for self administration across all communities in the United States, according to the President's Executive Order issued today. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can cause human disease through ingestion, through the skin, and by inhalation. Although... ens-newswire.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418090/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:29:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414288/posts WYTHEVILLE, Va., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A gunman with explosives who had held hostages for about eight hours at the Wytheville, Va., Post Office apparently has surrendered, police said. The man rolled himself onto the street in a wheelchair and was lying on the ground on his stomach as about 20 officers wearing shields approached him, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Va., reported Wednesday night. State Police Sgt. Mike Conroy said three hostages have emerged from the building and officers were checking to make sure nobody else was inside. Police exercised caution because "we don't know what he had," Conroy said, The Wytheville... UPI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414288/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:12:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414459/posts A man suspected of taking hostages in a post office in the US state of Virginia has been arrested after a stand-off lasting several hours, police say. Authorities in Wytheville persuaded Warren Taylor to give himself up and release three people he was holding. Mr Taylor was reported to have entered the post office pushing a wheelchair and claiming to be carrying explosives. He initially fired shots from the building but no-one was reported to have been injured. bbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414459/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:44:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414013/posts WYTHEVILLE, Va. - Authorities in Wytheville are dealing with a hostage situation at the town's post office. Mayor Trent Crewe says five hostages are inside the building, including three employees and two customers. Shots have been fired, but Crewe says no injuries have been reported. The situation began at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The suspect has not been identified. WTVR Richmond http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414013/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:04:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407350/posts You've Got Mail, But the Mailman Hid It By YVONNE NAVA Updated 1:53 PM EST, Mon, Dec 14, 2009 If your mother-in-law's mail goes through the Waterbury or Wallingford post offices, she might not have received the birthday card you sent in time. Apparently managers at the post office have been hiding mail, Ray Arcovio, president of the Waterbury area postal worker’s union, told the Waterbury Republican-American. And he wants to sincerely apologize. Workers have been stuffing mail into closets and unused rooms at mail facilities in Waterbury and Wallingford because they don’t know how to keep up with such... NBC Connecticut http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407350/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:28:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2401588/posts I’m sure you’ve heard our un-documented President talk about the healthcare bill he and his love slaves are trying to force down the throats of people who don’t want it. One of his more interesting rebuttals to the criticism that the bill will a) increase taxes on, and the cost of, medical devices and prescription drugs, b) criminalize choices we now make freely, and c) force everyone over 50 to have a “death” consultation with their doctor or unnamed government appointed medical “professional” is that government healthcare will be just like going to the Post Office. Gee … isn’t that... The Collins Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2401588/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 18:09:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2391378/posts ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Wide-eyed children around the world will be hearing from Santa's "elves" at the North Pole after all. During Christmas seasons for decades, these dedicated elves responded to thousands of letters addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole." All that was ending with a U.S. Postal Service decision to discontinue the program based in the small Alaskan town amid privacy concerns. The elves from Santa's Mailbag vowed to fight the decision, while North Pole residents voiced outrage. A reversal of the Postal Service move was announced Friday. "We never wanted to spoil people's Christmas," said agency spokesman Ernie... hosted http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2391378/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:15:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391216/posts After losing more than $11 billion over the past three years, the U.S. Postal Service may eliminate Saturday delivery. The growth of alternative delivery services, particularly Email, and the recession that began last year have cut into the quasi-governmental agency’s revenue. It delivered 13 percent less mail -- 26 billion fewer pieces – in the year ended Sept. 30 than in the previous year. The Postal Service can’t take tax dollars, but it can borrow from the Treasury and now owes the government $10.2 billion. By law that debt can’t exceed $15 billion. Without major changes, the Postal Service figures... newsmax.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391216/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:07:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390725/posts The mayor of North Pole, Alaska is calling a recent postal service decision an assault on Christmas. For years, the U.S. Postal Service has delivered thousands of letters to Santa Claus in North Pole, Alaska. Now, in the interest of efficiency and security, the post office has changed its policy. It will no longer deliver letters to Santa here, and requests for a North Pole postmark will be filled through its Anchorage office. The decision has angered many residents, most notably the owner of the area’s primary attraction, the Santa Claus house. WSAV TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390725/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:20:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390598/posts With Losses Mounting, Postal Service Seeks Autonomy, Pushes to Cut Saturday Service; Rep. Danny Davis Calls for a Bailout It's been an ugly few years for the United States Postal Service. The quasi-government agency announced this week that it lost $3.8 billion in the most recent fiscal year, which ended September 30th. It also delivered less mail - 26 billion fewer pieces less, a nearly 13 percent drop from the previous year. The bad news follows losses totaling $7.8 billion in 2007 and 2008. The Postal Service, as it is quick to point out, is legally prohibited from taking tax... CBS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390598/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:03:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2389708/posts Starry eyed children around the world are writing letters to the jolly man at the North Pole, but this holiday season they'll not likely to get a response from Santa or his helpers. The U.S. Postal Service is dropping a popular effort begun in 1954 in the small town of North Pole, in Alaska's interior, where volunteers tackle up to 150,000 letters addressed to Santa. Postal Service officials cite privacy concerns loomed last winter when a postal worker in Maryland recognized a volunteer in the agency's Operation Santa program as a registered sex offender. The postal worker interceded before the... Helena Independent Record http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2389708/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:07:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388792/posts It is not a stretch to see that 2009 has been a trying year for the United States Postal Service (USPS). That has been reflected in its financials for all of this year, most recently with its recent release of fiscal year-end 2009 earnings, which revealed the USPS had a $3.8 billion net loss for the fiscal year. This loss exceeds 2008's fiscal year loss of $2.8 billion by 26.3 percent. logisticsmgmt.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388792/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:42:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388050/posts The Postal Service reported a loss of $3.8 billion last year, despite a reduction of 40,000 full-time positions and other cost-cutting measures. The loss was $1 billion more than the year before despite job cuts and other efforts designed to save billions of dollars, postal officials said Monday. "Our 2009 fiscal year proved to be one of the most challenging in the history of the Postal Service," Chief Financial Officer Joseph Corbett said. "The deep economic recession, and to a lesser extent the ongoing migration of mail to electronic alternatives, significantly affected all mail products, creating a large imbalance between... Associated Press Via Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2388050/posts#comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:35:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387875/posts Agency continues to lose money despite $6 billion in cost-cutting measures, and proposes that it drop Saturday delivery. The U.S. Postal Service reported a $3.8 billion loss in the 2009 fiscal year, and plans to propose to Congress in 2010 that it drop Saturday delivery. The agency already reduced expenses by $6 billion during the year ended Sept. 30. Those measures included eliminating 40,000 jobs, however the cash-strapped agency still employs over 712,000 people. The Postal Service also reduced overtime hours and lowered transportation-related costs. Additionally, the USPS lowered the payments it made for retiree health benefits by $4 billion... cnn http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387875/posts#comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2373709/posts USPS spokesperson Joanne Vito told the Examiner.com that 39 CFR 232.1(l) “applies to anyone coming into a Post Office or a Postal facility. The regulation prohibiting the possession of firearms or other weapons applies to all real property under the charge and control of the Postal Service. . . . Both open and concealed possession are prohibited, so storage of a weapon on a car parked in a lot that is under the charge and control of the Postal Service would be prohibited.” . . . Philip Van Cleave, President of the Virginia Citizens Defense League . . . said... The Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2373709/posts#comment Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:54:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2365183/posts In a case where a firearm was locked in the glove box of a postal employee, the strong central government once again stuck it's chest out and scoffed at the Second Amendment. From an appeals case in U.S. District Five: “the Postal Service owned the parking lot...and its restrictions on guns stemmed from its constitutional authority as the property owner” How arrogant of the Judges to rule that someone other than “we the people” own the postal property. Finally there is no constitutional authority granting them any right to restrict firearms, they do so only by a string of rulings... Cheyenne Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2365183/posts#comment Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:05:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353344/posts Last week, Democrats on Capitol Hill pushed forward with a $4 billion bailout of the US Postal Service, which continues to lose money while business declines. One reason that the Post Office has such a large deficit may be their labor practices. The Federal Times reported earlier this month that the USPS pays out an average of 45,000 hours per week of “standby time,” where literally postal employees sit around and do nothing: The U.S. Postal Service, struggling with a massive deficit caused by plummeting mail volume, spends more than a million dollars each week to pay thousands of employees... Hot Air Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353344/posts#comment Fri, 2 Oct 2009 14:18:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2350774/posts A budget analyst is critical of Congress' decision to bail out the government-run company that President Obama has held up as the model of the "public option" -- the United States Postal Service. House and Senate Appropriations Committee negotiators approved legislation last week that allows the United States Postal Service to pay only $1.4 billion of its $5.4 billion annual payment to cover retirement health benefits for its employees. Under current law, the Postal Service is required to transfer $5.4 billion to the Retiree Health Benefits Fund by Wednesday, but Postal officials say they do not have enough money to... One News Now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2350774/posts#comment Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:57:01 GMT