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Politician dials in on ring-tone rant, ruse |
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Written by Mike Jaccarino, McClatchy-Tribune
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Monday, 02 April 2007 |
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NEW YORK — Radio listeners who believed a city councilman Sunday when he called for a ban on "obnoxious" cell phone ring tones should have checked their calendars.
Councilman David Yassky, a Brooklyn Democrat, told National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Sunday" that he wants to ban all but four city-approved cell phone ring tones.
Most ring tones are obnoxious, Yassky told host Liane Hansen.
He also said distracting ring tones cost the economy $1.2 billion and that fights induced by "ring-tone rage" are up more than 100 percent.
He said the law would take effect April 1, 2008, and violators would incur "hefty penalties."
The only problem is the proposal was a bit of April Fool's Day humor.
"I got a call from an NPR reporter who asked if I would participate (about a week ago)," Yassky said. "They knew me from the legitimate work I've done."
Every April Fool's Day, NPR does a bogus piece.
Last year, "All Things Considered" reported on exploding maple syrup trees in New England.
In 2005, the spot featured a Fredonia, N.Y., ice cream parlor with yuck-inducing flavors like sauerkraut, bologna and bacon and eggs.
"I'm glad you thought it was funny," Yassky, 43, told the New York Daily News. "That's what politicians are here for - to amuse you."
Yassky said he hopes New Yorkers got the joke.
"We'll see how many outraged phone calls are on our office message machine in the morning from constituents," he said.
"I might come to rue the day." | Only registered users can write comments.
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