07/01/03’s illustrious band:

Don’t Call Us . . .

Brought to you by our monthly reading from the Book of Spam.

Despite centuries of fine-tuned native cuisine, Asian countries have developed a strange affinity for that gustatory johnny-come-lately, Spam. Japan is the world’s third-largest consumer of the processed pink product, following close on the heels of Guam and Hawaii. South Korea consumes quite a bit, too, and even considers Spam a delicacy. Blame the large U.S. military influence, I guess.

Speaking of Spam: If you’re tired of spammish phone calls from telemarketers, you can finally do something about it! Either by phone or online, you can register your home or cell phone number with the FTC’s new Do Not Call list! Either call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want protected or log on to www.donotcall.gov to register electronically. (Note: Until July 7, that phone number is only good for states west of the Mississippi, including Minnesota; after that it’s good nationwide. Reason: keeping call volume at a level the system can handle.)

The service should block about 80 percent of telemarketing calls, according to the FTC. People who sign up this summer should see the drop-off after the FTC begins enforcing the list on October 1.

I suggest the online method; it took me about 30 seconds to do mine this morning. You type in the phone number you don’t want called, they e-mail you for confirmation within a few minutes (seconds, in my case) you click the link to confirm, and you're done. WORTH IT! Go now! No more interrupted dinner hours -- no matter what you’re eating.

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