May 2003 Print Edition Sightings:   

You Can Stop Telemarketers From Calling

Over one million Massachusetts citizens have registered with the state's new Do Not Call Registry, a voluntary program designed to keep residents free from pesky telemarketers.
The program requires businesses which make use of "cold callers" to register with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and to follow state rules governing telephone sales.

These rules prohibit sales calls to residents between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. regardless of whether or not they have signed on with the program. State regulations also protect consumers from telephone solicitors who use devices to hide their identities from consumers and from advertisements conveyed through recorded messages and fax machines.
With approximately 2.8 million residential lines in Massachusetts, there is still room to grow the registry.

The program will not completely eliminate unsolicited calls, such as those from charities or businesses with whom the customer has previously established a relationship.

The first registry of names for the program took place between January 1 and March 1 and included over 870,000 residential phone lines. The program took effect for them April 1. The second registry began March 2 and has gained 130,000 residents just in the past month. The program will become effective for them July 1.

Those who continue to receive unwanted solicitations after signing up with the Do Not Call Registry should call the Attorney General's Complaint Hotline at 617-727-8400 and file a complaint.

This information filed by consumers will enable the state to find those telemarketers who are not fully complying with the new Do Not Call program.

Residents can sign up for the "Do Not Call" program 24-hours a day, seven days a week by calling toll free (866) 231-CALL, by registering online or by writing Massachusetts "Do Not Call" Program, P.O. Box 1348, Boston, MA 02117.

Barney Frank Opposes Pledge of Allegiance

When 400 members of the U.S. Congress voted to reaffirm the Pledge of Allegiance wording, "One nation under God," there were only seven who voted against it. One of them was our own Barney Frank, the only negative vote in the New England region. The vote was in response to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that the words represent a government endorsement of religion and were therefore unconstitutional. The court's ruling is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it will likely be overturned and the pledge will be retained.

‘The New York Times Company’ Owns the Globe and the Red Sox ???

Does everyone know that "The New York Times Company" owns the Red Sox too?
Dan Shaughnessy, Globe sportswriter, repeated that sad news last month when he wrote about the Opening Day game: "Owners John Henry and Tom Werner also are scheduled to be at the game and five members of the Globe staff will represent the New York Times Co.'s $80 million interest. Believe me when I tell you we are the most vigilant of the Sox' owners."
It must be true. We're nothing more than a province!

Mass. Tax Revenue Was $9.37 Billion in 1990

The state's tax revenue went from $9.37 billion in 1990 to $17.23 billion in 2001, according to Cato, the libertarian think tank, and Jeff Jacoby, columnist at the Globe.

This was an increase of 84% even though only 44% of that increase was necessary to keep pace with inflation and population growth. The remainder - $3.76 billion or $1509 a year for every household in the state - was a windfall for the state, says Jacoby. He comments that, "'Tax everything and more' was lousy advice in the 1990s. It's an even worse prescription today."

Sears Is Especially Supportive of Troops

Employers are required to hold their jobs open for reservists who are called to duty, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut between civilian pay and military pay and lose company benefits.

However, Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for called-up reservist employees for up to two years, according to activist Minos Gordy, Centerville.

"I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves. If you find other major companies that are doing the same, please pass that information on also."

Homosexual Activist Group Gave $173,000
to Republicans

If you wonder whether Mass. politicians really do get dollars from homosexual activists, just one group, the Human Rights Campaign, gave $173,000 last year to Republican politicians. Many of the contributions were for $10,000 apiece.

There were none in Massachusetts because we have no Republicans in Congress, but Sen. Susan Collins in Maine received $10,000. In the House, there were four from New England. Three were from Connecticut, Nancy Johnson $10,000, Rob Simmons $10,000, and Chris Shays $5,025. From New Hampshire, Charles Bass got $1,000.

This was reported by the Family Research Council.