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Launch of 'do-not-call' list rushed
AP ^ | Monday, June 2, 2003 Posted: 10:30 PM EDT (0230 GMT) | AP

Posted on 6/3/2003, 5:16:04 PM by DannyTN

Edited on 4/29/2004, 9:02:38 AM by Jim Robinson. [history]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators are speeding up the launch of a national do-not-call list that will block many unwanted telemarketing calls.

The Federal Trade Commission said Monday that telephone registration for the free service will be available nationwide in early July, nearly two months earlier than originally planned.


(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: donotcall; privacy; telemarketing
"Charities, surveys and calls on behalf of politicians also are exempt. "

I think there should be a second do-not-call list that blocks Charities, surveys and politicians.

Too many businesses are now giving away something free, so that they can call you.

1 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:16:05 PM by DannyTN
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To: DannyTN
Telemarketers say the registry will devastate their industry and have sued the FTC on grounds the registry amounts to an unlawful restriction on free speech.

I would counter-argue that its only free speech if the listeners have the choice to listen or not. Telemarketing has a non-voluntary audience. Hanging up the telephone does not constitute a voluntary action because the timing of the phone call was not voluntary. Also telemarketers have apparently found ways to thwart caller ID, so the recipient of the call doesn't have the choice to not answer the phone.

I too would like to see this extended to polls and charities. This seems like a loophole for the telemarketers: "We will give $5 to Jerry's Kids in your name if you simply listen for 1 minute about our new product..."

2 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:30:33 PM by kidd
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To: kidd
You make good points. I've always looked at it this way:

If a hotdog vendor were to set up a stand in your front yard, you wouldn't put up with it, even against claims that you were restricting free enterprise.

When a vendor appropriates your time and property (assuming you own your own phone) to further advance his economic prospects, it's no less odious. For the vendor to say that your refusing to listen to his pitch is a restriction on his free speech is ridiculous.

3 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:36:47 PM by TontoKowalski
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To: TontoKowalski
And one more thing. Not only do I like this no-call registry, I want a no-visit registry set up that the Mormon missionaries have to check before they come to my front door.

I'm past being polite. I don't even open the door anymore...just peek out the window and wave them away angrily.

My mother-in-law has the same problem with Jehovah's Witnesses.

4 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:40:30 PM by TontoKowalski
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To: DannyTN
telemarketing is no differnt than non stop door to door salesmen ringing your doorbell
very very annoying to say the least
5 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:43:53 PM by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
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To: joesnuffy
"telemarketing is no differnt than non stop door to door salesmen ringing your doorbell very very annoying to say the least "

True, but you can always put out a "No Trespassing" and/or "No solicitation" sign on your property. The "Do-not-call list" is nothing more than a "No Solicitation" sign. Both have to have penalties to be effective.

6 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:47:10 PM by DannyTN (Note left on my door by a pack of neighborhood dogs.)
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To: joesnuffy
I wnat to know when they are going put an end to the dumping of Junk mail in my mailbox everyday. Atleast with solicitors on the phone you have a choice to answer or not.

I do not ask for that crap and the whole Idea of me having to pay to have it hauled away makes my blood boil.
7 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:48:38 PM by Area51
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To: Area51
Junk mail is annoying, but at least I don't have to talk to anyone while I'm throwing it away in the post office.

Not much comfort though, if you get your mail at home.

It does have the advantage of allowing you to review it (if you desire) at your leisure.

8 posted on 6/3/2003, 5:54:50 PM by TontoKowalski
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To: DannyTN
Charities, surveys and calls on behalf of politicians also are exempt.

I have a quick survey: Which do you prefer, repainting your house or the lifetime convenience of WonderSide vinyl siding that can be installed on your house within the next week by our trained installers and is quite reasonably priced with our new payment plan?

9 posted on 6/3/2003, 6:27:25 PM by KarlInOhio (Paranoia is when you realize that tin foil hats just focus the mind control beams.)
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To: KarlInOhio
Sorry we don't do surveys...
We already have vinyl siding...
We already have an alarm system and big dogs...
We don't travel....
Our carpets are spotless...
No thank you, we get our news from the internet free...
We never give to people who call us on the phone...
....
...
..
.

10 posted on 6/3/2003, 6:34:05 PM by DannyTN (Note left on my door by a pack of neighborhood dogs.)
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To: KarlInOhio
And don't forget...

What's your rate?...No I mean the real rate after the introductory period?...Goodbye

What's your rate?...That's not bad...could you send me something in the mail, because I never confirm or give out personal information on the phone...Goodbye
11 posted on 6/3/2003, 6:38:01 PM by DannyTN (Note left on my door by a pack of neighborhood dogs.)
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To: TontoKowalski
I witness to every Jehovah Witness and Mormon that comes to my door.

Hmmmmmm... I haven't seen any in a while.
12 posted on 6/3/2003, 7:01:18 PM by DannyTN (Note left on my door by a pack of neighborhood dogs.)
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To: DannyTN
bump
13 posted on 6/3/2003, 10:06:59 PM by RippleFire
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To: DannyTN
I tried doing that once - countering his points one by one with mine. After several visits (including one in which he brought a crotchety old "Elder" with him - guess I was a tough nut to crack), I finally realized that it was not a dialogue, but a monologue - by HIM. He was not about to listen to my side.

I finally told him that after 30 some-odd years as a Christian of my denomination, there was no way he was going to convert me with only a few "sermons" on my front porch. That would be a ridiculous notion on his part. I told him to find someone who needs it and to leave me alone.

That felt good!

14 posted on 6/3/2003, 10:23:53 PM by peteram
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To: peteram
The last ones I encountered were Jehovah witnesses and actually seemed like a nice middle aged couple.

I had read about several different cults recently and the discussion quickly turned to wether Jesus was God or not. I unloaded rapid fire with about 20 examples from scripture and the poor couple just looked shell-shocked. (I'm sure it was the Holy Spirit's prompting, not my own ability.)

They asked if they could have someone more knowledgeable come talk to me. I grinned and said "Sure!". Nobody ever came.

15 posted on 6/3/2003, 10:32:43 PM by DannyTN (Note left on my door by a pack of neighborhood dogs.)
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