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1990-02-24
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27KB
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442 lines
02-13-90
To: ALL USERS
FROM: Variety-N-Spice BBS and THIS Sysop!
RE: Michigan Bell vs Michigan BBS's and YOU!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a fight in the making and THIS system and YOU are in the middle!
I am sure that you have all heard about the FCC's recent attempt, 1987-88,
to make all modem and computer BBS's users and operators pay a surcharge
because we did NOT use a "phone" in the use of the phone lines in our homes
and businesses. Because of an EXTENSIVE letter writing campaign carried out by
the modem users and computer operators, this attempt was called off by the FCC
and it was dropped because they could not justify their claim that the use of
a modem was something they could charge for at that time legally. It was
dropped by the FCC, but now however, the 7 "Baby Bell" systems are taking the
offensive on computer modem users on a STATE BY STATE basis. Pacific Bell
tried it and they lost almost before they began. Southwest Bell is *STILL*
fighting in Texas after 2 years and they have not gotten anywhere other than
courts and making sysops very uncomfortable and miserable both in service and
threats.
Michigan Bell is now on the band wagon and they are starting with a 16 line
system in Grosse Pointe, Variety-N-Spice BBS. They notified the Sysop in a
letter that they are going after him since they claim that it is the largest
BBS in Southeastern Michigan and will use it as a "test-case" before they go
after ALL the other systems in Michigan!! (Start with the biggest and work
their way down I suppose is the theory). What Bell is trying to do is call
-ALL- (ANY AND ALL) BBS's a BUSINESS rather than a HOBBY, and charge BUSINESS
rates to the sysops. They claim that ALL BBS's are making money in one way or
another and they want their cut. When in fact, the truth is that NO BBS is
making any money, although they may have a Membership that will help defray
costs in running the system.
This means.. VNS first, then the others and then YOU!!!!!
*******************************************************************************
**> NOTE: This will apply to ALL boards whether they DO or DO NOT charge a
fee or membership for access to their board!!
*******************************************************************************
According to the Horst Mann list of BBS's in the 313 area code, there are
approximately 400 BBS's. If Michigan Bell WINS and starts charging the Sysops
of these boards a BUSINESS rate, you'll find that the majority of systems will
close down immediately. Those that stay running will no doubt be charging a
LARGER rate than what they are NOW..if they are charging anything NOW.. but
they will have to START just to maintain the system! This is NOT good for you
or me as this is something that we LIKE to do.. modeming is a part of our
computer and communication fun!
Our FIRST AMENDMENT rights are under fire here and we MUST fight to maintain
our ability to have freedom of speech to communicate and express our views in
an open forum such as a BBS!! -IF- you sit back and allow Michigan Bell to
charge BUSINESS rates to the Sysops and the systems close down, you should
know that there is another plan on the drawing board AS YOU READ THIS!
(more on this below)
*Why is Bell doing this you ask??
1. They claim that they are losing money on the MODEM users and that they
have to get their cut.
2. They say that since we are using their phone lines for something OTHER
than a 'phone', then we must be doing something that they can charge us
extra for and as an operator of a system, WE are the ones that have ALL
the money to pay them.
3. They (Bell) are a bunch of ignorant idiots that do not know what they are
talking about and only want to GOUGE us even MORE!!! "Dazzle them with
Bulls**t and we will get our way..", they think!
*What is being done about this?
1. V-N-S has obtained one of the FINEST attorneys in Michigan to fight the
fight for me AND -YOU-!! He is doing this because he is into computers
and enjoys communicating with others via modem. He also feels that this
is a violation of our FIRST AMENDMENT.. our constitutional right to
communicate and speak our minds however we wish..
(within legal limits of course).
2. They have contacted afew State Representatives and also the ACLU about them
joining the fight and also to get some more bite into this fight against
Michigan Bell.
3. They have started a letter writing campaign to get more politicial action
and make the government aware of what Bell is trying to do to US.. the
users and operators of computer systems! (YOUR help is needed here!!!!!)
4. They are contacting ALL BBS's in Michigan to gain YOUR help in stopping this
unlawful attack on computer boards and modem users.
5. A NON-PROFIT corporation for Sysops AND Users is being considered that will
fight this very thing and help Sysops add more lines or other services that
are needed. It will lobby against what is UNfair and get changes made that
will benefit -US-, Sysops AND Users!!!
*What is next after this? (THIS affects YOU the user)
1. Michigan Bell is installing (probably as you read this) a new device that
will detect a call coming out of your home or business and tell them if it
is a DATA or VOICE call. They are going after the MODEM -USER- after they
have gotten ALL the BBS's in Michigan put under the BUSINESS "wing" and the
rational is that if BBS's are a Business, then the USERS must be a business
also, so THEY should be charged a business rate too! Makes sense eh?
2. This would mean that ANYONE that uses a modem will be charged 8.7 cents
PER call on their HOME line, for MODEM -AND- VOICE calls!! ANYONE that uses
a modem PERIOD will be immediately switched over to a BUSINESS and charged
accordingly!
*HOW THIS APPLIES TO -YOU- (*a recap*)
1. IF you are detected in -A- DATA transmission, you will then be switched over
to business rates and then ANY and ALL calls made...modem OR voice will be
charged the 8.7 cent per call rate. This means that if you call your Mother,
your wife, your Dentist, your friend, ALL CALLS WILL BE CHARGED 8.7 CENTS A
CALL!! How many calls do you think you make in a DAY?? 10? 100? Add it up
and see what 8.7 cents a CALL would do to your phone charge.. oh, and while
you are doing that, you also have to add another $2.50 on your line charge
as a flat fee in addition to what you are already paying!!
*******************************************************************************
SIMPLE MATH : IF YOU ARE PAYING $20.00 FOR YOUR BASIC TOUCH TONE PHONE WITH
CALL WAITING AND UNLIMITED CALLS, THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO ADD
ON, PLUS THE BASIC $2.50 BUSINESS RATE EACH MONTH:
YOUR
BUS RATE BASIC NEW BILL
10 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $26.10 + $22.50 = $48.60
20 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $54.20 + $22.50 = $74.70
30 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $78.30 + $22.50 = $100.80
40 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $104.40 + $22.50 = $126.90
AND ON AND ON....... PLUS TAX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-YOUR- NEW PHONE RATE PLUS YOUR ZONE AND LONG DISTANCE RATES ADDED ON TOO!
----------------------++++------====-----===================-=====-==-===-
OH.. i forgot to mention that you will ALSO have to pay a deposit on your new
BUSINESS line of $100.00!! This is on ALL phone lines with different numbers
in your HOME!!!!! How many lines do you have in your home?? This deposit
will be held for 3 years and will be refunded upon your closing your "business"
or unless you can PROVE that you are NOT using a MODEM anymore..
*******************************************************************************
Why?? Because you are using a modem to call a BBS once in awhile, as part
of your regular use of the phone. AND because Michigan Bell thinks that you
are getting something that no other PHONE user is getting and THEY should be
making money on it!!
*QUERY
1. If you and I pay for the ZONE calls and INTERLADA calls we make when we call
other boards... what is the difference if we use the PHONE or a MODEM??
2. Does Michigan Bell think that we are ripping off something like getting HBO
for FREE or something??? Your local cable company would fight you on
unlawful reception of cable stations, but what law are WE breaking by
calling and PAYING FOR our calls (be it your girlfriend or a BBS ????)
IF YOU DON'T HELP ME STOP THEM, -YOU- ARE NEXT!! UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT
MICHIGAN BELL DESERVES TO SCREW YOU OVER -AND- ANYONE THAT USES A MODEM TO
COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS, YOU MUST JOIN IN THIS FIGHT!! IT IS -OUR- SURVIVAL
AND THE SURVIVAL OF OUR HOBBY THAT IS AT STAKE HERE.. DON'T SIT ON YOUR CAN
AND THINK THAT YOUR LETTER WILL NOT HELP TO TURN THESE PEOPLE BACK.. EVERY
LETTER COUNTS.. [SEND IN AS MANY AS YOU CAN] .. TO ALL THE LISTED OFFICES AND
GET YOUR FRIENDS TO HELP BACK YOU UP, OR YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PLACE TO CALL AND
WE ALL WILL BE PAYING CHARGES THAT ARE NOT LEGAL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!
This is NOT a dream.. this is REALITY! This is actually happening NOW and
YOUR help is needed to stop this NOW!! Michigan Bell --MUST-- be stopped NOW
before this gets any further. You are being asked to spend $2.00 in postage
and a small amount of time to CAPTURE this file and print it out and take the
LETTER that is attached and MAIL it to the following people:
1. The Governor
2. YOUR State Representative
3. YOUR State Senator
4. Michigan Public Service Commission
5. Michigan Bell
6. YOUR Federal Senator
7. YOUR Federal Represenative
All you need to do is put this file in a TEXT EDITOR and put in the NAME of
the person you are sending it to, address, sign it and stick it in an
envelope and MAIL IT TODAY!!!!! There is a list of addresses and names of the
State politicians so you can find YOURS and mail it to him or her. If you
would rather CALL than send it, there are phone numbers listed also so you
can VOICE your opposition to what this "Public Service" is doing to YOUR
MODEM RIGHTS.
Below is the letter we NEED you to capture and send, IMMEDIATELY!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<put in Date>
To: <State Representative, State Senator, Governor (EDIT THIS TITLE TO
Federal Senator, Federal Representative, ENTER THE PERSON YOU
Telephone Company, Public Service Commission> ARE MAILING TO)
<ENTER Address>
Re: Private Computer Bulletin Board Services
Levying Commercial Telephone Rates
Dear <ENTER Name>:
It has come to my attention that the telephone company is renewing, on a state
by state basis, its attempt to levy commercial rates for telephone service on
private computer bulleting boards. The "logic" used by telephone company
representatives is that no one invests "thousands" of dollars in computer
equipment to operate a computer bulleting board as a hobby.
Obviously, this is a fallacy.
There are thousands of computer bulletin boards operated in this country as
hobbies. They are used for a variety of reasons including the exchange of
information and views. The information exchanged may be about sports,
politics, religion or any other subject of interest to users. The computer
bulletin board has become, to many citizens, a sounding board for exchange of
differing views on many issues. In essence, the computer bulletin board is
becoming today what the soap box and information pamphlets were in the past.
The exchange of such information goes to the heart of our Constitution. The
computer industry estimates that 31 percent of the homes in this country have
computers and modems for communications. Based upon these statistics, it is
estimated that approximately 600 million people's first amendment right to
exchange views will be immediately affected. Permitting the telephone company
to levy commercial charges on private, non-profit hobby computer bulleting
boards will chill their exercise of this fundamental right by forcing many
(most?) hobby users to close down their bulletin boards due to increased cost
of operation.
The private individual is without sufficient resources to effectively oppose
the sheer power of the telephone company. Therefore, I am writing this letter
to express my displeasure concerning and my active opposition to the telephone
company's attempt to chill the exercise of my rights. Further, I am urging my
political representatives to propose legislation to prohibit the telephone
company from limiting the exercise of my rights.
Sincerely,
<Your Name>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDRESSES: (PLEASE write to ALL of these groups, including the Governor!)
---------
1. Michigan Public Service Commission
6545 Mercantile Way
P.O. Box 30221
Lansing, Mi. 48909
2. Michigan Bell |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
P.O. Box 5030 |IF you are NOT from the State of Michigan and |
Saginaw, Mi 48663-0002 | want to voice your OPPOSITION to what is |
| going on, PLEASE write to Governor James |
3. Governor James Blanchard | Blanchard, Michigan Bell AND Michigan Public |
State Capital | Service Commission. Please ALSO send to these|
Lansing, Mi 48909-2400 | people also: |
| Senator:John Kelly |
4. Senator of your district | State Reps: William Bryant Jr |
State Capitol | Sharon Gire |
P.O.Box 30036 | Nelson Sanders |
Senator ROOM number | WE NEED YOUR HELP - SEND LETTERS!!!!!!) |
Lansing, Mi 48909-7536 |______________________________________________|
5. State Representative of your district
State Capitol
P.O. Box 30014
Representative ROOM number
Lansing, Mi 48909
SENATORS:
OFFICE
DISTRICT NAME CITY NUMBER PHONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33........Phil Arthurhultz Whitehall 124A 517-373-1635
34........James Barcia Bay City 420 BSF 517-373-1777
38........Connie Binsfeld Maple City 121 517-373-2413
9.........Doug Carl Utica 3 1/2 517-373-7670
29........John Cherry Jr. Clio 430 BSF 517-373-1636
25........Joe Conroy Flint 222 1/2 517-373-0142
21........Harmon Cropsey Decatur 122 1/2 517-373-7946
16........Doug Cruce Troy 129 517-373-2523
28........Dan DeGrow Port Huron 330 517-373-7708
30........Fredrick Dillingham Fowlerville 805 BSF 517-373-2420
26........Gilbert Dinello East Detroit 24 517-373-7315
7.........Christopher Dingell Trenton 1000 BSF 517-373-7800
32........Vernon Ehlers Grand Rapids 806 BSF 517-373-1801
35........John Engler Mt. Pleasant 3-Q 517-373-3760
12........William Faust Westland 125 517-373-7350
15........Jack Faxon Farmington Hills 26 517-373-7888
17........Richard Fessler West Bloomfield 130 517-373-1758
23........Ed Fredricks Holland 20 517-373-6920
22........Harry Gast St. Joseph 302 517-373-6960
6.........Robert Geake Northville 123 517-373-1707
10........George Hart Dearborn 440 BSF 517-373-6820
14........Jerome Hart Saginaw 28 517-373-1760
4.........David Holmes Detroit 124 517-373-0990
37........Mitch Irwin Sault Ste Marie 300 517-373-1725
1.........John Kelly Grosse Pointe WDS 30 517-373-7346
38........Joseph Mack Ironwood 21 517-373-7840
27........Arthur Miller Warren 30 517-373-8360
8.........Rudy Nichols Waterford 127A 517-373-2417
5.........Michael O'Brien Detroit 121 1/2 517-373-0994
18........Lana Pollack Ann Arbor 465 BSF 517-373-2406
31........Dick Posthumus Lowell 804 BSF 517-373-0797
20........John Schwarz Battle Creek 720 BSF 517-373-3447
24........William Sederburg E. Lansing 120 517-373-1734
11........Norman Shinkle Lambertville 27 517-373-3543
19........Nick Smith Addison 131 517-373-2426
2.........Virgil Smith Detroit 430 BSF 517-373-7748
3.........Jackie Vaughn III Detroit 405 BSF 517-373-7918
13........Jack Welborn Kalamazoo 3-P 517-373-0793
STATE REPRESENTATIVES::
OFFICE
DISTRICT NAME CITY NUMBER PHONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
........Dick Allen Caro 220 1/2 517-373-0476
........Tom Alley West Branch 18 517-373-3817
........Richard Sandstra Grand Rapids O 517-373-2668
........Lyn Banks Livonia 106 517-373-3920
........Justine Barns Westland 10B 517-373-2576
........Jerry Bartnik Temperance 4 517-373-0828
........Robert Bender Middleville 220 517-373-0842
1 ........Michael Bennane Detroit 117 1/2B 517-373-1705
34........John Bennett Redford 116 517-373-1773
........Maxine Berman Southfield 484 RB 517-373-1788
........Mary Brown Kalamazoo 458 RB 517-373-1785
13........William Bryant Jr Grosse Pte Farms 110 517-373-0154
53........Perry Bullard Ann Arbor 303 517-373-2577
........Willis Bullard Jr Milford 118 517-373-0827
102.......David Camp Midland 104 1/2 517-373-1791
73........Nick Ciaramitaro Roseville 592 RB 517-373-0854
80........Floyd Clack Flint 320F 517-373-7557
97........Nancy Crandall Muskegon I 517-373-3436
75........Kenneth DeBeaussaert New Baltimore 422 RB 517-373-0820
91........Walter DeLange Kentwood 220 1/2 517-373-0840
28........Robert DeMars Lincoln Park 4 517-373-0855
86........Lewis Dodak Montrose 13 517-373-0837
69........Jan Dolan Farmington Hills 115 517-373-1793
61........Mat Dunaskiss Lake Orion 104 1/2 517-373-1798
25........D. DUTKO's REPLACEMENT Warren 320C 517-373-1772
81........Robert Emerson Flint 8 517-373-7515
99........Joanne Emmons Big Rapids 220 1/2 517-373-1789
56........Frank Fitzgerald Grand Ledge 321 1/2 517-373-0853
107.......Patrick Gagliardi Drummond Island 10A 517-373-2629
98........Ed Giese Manistee L 517-373-0825
48........Donald Gilmer Augusta 220 517-373-1787
72........Sharon Gire Mt. Clemens 436 RB 517-373-0159
43........Carl Gnodtke Sawyer 220 517-373-1796
50........Michael Griffin Jackson 15 517-373-1795
67........David Gubow Huntington Woods 506 RB 517-373-0478
62........Charlie Harrison Pontiac 580 RB 517-373-0475
83........Kay Hart Swartz Creek 426 RB 517-373-1780
12........Curtis Hertel Detroit J 517-373-1983
101.......Thomas Hickner Bay City 412 RB 517-373-0158
54........Paul Hillegonds Holland 104 517-373-0836
95........Alvin Hoekman Holland 220 517-373-0838
23........Philip Hoffman Horton 220 517-373-1775
57........David Hollister Lansing 560 RB 517-373-0826
24........David Honigman West Bloomfield 104 1/2 517-373-1799
6.........Morris Hood Detroit 112 517-373-3815
5.........Teola Hunter Detroit 112A 517-373-0587
108.......D. J. Jacobetti Negaunee Capitol annex 517-373-0498
26........David Jaye Utica 220 1/2 517-373-0843
68........Shirley Johnson Royal Oak 220 517-373-1783
59........Lynn Johdahl East Lansing 492 RB 517-373-1786
79........Nate Jonker Clio 536 RB 517-373-3944
33........William Keith Garden City 303 517-373-0849
8.........Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Detroit 105 517-373-0844
96........Marvin Knight Muskegon 220 517-373-2646
37........James Kosteva Canton 319 517-373-2575
90........Victor Krause Rockford 319 1/2 517-373-0218
36........Gerald Law Plymouth 220 517-373-3816
2.........Burton LeLand Detroit 510 RB 517-373-6990
76........Terry London Marysville 220 1/2 517-373-1790
49........William Martin Battle Creek 220 1/2 517-373-0555
92........Thomas Mathieu Grand Rapids 210 RB 517-373-0822
74........John Maynard St. Clair Shores 110 517-373-0113
45........James Middaugh Paw Paw 321 517-373-0839
65........Judith Miller Birmingham 220 1/2 517-373-0824
51........Susan Grimes Munsell Fowlerville 104 1/2 517-373-1784
17........Raymond Murphy Detroit 114 1/2 517-373-0589
78........Keith Muxlox Brown City 220 1/2 517-373-0835
100.......Roland Niederstadt Saginaw 5 517-373-1797
41........Michael Nye Litchfield 119 517-373-1794
52........Margaret O'Conner Ann Arbor 220 1/2 517-373-1792
85........James O'Neill Jr Saginaw 14A 517-373-0152
103.......Ralph Ostling Roscommon 110 1/2 517-373-0829
18........Sidney Ouwinga Marion 220 1/2 517-373-1747
21........Lynn Owen Maybee 19 517-373-2617
42........Glenn Oxender Sturgis 117 517-373-0832
30........Joseph Palamara Wyandotte 117 1/2 517-373-0140
29........Gregory Pitoniak Taylor 550 RB 517-373-0852
27........Vincent Porreca Trenton 498 RB 517-373-0845
104.......Thomas Power Traverse City 119 1/2 517-373-1766
106.......John Pridnia Harrisville 220 1/2 517-373-0833
22........Kirk Profit Ypsilanti 320D 517-373-1771
89........Gary Randall Elwell 108 517-373-0834
71........Sal Rocco Sterling Heights 320G 517-373-7768
31........William Runco Dearborn 217 1/2 517-373-0847
7.........Nelson Saunders Detroit 652 RB 517-373-1782
82........Thomas Scott Flint 3 517-373-3906
94........Ken Sikkema Grandville 220 1/2 517-373-0846
110.......Richard Sofio Bessemer 682 RB 517-373-0850
87........Francis Spaniola Corunna 320K 517-373-0841
63........Gordon Sparks Troy 118 517-373-0615
58........Debbie Stabenow Lansing 200 RB 517-373-1770
44........Lad Stacey Berrien Springs 220 517-373-1403
4.........Alma Stallworth Detroit 114B 517-373-2276
11........Stanley Stopczynski Detroit 219 517-373-2277
84........John Strand Lapeer 108 517-373-1800
109.......Bart Stupak Menominee 450 RB 517-373-0156
9.........Ethel Terrell Highland Park N 517-373-0144
20........Claude Trim Waterford 104 1/2 517-373-2616
55........William Van Regenmorter Jenison 115 517-373-0830
19........Donald Van Singel Grant 110 1/2 517-373-7317
3.........Llona Varga Detroit 113 1/2 517-373-0823
40........Timothy Walberg Tipton 119 517-373-1706
10........Theodore Wallace Detroit 668 RB 517-373-0106
47........Paul Wartner Portage 220 517-373-1774
16........Juanita Watkins Detroit 320G 517-373-1778
66........Wilfred Webb Hazel Park 17 517-373-3818
70........Lloyd Weeks Warren 221 517-373-2275
14........Joe Young Sr Detroit 7 517-373-1776
15........Joseph Young Jr Detroit 694 RB 517-373-1008
32........Richard Young Dearborn Heights 19 517-373-0857
MAYBE YOU ARE NOT INTO SAVING THE WHALES, OR FIGHTING FOR OR AGAINST FUR COATS
BUT YOU -ARE- INTO MODEMING OR YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE READING THIS...
--THIS IS YOUR HOBBY.. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO.. DON'T SIT THERE..
GET BUSY.. SEND THOSE LETTERS AND HELP SAVE COMPUTER BBS'S AND MODEMING!!
--------------------------------------------------------------
For more information you may call or write:
Attorney Steve Donovan, (313) 293-2490 9am til 5pm EST (Fraser, Mi)
32811 Utica Rd
Fraser, Mi 48026
-OR-
Variety-N-Spice BBS (313) 885-8377, 8-N-1, 300/1200/2400
P.O. Box 36294
Grosse Pointe Mi 48236
NOTE: Bell has taken the board down on 02-24-90 until either we pay the
$1600.00 ($100 per line) BUSINESS rate OR we win the Formal Hearing
with the Michigan Public Service Commission around 4-1-90.