USPS Planning Steve Jobs, Jimi Hendrix Postage Stamps

A Steve Jobs postage stamp
from Mozambique, circa 2011
Image: shutterstock.com

The United States Postal Service used to produce simple stamps for a simpler time. The current USPS regime has decided to "engage" postal service users by creating groovy, somewhat celebrity-driven stamps.

According to a Washington Post article, the cherished dead who will appear opposite lickable stamp surfaces include Steve Jobs, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Carson. I like the idea of placing these figures on some "forever" postage stamps, although I'm trying to imagine any of the three actually mailing a letter.

Amazon, USPS Sign Sunday Delivery Deal

The Amazon-friendly Obama Administration has just concluded another Amazon-friendly deal with the secretive tech company. According to a story in today's Seattle Times, the PO and Jeff Bezos' firm will begin Sunday deliveries in time for the Christmas shopping season. The arrangement is currently limited to the New York and Los Angeles metropolitan areas, the two leading retail markets in the United States.

The deal gives Amazon a significant commercial advantage, in that it can use the USPS infrastructure and staff to deliver goods. The extra available delivery day is also another arrow in Amazon's competitive quiver.

How taxpayers benefit from this agreement was not exactly spelled out, although Amazon will pay for the privilege of going postal. It's public knowledge that the USPS is desperate for money. Amazon has the cash, and the clout with the Obama Administration, to make a deal. According to the Seattle Times story, any firm could have negotiated with the Postal Service for a Sunday gig. However, USPS officials acknowledged only Amazon pursued a deal. One wonders why.

Amazon's Chattanooga, TN facility,
cited by President Obama as an example of
"middle-class" job creation

Of course, as with all things Amazon, the contract is under seal. Inquiring minds would like to know why a federal contract not connected to national security should be a closely guarded secret.

This is Amazon's second federal contract coup this year. Earlier in 2013, the Seattle-based enterprise signed a contract to provide the CIA with cloud-based data systems and management.

The Tejana Musician Lydia Mendoza

Lydia Mendoza stamp
(Image: USPS.com)

A visit to my local post office led to discover a musician I did not know until today. It all started with a need to purchase first-class stamps. I typically use them for bill payments. I had bills due and precious few stamps in the house, so I went to the PO. I like to buy a mix of small-sized and larger dimension items. Among the latter, available stamps were an edition honoring the late Tejana singer Lydia Mendoza.

I was entirely unfamiliar with her music and her background. Once I returned home, I listened to samples of her songs. I liked them enough to purchase Arhoolie Records' La Alondra de la Frontera con Orquesta Falcon. The simple, heartfelt tunes fit my mood, and I thought the musicianship was more than capable.

Some days, one just gets lucky, and today was one of those days for me. I enjoyed the accidental moment that led me to explore Lydia Mendoza's music. Even better, I appreciated discovering her many late life accolades, including the National Medal of Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Texas Medal of Arts. And I have the Tejana singer's music, proof that lyrical beauty does not require algorithmic wizardry, Madison Avenue hype, or Hollywood glamor.

Oh, yeah, I like the stamps, too.