01/19/2001

By / The Dallas Morning News

OK, kids. It's civics lesson time.

And let's start with the legislative branch of government.

I wrote about telemarketing vexations the other day and mentioned that people should contact their state legislators. And the overwhelming response was: "Huh?"

Oh, people seemed aware that citizens can contact their legislators. The basic question was: "How?"

Or even worse: "Who?"

I understand that the many layers and levels of government can be mind-boggling. So I won't lecture.

But really, people! Shame on us for enjoying a representative form of government – and not even knowing who our representatives are!

Fortunately, in this Internet age, it's easy to find out. There's a wonderful, fact-filled Web site called Texas Legislature Online (www.capitol.state.tx.us). Just click on that line at the top left: "Who Represents Me?"

I know! Some of you are fuming, "Not everyone owns a computer!"

I haven't forgotten you. Here are a couple of old-fashioned phone numbers. Try the League of Women Voters (214-688-4125) or the Legislative Reference Library (1-877-824-7038).

Calling them off

OK, you've got names and addresses, now what? Well, if you are sick of telemarketing calls, urge your legislators to support House Bill 472.

Among other things, that bill would create a statewide "Do Not Call" list. Put your name on it, and telemarketers would be required to remove your number from all their call sheets.

AARP has made this bill one of its top priorities and plans rallies statewide to support it. If you support it, contact your legislators quickly, before the bill gets lost in the redistricting fight.

So that's the legislative branch, kids. Now let's move our civics lesson over to the judicial side of government.

I have been amazed to discover that some folks are fighting a guerrilla war against telemarketers in the courts.

And winning!

I asked Mica Calfee if he considers this a hobby. "It's more of an obsession," the Irving Fire Department captain confessed. "And I hate to call it that."

Several years ago "junk faxers" began calling his home in the middle of the night – even though he didn't have a fax machine. Over and over the phone would ring, with only the screech of a fax machine at the other end.

His search for a solution led him to some fellow irate citizens ( www.junkfaxes.org) who don't just gripe about telemarketers. They sue.

Anti-fax warfare

Federal law actually says you are entitled to at least $500 in damages if you get an unsolicited fax advertisement or prerecorded sales call at your home, according to Joe Shields, a Houston-area telemarketing activist.

He has filed 18 cases and won judgments and settlements totaling $24,250.

Of course, he has also spent almost $19,000 on lawyers. But the suits aren't about making money, he said. "To me, it's about respecting the boundaries of our homes. We're entitled to our privacy."

Mica has filed three suits in small-claims courts, where he represents himself. "My goal is education," he said. "I want businesses to understand that junk faxing is not only rude, but it's also prohibited by law."

Rustin Polk is a Dallas lawyer who was so irked by fax advertisements sent to his office that he began filing lawsuits on behalf of himself and others.

He says laws alone won't discourage telemarketers. It will take lawsuits.

"If enough people start popping these guys at $500 a whack, surely they will not continue indefinitely," he said.

OK, end of civics lesson. Now go out there and be good citizens.

Steve Blow can be reached at 214-977-8374 or .

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