Fighting Back Against Intrusive Telemarketers

Whether the “do not call” law goes into effect Oct. 1 or not, I intend to forgo civility from that date onward and will hang up instantly on any telemarketing call. You don’t even get the first 30 seconds to explain yourself. After the “Hi, how’re you doing tonight?” you’re disconnected.

M.J. Gerber

Sierra Madre

*

I am not unsympathetic to telemarketers and usually politely decline their offerings. My complaint, however, is that in about three out of four calls there is nobody on the line when I pick up the phone.

Sid Kash

Manhattan Beach

*

Re “The View’s Different From the Other End of the Line,” Commentary, Sept. 26: I consider telemarketers as burglars who break into my home and steal my time. Junk mail is unpleasant, but I can read it and toss it at my leisure; I don’t have to get out of the shower or up from the dinner table to answer it. By the way, have you heard about the telemarketer who was fired for insubordination? He was calling people before they sat down to dinner.

Charles C. Devalon

Palm Desert

*

If everyone would screen his or her calls for one month, we could put the telemarketers out of business.

Regina Millner

West Hills

*

What an odd coincidence that, twice, federal judges would act immediately to block the “do not call” list (Sept. 26), while there has not yet been a peep from the judiciary regarding the unconstitutionality of Homeland Security and the Patriot Act.

Glenn Haugen

Los Angeles