Fight Stupid Laws!

9/24/99 Note: Due to a small but continuing number of hits, I will shortly update this page. Though, much of the news is that the anti-spam movement is puttering out. Network bandwidth and disk are much cheaper than in 1997 when these pages were written, so spam is consequently even less of a problem than it used to be. Not that one even hears cost issues mentioned any more. Network service providers and Internet service providers no longer care and don't want to be bothered by complaints. Even the anti-spam lists are populated by end users rather than concerned ISP's.

Which is not the end I hoped for back in 1997, but it was what I predicted would happen if the radicals prevailed in directing the movement towards unreasonable behavior and exaggerations. Bitter vindication.

updated 7/11/97 --dean@av8.com

There are a number of stupid laws being passed in the various legislatures around the country. Laws that range from the merely pointless to the violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Although, people generally don't enjoy spam any more than they enjoy junk mail, one (including spammers) has a constitutionally guaranteed right to be able to contact other people. Certain people think they can toss out the constitution for the convenience of not having to hit the delete key quite so often. While spammers are difficult to feel sympathy for, they have rights too, and when we trample those rights, it dimishes those rights for everyone.

You would not believe what falsities are being perpetrated to promote these bills!

Don't let cyberspace end up like Mass roads!

Join our list: fsl@av8.com FSL stands for Fight Stupid Laws.

How does the internet work regarding commercial email?

The truth about commercial email

I have a better idea. One that will solve the problems that exist with spam, which are not the ones some ISP's are upset about. One that will be legal, and won't trample anyones rights. Best, its a proven method of solving similar problems in other industries.

7/8/97 Update! Rep Jehlen wants to sneak in an anti-spam attachment to a bill that will be voted on next week. That bill is intended to exempt Mass ISP's from the telephone services tax.
Her attachment will hold ISPs liable for enforcing the ban.
Call her at (617) 722-2676 or send her email (Rep.PatriciaJehlen@house.state.ma.gov) to let her know your displeasure with such sneaky, underhanded tactics.

Although, this is probably a good sign. If they thought they could succeed without being so sneaky, they wouldn't be sneaky. On the other hand, sneakiness is one of the things that is wrong with government.

Mass H.4581

This is an anti-spam act in the Massachussetts House.

here is the text and some comments

Massachusetts state Representative Patricia Jehlen (Somerville) has introduced H.4581 which would prohibit unsolicited commercial email ("UCE" or "spam").

If you are a Massachusetts citizen and want to politely convey your thoughts about H.4581 (prohibiting unsolicited commercial email) to your Representative, you can find your Representative's email address at the following location:

http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/citytown.htm

Keys to success: Be brief, be polite, refer to H.4581 by number, use your real name.

HR 1748 "Netizens Protection Act"

This is an anti-spam act in the US House of Representatives.

New Jersey Representative Christopher Smith has proposed H.R.1748 "Netizens Protection Act of 1997"

House: http://www.house.gove/writerep
Senate: http://www.senate.gov/senator/index.html

Here is why its a bad idea
This is why it isn't needed