Stop Already!

Back in December in Seattle I bought the book "Talk to the Hand" by Lynn Truss. I have just this week started reading it and find it interesting and amusing.
The book deals with the preponderance of rudeness in today's world and the reasons for it. One of her chapters is "Why am I Doing This?", talking about how now we spend a lot of time on automated phone systems and computer "clicking", meekly doing what someone tells us in order to accomplish something which is really mutually beneficial. Not a really clear description, but the best I can do briefly.

One of my aggravations at work is receiving unsolicited telemarketing faxes. As a very small non-profit with limited income and a tight budget, it is maddening to have these things coming in - 99% of which have no application to us anyway - using our imaging film, our paper, and tying up our fax. Additionally I spend time calling the toll free numbers listed to be removed from their fax list. I do this even though I have the sneaking suspicion that making the call actually gets me put on other lists. There is no way to tell, since the numbers are always different and the company headings also change.

Last week I meekly obeyed the orders to call the toll free number and have us removed from a company's faxing list. After I had punched in a pin and our fax number (followed by the # sign), I was informed by a recording that they would be faxing me confirmation that my number would be removed! I wanted to scream; in fact, I think I did scream, knowing the futility of screaming at a recording. "I want my number removed so we are not using our paper, fax time, and imaging film on your stupid faxes. Don't fax me a confirmation!"

I got a little excited when I saw the government was considering a "no fax" list until I realized that, like the no-call list, it would be for home faxes only. I also understand they have given up as it would be impossible to enforce.

I did one contact the Kansas Attorney General's office when a company kept sending me faxes, but - and here is a big surprise - I got no response from the Attorney General. Considering our AG, I would just as soon get telemarketing faxes as hear from him.