Letters to the Editor
Make Mine Spam
Dear Bay Weekly:
In regards to Bill Burton’s article on Spam [“Post No Bills,” Vol. XI, No. 19, May 8]:
If it were up to Bill Burton, all forms of advertising would be banished, creating a utopian society free of any small annoyances. Except that America is a consumer economy, and the cycle of relentless spending keeps the consumer food chain continually recycling itself. The mortgage company pays the telemarketer to call the customer, who refinances and buys a car. The sale of the car pays the workers at the dealership, pays the workers at the manufacturing plants and pays the investors in the car company. It trickles down even further as all the people take their money to the shopping centers. All of this comes from one phone call to the customer.
However, there are solutions to reduce and even eliminate unwanted solicitations. If unwanted calls are bothersome, you can subscribe to Caller ID, buy an answering machine or — even cheaper — unplug the phone during times that you wish to remain uninterrupted. Unwanted catalogs can quickly be nipped in the bud by dialing the 800 number and requesting that your name be taken off of the list. Yes, this does take your time, but you can weigh it against the time spent throwing the catalog into the recycling bin and hauling it to the curb. As for computer spam, one method to combat this is to set up a Hotmail account for e-mail. Spam is almost entirely eradicated, and the few that come through are neatly filed away in a junk mail folder, which can be trashed with the click of a button.
As for Europe, while such a law may be in place, the phone still rings, flyers show up at the door and spam still floods the e-mail system. While America is fighting for world freedom, on our own shores people are trying to stamp out the freedom of the small businessman.
But Bill, your dream may be coming true. Sometime in June, you can submit your name to a federal registry. In theory, all telemarketing companies will have to cross-reference this registry. If your name is on the list, you will not be called. Of course, that is the plan. Most likely, your phone will probably still ring. Answer it. You never know, it may be a really great deal.
— Cindy Koene, Annapolis
Bay Weekly Butterfly’s Long Life
Dear Bay Weekly:
I really enjoyed reading Steve Carr’s article on butterflies online at www.bayweekly.com/year02/issueX41/lifeX41.html.
I have had two turtledhead plants for three years, and they are host to some butterflies, but I’ve never known for sure which ones. Maybe your Baltimore checkerspot, though I live in New Hampshire.
Thanks for the informative article. I love butterflies. Unfortunately and sadly the little beauties are so scarce.
— Kathy Morra, New Hampshire
Editor’s note: Through the wonders of the Internet, browser Morra has turned up Carr’s Oct. 10, 2002, story “Butterflies Lost and Found.”
We welcome your letters and opinions. We will edit when necessary. Include your name, address and phone number for verification. Mail them to Bay Weekly, P.O. Box 358, Deale, MD 20751 • E-mail them to us at [email protected].
