The library shelves are a sequence of dead-letter boxes, ideal hiding places for illegal missives between friends (or even lovers), breaching the strict segregation lines between male and female prisoners.

ECONOMIST: Unlocking the books in a prison library

This deal was of a piece with other actions taken by Moscow and Beijing to water-down the UN sanctions resolution to the point where it was virtually a dead-letter even before it was adopted.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Securing America's energy needs

Is -- are the separate developments that are expected -- the North Korean nuclear freeze, the shipment of food -- however you care to characterize it -- is the hope for a breakthrough with North Korea a dead letter because of the satellite launch?

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Short of premium support a dead letter for the Obama Presidency Republicans could do more to develop a proposal called comprehensive cost-sharing.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: A Ryan Reboot