The National Political Do Not Contact Registry - Stop Political Calls BLOG

@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-15T23:01:36-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

10:49 Great op-ed - Editorial: Robocalls need to be ID'd ow.ly/CuiR #
10:52 Please let your reps know that they must pass the Robocall Privacy Act (S.1077) #privacy #p2 #tcot @2gov (pls rt) #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-14T23:01:21-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

23:18 RT @J_C_Higgins: @adawnblond robocalls...agree with you. I had a robocall rightwinger interrupt my dinner. I hope it will #losemynumber #
10:27 RT @J_C_Higgins: @endtherobocalls I mean robocalls on ABORTION during dinner? Don't they have any respect for anyone at all? #
12:26 Good news - BlueHippo.com (renting pc's to the poor and scamming them) - FTC asking to shut them down - is.gd/4UVkg #p2 #
12:34 Anyone at #BarCampDC #BarCampDCc3 or #shesgeekydc interested in an iPhone app to robocall Politicians? let me know! #
16:05 cool - Anyone at #BarCampDC #BarCampDCc3 or #shesgeekydc interested in an iPhone app to robocall Politicians? let me know! #
16:05 Yeap ! RT @profg: @EndTheRoboCalls app to robocall politicians? Sounds interesting! #
16:32 RT @IsCool: Support #Diabetes, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - bit.ly/SLgnN #
16:41 Please let your reps know that they must pass the Robocall Privacy Act (S.1077) #privacy #p2 #tcot @2gov (pls rt) #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-13T23:01:35-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

23:25 RT @usagiko: @Himemiya: I get robocalls all the fucking time. Whatever happened to the do not call list, California? Huh? #
23:25 RT @phonenumberrev: bit.ly/190H1j The Turner Report: Stopping robo calls bit.ly/4pCYe7 #
23:27 RT @FagFanRoy: Our store is getting flooded with Robo Calls about how evil The Health Care Reform bill is. #
23:28 RT @Pacadermpress: Ex-GOP official admits part in robo-calls scamwww.aikenstandard.com/results/1111GinnyAllen bit.ly/2Gju4b #
00:01 RT @CheriW52: Support legislation to outlaw autodialers. No autodialers, no robocalls. #
09:41 RT @imkerry2: @EndTheRoboCalls - More Robocall stuff in Virginia qos5x.th8.us #
09:43 Va 37 Spec Elec-and so It Begins - Robos in VA… « Renaissance Ruminations ow.ly/BSuy #
09:48 DC peeps - Today's Groupon deal is 10$ for @ #
10:04 RT @sparklingwit: @VerizonSupport call off the dogs! i don't want any more robocalls to pay my bill; i'll pay it when you get it right. #
10:29 #Iowa - #p2 - Corning robocall stirs governor’s race regarding Gay marriage issue is.gd/4Uh9L #
14:50 More on the #PA Robocall Scandal - Perzel among 10 charged in Pa. legislative probe - wtop.com ow.ly/BXak #
14:53 Reading - How Google Voice Violates Google's Own Privacy Policy - washingtonpost.com ow.ly/BXeI #
15:01 #robos The 60 Plus Association and the Conservative Movement « The Washington Independent ow.ly/BXoO #vagov #
18:30 Guess what @GroupOn #IsCool - www.groupon.com/r/uu478 #
22:35 RT @GodofElectrons: I can get Health insurance via Robo call! Who says we need health reform? :P #
22:47 Hey, have you joined @GroupOn? Free Awesome deals everyday in DC, NY, ATL, SD, Boston, and other places - groupon.com/r/uu478 #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-12T23:01:55-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

10:35 Great Op-Ed with a shout out for StopPoliticalCalls.org in NJ - News Transcript ow.ly/BE0r #robos #p2 #tcot #
10:56 Say Thanks To Our Troops - www.letssaythanks.com (pls rt) #p2 #tcot #
11:02 Another shot at the op-ed with a shout out for StopPoliticalCalls.org in NJ is.gd/4Trlf #
11:26 RT: @rebelyankee I hate robo-calls. HATE. #
11:46 HopePhones.org | Old phones save lives. Donate yours to a medical clinic in a developing country today ow.ly/BFl1 #
11:52 Reading - #SC All involved in political robocall scheme should be named | Aiken, SC ow.ly/BFqu #p2 #robos #tcot #
12:24 Reading - Election Law Blog: Robocalls ow.ly/BFSj #
12:30 Reading - The 60 Plus Association New campaign targets Democrats for health vote with TV and Robocalls ow.ly/BFWP #p2 #
12:33 Reading - The 60 Plus Association New campaign targets Democrats for health vote with TV and Robocalls ow.ly/BFWP #p2 #hcr #
12:42 RT @gaymarriagewatc: Gay Marriage Watch: IA: Republicans Mad About Robocalls Supporting Gay Marriage tinyurl.com/yzftkp8 #gaymarriage #
13:31 RT @pgPoliTweets: Corbett says Perzel used robocalls against his own members, Reps. Shroeder & Gabig. #bonusgate #
13:33 Must go file taxes for StopPoliticalCalls.org with the IRS Today. Going to the post office now. #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-11T23:01:01-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

11:32 Phone Sex Robocall Found to Maybe Not Be Such a Good Idea | Indecision Forever | Comedy Central ow.ly/BnNq #
11:45 RT @ATBinDC: Scozzafava says robocalls during campaign called her a "homo" & a "child killer" bit.ly/390cPn #
11:48 Reading - Ex-GOP official admits part in robo-calls scam | Aiken, SC ow.ly/Bo1H #robos #p2 #tcot #privacy #
11:51 RT @MinnesotaMist: Conservative PAC wants to trump state’s right to ban robocalls. What happened to states' rights? bit.ly/X56mu #
13:24 RT @ErikVidor: Just got a robocall from @pb4mayor on behalf of @anniseparker on my cell phone. #
13:26 Dear @anniseparker @pb4mayor - reports you are robocalling cell phones. Stop it. is.gd/4SJS7 #robos #
13:35 I'm on 12 Twitter Lists.. thanks everyone! #
13:49 Just nominated @EndTheRoboCalls for Best Non-Profit Use of Social Media is.gd/4SKJ5 #openwebawards #
21:19 Reading - GOP activist comes clean about illegal robo-calls ow.ly/BvT8 #
21:32 Reading - Support marriage equality, GOP’s Joy Corning says in new robo call - The Des Moines Register ow.ly/Bw3s #robos #p2 #
21:39 RT @dcagle: Seems my thoughts abt Apple iPhone apps being rejected b/c of politics might have ticked off sum ppl bit.ly/4iiBwB #
22:05 RT @BreakUpHoncho: Ex-GOP Official Admits Part In Robocall Scam bit.ly/3gsaua #
22:11 Check it - Just nominated @EndTheRoboCalls for Best Non-Profit Use of Social Media is.gd/4SKJ5 #openwebawards #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-10T23:01:54-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

09:54 RT @DMRPolitics: Politics Insider: American Future Fund asks FEC for robocalls opinion: A Republican-leaning po.. bit.ly/4G0yoX #
09:54 RT @marymancini: Just received a robocall from Mike Huckabee. Ewwww. #
09:55 RT @twincitieslocal: Political Group Asks To Override Robocall Law - fwix.com/article/34_c24598640b #
09:55 RT @DNRonline: Voters Don't Want Robocalls: It is the close of another election season. . bit.ly/1bbylW #
09:56 RT @AGprogram: Mn AG Defends Robocall law, bit.ly/4ccUUQ, #AGOs #
09:56 RT @ericsbrown: Robocalls in the news bit.ly/2UBBky #
09:56 RT @minnesotanews: Conservative PAC wants to trump state’s right to ban robocalls bit.ly/2qDbBg #
09:59 MN Progressive Project:: Conservative PAC wants Minnesota's anti-robocall law overruled ow.ly/B1r7 #
10:00 Political Activity Law · Robocalls in the news ow.ly/B1rR (Reports of My comments to the FEC in the news) #p2 #tcot #privacy #
10:01 Listening - Attorney General defends law against 'robocalls' | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ ow.ly/B1sY #robos #p2 Privacy #
10:25 Reading - Voters Don’t Want Robocalls - Letters To The Editor Opinion ow.ly/B1TO re #VAGOV #
10:38 ALERT - Conservative PAC wants to trump state’s right to ban robocalls « ow.ly/B257 #p2 #robos #privacy #
12:03 (pls rt) ALERT - Conservative PAC wants to trump state’s right to ban robocalls « ow.ly/B257 #p2 #robos #privacy #
12:12 PAC trying to overturn State Robocall Laws - Ties to Swift Boat - Secrets of the American Future Fund ow.ly/B3Qd #
13:17 Reading - Sierra Madre Tattler: Political Robo-Calling Is Illegal In California ow.ly/B57X #
13:32 Reading 75 comments - On the line: State law curbing 'robocalls' | StarTribune.com ow.ly/B5o5 #robos #p2 #tcot #
13:34 Welcome to America, where the biggest bully wins. Robocalls = bullying.| StarTribune.com ow.ly/B5qf #
13:35 I'll keep things simple for them....if they call me at home in any manner, I will NOT vote for them!! | StarTribune.com ow.ly/B5rm #
13:38 I do not vote for candidates using robocalls | StarTribune.com ow.ly/B5uN #
13:39 Simple solution would be for the nation to upgrade to Minnesota's laws on this matter. | StarTribune.com ow.ly/B5wM #
14:00 Guess what, if you follow me and have anything in your bio about network marketing, internet $$$, etc.. you will be blocked. #spam #
16:41 Hey ! #HashTagTues #htt - Progressive conversations - #p2 #TopProg #ProgressiveTuesday #fem20 #ProChoice #Climate #
16:51 BREAKING - FEC May Negate Robocall Laws is.gd/4S3VF #p2 #TCOT #privacy #
16:57 RT @CNETNews: Apple rejects MAD artist's iPhone caricature app bit.ly/2wtKuf #
19:57 RT @crazyfillyjonk: And while I'm banning: ROBOCALLS. #
19:57 RT @ktb38: @crazyfillyjonk OMG robocalls YES please! I hate those things with a passion. #
20:03 Reading -- Bleeding Heartland:: American Future Fund wants FEC to overturn robocall bans ow.ly/BaDX #robos #p2 #tcot #
20:04 Reading - American Future Fund asks FEC for robocalls opinion -The Des Moines Register ow.ly/BaEP #robos #p2 #tcot #
20:45 Reading - | Melissa Bean Robo Calling ow.ly/Bb5q #p2 #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-09T23:01:37-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

08:27 RT @SidwellMar: News: Robocalls used in Dubuque council race cli.gs/0VUmL #
08:28 RT @minnesotanews: On the line: State law curbing 'robocalls' bit.ly/3nEZm2 #
08:28 RT @TalkMinneapolis: On the line: State law curbing 'robocalls' (cli.gs/tAu8W) #Minneapolis #
08:28 RT @brd_dispatch: BRAINERD-MN NEWS: PAC asks FEC to override robocall law bit.ly/4nb630 #
08:30 ALERT - PAC attempts to override State Bans on Robocalls - On the line: State law curbing 'robocalls' - ow.ly/AGLK #p2 #tcot #privacy #
11:01 ALERT - PAC asks FEC to override robocall law -- chicagotribune.com ow.ly/AJWD #
11:23 Great post about what I'm doing - Sierra Madre Tattler: Political Robo-Calling Is Illegal In California ow.ly/AKo6 #
11:40 RT @robinmarty: yet another reason to dislike American Future Fund bit.ly/b69Q5 No one likes robocalls, a-holes! #
11:40 RT @rickhasen: ELB: "On the line: State law curbing 'robocalls'": The Star Tribune offers this report.... bit.ly/2dy0Wu #
11:52 Working on comments to the FEC on this --> Political Group Trying to Supersede States Robocall Laws ow.ly/AKYS #p2 #tcot #robos #
12:27 Statement: Political Action Committee Attempts to Over Ride State Laws That Ban Robocalls, Including Political Robos ow.ly/ALJV #
13:46 Lobby group asks fed regulator to override Minnesota robocall law ow.ly/ANcY #
13:59 More on the Robocall Challenge at the FEC The Morning Wrap - The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times ow.ly/ANoL #
15:42 Reading (NY) The Press Republican - Article: EDITORIAL: Campaign etiquette was missing ow.ly/APog (re #robos) #
15:42 The Press Republican - Article: EDITORIAL: Whatever you do, don't let anyone on your team near a telephone next campaign. ow.ly/APoN #
15:44 RT @mynew30: Just got the robocall from @HaleyBarbour - I so appreciate R gr8 governor 4 doing ths 2 ease the minds of R MS citizens. #
15:45 RT @Sherwinyuglo: On the line: State law curbing 'robocalls' cli.gs/6t32h #
15:49 RT @mynew30: @EndTheRoboCalls @IsCool Not politics this time, hurricane message - or rather trop. storm now. #

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Political Action Committee Attempts to Over Ride State Laws That Ban Robocalls, Including Political Robos

2009-11-09T12:26:14-05:00

Shaun Dakin, CEO, StopPoliticalCalls.org

STATEMENT

Citizens for Civil Discourse is dismayed that a Political Action Committee, in this case the American Future Fund, is asking the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to over ride individual state laws that ban all robocalls, including political calls. There are many states in which robocalls, commercial and political, are banned. Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon and Arkansas are a few in which residents of those states live free from having their dinner interrupted and babies woken up.

Comments are due today to the FEC regarding this attempt by the AFF to over ride all existing state laws that ban pre-recorded telephone calls (robocalls).

The AFF's argument is that pre-recorded telephone calls are political speech and therefore should be regulated by the FEC rather than by individual states. This is because the FEC regulates other forms of political speech such as advertising, such as TV ads.

My organization, Citizens for Civil Discourse, will be filling formal written comments to the FEC today in which we ask that the FEC deny AFF's request.

We believe that each state has the right to regulate consumer issues and that the right to be free from automated pre-recorded telephone calls, regardless if they are political or commercial in nature, is something that every American demands. February __, 2005 It is incorrect to believe that states are not able to regulate "instrumentalities" that become objects of use during a political or advocacy campaign.

For example, state traffic laws affect campaigners going to and from events and gun laws are still applied to campaigners at pro-gun rallies. As a result, just because a regulation impacts those in the political context does not mean the state is trying to regulate the political discourse. Rather, issues like privacy, safe roads, and safety from violent harm are legitimate interests of their own that legislators at the state level must able to protect.

Shaun Dakin

UPDATE: The press has just written about this issue.

Star Tribune (MN) - Link here
Chicago Tribune (AP) - Link here

If you are interested, here is a link to a map of all state robocall laws. Click here.

@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-08T23:01:37-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

10:28 RT @RonSupportsYou: 2 @steve_g2 Bloomberg spent so much money that it helped his opponent. ... *many* robocalls they received as harassment. #
10:37 DC Peeps - Take my survey on Northern Virginia Farmer's Markets ow.ly/AsPG (pls rt) #Green #
10:52 RT @nonprofitorgs: RT @haagendazsshops Haagen-Dazs to donate $1 for every Tweet tagged #helphoneybees from Nov. 5-11! bit.ly/3tDZDH #
11:01 Anyone get a robocall this wkend regarding #HCR? the NRSC / GOP did them Sat - Audio here - ow.ly/AgVk #p2 #hcr (pls rt) #
11:05 "block political calls" - Google Search Query ow.ly/At1C - example of owning a search term #p2 #
11:09 Good robocall --> RT @ffejbrown: Just got my robocall from Gamestop. My preorder of #MW2 is in! Happy Day! #
11:13 RT @NathanWurtzel: NJ GOP IDd 100000"s of Christie voters using volunteers, not robocalls. GW Bush did same in 04. There's a lesson there. #

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@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-07T23:02:09-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

10:54 RT @cellphoneMoola: Complaint Box Robocalls Spam, When the In-Box Is My Ear - New York Times tinyurl.com/y9wfdeg #
10:54 RT @opchuck: Frank Kratovil is in a learning mode. Who can you count on the base or robocalls. Are volunteers extraneous. Maybe so. #
11:03 Will Chris Kelly agree not to robocall in CA? "Facebook exec leverages online, offline friends in campaign" ow.ly/Aftc #robos #CAAG #
11:29 RT @jimgeraghty: GOP's health-care oriented robocalls going to voters in 55 Dem House districts right now: tinyurl.com/ycpw3xb #
11:33 Reading - LTE about how voters HATE #roboscalls "Dialing for a robotic reaction" Times Union - Albany NY:2971: ow.ly/AfUo #
11:39 Reports that GOP is making robos about heath-care into 55 DEM districts - ow.ly/AfZJ #hcr #p2 #tcot via @jimgeraghty #
12:00 (Anyone get 1? let me know - RT pls) GOP's health-care #robos hitting 55 Dem House districts right now: tinyurl.com/ycpw3xb #
12:04 RT: @Andy_Rudin Thankfully, the gubernatorial campaign is over in Virginia. What idiot(s) decided to use robocalls as a marketing tool? #
12:27 RT @ThePlumLineGS: Audio obtained of GOP robocall in dozens of Dem districts : tinyurl.com/ybkzed7 #hrc #p2 #tcot #
12:35 (Audio): GOP / NRSC Anti Health Care Robocalls into 55 Democratic Congressional Districts (Audio) ow.ly/AgVk #p2 #hcr #
12:38 Won't miss your robocalls - Retweeting @jimgeraghty/: Unfollow Saturday: Goodbye, @dougforcongress, @CreighDeeds, @JonCorzine. #
12:42 Robocalls reported being used by the GOP in the Health Care debate today. Any DEM calls? Audio here - ow.ly/AgVk #p2 #hcr (pls rt) #
18:02 RT @imkerry2: If you dislike robocalls, then follow @EndTheRoboCalls #
18:39 Robocalls reported being used by the GOP to stop Dem Votes on HealthCare- Any DEM calls? Audio here - ow.ly/AgVk #p2 #hcr (pls rt) #
20:49 RT @joshwolf: Just got a robocall from state Sen. @LelandYee. ....an illegal call as it wasn't introduced by a live human. Senator? #
20:50 RT @oddknock: @joshwolf Did it start by talking about "preserving health care" in SF? I got hit with a robocall just now, too. #
20:50 RT @tackyy: State Sen. Leland Yee: if you're gonna use fake callerID when you robocall me, at least use a believable fake number. #
21:30 Dear Senator Lee @LelandYee -there have bn reports U R making robocalls in CA. fyi..robos R ILLEGAL in CA. law here - is.gd/4GnIu #
22:08 Anyone get a robocall today regarding #HCR? the NRSC / GOP did them today - Audio here - ow.ly/AgVk #p2 #hcr (pls rt) #
22:36 Amazing. Guy living in South America gets CA Politician Robocall on his cell phone in SA #robos #p2 ow.ly/AnDP #

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GOP / NRSC Anti Health Care Robocalls into 55 Democratic Congressional Districts (Audio)

2009-11-07T12:34:32-05:00

Greg Sargent of the Washington Post was able to get the audio from the NRSC that they are sending into 55 Democratic Districts today, as the House goes to vote on Health Care Reform.

Here is the audio:

Cardoza_IA18_1106.wav (audio/x-wav Object).

Here is the blog post from Greg about this issue.

Here is another article at the National Review about this as well. This article has the full list of of 55 Democratic districts.

Do you get one? Let us know.

The Republican List of 55 Nervous Democrats

Republicans are now using robocalls, urging voters to call their congressman to express their concerns about Pelosi's health care legislation, in the following House districts, grouped by position:

LEAN NO (13)

1.      Berry - AR

2.      Boucher - VA

3.      Boyd - FL

4.      Costa - CA

6.      Donnelly - IN

7.      Hill -IN

8. Holden - PA

9. Massa - NY

10. McIntyre - NC

11. Moore - KS

12. Nye - VA

13. Pomeroy - ND

UNDECIDED (34)

1.      Arcuri - NY

2.      (Apparently this member changed their position; my guess is Adler went here)

3.      Bean -IL

4.      Boccieri - OH

5.      Boswell - IA

6.      Cardoza - CA

7.      Carney - PA

8.      Chandler - KY

9.      Costello - IL

10. Cuellar- TX

11. Davis, A. - AL

12. Driehaus - OH

13. Giffords- AZ

14. Halvorson – IL

15. Himes - CT

16. Kagen - WI

17. Kanjorski - PA

18. Kildee - MI

19. Kind - WI

20. Lipinski – IL

21. Markey - CO

22. Michaud - ME

23. Mollohan - WV

24. Murphy, S. - NY

25. Oberstar - MN

26. Owens - NY

27. Perriello - VA

28. Rahall - WV

29. Rodriguez - TX

30. Schrader - OR

31. Snyder - AR

32. Space - OH

33. Teague - NM

34. Titus - NV

35. Wilson (OH)

LEAN YES (8)

1.      Bishop, S. - GA

2.      Connolly - VA

3.      Dahlkemper - OH

4.      Kaptur - OH

5.      Murtha - PA

6.      Polis - CO

7.      Schiff - CA

            8.      Smith, A. - WA

Dialing for a robotic reaction -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:2971:

2009-11-07T11:35:47-05:00

Dialing for a robotic reaction -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:2971:.

This is one of the best letters to the editor about robocalls I've seen in a long time:

Dialing for a robotic reaction

By MARK DALTON
First published: Saturday, November 7, 2009

Now that the general election has come and gone, I can resume answering the phone, much to the relief of my 22-year-old daughter, who like many of her generation, becomes unnerved when anything is allowed to ring more than twice. Facing chastisement, I have begged her to understand that my nerves have been shattered by robo-calls.

I am desperately hoping that we have reached the low-water mark in remote-control stumping. Robo-calls have now conditioned me to seize up at any jingling sound. Instead of salivating like Pavlov's pooches, my psyche withdraws into a fetal position and whimpers, "Go away!"

The negative reinforcement has even caused me to shun human political contact.

Once during primary season, the doorbell rang and I fled for fear of having to listen to a real campaigner who sounded like a robo-caller. So there I was, cowering in my kitchen like the fool who didn't stock up on Halloween candy, dreading to even peek through the curtains to see if perhaps it wasn't a political hack, but instead a cop with my car and a tow truck.

And even though I did stock up for Halloween, last Saturday night was still hell. Doorbell rings, I jump. Phone rings, I jump higher. A kid in a Jerry Jennings mask would have sent me around the bend.

Jerry, in fact, called on Monday. Well, the Jerry-Bot. Now, I've been glad-handed by hizzoner in person and found him to be affable enough, but the Jerry-Bot recording was so automatonic, it gave a new meaning to "political machine."

Why do our pols think this kind of harassment works? Perhaps they have polls -- from companies that also do robo-calls -- that prove its effectiveness. But after pressing our flesh and kissing our babies, must they destroy our dinners like telemarketers?

Perhaps it's not a matter of public outreach, but public health. The last thing politicians want is physical contact with an electorate that might harbor H1N1, although if any breed of human would be immune from swine flu, it would probably be our clamorous ruling class.

My frustration has gotten so extreme that I will now talk to pollsters only for the delight of lying to them. There is nothing like the sense of payback I get from reading the results of a poll I have skewed. It's perversely empowering to chuck a handful of sand into the well-oiled political machinery.

But there's more we can do besides lying to pollsters. Next election season, if you get a robo-call from candidate A, vote for candidate B.

If the B campaign also ruins your dinner, take the next step: Write in Mickey Mouse, or Donald Duck, or Goofy. In the world of Pavlovian politics, electing Mickey, Donald or Goofy might be the only way to condition robo-calling politicians and make them realize they've shot off their clay feet by invading our homes. There is however, a potential downside.

If we happen to elect an actual cartoon character as our next mayor, we may suffer this: "Hi, I work for the Walt Disney Company, and I would like to tell you why I'm voting for….."

Seem far-fetched? Well, consider that Zenia Mucha is Disney's head of corporate communications. Remember her, Albany? Before heading to the magic kingdom, she was the feisty head flak for George Pataki.

Mark Dalton is a writer, theater director and longtime Albany resident.

@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-06T23:01:32-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

23:53 Dear @CK4AG (Chris Kelly) - CA law bans robocalls. Since you are running for AG, might be good if you pledge never to use them. #
23:59 petition @CK4AG to to pledge not to make robocalls in his run for AG #CAAG act.ly/xm RT to sign #actly #
00:13 Just wrote a Google Sidewiki entry on "Kelly For Attorney General" bit.ly/X124n --> Don't Robocall! #
00:16 #CAGOV #CAAG: All CA Robocall Petitions On One Page - Just pick one (or two) Twitter And Go! ow.ly/zKxT #
00:20 OK we are almost at 3,000 followers. Who is going to push it over the top? ! #robos #p2 #topprog #gov20 #TCOT #TLOT #
00:22 (RT PLS) petition @JerryBrown2010 to Not robocall voters in CA during his campaign. #TCOT #P2 act.ly/nl RT to sign #actly #
00:25 Ask that Chris Kelly (running for CA Attorney General) not robocall voters during his campaign. act.ly/xm act.ly/Rij #
00:26 Ask that Chris Kelly (running for CA Attorney General) not robocall voters during his campaign. #privacy act.ly/Rij #
00:27 (RT) Ask that Chris Kelly (running for CA Attorney General) not robocall voters during his campaign. #privacy act.ly/Rij #
07:42 RT @CheriW52: Robocalls are PHONE SPAM! #
07:42 RT @CheriW52: Make a pledge that for every robocall received from a politician you donate $ to his/her opponent. Take the pledge! #
15:56 RT @satnightspecial: NRA RoboCall: Should Third World Dictators -- And Hillary Clinton -- Dictate Our Gun Rights? is.gd/4P66C #p2 #
15:56 RT @Andy_Rudin: Thankfully, the gubernatorial campaign is over in Virginia. What idiot(s) decided to use robocalls as a marketing tool? #
16:44 Great LTE in today's Post about robos --> Democratic robo-calls turn off a Virginia voter ow.ly/zYtD #p2 #tcot #privacy #
16:45 Another !!! Awesome LTE in the Post > Signs of hypocrisy in political telemarketing and road signs - ow.ly/zYvm fyi @NancyScola #p2 #
17:02 Are you a Progressive Comm in DC? 1) Follow @pcdcntwk 2) @ reply with your name and ask to be on the PCDC Twitter List > ow.ly/zYIG #
17:55 Reading: Two Letters To The Editor in the Washington Post Blast Political Robocalls ow.ly/zZko #p2 #tcot #
18:24 RT @ejoep: Getting push-polled by a robocall right now. #
18:45 Dear @Joe_Abbey - how did those robocalls turn out for Deeds? More at WaPo - ow.ly/zZko #p2 #tcot #VAGOV #

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Two Letters To The Editor in the Washington Post Blast Political Robocalls

2009-11-06T17:47:09-05:00

Shaun Dakin, CEO, The National Political Do Not Contact Registry - StopPoliticalCalls.org

Writing a letter to the editor can seem to be an exercise in futility, particularly when you write to one of the large national daily papers such as the New York Times and the Washington Post.

That is why I was in complete surprise that the Washington Post today published two letters about Voter Privacy Rights (neither from me). The surprise is that the Post took up very valuable space to publish two letters that essentially have the same overall purpose and perspective.

It is time for another LTE from me!

Letter One can be found here and below:

Signs of political hypocrisy

Friday, November 6, 2009

Here are a couple of thoughts after this off-year election: Why is it that I can be on a federally mandated do-not-call list that applies to just about everyone except those who make the law? Why does it remain illegal in our area to post signs within roadway rights of way, except for those who make the law?

Every time I receive a call during election season and every time I see our roads littered with political signs, it only serves to remind me of the hypocrisy of those whom we elect.

David C. Sullivan, Sterling

Letter Two can be found here and below:

Sorry, Democrats, wrong number

Friday, November 6, 2009

I have been a reliably Democratic voter for more than three decades, but this year no Virginia Democrat got my vote. Why? It's not that my political philosophy has changed. It's not that I'm disillusioned with the candidates. I've simply had it with the robo-calls.

What idiot consultant told them this was the way to get their message out?

Here's the message I get:

(1.) We have no respect for your time or intelligence (2.) We have no real volunteers, so we hired this service (3.) That donation you made last year -- this is how we are spending it.

There won't be any more of those, either.

Stephen R. Coffee, Falls Church

@EndTheRoboCalls Tweets For Today

2009-11-05T23:01:37-05:00

Below are all the @EndTheRoboCalls Tweets from today. Enjoy.

00:22 RT @annnoonan: Researching why a Brooklyn bishop would robocall for a candidate who is not pro-life ... #
00:22 RT @VoxAZ: Wow. RoboCall from Newt Gingrich. Long & boring, even *if* he had any credibility left #NY23 #sgp #tcot #
00:22 RT @BrunoSpeak: Gotta love the day after the election! No robocalls, no political ads...and Virginia has returned to its senses. #
00:50 Reading - Bloomberg Meets the Law of Diminishing Returns. #robos #NY #p2 ow.ly/zokd #
11:33 RT @mediagadfly: Holy hell. Just got a robo-call poll to gauge my feeling on #hcr proposals that will "INCREASE ABORTIONS IN AMERICA". #
12:09 Reading - Listening - #WI - State Rep --> Pulling the plug on robocalls ow.ly/zAOh #
13:03 RT @celticmamax3: @akaBigEars Robo-Call. I love it. I will have to borrow that term! Creepy for sure! #
15:14 Google Search today "do not call register for republican party" - Google Search ow.ly/zDYS #TCOT #
15:40 More on a book in which I'm a contributor > About Face: The Dramatic Impact of the Internet on Politics and Advocacy ow.ly/zEsq #
15:45 Great letter to the editor --> Political calls waste cell time -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:479: ow.ly/zEz7 #
16:47 Follow HashTag #FTHood for the shootings as well as account @FtHoodShootings (tip: set up a column in @Tweetdeck) #
17:12 I scored 100% on the Govt Tech Innovators WashPost Quiz. The avg score is 28. Think you can beat that? bit.ly/3Zs0YH #
17:20 I know the election is over when my @tweetdeck column for "ROBOCALLS" has fallen silent :) #

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