Letters of Annoyance

June 15, 2002

Charles Dalfen, Chairperson
CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0N2

Dear Charles Dalfen,

We would like to express our annoyance at your organization's lack of diligence.

It has recently come to our attention that there is a term for unwanted electronic
communications: spam. Generally, this term is used for e-mail, but we have long been searching for such a term as it applies to another medium. A medium for which you are the regulatory body.

We refer to radio. For nearly 100 years now, Canadians have been the victims of sustained, round-the-clock spamming. Unscrupulous media-barons, government institutions and hobbyists have been 'broadcasting' unwanted and un-asked for radio waves to our homes for too long. You are the licensing body. Do something about it!

It seems like whenever we turn on the radio, we are bombarded by information,
advertisements and endless speculation about tomorrow's weather. This must stop. If we wanted to hear a "doctor's" specious ramblings about the terrors of male foreskin replacement therapy, we would send a politely worded letter asking her for them. We do not want to be subjected to such unrequested opinions in the comfort of our own homes.

Also, if you take care of the noxious x-rays and gamma rays from the nearby stellar mass, we would appreciate it. We realize there is little you can do about the cosmic background radiation.

We hope these suggestion are taken with the seriousness in which they are given.

Yours Sincerely,

Mark A. Rayner, Esq.,
On behalf of The Emily Chesley Reading Circle