http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2008/11/24/human_spam Comments On: Human Spam by Dan Savage en-us Copyright 2009 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:01 -0800 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0800 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
"No, Dan, there absolutely shouldn't be a fucking law banning this, period.

The irony of someone who makes their living because of the First Amendment writing a sentence as idiotic as that is simply staggering."

Um, Dan...some people feel the same way about the Stranger editorializing about issues you don't care to really do your homework on. But I defend your right to say what you wish.

Just say no, Dan. It really isn't that hard. You don't have a right to a protected bubble. If you want that, move out of the city. What next, old man, banning clubs from Belltown?
Posted by the boy in the bubble]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:40:19 -0800 The Stranger
The 1st Amendment is about free speech, and that includes political speech and also includes soliciting for money. Canvassing is a protected form of free speech and there are numerous cases that have upheld this right.

There are many nonprofits in Seattle that raise money and find new members by using canvassers. I was a canvasser for a while. It's exhausting, demeaning work - lots of doors slammed in your faces, lots of vitriol from complete strangers. People sic their dogs on you. I know a few people who have had the police called on them (only to find out that, surprise, it's legal for people to do door-to-door canvassing.) I can only imagine the level of constant rejection that street canvassers receive.

Look, I don't often give money to street canvassers. I dodge them. If they're at the north door, I go in the south door. Sure. But if they're talking about something interesting, I'll stop and chat and maybe I'll give them money.

This is the most silly, whiny, bourgeois complaint I've ever heard from Dan Savage. How dare those pesky political people interfere with his God-given right to shop? Next he'll be complaining about those annoying cards that fall out of magazines when you're trying to read them. Or coffee- why is it so goshdarn hot? Why does newsprint get all over your hands when you're reading the newspaper? Why does the bus always come early on days when I'm running late? Gee, someone should pass a law.

Dan's turning into Andy Rooney before our very eyes.
Posted by Sky Bluesky]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:03:20 -0800 The Stranger
Ron, you're a very boring troll, and you don't read anyone else's posts very closely.
Posted by John]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:01:13 -0800 The Stranger
Disfigured veterans? Where the fuck did you pull that out of? What does that have to do with people bombarding me on the way to get a money order for the electric bill? I did stop, and listen, and hell, I signed up for one. Then I had 5 people harrass me for the exact same shit further up the street.

And really - don't give me shit about disfigured veterans. You would be saluting me if I passed you on base and you were in uniform. Piss off.
Posted by erly]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:45 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Blah-nik]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:54:34 -0800 The Stranger Posted by apttitle]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:38:59 -0800 The Stranger Posted by SeattleBrad]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:29:53 -0800 The Stranger Posted by fess up]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:27:40 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Retarded Seattle Liberal]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:25:09 -0800 The Stranger
Sigh.

The First Amendment is about free speech, not about commercial fund raising - and had more to do with handbills and ranting on about taxes than what we do now.
Posted by Will in Seattle]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:24:02 -0800 The Stranger
No, Dan, there absolutely shouldn't be a fucking law banning this, period.

The irony of someone who makes their living because of the First Amendment writing a sentence as idiotic as that is simply staggering.


Posted by Mr. X]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:07:34 -0800 The Stranger Posted by mint chocolate chip]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:58 -0800 The Stranger Posted by joykiller]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:57:30 -0800 The Stranger
*Does it make any of this more believable if one of her details is bogus?
Posted by Mr. Poe]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:53:56 -0800 The Stranger
BFD. Get a life, Dan. I bet the British hated those damn Colonists handing out their organizational Spam, too.




Posted by Mr. X]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:43:51 -0800 The Stranger Posted by ouch]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:41:29 -0800 The Stranger Posted by DP]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:39:48 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Karey]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:36:10 -0800 The Stranger
the street is public space. if greenpeace, peace corps, dying-kids-in-africa groups, jesus freaks, larue freaks, and ave rats looking for weed money want to get their word out, is it so disgusting that we have to pout and moan? or like another commenter said, headphones on or acting like your talking on your cellphone. are we that antisocial and angry that the only acceptable response is acting like the "spammers" dont exist?

"no thank you" always suffices.
Posted by hahnsolo]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:31:36 -0800 The Stranger Dan, if you are reading this, PLEASE, send someone to do an article about these people, and most importantly find out WHO's bright idea it was to send them out there. I don't like to be mean to these kids but I would LOVE to call the company HQ and explain how f-ing annoying they are. Who is the one with the organization who decided this is a legit way to raise money??? Give me their head on a platter.
Posted by sam]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:29:10 -0800 The Stranger Posted by it's really true]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:11:58 -0800 The Stranger Posted by 'splain yourself]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:02:05 -0800 The Stranger Posted by joey]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:56:21 -0800 The Stranger
"The right to shop" is a red herring. This problem applies to being accosted in public no matter what you're doing. What if the example was changed from standing in line for hot dogs to standing at a bus stop?

It's tough to strike a balance on this issue. And it's DEFINITELY not as simple as "free speech vs. the right to shop".



Posted by pffft]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:49:23 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Darcy]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:42:41 -0800 The Stranger