Before I read any of my "hate mail," I received this message from AOL:

Subj: Terms of Service
Date: 97-07-04 05:33:08 EDT
From: TOSEMail2
To: VFT INC

Dear Member,

We have received a report that your account has sent an unsolicited commercial solicitation through email. The transmission of this type of mail violates the Terms of Service because it is considered a nuisance by other members. Here is the information I have placed on the account regarding this incident:

On 7/3/97 4:50:48 PM the KEVIN4VFT screen name sent a commercial solicitation via email to another Member of America Online. The following is an excerpt from the email:

" July 4, 1776, marks America's transition
from a God-honoring Christian Theocracy
to an apostate Secular Humanist dictatorship.

Please check out my web page "

Our Terms of Service agreement, which was presented during the sign up process, allows America Online to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun for all of our Members. You can review that agreement by using keyword TOS (Keyword to: aol://1391:41-4688). This area also has information and tools you can use to help protect your account. Also, you may want to take a look at our PARENTAL CONTROLS (Keyword to: aol://1722:parentalcontrols). This will allow you, among other things, to limit and/or block specific screen names from various online activities.

There are several areas online where advertising is allowed. One such area is the CLASSIFIED AREA (Keyword to: aol://4344:3074.classtop.20316607.530690926) where you can post your information. In addition, with the permission of the respective forum leaders, you may post messages in any forum online.

Thanks for taking the time to read this letter. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to us at TOSGeneral.

Regards,
Jamie
Community Action Team
America Online, Inc.

* If this mail contains text such as "HTML", you may want to upgrade to AOL's newest software - version 3.0. You can upgrade for free at keyword: Upgrade. With AOL 3.0, you can have fun showing off your creativity by adding color, changing font sizes, centering text, or throwing in bold or italic type to your email and instant messages

I responded:

Subj: Re: Terms of Service
Date: 07/04/97
To: TOSGeneral

Dear Jamie,

In a message dated 97-07-04 05:33:08 EDT, you write:

<< We have received a report that your account has sent an unsolicited commercial solicitation through email. The transmission of this type of mail violates the Terms of Service because it is considered a nuisance by other members. Here is the information I have placed on the account regarding this incident:

On 7/3/97 4:50:48 PM the KEVIN4VFT screen name sent a commercial solicitation via email to another Member of America Online. The following is an excerpt from the email:

" July 4, 1776, marks America's transition
from a God-honoring Christian Theocracy
to an apostate Secular Humanist dictatorship.

Please check out my web page " >>

The next line reads,

"and tell me if you don't agree."

Either this complaint is unfounded, or I do not understand the rules.

Immediately prior to writing this letter, I re-read the TOS and ROR and did not find anything to counter the definition of "commercial solicitation" which I assumed on first reading. I am not selling any product. I am not a member of any religious denomination. I do not believe that in either the email or the named web page is even a hint of commerce or solicitation. The message was purely political, based on the recipient's stated interest in American politics as found in his or her personal profile. It solicits nothing more than thoughtful contemplation and dialogue.

I assume it is not a violation of TOS or ROR to search the personal profiles for other AOL members who share a common interest and to invite them to dialogue on a political issue. I have received many such letters from people who must have done the same. In fact, that's why I put up a personal profile.

If this assumption is mistaken, please let me know. I enjoy AOL immensely and would be very disappointed to get bumped. I intend to abide by your rules.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Kevin Craig
KEVIN4VFT

AOL Responded:

Subj: Re: Terms of Service
Date: 97-07-04 17:38:53 EDT
From: TOSGen1
To: VFT INC

Dear Member,

We have reviewed your account history and have determined your account was issued a warning in error. The warning has been removed from your account history.

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope you will continue to use and enjoy America Online. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to us at TOSGeneral.

Regards,
Reba
Community Action Team
America Online, Inc.

* If this mail contains text such as "HTML", you may want to upgrade to AOL's newest software - version 3.0. You can upgrade for free at keyword: Upgrade. With AOL 3.0, you can have fun showing off creativity by adding color, changing font sizes, centering text, or throwing in bold or italic type to your email and instant messages.

Now Read the Hate Mail and see if you can figure out who reported me! (I have my guess!)

2.5 Cheers for AOL! (I haven't yet upgraded to 3.0!)

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