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[IP] In-flight cellphone proposal hits static [rewritten]





Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Frankston <rmf31a@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: June 16, 2005 5:16:42 PM EDT
To: Dave Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
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

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



____________________________________________________________



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