Association for Postal Commerce
"Representing those who use or support the use of mail for Business Communication and Commerce"
"You will be able to enjoy only those postal rights you believe are worth defending."

ON JACK POTTER AND THE AP STORY

The following is a perspective by postal commentator Gene Del Polito. The views are solely the author's. Reader beware! This piece is rated "R" and should be read by mature audiences only.

I was at a postal industry reception the other night, and part of the buzz of the evening was the recent Associated Press article concerning the Postal Service's "investigating whether the nation's postmaster general improperly received a sweetheart deal on a mortgage from Countrywide Financial Corp." Now, I don't consider Postmaster General Jack Potter a friend. Nor do I believe he considers me as such. Heck, whenever I walk within 30 feet of Jack, I'm sure he breaks out in a rash.

Jack has a long memory of my 25 years at the association and the criticisms I have leveled at some of his predecessors in defense of the interests of the members I serve. Deep down, I'm sure he knows I was simply doing my job. But I don't think I can just sit here while someone who has devoted his entire life to public service watches his reputation and integrity being questioned in the national and international press over a matter that, as far as I can tell, hasn't even a hint of impropriety.

I'll be the first to say that I don't know any more about the "facts" underlying this story than anyone else does. But I do know Jack, and Jack neither solicits nor accepts "gifts" from anyone. The idea of Jack knowing he was targeted for a sweetheart deal from Countrywide is absolutely incomprehensible to me. Heck, if anyone ever left a candy bar as a "gift" on Jack's desk without his knowledge, he's the kind of person who'd either smash the damn thing to pieces, or he'd ship over to the Little Sisters of the Poor to have them properly dispose of it.

So, what do I think is behind all this? Well, let me put it this way.

Here's a guy who is employed and probably has an excellent credit rating looking for a refinancing deal like thousands of other Americans nationwide. Here is Countrywide spotting an excellent credit risk doing exactly what every other competitive mortgage lender would do to win the man's business. They offer to shave a point off the loan and waive the settlement fees.

A special deal offered only to top level governmental officials? NOT! That same story has been replayed thousands of times over the past five years for people who were seeking new mortgages or mortgage refinancing.

But here is a guy, who through no fault of his own, now has people buzzing all over the world about yet another chief postal executive operating under a cloud of suspicion. And why? Simply because he holds a public service post that's high enough to warrant newspaper copy.

What a wonderful way to reward good people for public service. Just think, if you have the guts to forgo millions of dollars in private sector salaries and benefits for the sake of public service, you earn for yourself to have your integrity questioned and your name dragged through every muddy puddle people can find. This is disgusting, and it shouldn't be tolerated.

Jack, I've got a few words for you.

Don't you dare think about resigning from your current post until and unless this whole matter has been sufficiently cleared to warrant an apology from anyone and everyone who has questioned your integrity. Then, and only then, do you have my permission to tell your bosses or anyone else you want them to take this job and shove it.

And for Jack's wife, Maureen, I've got a few words too.

Mo, I can appreciate how you and your family may now be the focus of the latest neighborhood buzz. Ignore it. You've got a good man for a husband, and anyone who finds joy in the questioning of his integrity isn't anyone worth knowing. In time, the truth will out, and it will all blow over. In spite of it all, try to have a Merry Christmas.

Okay, there. I've said it. And if you don't like what I had to say or how I've said it, here's what I'd suggest. "Go sit on a tack!"