[Cronos]

He also CHOOSES to own a phone

Huh? You mean to say that he should disconnect himself just because the teleloons are too barbaric to respect a citizen's privacy?

[xrp]

No, we (the true conservatives in this thread) are saying that the choice to have a phone has potential consequences. If you can't live with the consequences (an annoying phone call here or there) maybe you aren't adult enough to handle the responsibility of participating in a nationwide phone network.

I had a local phone line through Bellsouth several times. I had no additions (call waiting, caller ID, etc) and I had maybe 1-2 telemarketers a night...average of 3 nights a week. It took a total of 2 minutes of my time to rid myself of those calls. But I guess that some people (non-conservatives) are more inclined to have the nanny state protect them instead of them taking action on their own. Keep bringing the legislation you big government lovers!

[steve-b]

You mean to say that he should disconnect himself just because the teleloons are too barbaric to respect a citizen's privacy?

Yep, and you also have a choice between 1)being a hermit living behind a nailed-shut door, or 2)admitting everyone who might happen to wander to your door -- travelling salesmen, preachers, burglars, whatever.

Or so it would be if the arguments of the telepest apologists had any validity whatsoever.