That's how money orders are in most countries. 
It's actualy much safer than having to send a kind 
of pre-paid check. (that's what the "pink" money 
order amount to).

The only problem is that in most countries such a 
money order only takes a few more days than a 
regular letter to be delivered (because it need 
to be processed). But when the US post office send 
one, they usualy takes around 6 weeks to do it :(

Cheers,
Yann Stettler