A friend of mine has gotten several envelops via US mail with a single word on them. The words are always derogatory, like “BITCH”, “THEIF” and some even more unpleasant. There is nothing else on the paper. She thinks she knows who is doing it, but cannot prove anything. However, even if she could prove it, I am doubtful that the police would act, because I’m not sure any laws have been broken. The closest that comes to mind is possibly harassment.
Any law-type dopers out there able to comment?
Contact a US Postal Inspector. They will take it seriously.
I’m pretty sure harassment and intimidation via the mail is illegal. Can’t say if the PD will actually follow up on it but its worth looking into.
Whether the local police do anything or not is a moot point. The Postal Inspector and FBI would handle it. Anything using the mail is a federal matter.
Just want to add, the postal inspectors will take it seriously even if the envelope is just dropped into your mailbox (not mailed).
Seems that the postbox is considered postal property, and only the post office or the owner can use it.
I have personal knowlege of someone who was prosecuted for mailing copies of an essay by Jack London to some replacement workers during a labor dispute. It contained what the feds called threats, and they took it very seriously, investigating, prosecuting, and convicting someone using fingerprint evidence. So you won’t have to google for it, I’ll append the text of the essay, as I’m sure it’s public domain.
After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, and the vampire, he had some awful substance left with which he made a scab."
“A scab is a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a water brain, a combination backbone of jelly and glue. Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles.”
“When a scab comes down the street, men turn their backs and angels weep in heaven, and the devil shuts the gates of hell to keep him out.”
“No man (or woman) has a right to scab so long as there is a pool of water to drown his carcass in, or a rope long enough to hang his body with. Judas was a gentleman compared with a scab. For betraying his master, he had character enough to hang himself.” A scab has not.
“Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. Judas sold his Savior for thirty pieces of silver. Benedict Arnold sold his country for a promise of a commision in the British army.” The scab sells his birthright, country, his wife, his children and his fellowmen for an unfulfilled promise from his employer.
Esau was a traitor to himself; Judas was a traitor to his God; Benedict Arnold was a traitor to his country; a scab is a traitor to his God, his country, his family and his class."
Author — Jack London (1876-1916)
Yike! Jack London didn’t pull any punches, did he? I’ve been a UAW member since 1969, and I never saw anybody shred the scab with such ferocity. It brought a tear to my eye. Thank you, Bill Door.
Thank you, too. The steak is excellent here in Hermosillo, Mexico, inexpensive, and I’d never have had the chance to be here to appreciate it if it weren’t for villifying scabs.
UAW Local 1970 Unit 4
Member since 1-Sep-2004
I don’t understand something.
The evelope has only the word 'Bitch" on it? No address? How does it get delivered?