Topic: U S Postal Service

On the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, it is noted that the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. The appointment occurred around the same time as the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Delays in international mail delivery are attributed to the privatization of European postal services and inefficiencies in the global system. A personal anecdote involves a shipment of No Agenda Chocolates from Frankenmuth that sat in a post office long enough for mice to damage the packaging. The reliability of the United States Postal Service is compared to international counterparts.

The U.S. Postal Service warned states that it might not be able to handle the volume of mail-in ballots in time for the November election. California became the first state to top 600,000 confirmed cases, leading Dr. Fauci to warn against reopening the economy too quickly. Plans for vaccine distribution began to take shape, with the CDC identifying priority groups and storage requirements in major cities.

Boeing reached a tentative agreement with its largest union to end a crippling strike, offering a 35% raise over four years and a $7,000 ratification bonus. In contrast, the postal letter carriers union is facing a much smaller 1.3% increase and is legally barred from striking.

Rural mail carriers for the United States Postal Service are reportedly facing significant salary reductions, with some losing $20,000 from their annual pay. These cuts are attributed to new pay algorithms based on scanner data, leading to concerns that the service is being intentionally undermined to benefit private competitors like FedEx and UPS.

"Mailman Dan," also known as the Cowboy Mailman of Geneva, sent a note expressing his appreciation for the show and calling out "douchebags" within the postal service management. Inspired by other mail carriers in the "No Agenda" community, he contributed to the show's funding. His full note was added to the show's digital archive for other producers to read.

Newly uncovered records from Maricopa County, Arizona, suggest that over 20,000 ballots were received after the legal deadline on Election Day in 2020. An investigation by Verity Vote found that many of these late ballots were counted despite the state's 7:00 PM cutoff. The report, aired by NTD News, notes that the margin of victory in the state was approximately 10,000 votes.

The hosts sign off from Austin and Northern Silicon Valley, teasing more content for the upcoming Sunday show. The episode concludes with a media montage featuring Joe Biden's gaffes, concerns about the Postal Service, and Jamie Lee Curtis's claims about the election being stolen.

Margaret Brennan anchors a CBS News summary covering the United States Postal Service warning regarding mail-in ballots and a CDC projection of 200,000 coronavirus deaths by Labor Day. The report includes updates on Texas COVID-19 fatalities, the eligibility of Senator Kamala Harris for the vice presidency, and a bison attack on a tourist. Brennan fills in for regular anchor Norah O'Donnell.

House Democrats unveiled the $3 trillion "Heroes Act," which includes $1,200 stimulus checks, funding for the U.S. Postal Service, and assistance for state governments. President Trump criticized the bill as a "voting package" designed to facilitate mail-in ballot fraud. Amy Goodman's reporting on the bill is scrutinized for its claims regarding corporate lobbyist bailouts.

A lengthy segment acknowledges various donations and provides "de-douching" for first-time contributors. A mail carrier's note explains the financial struggles of the US Postal Service due to the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. The segment culminates in a formal knighting ceremony for several producers, including Sir Malinowski and Sir Dingus of the Burning River, who join the "Round Table."

The hosts thank Mike Riley for the episode artwork featuring "Weaponized Chantix." They report a donation mishap where "Sir Anonymous of Dogpatch" sent two half-Krugerrand gold coins in a poorly taped envelope; one coin was lost in the mail, while the other arrived loose. They advise donors to use more secure packaging when sending high-value items.

Shipping carriers including UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service are projected to deliver over one billion packages during the 2017 holiday season. Volume has increased 50% over normal levels, driven by a 30-40% year-over-year growth in e-commerce. Reports also note a rise in "porch pirates" stealing deliveries, leading some homeowners to install booby traps involving mouse traps or blank shotgun shells.

A personal anecdote about the difficulty of getting an insurance check endorsed at Wells Fargo leads to a critique of modern banking. The hosts compare the wasteful mailing practices of large banks like Chase to the efficient consolidated check packets sent by smaller credit unions.

An account is provided of navigating the Silk Road marketplace using the Tor browser and Bitcoin. The site is described as a sophisticated, eBay-like operation featuring escrow services, resolution centers, and PGP encryption. Despite the anonymity of the browser, the physical delivery of pharmaceuticals and illegal substances via the U.S. Postal Service suggests the operation may be sanctioned or monitored by federal authorities to build databases of users.

The hosts dismiss the threat of ricin-laced letters sent to Senator Roger Wicker as a "rogue operation" or a distraction. They mock the media's focus on the lack of a return address as "suspicious," noting that ricin is an inefficient weapon for mail-based attacks. They suggest the concept was popularized by the television show Breaking Bad.

The hosts defend the U.S. Postal Service against critics on CNN who argue for its privatization. They explain that the Postal Clause in the Constitution protects the service and that its current financial "crisis" is manufactured by a unique requirement to pre-fund pensions 75 years in advance. They argue that the mail is a secure form of communication that the government and private competitors are trying to undermine.

Adam Curry performs a knighthood ceremony for Sir Sizzalot of Toronto. John C. Dvorak reports a problem at his local post office where a large package has been wedged into his PO box, preventing him from retrieving any mail. He expresses frustration with the postal service's handling of the delivery.

The hosts mention House Resolution 630, introduced by Representative Peter DeFazio, which aims to eliminate the requirement for the U.S. Postal Service to pre-fund decades of retirement benefits. This bill addresses a long-standing issue the hosts have tracked regarding the financial stability of the USPS.

A donor from Vancouver criticizes efforts to dismantle the Canadian Postal Service. John C. Dvorak shares a personal anecdote about a frightening hitchhiking experience as a teenager that discouraged him from the practice. The hosts also promote Bruns Clothing, a South Dakota company that manufactures American-made jackets with concealed carry pockets.