It’s like one of those class action commercials you see on late night television. “Have you or someone you loved used DRUG X? You may be eligible for a cash settlement…”
This time it’s about unsolicited emails that are going out to Northern Virginia voters:
SUBJ:Taxes
MSG:OBAMA & his VA DEMOCRAT allies want to RAISE YOUR TAXES. Send a message. DO NOT vote for VA Democrats on 11/08/11FRM:Concerned Parents
SUBJ:Busted
MSG:Dave Marsden voted to allow Ffx County Schools to HIDE FROM PARENTS when they discipline kids. Ask Dave why.
Now, the DPVA and those getting these texts are understandably upset. I know I hate it when I get spammed, especially in a medium that could cost me money. To help stir the riled up pot and get people to care about Democrats this election cycle, the DPVA said that options available to those receiving these texts “include filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission or in small claims court, where those receiving the messages could be awarded between $500 to $1,500.”
CASH MONIES!
Though maybe not. Political communications are exempt from an awful lot of rules and laws overseeing things like junk mail, robocalls, national Do Not Call registry and on. Are text messages covered as well? Possibly. Do they need a political disclaimer? Probably. Is this worth up to $1,500? I wish.
That said, not knowing who is sending these texts doesn’t help anyone in this situation. Using comments from assorted sources it appears that the texts are coming from 1(410)000-001, a number associated with assorted free text programs one can get for their iPhone. The email address for some is [email protected] which, of course, is a Domain By Proxy. Anyone could have done this, sanctioned by a campaign or just on their own.
Nailing down just exactly who is behind it is going to be a bit more difficult than the DPVA may know. Or one can bet they do know, but, hey, free publicity!
Dave Mills and DPVA are jumping all over this (but conveniently don’t include the actual texts), trying to turn it into a little bit of an October surprise that’ll maybe possibly help them perhaps not lose as nearly as bad as it’s looking like it may be in just under two weeks. But probably not.
UPDATE: Digging into the Marsden text’s accusation, HB1548 jumps out which changed that a principal “may” to “shall” “notify the parents of any student who violates a school board policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when such violation [ could is likely to ] result in the student’s suspension or the filing of a court petition, whether or not the school administration has imposed such disciplinary action or filed a petition.” The bill died in the Senate 12-28 with quite a few Republicans also voting against it.
