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Verizon: No Fetus Texting!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27 2007 9:00 AM

Submitted by FearTheReaper. Edited By erin_broadley.

TAGS: Verizon, Naral, pro-choice,

The young kids today love to text message. This has caused political action groups to start text-messaging programs to get their message out. For the most part, the politicians and advocacy groups that use texts are liberal. The reason for that is because conservatives are usually too stupid to understand modern technology and they are poor, often only possessing an AM radio.

The National Right to Life Committee, an anti-abortion group, does not have anything to do with text messages. But their counterpart, Naral Pro-Choice America has a very active text-messaging program. Except on Verizon, because the company has rejected Naral�s request to set up a text-messaging program. Turns out that Verizon doesn't allow �controversial or unsavory� text messages.

In turning down the program, Verizon, one of the nation�s two largest wireless carriers, told Naral that it does not accept programs from any group �that seeks to promote an agenda or distribute content that, in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory to any of our users.�

Wow, I kind of get what Verizon is saying. That may be the most controversial and unsavory thing I have ever typed. My fingers need a bleach bath. If I had actually texted that, Verizon may have gotten AIDS.

Yet, Verizon has no obligation to accept every political action group that comes along. The First Amendment limits governments but private companies can do whatever the hell they want. What would stop Verizon from restricting text messages, is a threat by all their customers to drop the company if they did not change their policy. But that will never happen, because we live in America, home of the lazy complainer.

This is a very odd decision for a company to make, however. Verizon has decided to forgo profits for�what? So that people won�t communicate �controversial� messages? What the fuck is that? They are a communications company, whose sole purpose is to provide people ways to communicate and to make boat loads of cash. They shouldn�t give a shit what those communications are. And yet they do. This is the scary side of our massive corporate controlled world. This is why so many people are concerned about Net Neutrality.

�This is right at the heart of the problem,� said Susan Crawford, a visiting professor at the University of Michigan law school, referring to the treatment of text messages. �The fact that wireless companies can choose to discriminate is very troubling.�

Just a bit. Fortunately other wireless companies have accepted the Naral text program. Their customers can get messages from Naral, like this one.

End Bush�s global gag rule against birth control for world�s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice.

But Verizon customers, who are paying the company to provide them with wireless service, will not get any text messages. Even if they want them. Thankfully, we live in a free market world. All they have to do is break their contract, pay the massive fee and then sign up with another company. That way they can punish Verizon by giving them a big check. It�s the free market!

45 Comments

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drjones23

Colorado Springs, CO

August 2007

SEP 27, 2007 09:19 AM

For the record, Verizon has already backed down on this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21011328/

Tallboy66

USA

January 2005

SEP 27, 2007 09:20 AM

I would not appreciate spam texts of anything but at least we know where they stand on the issue.

Could explain some of my "problems" with my internet (Verizon)

buzzsaw71

Blowing Rock, NC

February 2005

SEP 27, 2007 09:42 AM

I personally do not think that my phone number should be given to anybody anywhere for advertising purposes or to spread any sort of message at all. It is an assault on the senses every minute of every day. It's the reason I don't watch TV. Now even my video games have advertising IN GAME. Fuck this; I don't want anybody pushing me to subscribe to their agenda.

Next thing you know, the administration is going to get a record of Naral's message logs, track down all the customers that opened the messages, and blackmail them into writing their congressman about their righteous and quiet anger over Roe vs. Wade.

magpieboy

Seattle, WA

June 2004

SEP 27, 2007 10:16 AM

buzzsaw71 said:
I personally do not think that my phone number should be given to anybody anywhere for advertising purposes or to spread any sort of message at all. It is an assault on the senses every minute of every day. It's the reason I don't watch TV. Now even my video games have advertising IN GAME. Fuck this; I don't want anybody pushing me to subscribe to their agenda.

Next thing you know, the administration is going to get a record of Naral's message logs, track down all the customers that opened the messages, and blackmail them into writing their congressman about their righteous and quiet anger over Roe vs. Wade.

You sign up for updates.

freshprncebelair

Ellicott City, MD

June 2004

SEP 27, 2007 10:25 AM

Verizon decides it would rather reap the profits of text messaging than police its users

LostLucy

USA

December 2006

SEP 27, 2007 10:35 AM

First, this must violate freedom of speech from some angle, no?? not without NET NEUTRALITY being secured?

Second -- this is a DAMN GOOD REASON not to buy an iphone
APPLE should speak out against Verizon, and use this to negate their deal for exclusive rights to their phones!

[yeah, not a legal scholar but pretty pissed!]

FearTheReaper

NEWSWIRE

I'm lost

SEP 27, 2007 10:38 AM

magpieboy said:

You sign up for updates.

Was it really that hard to understand? LIke I'm going to write a pro cell phone spam article. Get a grip people...

freckle

Seattle, WA

January 2003

SEP 27, 2007 11:02 AM

LostLucy said:
First, this must violate freedom of speech from some angle, no?? not without NET NEUTRALITY being secured?

Second -- this is a DAMN GOOD REASON not to buy an iphone
APPLE should speak out against Verizon, and use this to negate their deal for exclusive rights to their phones!

[yeah, not a legal scholar but pretty pissed!]

iphones are at&t.

LostLucy

USA

December 2006

SEP 27, 2007 11:14 AM

Freckle said

iphones are AT&T

NEVERMIND!!!

_kungfoo_

Altadena, CA

April 2005

SEP 27, 2007 11:16 AM

freckle said:

iphones are at&t.

Go ahead and don't buy an iPhone if you want...

It's not going to change AT&T's position on Network Neutrality either way. There would have to be an outright, coordinated boycott of AT&T's services to make a serious impact. The best way to get Network Neutrality into law, right now, is too contribute a few bucks to lobbying groups like SaveTheInternet.com and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Apple's always been a bit of a more progressive corporation anyways, you'd be affecting their revenue more than AT&T's. (But they are still slaves to their corporate interests, so I doubt you'll see Apple taking on AT&T over Network Neutrality).