Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!wuarchive!mit-eddie!bloom-beacon!ora!daemon
From: jj@alice.att.com (jj, like it or not)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: KILLING US SOFTLY and STAGE ROLES AND TIGHT BUNS (documentaries)
Message-ID: <11763@alice.att.com>
Date: 5 Jan 91 04:48:35 GMT
References: <2782472C.21585@ics.uci.edu>
Sender: ambar@ora.com (Jean Marie Diaz)
Organization: NJ State Home for Bewildered Terminals
Lines: 53
Approved: ambar@ora.com

Well, I feel sorry for Janet. After she watches an hour of typical
children's programming, she's gonna wanna take out the whole
television industry in a pre-emptive strike.  (sympathies extended to
her blood pressure here)

AND I DON'T BLAME HER!

Speaking as one who has written letters to various advertisors,
networks, and such, I'd like to relate a few experiences:

(In response to a polite, less than antagonistic letter to an
advertisor)-- (obviously a form letter reply, not even a "drop in"
letter!)

Dear Madam,
	We're sorry, <bow, wow, woof, woof>
<no substantive content whatsoever>
	Sincerely
	<made-up-name>

						fmst-1

Now, my name (which is on these letters, you may be sure) is quite
obviously male.  Obviously, the company in question couldn't even
imagine a man attacking their portrayal of female sex roles, and what
does the "fmst-1" printed in the bottom right corner of this
pre-printed form letter mean, anyhow?

Other experiences are similar.  Still, do write letters.

Polite ones get form letter responses, rude ones get deep-sixed, I
think.  Maybe they at least COUNT the form letters they send out.  If
nothing else, they'll have to buy more stamps :-(

Oh yeah, if you send them a letter saying "I won't buy your product"
you might <I have> get a letter back from their lawyer making
threatening noises about how boycotts are illegal.  Yeah, sure.  <then
again, that particular dep't store chain is now bankrupt and gone,
their customers boycotted them without any help, organization, or
anything except bad service (I suppose) and uninteresting merchandise
on the store's part>

No, I won't identify the companies, it's been a few years since I've
had the time and energy (I confess that I find child-rearing more
interesting an occupation for my time at home), and they may have
changed.  Then again, the tooth fairy might be real, too.

-- 
       -------->From the pyrolagnic keyboard of jj@alice.att.com<--------
Copyright alice!jj 1990,  all rights reserved,  except transmission
by USENET and like free facilities granted.  Said permission is
granted only for complete copies that include this notice.    Use on
pay-for-read services specifically disallowed.