All the current flap over the Federal Do-Not-Call list is an interesting exercise in capitalism and free-market theory versus free speech rights versus privacy rights. I hope the FTC is upheld, and more importantly, that our rights to refuse solicitations which intrude into our homes is upheld as well.
Nonetheless, I have all-but eliminated calls from telemarketers and solicitors with a simple $49 device from PhoneZap called the Phone Zap Platinum with VIP Caller ID. If you have called me in the last several months you might have heard it in action. It plugs in between your phone jack and phone, and does several interesting things. First, it automatically blocks ALL automated telemarketing call machines (even the ones from "allowable" charities and political parties) by sending a "this phone has been disconnected" signal as soon as it detects such a device.
Secondly, if a call arrives manually (dialed by a humanoid) it answers unknown caller IDs with a recorded message saying "This household does not accept telemarketing calls. Please remove this number from your call list permanently as required by law." Then it informs non-telemarketing callers to press 2 to be connected. Only then does it ring my phone. Once your number is stored in its "VIP" caller ID list, you don't hear the announcement or have to press 2--calls from family and friends go right through.
As an example, during the Prop 12 election run-up and calling barrage last month I got NO calls of any sort from either side. This is NOT the "TeleZapper" sold in stores like Best Buy, by the way, which only does the automated call machine blocking. The PhoneZap website explains why this product is superior and worth the extra $10-$15 over that device. It works best with Caller ID from the phone company, but they also have a model without the caller ID "VIP List" save feature. I have seen my PhoneZap model advertised at $39 (even though they lie and say "$59 value!") and if you look online you may find a bargain. For me, it's been a worthwhile $50 insurance policy against the failure of the DNC list.
If the person in the passenger seat in my car started moving like the chick in the Mistubishi Eclipse commercial (with Days Go By playing in the background), I would either:
Push her out of the car at first opportunity
Or (if I hadn't had too much coffee), put something in her mouth to keep her from swallowing her tongue and rush her to the emergency room
Cheney Lies says the (Minneapolis-St. Paul) Star Tribune and I agree. Combined with the Nation article blogged below it raises a drumbeat of questioning that should continue and grow louder: Why is an administration with a majority in both houses of Congress so compelled to lie on issues of substance?
