02-13-90 To: ALL USERS FROM: Variety-N-Spice BBS and THIS Sysop! RE: Michigan Bell vs Michigan BBS's and YOU! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is a fight in the making and THIS system and YOU are in the middle! I am sure that you have all heard about the FCC's recent attempt, 1987-88, to make all modem and computer BBS's users and operators pay a surcharge because we did NOT use a "phone" in the use of the phone lines in our homes and businesses. Because of an EXTENSIVE letter writing campaign carried out by the modem users and computer operators, this attempt was called off by the FCC and it was dropped because they could not justify their claim that the use of a modem was something they could charge for at that time legally. It was dropped by the FCC, but now however, the 7 "Baby Bell" systems are taking the offensive on computer modem users on a STATE BY STATE basis. Pacific Bell tried it and they lost almost before they began. Southwest Bell is *STILL* fighting in Texas after 2 years and they have not gotten anywhere other than courts and making sysops very uncomfortable and miserable both in service and threats. Michigan Bell is now on the band wagon and they are starting with a 16 line system in Grosse Pointe, Variety-N-Spice BBS. They notified the Sysop in a letter that they are going after him since they claim that it is the largest BBS in Southeastern Michigan and will use it as a "test-case" before they go after ALL the other systems in Michigan!! (Start with the biggest and work their way down I suppose is the theory). What Bell is trying to do is call -ALL- (ANY AND ALL) BBS's a BUSINESS rather than a HOBBY, and charge BUSINESS rates to the sysops. They claim that ALL BBS's are making money in one way or another and they want their cut. When in fact, the truth is that NO BBS is making any money, although they may have a Membership that will help defray costs in running the system. This means.. VNS first, then the others and then YOU!!!!! ******************************************************************************* **> NOTE: This will apply to ALL boards whether they DO or DO NOT charge a fee or membership for access to their board!! ******************************************************************************* According to the Horst Mann list of BBS's in the 313 area code, there are approximately 400 BBS's. If Michigan Bell WINS and starts charging the Sysops of these boards a BUSINESS rate, you'll find that the majority of systems will close down immediately. Those that stay running will no doubt be charging a LARGER rate than what they are NOW..if they are charging anything NOW.. but they will have to START just to maintain the system! This is NOT good for you or me as this is something that we LIKE to do.. modeming is a part of our computer and communication fun! Our FIRST AMENDMENT rights are under fire here and we MUST fight to maintain our ability to have freedom of speech to communicate and express our views in an open forum such as a BBS!! -IF- you sit back and allow Michigan Bell to charge BUSINESS rates to the Sysops and the systems close down, you should know that there is another plan on the drawing board AS YOU READ THIS! (more on this below) *Why is Bell doing this you ask?? 1. They claim that they are losing money on the MODEM users and that they have to get their cut. 2. They say that since we are using their phone lines for something OTHER than a 'phone', then we must be doing something that they can charge us extra for and as an operator of a system, WE are the ones that have ALL the money to pay them. 3. They (Bell) are a bunch of ignorant idiots that do not know what they are talking about and only want to GOUGE us even MORE!!! "Dazzle them with Bulls**t and we will get our way..", they think! *What is being done about this? 1. V-N-S has obtained one of the FINEST attorneys in Michigan to fight the fight for me AND -YOU-!! He is doing this because he is into computers and enjoys communicating with others via modem. He also feels that this is a violation of our FIRST AMENDMENT.. our constitutional right to communicate and speak our minds however we wish.. (within legal limits of course). 2. They have contacted afew State Representatives and also the ACLU about them joining the fight and also to get some more bite into this fight against Michigan Bell. 3. They have started a letter writing campaign to get more politicial action and make the government aware of what Bell is trying to do to US.. the users and operators of computer systems! (YOUR help is needed here!!!!!) 4. They are contacting ALL BBS's in Michigan to gain YOUR help in stopping this unlawful attack on computer boards and modem users. 5. A NON-PROFIT corporation for Sysops AND Users is being considered that will fight this very thing and help Sysops add more lines or other services that are needed. It will lobby against what is UNfair and get changes made that will benefit -US-, Sysops AND Users!!! *What is next after this? (THIS affects YOU the user) 1. Michigan Bell is installing (probably as you read this) a new device that will detect a call coming out of your home or business and tell them if it is a DATA or VOICE call. They are going after the MODEM -USER- after they have gotten ALL the BBS's in Michigan put under the BUSINESS "wing" and the rational is that if BBS's are a Business, then the USERS must be a business also, so THEY should be charged a business rate too! Makes sense eh? 2. This would mean that ANYONE that uses a modem will be charged 8.7 cents PER call on their HOME line, for MODEM -AND- VOICE calls!! ANYONE that uses a modem PERIOD will be immediately switched over to a BUSINESS and charged accordingly! *HOW THIS APPLIES TO -YOU- (*a recap*) 1. IF you are detected in -A- DATA transmission, you will then be switched over to business rates and then ANY and ALL calls made...modem OR voice will be charged the 8.7 cent per call rate. This means that if you call your Mother, your wife, your Dentist, your friend, ALL CALLS WILL BE CHARGED 8.7 CENTS A CALL!! How many calls do you think you make in a DAY?? 10? 100? Add it up and see what 8.7 cents a CALL would do to your phone charge.. oh, and while you are doing that, you also have to add another $2.50 on your line charge as a flat fee in addition to what you are already paying!! ******************************************************************************* SIMPLE MATH : IF YOU ARE PAYING $20.00 FOR YOUR BASIC TOUCH TONE PHONE WITH CALL WAITING AND UNLIMITED CALLS, THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO ADD ON, PLUS THE BASIC $2.50 BUSINESS RATE EACH MONTH: YOUR BUS RATE BASIC NEW BILL 10 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $26.10 + $22.50 = $48.60 20 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $54.20 + $22.50 = $74.70 30 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $78.30 + $22.50 = $100.80 40 calls a DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $104.40 + $22.50 = $126.90 AND ON AND ON....... PLUS TAX -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -YOUR- NEW PHONE RATE PLUS YOUR ZONE AND LONG DISTANCE RATES ADDED ON TOO! ----------------------++++------====-----===================-=====-==-===- OH.. i forgot to mention that you will ALSO have to pay a deposit on your new BUSINESS line of $100.00!! This is on ALL phone lines with different numbers in your HOME!!!!! How many lines do you have in your home?? This deposit will be held for 3 years and will be refunded upon your closing your "business" or unless you can PROVE that you are NOT using a MODEM anymore.. ******************************************************************************* Why?? Because you are using a modem to call a BBS once in awhile, as part of your regular use of the phone. AND because Michigan Bell thinks that you are getting something that no other PHONE user is getting and THEY should be making money on it!! *QUERY 1. If you and I pay for the ZONE calls and INTERLADA calls we make when we call other boards... what is the difference if we use the PHONE or a MODEM?? 2. Does Michigan Bell think that we are ripping off something like getting HBO for FREE or something??? Your local cable company would fight you on unlawful reception of cable stations, but what law are WE breaking by calling and PAYING FOR our calls (be it your girlfriend or a BBS ????) IF YOU DON'T HELP ME STOP THEM, -YOU- ARE NEXT!! UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT MICHIGAN BELL DESERVES TO SCREW YOU OVER -AND- ANYONE THAT USES A MODEM TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS, YOU MUST JOIN IN THIS FIGHT!! IT IS -OUR- SURVIVAL AND THE SURVIVAL OF OUR HOBBY THAT IS AT STAKE HERE.. DON'T SIT ON YOUR CAN AND THINK THAT YOUR LETTER WILL NOT HELP TO TURN THESE PEOPLE BACK.. EVERY LETTER COUNTS.. [SEND IN AS MANY AS YOU CAN] .. TO ALL THE LISTED OFFICES AND GET YOUR FRIENDS TO HELP BACK YOU UP, OR YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PLACE TO CALL AND WE ALL WILL BE PAYING CHARGES THAT ARE NOT LEGAL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!! This is NOT a dream.. this is REALITY! This is actually happening NOW and YOUR help is needed to stop this NOW!! Michigan Bell --MUST-- be stopped NOW before this gets any further. You are being asked to spend $2.00 in postage and a small amount of time to CAPTURE this file and print it out and take the LETTER that is attached and MAIL it to the following people: 1. The Governor 2. YOUR State Representative 3. YOUR State Senator 4. Michigan Public Service Commission 5. Michigan Bell 6. YOUR Federal Senator 7. YOUR Federal Represenative All you need to do is put this file in a TEXT EDITOR and put in the NAME of the person you are sending it to, address, sign it and stick it in an envelope and MAIL IT TODAY!!!!! There is a list of addresses and names of the State politicians so you can find YOURS and mail it to him or her. If you would rather CALL than send it, there are phone numbers listed also so you can VOICE your opposition to what this "Public Service" is doing to YOUR MODEM RIGHTS. Below is the letter we NEED you to capture and send, IMMEDIATELY!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: ARE MAILING TO) Re: Private Computer Bulletin Board Services Levying Commercial Telephone Rates Dear : It has come to my attention that the telephone company is renewing, on a state by state basis, its attempt to levy commercial rates for telephone service on private computer bulleting boards. The "logic" used by telephone company representatives is that no one invests "thousands" of dollars in computer equipment to operate a computer bulleting board as a hobby. Obviously, this is a fallacy. There are thousands of computer bulletin boards operated in this country as hobbies. They are used for a variety of reasons including the exchange of information and views. The information exchanged may be about sports, politics, religion or any other subject of interest to users. The computer bulletin board has become, to many citizens, a sounding board for exchange of differing views on many issues. In essence, the computer bulletin board is becoming today what the soap box and information pamphlets were in the past. The exchange of such information goes to the heart of our Constitution. The computer industry estimates that 31 percent of the homes in this country have computers and modems for communications. Based upon these statistics, it is estimated that approximately 600 million people's first amendment right to exchange views will be immediately affected. Permitting the telephone company to levy commercial charges on private, non-profit hobby computer bulleting boards will chill their exercise of this fundamental right by forcing many (most?) hobby users to close down their bulletin boards due to increased cost of operation. The private individual is without sufficient resources to effectively oppose the sheer power of the telephone company. Therefore, I am writing this letter to express my displeasure concerning and my active opposition to the telephone company's attempt to chill the exercise of my rights. Further, I am urging my political representatives to propose legislation to prohibit the telephone company from limiting the exercise of my rights. Sincerely, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDRESSES: (PLEASE write to ALL of these groups, including the Governor!) --------- 1. Michigan Public Service Commission 6545 Mercantile Way P.O. Box 30221 Lansing, Mi. 48909 2. Michigan Bell |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| P.O. Box 5030 |IF you are NOT from the State of Michigan and | Saginaw, Mi 48663-0002 | want to voice your OPPOSITION to what is | | going on, PLEASE write to Governor James | 3. Governor James Blanchard | Blanchard, Michigan Bell AND Michigan Public | State Capital | Service Commission. Please ALSO send to these| Lansing, Mi 48909-2400 | people also: | | Senator:John Kelly | 4. Senator of your district | State Reps: William Bryant Jr | State Capitol | Sharon Gire | P.O.Box 30036 | Nelson Sanders | Senator ROOM number | WE NEED YOUR HELP - SEND LETTERS!!!!!!) | Lansing, Mi 48909-7536 |______________________________________________| 5. State Representative of your district State Capitol P.O. Box 30014 Representative ROOM number Lansing, Mi 48909 SENATORS: OFFICE DISTRICT NAME CITY NUMBER PHONE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33........Phil Arthurhultz Whitehall 124A 517-373-1635 34........James Barcia Bay City 420 BSF 517-373-1777 38........Connie Binsfeld Maple City 121 517-373-2413 9.........Doug Carl Utica 3 1/2 517-373-7670 29........John Cherry Jr. Clio 430 BSF 517-373-1636 25........Joe Conroy Flint 222 1/2 517-373-0142 21........Harmon Cropsey Decatur 122 1/2 517-373-7946 16........Doug Cruce Troy 129 517-373-2523 28........Dan DeGrow Port Huron 330 517-373-7708 30........Fredrick Dillingham Fowlerville 805 BSF 517-373-2420 26........Gilbert Dinello East Detroit 24 517-373-7315 7.........Christopher Dingell Trenton 1000 BSF 517-373-7800 32........Vernon Ehlers Grand Rapids 806 BSF 517-373-1801 35........John Engler Mt. Pleasant 3-Q 517-373-3760 12........William Faust Westland 125 517-373-7350 15........Jack Faxon Farmington Hills 26 517-373-7888 17........Richard Fessler West Bloomfield 130 517-373-1758 23........Ed Fredricks Holland 20 517-373-6920 22........Harry Gast St. Joseph 302 517-373-6960 6.........Robert Geake Northville 123 517-373-1707 10........George Hart Dearborn 440 BSF 517-373-6820 14........Jerome Hart Saginaw 28 517-373-1760 4.........David Holmes Detroit 124 517-373-0990 37........Mitch Irwin Sault Ste Marie 300 517-373-1725 1.........John Kelly Grosse Pointe WDS 30 517-373-7346 38........Joseph Mack Ironwood 21 517-373-7840 27........Arthur Miller Warren 30 517-373-8360 8.........Rudy Nichols Waterford 127A 517-373-2417 5.........Michael O'Brien Detroit 121 1/2 517-373-0994 18........Lana Pollack Ann Arbor 465 BSF 517-373-2406 31........Dick Posthumus Lowell 804 BSF 517-373-0797 20........John Schwarz Battle Creek 720 BSF 517-373-3447 24........William Sederburg E. Lansing 120 517-373-1734 11........Norman Shinkle Lambertville 27 517-373-3543 19........Nick Smith Addison 131 517-373-2426 2.........Virgil Smith Detroit 430 BSF 517-373-7748 3.........Jackie Vaughn III Detroit 405 BSF 517-373-7918 13........Jack Welborn Kalamazoo 3-P 517-373-0793 STATE REPRESENTATIVES:: OFFICE DISTRICT NAME CITY NUMBER PHONE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ........Dick Allen Caro 220 1/2 517-373-0476 ........Tom Alley West Branch 18 517-373-3817 ........Richard Sandstra Grand Rapids O 517-373-2668 ........Lyn Banks Livonia 106 517-373-3920 ........Justine Barns Westland 10B 517-373-2576 ........Jerry Bartnik Temperance 4 517-373-0828 ........Robert Bender Middleville 220 517-373-0842 1 ........Michael Bennane Detroit 117 1/2B 517-373-1705 34........John Bennett Redford 116 517-373-1773 ........Maxine Berman Southfield 484 RB 517-373-1788 ........Mary Brown Kalamazoo 458 RB 517-373-1785 13........William Bryant Jr Grosse Pte Farms 110 517-373-0154 53........Perry Bullard Ann Arbor 303 517-373-2577 ........Willis Bullard Jr Milford 118 517-373-0827 102.......David Camp Midland 104 1/2 517-373-1791 73........Nick Ciaramitaro Roseville 592 RB 517-373-0854 80........Floyd Clack Flint 320F 517-373-7557 97........Nancy Crandall Muskegon I 517-373-3436 75........Kenneth DeBeaussaert New Baltimore 422 RB 517-373-0820 91........Walter DeLange Kentwood 220 1/2 517-373-0840 28........Robert DeMars Lincoln Park 4 517-373-0855 86........Lewis Dodak Montrose 13 517-373-0837 69........Jan Dolan Farmington Hills 115 517-373-1793 61........Mat Dunaskiss Lake Orion 104 1/2 517-373-1798 25........D. DUTKO's REPLACEMENT Warren 320C 517-373-1772 81........Robert Emerson Flint 8 517-373-7515 99........Joanne Emmons Big Rapids 220 1/2 517-373-1789 56........Frank Fitzgerald Grand Ledge 321 1/2 517-373-0853 107.......Patrick Gagliardi Drummond Island 10A 517-373-2629 98........Ed Giese Manistee L 517-373-0825 48........Donald Gilmer Augusta 220 517-373-1787 72........Sharon Gire Mt. Clemens 436 RB 517-373-0159 43........Carl Gnodtke Sawyer 220 517-373-1796 50........Michael Griffin Jackson 15 517-373-1795 67........David Gubow Huntington Woods 506 RB 517-373-0478 62........Charlie Harrison Pontiac 580 RB 517-373-0475 83........Kay Hart Swartz Creek 426 RB 517-373-1780 12........Curtis Hertel Detroit J 517-373-1983 101.......Thomas Hickner Bay City 412 RB 517-373-0158 54........Paul Hillegonds Holland 104 517-373-0836 95........Alvin Hoekman Holland 220 517-373-0838 23........Philip Hoffman Horton 220 517-373-1775 57........David Hollister Lansing 560 RB 517-373-0826 24........David Honigman West Bloomfield 104 1/2 517-373-1799 6.........Morris Hood Detroit 112 517-373-3815 5.........Teola Hunter Detroit 112A 517-373-0587 108.......D. J. Jacobetti Negaunee Capitol annex 517-373-0498 26........David Jaye Utica 220 1/2 517-373-0843 68........Shirley Johnson Royal Oak 220 517-373-1783 59........Lynn Johdahl East Lansing 492 RB 517-373-1786 79........Nate Jonker Clio 536 RB 517-373-3944 33........William Keith Garden City 303 517-373-0849 8.........Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Detroit 105 517-373-0844 96........Marvin Knight Muskegon 220 517-373-2646 37........James Kosteva Canton 319 517-373-2575 90........Victor Krause Rockford 319 1/2 517-373-0218 36........Gerald Law Plymouth 220 517-373-3816 2.........Burton LeLand Detroit 510 RB 517-373-6990 76........Terry London Marysville 220 1/2 517-373-1790 49........William Martin Battle Creek 220 1/2 517-373-0555 92........Thomas Mathieu Grand Rapids 210 RB 517-373-0822 74........John Maynard St. Clair Shores 110 517-373-0113 45........James Middaugh Paw Paw 321 517-373-0839 65........Judith Miller Birmingham 220 1/2 517-373-0824 51........Susan Grimes Munsell Fowlerville 104 1/2 517-373-1784 17........Raymond Murphy Detroit 114 1/2 517-373-0589 78........Keith Muxlox Brown City 220 1/2 517-373-0835 100.......Roland Niederstadt Saginaw 5 517-373-1797 41........Michael Nye Litchfield 119 517-373-1794 52........Margaret O'Conner Ann Arbor 220 1/2 517-373-1792 85........James O'Neill Jr Saginaw 14A 517-373-0152 103.......Ralph Ostling Roscommon 110 1/2 517-373-0829 18........Sidney Ouwinga Marion 220 1/2 517-373-1747 21........Lynn Owen Maybee 19 517-373-2617 42........Glenn Oxender Sturgis 117 517-373-0832 30........Joseph Palamara Wyandotte 117 1/2 517-373-0140 29........Gregory Pitoniak Taylor 550 RB 517-373-0852 27........Vincent Porreca Trenton 498 RB 517-373-0845 104.......Thomas Power Traverse City 119 1/2 517-373-1766 106.......John Pridnia Harrisville 220 1/2 517-373-0833 22........Kirk Profit Ypsilanti 320D 517-373-1771 89........Gary Randall Elwell 108 517-373-0834 71........Sal Rocco Sterling Heights 320G 517-373-7768 31........William Runco Dearborn 217 1/2 517-373-0847 7.........Nelson Saunders Detroit 652 RB 517-373-1782 82........Thomas Scott Flint 3 517-373-3906 94........Ken Sikkema Grandville 220 1/2 517-373-0846 110.......Richard Sofio Bessemer 682 RB 517-373-0850 87........Francis Spaniola Corunna 320K 517-373-0841 63........Gordon Sparks Troy 118 517-373-0615 58........Debbie Stabenow Lansing 200 RB 517-373-1770 44........Lad Stacey Berrien Springs 220 517-373-1403 4.........Alma Stallworth Detroit 114B 517-373-2276 11........Stanley Stopczynski Detroit 219 517-373-2277 84........John Strand Lapeer 108 517-373-1800 109.......Bart Stupak Menominee 450 RB 517-373-0156 9.........Ethel Terrell Highland Park N 517-373-0144 20........Claude Trim Waterford 104 1/2 517-373-2616 55........William Van Regenmorter Jenison 115 517-373-0830 19........Donald Van Singel Grant 110 1/2 517-373-7317 3.........Llona Varga Detroit 113 1/2 517-373-0823 40........Timothy Walberg Tipton 119 517-373-1706 10........Theodore Wallace Detroit 668 RB 517-373-0106 47........Paul Wartner Portage 220 517-373-1774 16........Juanita Watkins Detroit 320G 517-373-1778 66........Wilfred Webb Hazel Park 17 517-373-3818 70........Lloyd Weeks Warren 221 517-373-2275 14........Joe Young Sr Detroit 7 517-373-1776 15........Joseph Young Jr Detroit 694 RB 517-373-1008 32........Richard Young Dearborn Heights 19 517-373-0857 MAYBE YOU ARE NOT INTO SAVING THE WHALES, OR FIGHTING FOR OR AGAINST FUR COATS BUT YOU -ARE- INTO MODEMING OR YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE READING THIS... --THIS IS YOUR HOBBY.. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO.. DON'T SIT THERE.. GET BUSY.. SEND THOSE LETTERS AND HELP SAVE COMPUTER BBS'S AND MODEMING!! -------------------------------------------------------------- For more information you may call or write: Attorney Steve Donovan, (313) 293-2490 9am til 5pm EST (Fraser, Mi) 32811 Utica Rd Fraser, Mi 48026 -OR- Variety-N-Spice BBS (313) 885-8377, 8-N-1, 300/1200/2400 P.O. Box 36294 Grosse Pointe Mi 48236 NOTE: Bell has taken the board down on 02-24-90 until either we pay the $1600.00 ($100 per line) BUSINESS rate OR we win the Formal Hearing with the Michigan Public Service Commission around 4-1-90.