This just in regarding my government stimulus application for a $50 million newspaper bailout: Progress!

Dear Mr. Pein:
Thank you for your interest in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Indeed!

This is to acknowledge receipt of your message. Your proposal will be directed to the appropriate state agency to identify potential funding opportunities.

Sweet.

Your expression of interest via the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment website does not constitute an official application for funding.

Oh. Does this mean more work?

You will be contacted with information regarding the application process for specific funding opportunities. We also encourage you to review the competitive funding opportunities that are being advertised on http://www.recovery.org, http://www.grants.gov, and http://www.recovery.state.nm.us for ongoing updates.

Competitive funding opportunities?! I thought this was supposed to be easy money.

Anyway, the email isn't signed, but it came from an address associated with Gov. Bill Richardson... So, you know, he probably read my application personally.