I just received the harshest direct mail solicitation ever.

It came from Unicef, the United Nations Children’s Fund. The group mailed me a nickel, and the envelope carrying the nickel read: “This nickel could save a child’s life!” I sat here wondering: What am I going to do, keep the nickel?

I wasn’t going to keep the nickel. I was ready to make a guilt-induced donation. Until I read the even harsher P.P.S. at the end of the letter. It was written, of course, in an electronic rendering of a child’s cursive:

P.P.S. In the time it took you to read this letter, dozens of young children died painful, preventable deaths.

Now I’m putting the nickel toward therapy.