DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

The AP reports:

President Bush on Tuesday signed legislation creating a national “do-not-call” list intended to help consumers block unwanted telemarketing calls.

The bill allows the Federal Trade Commission to collect fees from telemarketers to fund the registry, which will cost about $16 million in its first year. The do-not-call program should begin operation by summer.

Telemarketers say the registry will devastate their business.

So it seems that the telemarketers not only will be forced to comply with this new law — they’ll also have to pay for it. Ha!

The new law is unfortunately not comprehensive, because the FTC has only limited authority over some industries. I understand this to mean that the new DNC law may not affect telcos, airlines, and banks. Also, the law exempts charities, surveys, and politicians. But for all of these low-lifes, who think their right to call you at home against your will is protected by the 1st Amendment, there is still Steve Rubenstein’s “hopeful hold.”

Comprehensive or not, this national DNC system is a huge step in the right direction. Citizens’ time and privacy are now protected by federal law. US States that have already implemented DNC lists can presumably shave those costs back out of their budgets as they transfer control to the federal system. And as a telemarketing victim, you no longer need to plead with each individual telemarketer to be removed from the calling list — you can simply opt out one time.

I’ll enjoy watching the DMA squirm over this one.