Posted on 09/24/2003 8:47:38 AM PDT by SierraWasp
11:29AM Federal court rules against FTC no-call list by William L. Watts
WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- A federal judge in Oklahoma City ruled that the Federal Trade Commission didn't have authority to implement a popular do-not-call list shielding consumers from telemarketing calls, the Direct Marketing Association said. The court reportedly found that statutory jurisdiction for such a list rested with the Federal Communications Commission rather than the FTC. The DMA, a trade group representing telemarketers, brought the suit. In a statement, the organization said it "acknowledges the wishes of millions of U.S. consumers who have expressed their preferences not to receive" telemarketing solicitations. The DMA said it would work with the FTC and the FCC to "evaluate the practical implications" of the judge's decision, which was issued Tuesday.
Whoever said Congress was slow to act? By a vote of 412-8, the House has approved legislation "to ratify the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a do-not-call registry." Senate action may follow this afternoon. The vote comes a day after a federal judge, Lee West of Oklahoma, ruled that existing law does not authorize the FTC to establish the registry, which is to go into effect Oct. 1.
Here's a list of lawmakers who voted in favor of the telemarketers:
Rob Bishop (R., Utah)
Chris Cannon (R., Utah)
Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.)
Kendrick Meek (D., Fla.)
Ron Paul (R., Texas)
Tim Ryan (D., Ohio)
Ted Strickland (D., Ohio)
Lee Terry (R., Neb.)
The lead plaintiff in the case was the Direct Marketing Association, a trade group for the telephone-harassment industry. It strikes us that even if Congress had not acted, and even though they prevailed in court, bringing this lawsuit was an awfully boneheaded thing to do. The ruling left telemarketers free to call people who have already gone through the trouble of making their hostility to such calls known. What does this accomplish beyond ticking off the "customers" even further? Perhaps someone will call the DMA at the phone numbers listed on this page and point this out.
Bad argument.
We have the right to not be bothered. I don't even want to have to hang up. I'm tired of stopping what I'm doing (work, shower, dinner,play, television, sleeping, relaxing, visiting with family, Etc.)only to find some brain damaged telemarketer on the other end of the line.
This bill is in the interest of the telemarketer! It culls our bad prospects line ME who will NEVER buy, and will NEVER donate over the phone!
Then they can move on to some poor old person who is so lonely that even a sales call is welcome.
These are the telemarketers prey anyhow! Much evidence and congressional hearings point to this.
There is NOTHING that cannot be bought cheaper somewhere else!
Your comment touched me deeply... I bought property and built a house in the country. (To enjoy the peace and quiet. Later a guy moved in next door who has a sled dog team and is bording one from a friend.
You should hear these "wolves" tune up and howl as a pack!
Also several neighbors have installed mercury vapor lights. Can't see the stars anymore!
Sigh....[:(
Love your posts Laz, But if I did this, the cops, EMT squad and the Fire Co. would show up at the house and break all the windows, blow down the front door, shoot my dog....you get the idea.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.