 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!!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<put in Date>

To:  <State Representative, State Senator, Governor     (EDIT THIS TITLE TO
     Federal Senator, Federal Representative,            ENTER THE PERSON YOU
     Telephone Company, Public Service Commission>       ARE MAILING TO)
     <ENTER Address>

Re:  Private Computer Bulletin Board Services
     Levying Commercial Telephone Rates


Dear <ENTER Name>:

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,


<Your Name>


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
   
