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April 12, 2007
"Spamming" members of the public
I've just been sent a letter from a councillor in Southwark in which she admits, apparently without regret or apology, that at least one of those members of the public who have been campaigning to save a library have had their email addresses "spammed" by the council
If you haven't come across the expression it means that the the email which is sent never arrives at the address to which it was intended. It is blocked. The recipient never knows that an email has been sent to them. The writer is effectively banned from making their points
Is this a proper consequence of "the digital age" of which is supposed to be so democratic?
Gleeful politicians will wish me to reveal that the Councillor who has written this is Lorraine Zuletta. Ms Zuletta is a "Liberal Democrat" and the library she is so needlessly closing is the world famous "Newington Reference Library". If Lorraine Zuletta were to seek a dictionary in the reference library quickly before she closes it, she will be able to look up the words "liberal" and "democrat" and perhaps learn what they mean. After she has closed the library the residents of this famous part of South London will no longer have such facility.
As it happens that the campaigner who is victim of this rude, obnoxious and anti-social behaviour has sent me copies of most of what she sent to the council and, for what it is worth, I can confirm to Southwark council that every word she writes is common sense, sensible, well reasoned and extremely worth reading and she is right in what she says.
Somebody should be very ashamed. I wonder how widespread this practice is? Perhaps you or I are victims of the same Orwellian behaviour. One's freedom to speak has most definitely been curtailed.
Newspaper alert for London Borough of Southwark -- I have the offending (and offensive) email if any journalist wishes it. I shall not charge a naval fee for passing it on. The only price will be that you are required to mention the name of the councillor and her cabinet colleagues-- but you could ask them yourselves, and indeed the Liberal Democrat party policy, on their views on "spamming" their constituents.
Posted by Tim Coates at April 12, 2007 6:30 PM