May 1st letters

[May 1st, 2002] ANOTHER GAME OF MONOPOLY?
I enjoyed your article on Qwest in WW [The Nose, April 17, 2002]. You neglected to mention one of Qwest's other questionable playmates, Microsoft.

A few years ago, when Qwest was trying to get DSL service established, it provided its own ISP service (at that time, uswest.net) but also encouraged local ISPs to support DSL as well as dialup. They posted a list of these ISPs on their web site and facilitated getting set up with any of them.

Since last fall, when Qwest decided it wasn't cut out to be an ISP (it isn't that great with phone service, either), it cut a deal with Microsoft to switch uswest.net (now qwest.net) to MSN. About that time, I noticed that (1) there is no longer any information on the QWest website about ISPs other than MSN; (2) you can sign up for MSN on the web, but for anybody else you have to do it over the phone; (3) other ISPs can no longer handle the technical coordination of the setup for you, you have to do it yourself; and (4) the letter to qwest.net subscribers advising them that service would be terminated this spring gave details on how to switch to MSN but didn't mention that there were any other options.

Also, I have heard from friends that when attempting to switch to an ISP other than MSN, Qwest customer-service people have responded with "I don't think we can do that," "the ISP you requested isn't on our list," and other obfuscating tactics.

It would be interesting to know what the financial arrangements between Qwest and Microsoft are.

Ken Willett
Northeast Alameda Street

LIVING WITH THE SAVAGES
First of all, I have never heard one word of the Michael Savage show on KXL ["Savage Attack at KXL," WW, April 24, 2002]. I doubt I ever will. I think I would be most uncomfortable with his style and substance.

That being said, I would like to know why it is always open season on the NRA, Rednecks, Right-Wing Wackos, the Christian Right, Anti-Abortionists, Trailer Trash and others along those lines. There is nothing that can't be written, spoken or broadcast that is too offensive. Should any of the above complain, why, they're just all wrong!

Yet, as soon as the rhetoric flows the other way, we have committees formed, righteous indignation, violated sensibilities, concerned spokespersons and all the rest up in arms that anyone dare even to think, much less speak ill of their causes.

What I perceive in their public whining is a very basic truth. Those who are the most demanding of tolerance for their beliefs are generally the least tolerant of the beliefs of others.

Mr. Savage has a radio program. My suggestion is...don't listen! Get on with making the world better, instead of focusing on what you perceive as making it worse. If your beliefs can't stand opposition, you'd better find out why.

James T. Pritchard
Gladstone