|
Crushing Headline
Your (November) cover headline implies that Ericsson was trying to crush Qualcomm. This was not the case. Ericsson was not taking over. Qualcomm knew that selling us, infrastructure, would make (Qualcomm) stronger and more profitable. Your headline gives the wrong impression about this awful matter that has impacted so many. Ask a few past "infrastructure employees" what they think of Qualcomm.
Name Withheld By Request
Not The Law's Domain
I read Pamela Lawton Wilson's November column, "The Law and Cell Phones." With a few notable exceptions, I found Lawton's points well thought-out and relatively accurate.
First, it is not the province of local government to even consider restricting the use of cell phones (or any other communications device) purely because some people find use of such devices in public places rude or distracting. Using government to legislate politeness is not only dumb and a waste of time, it’s dangerous. Do you want government telling you what is rude and what is not? I surely don’t. The best judge of such subjective matters is the individual. If someone babbling on a cell phone in a restaurant is bugging you, politely ask them to cut it out. Or, ask the restaurant manager to talk them into putting the phone away. Just don’t expect government to babysit for you, or you'll eventually watch your individual rights fly out the window.
Second, cell phone use in automobiles is a problem, but not one which will be solved by new, complex and completely unenforceable laws. Do we expect the police or CHP to spend time going after violators of cell phone-use laws rather than speeders, reckless or drunk drivers? I think not. That would be akin to mandating the removal of car stereos because drivers must take their eyes off the road to change a station or put in another CD. The answer lies in technology catching up with the demand for personal mobile communications. The day will come when most people will not hold their cell phones while driving. They'll plug it into the device cradle installed in their car. And they'll dial or answer an incoming call via voice command.
Third, Wilson's statement, "It appears inevitable that our legal system will be compelled to set limits on the use of everything from loud radios and hulking sports utility vehicles to inventions we haven't even seen yet," is cause for alarm, if not also somewhat arrogant. The legal system has nothing to do with setting such limits. That is the province of public opinion and demand. The legal system is only, for lack of a better definition, a tool designed, managed and utilized by the people. It is not there to "set limits" or define politeness.
Ron Lee
Global Fax Network
Bonita
Likes Magazine
As a displaced San Diegan and former business reporter in San Diego, I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am by your well-written and well-designed publication. The quality of your work is a real service to San Diego and I wish you all the best and lots of support from readers and advertisers.
Sara Bongiorni
Baton Rouge, La.
|
