[whpalmer4]

A little experimentation shows that while the gmail web app running in Chrome won't act on those links in the message, Chrome will use the link if pasted into the URL bar. Seems like the Apple MobileMe Mail app has the same issue.

Why not just use the Mac Mail app to read those messages? Set up a smart mailbox to show you just those, and you won't have to wade through the rest of your mail if you want to stick with doing the gmail web app.

You can also use the OmniFocus mail processing (see the built-in help for "processing mail messages into actions") if you're willing to leave Mac Mail running in the background. There should be no issues there as long as you send plain text emails. I use both approaches, with the direct processing option for stuff I know I want to hit OmniFocus immediately, and the send-to-omnifocus for stuff that I might be willing to accumulate before processing.