🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1991Feb26.150044.23242@algor2.algorists.com> jeffrey@algor2.algorists.com.ALGORISTS.COM (Jeffrey Kegler) writes:
(Re: a boycott against AT&T)

>3.)  I don't for a second imagine the effect of all those irate over
>software patents changing their long distance vendor would be
>significant in itself.  In fact, unless we brought the boycott to
>AT&T's attention, they probably would not notice.  (And the boycott is
>a no-op for those of us who use another long distance vendor already.)
>
>4.)  Such a boycott could have a significant effect nonetheless.
>While a small group, we can be influential.  I hope all we need to do
>is get AT&T to rethink their approach.

Several months ago, AT&T phoned me in an attempt to persuade me to
change my default long distance carrier from MCI.  At the time, AT&T had
recently stopped making charitable contributions to Planned Parenthood
(or some nonprofit organization that has a pro choice stance on
abortion) because of pressure from anti-abortion activists.  I told the
caller that I wouldn't patronize AT&T until they resumed their
contributions to the said nonprofit.  

(This is NOT a linkage to pro-choice vs abortion but merely an example
of how AT&T reacts to public pressure.  I shall ignore any responses on
the abortion issue because it is otherwise irrelevant to this
discussion.)

To my surprise, the caller told me that AT&T had ordered its soliciters,
such as she, to tally all such responses, pro and con, to their
telephone solicitations.

So, if you want to try an AT&T boycott (and this is neither an
endorsement of nor an opposition to such a boycott),  you may first have
to let AT&T know that such a boycott is underway.  If you make a little
noise, they may begin to tally the votes on this referendum as well.


-- 
_Brinton Cooper		BRL - Where "Research" is our Middle Name.