Scientology, when it boils down to it, only care if the IRS consider them a religion for tax purposes. Next in line is convincing enough punters (both regular and celebrity) to give them money.
All over them like Waco and Ruby Ridge or all over them like a sternly worded letter? My guess is the latter.
The response will likely be: OMG I’m so sorry we told those volunteers to not put flyers in mailboxes we promise to never do it again.
This is basically what happens. The used bookstores around East Hollywood–location of their international headquarters, just a few blocks from where I sit at this moment–are FLOODED with copies of Dianetics. You’ll see whole book cases filled with the book.
[QUOTE=TwistofFate]
…“body routing”…“upstat”… leaflet drops and claim they contacted 1000 homes in order to remain upstat.
[/quote]
RIght. They don’t need to buy stamps. Essentially what they have around here is a legion of slave labor. You can see them around the many, many Scientology buildings doing yard work, cleaning, etc. They have to wear these really stupid-looking uniforms, too. I’d never make it in Scientology, because I wouldn’t be caught dead dressed like that.
I only read the OP. How do you know they weren’t mailed instead of simply just stuffed in your mailbox by a non-postal worker?
There’s always some sort of printed notice where a stamp goes indicating the bulk rate status.
Yes. My parents are into the stupid thing. I am not. I get, no exaggeration, 2-3 mailings from them every week. Postcards, magazines, envelopes containing God knows what cause they go directly into the trash. For at least 5 years now, every single week, I get some bullshit with L. Ron Hubbard on the cover. Say what you will about Scientologists, but they do pay postage.
When I arrived home from work yesterday there was an envelope with no postage taped to the outside of my mailbox. It was obviously a greeting card envelope and it was un-addressed except for a return address sticker on the top left which gave a name and address several blocks away from me. Inside was a Christmas greeting card signed by people who are apparently a family - mom, dad, and children.
I felt bad at first because I did not recognize the name and I thought that I had somehow received a greeting card meant for someone else.
Then I noticed a note card inside inviting me to Christmas eve services at a local protestant church. Apparently this family must have gone around sticking these on mailboxes all over the neighborhood. Think about the work involved in scotch taping envelopes to every mailbox for at least several blocks. I have to say, these are dedicated people.
I do have to wonder if taping something to the outside of the box is any more legal than putting it inside the box. I don’t intend to make trouble for the people, but I am curious.
No, that’s also illegal. According to USPS Postal Regulation 3.1.3 - Use for Mail,
(Bolding mine.)
They obviously were partly aware of the law, or they would have just placed it directly in the mail box, but I guess they didn’t research it as well as they should have.
But I’m not going to be the Grinch who sics postal inspectors on some family down the street.
So exactly how many body thetans can fit on a postage stamp? Can I peel off body thetans with the sticky side of a postage stamp?
If I were the recipient of the flyer, I would be Mightily Conflicted. While I would be the last person to trumpet Scientology to the world, I have a problem with enforcing the ridiculous requirement that only USPS official workers can utilize a curbside mailbox.
[Vinnie in “Welcome Back, Kotter”] I’m *so confused! *[/JTWBK]
This I don’t understand. To each there own and everything, but if any Tom, Dick, and Harry can root around in my mailbox, I foresee a significant rise in mail theft. Already in my area the city is strongly encouraging people not to put outgoing mail in their boxes.
It is just a 5x7 invitation card. Printing on both sides with no place open space for a stamp. There were 2, neither shows evidence of a stamp or of metered postage.
I’d have been a lot less annoyed if they were in the door, or even in the newspaper tube.
It is my mailbox. For my use and for the governments use. Period.
Your concern is totally wasted in my neighborhood; we do not have that problem. Furthermore, do you think that only the federal law is what’s keeping thieves from ransacking your mailbox? Take that away, and it’s mailbox open season?
Besides, what’s that got to do with other mail services putting mail in your box along with the USPS?
There was a report on the DC news yesterday of a neighborhood in the metro area where someone or several someones are rummaging thru mailboxes, stealing gift cards and checks. The opened envelopes were found in a garbage can at a nearby park.
'tis the season…
So it looks like the federal law didn’t stop them.
However, if the thieves ARE caught, the feds can go after them with an additional charge. Sort of like Al Capone and the IRS. It WAS Capone, right?
I’m happy for you. It was the same way in the idyllic small town I grew up in. Hell my parents never even locked the house or cars.
Really? Really? How fucking ignorant do think I am? Of course that isn’t the case. Federal law makes it easier for anyone in my neighborhood to recognize suspicious activity around the boxes and report it.
Not sure what you mean. No “other mail services” put mail in my mailbox. UPS and FedEx leave parcels at the door or a tag on the door.
Don’t tempt me.
That’s my point. Only fed law prevents other delivery services from using the most logical dropoff point, the mailbox.
I’m not interested in a debate. Stop going off on a tangent in this thread and go post over in GD if you want to debate the sensibility of allowing other services access to the mailbox.