McGraw right in opposing robocalls

In the more than 10 yeas I have been executive editor of The News and Sentinel I don't think I have ever written anything in support of state Attorney General Darrell McGraw ... that ends today!

McGraw has joined 53 other attorneys general in asking Congress to reject legislation that would target consumers' cellphones.

The AGs are opposing the Mobile Information Call Act of 2011 that would amend the Communications Act of 1934 and allow robocalling to cellphones, which in essence would mean consumers would be paying to have these mass computer-generated annoyance arrive on their phones and use their airtime.

Debt collectors, those seeking to sell you something and all the other calls that should be blocked by the Do Not Call List would be permitted as "informational" calls to your cellphone.

"The bill is an attack on Americans' telephone privacy and dilutes the ability of the Attorney General's Office to protect our consumers," McGraw wrote. "It would allow computer-generated robocall messages to anyone without their consent and force them to pay for those minutes on their mobile phone bills. It's a significant threat to our citizens' privacy and and out of their homes."

McGraw and the other AGs are calling on Congress to reject the House bill.

Having already been the victim of those robocalls on my personal cellphone, I agree with McGraw and the other AGs. Congress needs to stop these calls, not allow them to continue.

If you agree with the attorneys general and oppose this idiotic resolution, contact your congressman.