It is a sign of the times. Because of concern over liabilitiesand safety issues for children, the U.S. Postal Service istightening its rules on letters to Santa, according to USAToday.

For nearly 100 years, the Postal Service has helped out SantaClaus with his secretarial duties. By passing many on the hundredsof thousands of Santa letters received each holiday season tovolunteers and charitable groups, the wishes of needy children havebeen granted.

This year it will be a bit tougher on those charitable souls.Those volunteers will now have to go through a screening processand must sign a waiver releasing the Postal Service from anyliability.

Since many of the letters have home addresses and telephonenumbers, a concern has been raised by the Postal Service’s legalcounsel that children may be in danger and lawsuits could result ifthe Postal Service does not monitor who the volunteers are.

Bah! Humbug!

The Grinch it now appears is our litigious society where noteven a letter to Santa is safe from possible recourse. Hopefullyole St. Nick will not have resort to similar liability releasesfrom homeowners before venturing down chimneys on ChristmasEve.