[elfman2]

"What if CNN turned your TV on and forced your TV to turn to their Channel? There is a difference in speech here."

You mean the cold callers are now plugging phones in and turning them one? That’s outrageous!

[m1-lightning]

I didn't say anything about CNN plugging in your TV - no relevance BUT telemarkerters do have to dial your number to activate a ringing tone and they leave misleading phone numbers on the caller ID causing you to answer your phone out of necessity in case it's an important call. And here's another difference: phones are a necessity much like power and water, televisions are not. It's also an interuptance to have an incoming call much like if there were business that could make money off of causing an interuptance in your power or water.