Talked to the postmaster, this afternoon. He admitted there is no regulation which dictates the vacant property thing, that it is a "judgement call" and will be calling me tomorrow after he talks to the carrier. He said none of his people should have done the duct tape thing; it's apparently not something they do, but he will have it removed, tomorrow. Interesting, can't think of why anyone else might have done it...maybe Rove and Ashcroft are on to us?:-)