In the “ya gotta love it” category, comes this email of assurance from the U.S. Department of State. I wrote to them recently, requesting that they move to protect the rights of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, imprisoned there for the grave crime of being a Christian who trespassed on North Korean soil.

Here is the response:

Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

If this issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may reopen it within the next 7 days.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.

Subject
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Aijalon Mahli Gomes

Discussion Thread
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Response (Support Agent) – 04/14/2010 04:11 PM Thank you for your message to Secretary Clinton sharing your thoughts and concerns. We value your opinion and will take it — and the views of all Americans — into consideration.

Secretary Clinton is committed to strengthening America’s national security, advancing the interest of the United States, and restoring America’s leadership position in the world.

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of State.
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Category Level 1: Ask the State Department
Date Created: 04/10/2010 04:09 PM
Last Updated: 04/14/2010 04:11 PM
Status: Solved

Okay, I know that this in standard government form, and that you would get the same reply if you wrote to say that aliens were landing in your neighborhood. Check out that last line, though: Status: Solved.

I don’t think so. Aijalon Mahli Gomes, to the best of our knowledge, was given eight years of hard labor and fined $700,000 for caring enough to speak out in love on behalf of the North Korean people. The situation is not solved. Let the U.S. Department of State know that you don’t think so either. Blog about it. Email them. Hire a sky-writing airplane.

Or Tweet this: @stateoutreach… What is the U.S. State Dept. doing on behalf of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, imprisoned for being a Christian in North Korea?