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From: "Donald E. Kimberlin" <0004133373@mcimail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Censure Roseanne Barr by Fax
Message-ID: <10481@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 5 Aug 90 16:12:00 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 543, Message 9 of 9


        It's often touted that modern telecommunications is a
springboard to global democracy.  We all know how the broadcast media
frustrated mainland China's totalitarian government with suitcase-
transportable satellite uplinks and how students sneaked mountains of
faxes through the PSTN during the Tienamen Square riots.

        Now, an American small businessman, Steve McGrover, is raising
his own fax campaign to show corporate television sponsors that a
large proportion of the public is offended by TV personality Roseanne
Barr, particularly over her public performance of the National Anthem
at a San Diego Padres baseball game recently.

        Mc Grover has offered free use of his fax machine at (800)
468-0344 (overseas callers can dial +1 813 733 0344) to receive and
collect fax messages that he will forward to the sponsors of Barr's TV
program to show how much public indignation Barr has caused.

        Hundreds of fax messages indicating personal boycotts of
Barr's TV sponsors' products as well as personal offense have already
been received at McGrover's home office, and it appears there may well
be thousands more, as publicity spreads.

        I spoke with McGrover today, and he indicates he fully expects
and understands he's liable to run up a huge AT&T Readyline WATS bill
in addition to rolls and rolls of fax paper.  But, in our conversation, 
he indicated he's willing to have anyone EXCEPT televison network
interviewers publicize his effort.

        I showed him how computer operators may well originate faxes
from keyboards, and he seems to be willing to accept those as well,
with the one qualifier that messages with real names and addresses are
most valid for his campaign.

        So, please feel free to spread the word, not only to friends
associates, but any media people you feel worthy.  Tell them the very
best way to contact him is by a fax message to his number above,
telling him how to reach them by both phone and fax.  His personal
schedule is already getting busy with talk radio interviews as this is
being written.

        McGrover asked on limitation on cost: No international or
reversed telephone charges to his fax number, please.

        While I would like to know how much circulation this message
gets, let's not clog up this line with it. Rather, make some mention
(clippable off the bottom) of how you heard of this "electronic
movement by the people" on the bottom of your faxes to McGrover. Or,
if you choose to message me on MCIMail 413-3373 of any particular
local group actions, I will be pleased to summarize in a week or so to
the forum.

        One last aside for students of telecommunications sociology:
McGrover's voice phone number is non-list, but not non-pub.  He so far
has received about three times as many phone calls from people who do
not have fax machines but would pay for Directory Assistance to get
his voice number in order to telephone their opinion.  He regrets not
being able to maintain a log of those calls. And, his 800 number rings
with many people who try to talk to the fax machine.  That's some
indication of where the general population is with regard to Group III
fax.  And, to try providing these people a voice, McGrover suggests
that "spreading the word" to local businesses that will let the
"un-faxed masses" send their messages is also welcomed.

                       --------------------

[Moderator's Note: I called Mr. McGrover Sunday afternoon and
confirmed his desire to receive Fax messages on this subject. By using
the 813-733-0344 routing, you pay for the Fax instead if you prefer.
This message is presented for its news value, with no opinion by
myself pro or con. Direct follow-ups to Mr. Kimberlin.  PT]