Autumn Color

Got my birth certificate back from the Government Passport Agency.  Why they didn't mail it in the same package my new passport came in last month I don't know.  Usually the old passport is returned also but since mine was half-chewed up I'd already been informed it wouldn't be returned.  There was a letter included w/ my birth certificate though that kinda explains why I had to send them a explanation of what had happened to the old passport.  It stated first that my old passport would not be returned but would be destroyed.  (Already knew that.)  It went on to say that a passport is a document issued by the U.S. Government and therefore it is a SERIOUS matter to alter it or allow it to be damaged.  (Was that the start of the Battle Hymn of the Republic I hear?)   Because my old passport was damaged/altered they have stamped a notice on the back page of my new passport "This passport is a replacement for a damaged passport." (I checked.  Yes there was the stamp.)  Even though my old passport would have expired as of November anyway and I had checked the box for a 'renewal' on my paperwork, the government (in it's wisdom) was considering the new passport as a replacement for my old one.  Fortunately this new one is renewed for another 10 years. I think the government  shouldn't get so high and mighty w/ me when they don't have the sense to send back credential certificates along w/ the new passport and cut their postage costs in half.   On the other hand, they have grouped together everyone who knowingly altered their passport w/ those of us who just had an accident w/ theirs so they have streamlined their procedures (even though they tick off some of their constituency.)