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  • THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27 2007 9:00 AM

Verizon: No Fetus Texting!

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.”



    PLZ keep ABortIN LEGZ. 4EAE KEWL


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!

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Comments
ComiGeorGe

ComiGeorGe

Prospect Park, PA
July 2005

SEP 27, 2007 11:33 PM

FearTheReaper said:
PLZ keep ABortIN LEGZ. 4EAE KEWL


This made me laugh.

joker_

joker_

Minneapolis, MN
October 2005

SEP 27, 2007 11:48 PM

buzzsaw71 said:

Do you mean to tell me that you do NOT get spam text messages? Because I certainly do. I got one right before I read this article. It was:

From 7542443806

Introducin Mobile CarWash Serv WeCome2U! Txt r Clik www.expressdetailers.com Show This Txt Get $8 off!


So, Gee, I WONDER how this could have been interpreted to be about spam. How could that leap have been made?

Tell me, where in the article does it say that this is a service you sign up for? It doesn't. So, then, CLEARLY we are to assume that this is an article about people who sign up for a service to get text messages reminding them of a political agenda to which they already subscribe...right.


Seems to me that it makes more sense that it is about spam.




Firstly, I actually very rarely get spam text messages. I use my phone all day long, send many text messages. I've got one in the past year.
Now, your misinterpretation is a pass, since no one had posted anything about it. Replying to something not addressed to you, is a little silly though.

However:
http://suicidegirls.com/boards/Current+Events/238671/page1/#post11413202
Since then a few other posts make fun of the same type of thing.

The thing is, even without a the piece of knowledge that informs you the service is not spam. I still didn't read the article and think to myself, fuck those pro abortion spammers.

Not because I don't get spam text messages, but because the focus seemed to be on Verizon and questioning why they would ban a certain type of text message on their network.



joker_

joker_

Minneapolis, MN
October 2005

SEP 27, 2007 11:49 PM

TheGringo said:

joker_ said:

Gylrek said:
i don't really care what the message is . what I don't need is spam messages on my phone, it's not like there isn't enough on the internet.



What part of "a service you sign up for" do you not understand?

Seriously, I'm curious as to how you could interpret this to be about spam messages.


^ ^ ^ ^
Fuck, I signed up for SG and now I'm seeing these spam messages from joker_.



Oh stop being coy. You like my spam messages.

FellOnEarth

FellOnEarth

Temecula, CA
April 2006

SEP 28, 2007 02:38 AM

HR133 1/3 Is in Congress right now to fix all of the problems with the telecommunications industry.

The Telecommunications Wide Anti-Trust bill (TWAT) is being rushed through to ensure that the people have recourse for being screwed by the telecom companies of America. Senator Ricardo McReady (I-Rish) from Puerto Rico gave a passionate speech about the need to hold the communication companies accountable for, "ripping people off by selling services that they don't actually need or use, for participating in illegal spying on their customers and for interfering with their private lives." McReady then threw a book on constitutional law at Senator M.A. Bell after she suggested that he was a communist and a terrorist for not backing big business...

OK, back to reality here. Maybe I should get some sleep.

NickFaust

NickFaust

USA
April 2004

SEP 28, 2007 05:05 AM

superkrzyamos said:

FearTheReaper said:

jimhaku said:
If I start getting spam texts from anyone I'm burning everything I own and living in a cave.



Right. This is not about spamming. You would sign up for it. sigh.



Should have mentioned that fact in your article. Sigh. Besides, you would always get that initial "sign up by replying to this text message", uh, text message. And that would piss me off if I got that shit being an evil pro-lifer and all. I think there are other ways to get your information out. Thanks Verizon for working for me!



Yes, yes. Opportunities to get information that might educate your opinion are always bad. And yes, of course Verizon is working for you.

Verizon gives two fucks about you. Their interest in your tender and uninformed sensibilities begins and ends with your bank account.

Besides, they changed their minds. Seems like folks who are open to being informed and educated have more money they you superstituous magical thinkers after all.

Cigarette

Cigarette

Cleveland, OH
April 2004

SEP 28, 2007 05:14 AM

varukasalt said:
Um...maybe so you could get updates on those things that interest you. Maybe information on pending legislation, current actions, gatherings, forums....etc.



Like this?

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



Sounds like more of a fundraising scam to me.

Just text DEADBABY to 14185 to receive the most HILARIOUS abortion photos! Be the hit of the party with these former fetuses!

(Terms: Custmors will be charged a $4.50 sign up fee and $.99 per photo of unborn children.)

jermhawk

jermhawk

Tidioute, PA
December 2004

SEP 28, 2007 08:44 AM

I love this site!

Keri

Keri

SUICIDEGIRL

Virginia, USA

SEP 28, 2007 12:42 PM

I get messages from Naral. I signed up for them.
Ive never gotten spam text messages...weird.

Keri

Keri

SUICIDEGIRL

Virginia, USA

SEP 28, 2007 12:51 PM

Cigarette said:

varukasalt said:
Um...maybe so you could get updates on those things that interest you. Maybe information on pending legislation, current actions, gatherings, forums....etc.



Like this?

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



Sounds like more of a fundraising scam to me.

Just text DEADBABY to 14185 to receive the most HILARIOUS abortion photos! Be the hit of the party with these former fetuses!

(Terms: Custmors will be charged a $4.50 sign up fee and $.99 per photo of unborn children.)




actually for those who care about women's rights, Naral Pro Choice is an excellent source for info that most wouldn't know how to get access to. money scams have nothing to do with it. of course if you want to donate you can but its not nessicary.

Cigarette

Cigarette

Cleveland, OH
April 2004

SEP 28, 2007 05:00 PM

Keri said:
actually for those who care about women's rights, Naral Pro Choice is an excellent source for info that most wouldn't know how to get access to. money scams have nothing to do with it. of course if you want to donate you can but its not nessicary.



It just seems to me that the example message wasn't exactly informative.

lefthandright

lefthandright

New Zealand
September 2006

SEP 28, 2007 05:22 PM

let me get this straight?...companies can contact cell phone coverage providers and pay them to broad spectrum spam messages to all of the people on that network?...even if the message is unsolicited? is there any clause the customer has to agree to in order to ok this general advertising and spamming?

Cigarette

Cigarette

Cleveland, OH
April 2004

SEP 28, 2007 05:26 PM

lefthandright said:
let me get this straight?...companies can contact cell phone coverage providers and pay them to broad spectrum spam messages to all of the people on that network?...even if the message is unsolicited? is there any clause the customer has to agree to in order to ok this general advertising and spamming?



Didn't you read the article, dumbass? Verizon isn't letting them do it! They're on our side!

Varuka_Salt

Varuka_Salt

I'm lost
October 2006

SEP 28, 2007 08:00 PM


EEEEEEYYYYOOOUUUMMMMMM!

Keri

Keri

SUICIDEGIRL

Virginia, USA

SEP 29, 2007 08:37 AM

lefthandright said:
let me get this straight?...companies can contact cell phone coverage providers and pay them to broad spectrum spam messages to all of the people on that network?...even if the message is unsolicited? is there any clause the customer has to agree to in order to ok this general advertising and spamming?



The article wasn't about spam. i think that's been mentioned in every post this thread so far. The article was about the company Naral Pro-Choice, and Verizons fucked up desicion to not allow them to send out their pro-choice text messages to the people that SIGNED UP to receive them. Not to random people. Don't worry-You won't be getting any crazy text messages to protect women's rights. You're safe.

Cigarette

Cigarette

Cleveland, OH
April 2004

SEP 29, 2007 03:28 PM

Keri said:

lefthandright said:
let me get this straight?...companies can contact cell phone coverage providers and pay them to broad spectrum spam messages to all of the people on that network?...even if the message is unsolicited? is there any clause the customer has to agree to in order to ok this general advertising and spamming?



The article wasn't about spam. i think that's been mentioned in every post this thread so far. The article was about the company Naral Pro-Choice, and Verizons fucked up desicion to not allow them to send out their pro-choice text messages to the people that SIGNED UP to receive them. Not to random people. Don't worry-You won't be getting any crazy text messages to protect women's rights. You're safe.



I'm pretty sure he was being dense on purpose.

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