Do Not Call List

[Everett]

My mother is on the Do Not Call list, we are unlisted in the telephone book, and we are still plagued by telemarketers. I'm not sure why, either. After we started using Caller ID the problems seem to have subsided, but it seems that telemarketers still call when we're not home. I don't know how effective the list is supposed to be, but I'll vote Yes anyway.

[Everett]

The telephone in general is a horrible thing. It rings and you're supposed to drop whatever you're doing to talk to someone. Very invasive technology.

To be honest, I don't like telephones either, particularly cellular phones (I'm quite irked by the idea of anyone being able to, or thinking that s/he is able to, contact me at all times). I wouldn't call it invasive, though it's not exactly my favourite method of communication.

[Everett]

I disagree.  The ability for me to enter someone's home at 1am with megaphone and sing Norweigan folk songs in their face is my 1st Amendment right!

Try calling the person repeatedly whilst singing. Eventually they will disconnect their telephone line.

(Actually, I disconnect my line at night nowadays.)

[Everett]

(Actually, I disconnect my line at night nowadays.)

This is a better solution than the complicated and oppressive Do Not Call List.

What's oppressive about the Do Not Call List?  Its only feature is essentially enabling citizens to disallow telemarketers from coming into their home.

The delusional bum apparently thinks that telemarketing is protected under the First Amendment. But as King demonstrated, invasion of privacy isn't protected under the Constitution. It's annoying, sometimes borderline harassment at times, and extremely disruptive to be repeatedly called by telemarketers whose "speech" is not Constitutionally protected. Furthermore, I don't like having to disconnect my telephone line - why should it be my responsibility and burden to block out annoying callers? In fact, I stopped disconnecting the line every night because there are certain people who may have a good reason to call (emergencies, et cetera), and it isn't fair that they should have to experience trouble reaching me simply because some idiot telemarketers won't leave me alone.

Bah humbug.