Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!know!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!decwrl!hayes.fai.alaska.edu!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: JAJZ801@calstate.bitnet
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Response to International Calling Redlining
Message-ID: <13139@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 8 Oct 90 02:52:23 GMT
Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu
Organization: TELECOM Digest
Lines: 75
Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 720, Message 6 of 7


>>The second address would be written '0001090242@mcimail.com'. Whether
>>or not either of these gentlemen read their email direct or have it
>>scanned and printed out for them is not known. We shall see what
>>happens and post the responses received.  PAT]

>My opinion is that the readership NOT deluge those addresses with
>mail.  I would suggest that spokesfolks from the list e.g., our
>Moderator be assigned that task.

>It would be a shame if so much noise were generated that this channel
>of communication were cutoff.
 
  Putting on my (unearned) powdered wig again, I also believe deluging
an email box with correspondence is unwise and perhaps illegal. There
may even be some laws relative to using the telecommunications
networks in this manner.
 
  First, it is abusive, generally bad form, and potentially illegal
(harrassment) to deprive someone (including corporations of the
rightful use of their property. I think deluging an email box could be
construed to fall under this, even if it has not yet been tested in
the court. I'm fairly certain there are similar ones that protect
people against constant phone calls whose intent is to annoy or have
the effect of interfering with its normal use.
 
 Second, for an individual to think about such is contemplation and is
not (yet) illegal. For individual to discuss illegal acts can be
interpreted as conspiracy to commit, which is illegal.
 
  If we want to change phone company behavior, I agree with the
responder that lobbying (it's not always a dirty word) is a more
responsible way by presenting facts and consensus of opinion and that
bypassing the bureaucracy by sending it direct to the email accounts
of the corporate leaders is entirely reasonable. The WORST that can
happen from THAT is that they ignore it or bounce it down to a peon
for a response.
 

Jeff Sicherman


[Moderator's Note: I think your 'legal advice' is all wet. If several
people sending email to the same person(s) at more or less the same
time is illegal, then the thousands of people who send public opinion
messages to their congress-critters daily via Western Union are all
criminals, since several telex machines run almost constantly 24 hours
per day in the Congressional Telecommunications Center handling these.
When someone publishes their email address -- just as when they
publish their telephone number -- they are inviting people to contact
them via that media. The 9000+ persons who call 202-456-1414 each 24
hour period -- many of whom actually ask to speak to George -- are
also guilty of clogging the circuits, no?  Those crackpots! Cut off
their phone service and stick 'em all in jail!  Furthermore, the
people who use their own computers and modems to connect with Western
Union to send lobbyist telegram messages should likewise be
prosecuted, huh?

And to discuss or explain how a 'crime' is committed on its face
becomes conspiracy? What lawyer told you that? Therefore television
shows which run crime dramas should all be indicted as
co-conspirators, right? Of course that won't happen, because CBS has a
smart-mouthpiece of their own on retainer. And when Kay Graham or one
of my other competitors uses their editorial page to encourage readers
to send their opinion on some issue to a corporation, they are also
guilty of harrassment, right?  I can just hear it now: ... " why poor
Bill McGowan ... he had to actually sift through and erase a dozen
email letters from folks who don't agree with the way he runs things
at MCI ...ahhhhhh" (whining tone of voice).  I manage my email just
fine, thanks; let him do the same.  Lots of publications and
electronic media invite, indeed encourage people to assist in lobbying
for a given cause. I will do the same. Or is it 'lobbying' when you
agree with the cause, and 'harassment' when you do not? Your complaint
is invalid.  PAT]