Mail Man Doesn’t Think Snakes Are Funny
I understand why this mail carrier is suing. I would have a heart attack if I opened my mailbox to find a 6 foot snake. Not a funny joke!
A man’s idea of a joke — putting a pet 6-foot boa constrictor in his mailbox to startle a mail carrier — could bring him time behind bars.
"It was an incredibly stupid practical joke that wasn’t funny," said James R. Mell, 31, an auto mechanic from the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills.
Mell put the snake in his mailbox July 7, The Detroit News reported.
"I thought it was funny. Looking back on it, it isn’t, and it wasn’t," he said.
On Monday, federal prosecutors charged Mell with obstructing the delivery of the U.S. mail. The charge carries a penalty of up to six months in prison.
Postal carrier Nakeema Anderson was making her rounds when she opened Mell’s mailbox and found the snake, court records say.
"Anderson reported observing a white male in the driveway laughing," said a report from U.S. postal inspector Andrew Gottfried.
Mell wrote a letter apologizing to Anderson and said he hoped that would settle the matter.
The pet snake is not poisonous, does not bite and has tiny teeth.
"It will only strike at something that it can actually eat," Mell said. Via CNN
Tags: snake, snake in mailbox, mailman, boa constrictor
4 Comments
Why wasn’t this moron charged with cruelty to animals? He knowingly placed a ‘pet’ in harm’s way. If the mailman had sprayed the poor creature with pepper spray? or if the animal had slithered out and been run over? ….there is no end to the ‘might have’ scenerios!! Not only was the whole thing, “not funny”, it was cruel and sophomoric on so very many levels! Folks who cannot think ahead to the consequences of their actions should never have pets nor children!!
Why wasn’t this moron charged with cruelty to animals? He knowingly placed a ‘pet’ in harm’s way. If the mailman had sprayed the poor creature with pepper spray? or if the animal had slithered out and been run over? ….there is no end to the ‘might have’ scenerios!! Not only was the whole thing, “not funny”, it was cruel and sophomoric on so very many levels! Folks who cannot think ahead to the consequences of their actions should never have pets nor children!!
Valdez V. Fisher, Jr.
The Young Baltimore Author who Just Won’t Quit
Perhaps by now you’ve heard of Valdez V. Fisher, Jr. He’s the 31 year old author of the self-help/motivational book I Ain’t Bitin’ My Tongue. Fisher, determined to get the word out, has launched a staggering 12,000+ emails since the inception of his book in 2005. The emails have been directed to anyone and everyone he felt could be of assistance in his endeavor, from the media to politicians. His youth targeted book addresses such critical issues as self-esteem, parenting, wealth management, education, selective role models, choices, and post traumatic recovery. When asked “What makes you the expert on these issues?” he responded “I never claimed to be an expert. I am merely a young man who has made many mistakes, and would like to prevent my peers from falling prey to the same pitfalls.”
Fisher has loved writing since he knew what a pencil was. From age five, he began writing poetry, and letters to celebrities. Donald Trump, who Fisher deeply admires and looks up to, was not only favorably mentioned in his book, but written dozens of letters over the years. Although he has never personally responded, he recently sent Fisher a polite “cease and desist” through his secretary, acknowledging Fisher’s many contact attempts, and wishing him the best of luck with his book. Fisher framed the letter.
Fisher is a ball of energetic fire that rejection cannot extinguish. The only exonerees from his regular help-seeking and informative emails are individuals who take the time to respond. Fisher stated in a recent interview on Maryland’s WJZ TV 13 that “he can accept no for an answer; however, no response at all is viewed by him as a potential possibility.” Without a public relations firm behind him, or so much as a literary agent, he was able to persuade actor Lance Warlock of the movie Halloween II, to write the foreword to his book. Halloween is a classic horror film, written and directed by the legendary John Carpenter, and Debra Hill. In addition, he has regular contact via phone, email, and Internet instant message with New York Times best-selling author Omar Tyree, who has told Fisher he would grant consideration to writing the foreword to his next book.
I Ain’t Bitin’ My Tongue is one of the most unconventional books of its genre. Although pregnant with truth and delivering vital points, it manages to remain absolutely hilarious all throughout. Fisher delves deep into his personal life, and begins his prescriptions for greater levels of personal fulfillment with an open invitation through the time capsule of his existence. He truly did not “bite his tongue.” The award winning poetry of Fisher can also be found in his book. Through it, he takes readers further along a journey of learning experiences and triumph.
Fisher’s book is available worldwide at your local bookstore, or by visiting amazon.com, walmart.com, books-a-million.com, and target.com. The ISBN (international standard book number) is 1420874586. He loves reader feedback, and can be emailed anytime at: BooksByValdez@aol.com. For public appearances including book signings, please contact:
Valdez In Print National Headquarters
c/o Public Affairs
Post Office Box 23951
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-5951
Baltimore author beats path to inboxes of the stars
Karl B. Hille, The Examiner
Sep 2, 2006 5:00 AM (13 days ago)
BALTIMORE – If Valdez V. Fisher Jr. doesn’t go platinum on the talk circuit it won’t be for lack of persistence.
Fisher, the native Baltimorean and author of the motivational memoir, “I Ain’t Bitin’ My Tongue,” has scored letters from State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick and Norma Foerderer, assistant to the “The Donald” himself, president of The Trump Organization.
“Dear Mr. Fisher: Mr. Trump has received your letter of October 22, 2005. He appreciates your thoughts and the fact that he has been a source of inspiration to you. We wish you much success with your new motivational book,” Foerderer writes.
Fisher called the letter a polite “brush-off,” but his persistence scored him a relationship and introduction by Lance Warlock, who had a child role in the movie “Halloween II.” He also got a glowing letter from Grasmick.
Fisher said he is going after the big fish because he has seen too many young underprivileged kids from Baltimore come through the bail-bond office where he works nights. “For the past 10 years, I’ve seen a revolving door of young African American men, 18 to 25. I’m on a first-name basis with some of them.”
He is building up to be a motivational speaker, and says he hopes his book and his message will help young men make the right choices in life.
“You don’t have to be a drug dealer to drive a nice car. I drive a Mercedes and I’m not a drug dealer.”
Fisher said he has made the wrong decisions, including losing his wife of six years through a brief affair, which he writes candidly about in his book.
“The bond you have with a person over a lot of years can’t even compare with a fling that you have over a two- to three-week period, even if it feels like love at the time.”
The book, by Fisher’s account, has sold 30,000 copies and is available in bookstores and online for $13.95. It runs just under 120 pages, including notes on celebrities he has run into or sought out in writing his book.
Fisher boasts writing “a staggering 1,200 e-mails” in promoting his book.
Apparently his persistence is paying off.
“You should be proud of the success you have garnered thus far, and I look forward to hearing more of you in the future,” Grasmick wrote in a letter dated Aug. 8.
Buying the book
“I Ain’t Bitin’ My Tongue” sells for $13.95 new and is available online at http://www.walmart.com