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From: wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin )
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: LISTS "Should Ice Cream Parlors Verify"
Message-ID: <7195@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 10-Jan-85 17:39:57 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.7195
Posted: Thu Jan 10 17:39:57 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Jan-85 07:43:00 EST
References: <503@houxu.UUCP>
Organization: USAMC ALMSA
Lines: 37

> I would like to comment on the following:
> 
> >	Farrells had sold their list to a marketing firm that passed it to the SS.
> >	They were upset when they discovered its usage and got it back from them.
> >	The SS felt that this was perfectly legal.
> 
> SS = Selective Service
> 
> There are 2 issues:  1) Does Farrells have the "right" to sell a
> list of names of people and 2) Given that lists of names of people are
> available does the government (IRS, SS, whoever) have the right to
> purchase the lists to catch people breaking the law.  I fail to see how
> the answer to question 2 can be anything than yes.  Why should the
> government have fewer rights than anyone else.  
> 
> The answer to question 1 is more complex.  I believe that a person should
> have to the right to be informed before her/his name is put on a list and
> what uses the list is put too.  If a person does not want her/his name on
> the list then she/he should have the right to have it removed.  There are
> some lists to which this right does not apply, such as the list of known
> criminals.  This is directly related to a person's right to privacy, which
> is not a right guarenteed by the US constitution.
> 
> 						Larry Welsch
> 						houxu!welsch

Actually, the thing that is of greatest interest here is the stupidity
of the list-marketing company, who paid good money, by name, for a list
with so many unverified and trash names on it! Plus, of course, the
stupidity of those agencies or firms who then bought the use of such
a list from that firm, assuming no fraudulent claims as to the list
accuracy had been certified by the marketing company.

Caveat emptor... More power to the ice cream dealer, who sold scrap
for good money!

Will