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Congress Loves Spam -- If It's From Congress

Posted by timothy on from the would-you-like-some-gravy-with-your-pork dept.

Makarand writes "According to this NY Times article (registration required), while Congressional members were busy passing the U.S. anti-spam law that will go into effect on January 1, they were also busy sending unsolicited e-mail to their constituents. This activity was aimed at growing the subscriber base receiving their political messages because these email lists are not subject to the normal 90-day blackout period before an election where members are forbidden to use taxpayer-supported Congressional mass communications. Consumer advocacy groups say that this policy may be unfair to the challengers because this loophole could be used by elected officials to communicate with voters right up to Election Day."

5 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. I can see,The penis party, the Nigerian Party... by enronman · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think spammers are going to start a bunch of lil grassroots political parties. They will band together and form the penis party, and sell penis creams, pills, and lord knows what else to "support" the party.
    The only real solution is to have terrorists start using spam to fund their operations... only with that boogieman out of the closet will congress do anything about spam.

  2. bah, easy to deal with... by tuxette · · Score: 5, Funny
    You just tell them "well, I was going to vote for your candidate, but since you called to pestered me, I'll vote for the opponent instead." *click*

    Political spam can be dealt with in a similar manner. "Promise" a vote and then on the day of the election write "Sucka. Did you really think I'd vote for a spammer?"

    At the same time, sign these politicians up on mailing lists etc. that guarantee lots and lots of spam. And forward their addresses to those kind Nigerians who have more than enough money to help finance political campaigns.

    --
    People say I'm crazy, I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...
  3. They asked for it by davmoo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Any politician that spams me will most definitely *not* get my vote. I'll vote for Fidel Castro for President before I'll vote for a scumbag spammer.

    --
    I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
  4. Re:Can't see how that makes sense by darien · · Score: 2, Funny

    Of course, it doesn't make sense to spam those who vote against you...

    Ah, but wait until e-Voting really gets going. "If you want to be removed from this mailing list, click here."

  5. Re:Effectiveness of SPAM? by shaitand · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let's put it this way, MILLIONS have already enlarged their penises and every one of them is now making their penis functional (since it stopped working along with the enlargment) again thanks to viagra.