In-flight cellphone proposal hits static [rewritten]

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Frankston <rmf31a () bobf frankston com>
Date: June 16, 2005 5:16:42 PM EDT
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: In-flight cellphone proposal hits static [rewritten]


Personally the cell phone ban in itself is not a pressing issue  
because my orifice (Verizon) forwards my cell calls to the plan and  
also gives me discounted usage. What’s important is that the FCC is  
admitting (even if with some comments about needing research) that  
the ban on cell phones was based on hunches and superstition. Not  
only that, it compounded the myth to the point that I sometimes am  
told I must shut off my camera because it is digital



Notice who this attract “add-on” social policy because “we all know”  
that cell phone users are obnoxious..



From the story: Gayle James doesn't want the Federal Communications  
Commission to lift its in-flight ban on cellphones in airplanes, and  
here's why:



''I was seated next to a very loud man who was explaining his next  
porn movie on his cellphone," wrote James, of Shelton, Wash.  
''Everyone on that plane was subjected to his explicit blabbering.  
Should cell use during flight be allowed, we had all better be  
prepared for a whole lot of air rage going on."



Maybe the real reason for keeping the ban is that they can’t afford  
to remove all those “No PED” (personal electronic devices) that they  
installed because everyone knows that cell phones make planes crash.  
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing – a lot of superstition and  
stereotyping is even worse.



I’ve been though this before when trying to give my wife directions  
to a family gathering. I was told that I was one of those obnoxious  
people who showed off by using cell phones. When the clueless rule  
those with a clue are heretics who must be punished.



Even though the plane isn’t necessarily a “first amendment” zone,  
this is yet another reminder of how easy it is use a “just so” story  
as a cover for acting on ones fear and use it as an excuse for  
imposing them on others.



____________________________________________________________



The following appeared on Boston.com:

Headline: In-flight cellphone proposal hits static

Date:     June 16, 2005



"Gayle James doesn't want the Federal Communications Commission to

lift its in-flight ban on cellphones in airplanes, and here's why:"

____________________________________________________________



To see this recommendation, click on the link below or cut and paste it

into a Web browser:



http://www.boston.com:80/business/globe/articles/2005/06/16/ 
in_flight_cellphone_proposal_hits_static



____________________________________________________________



This message was sent by Bob Frankston [mailto:Globe () bobf frankston com]

through Boston.com's email recommendation service. If you have questions

or comments about this free service, please email us at  
feedback () boston com.





-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as [USER_EMAIL]
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/