"Gini" wrote in message
news:N_h6k.4445$n9.866@trndny01...
As of 6/24/2008, I will no longer have access to alt.child-support. As of
now, there don't seem to be any acceptable free newsreaders and I'm not
inclined to pay for access to alt groups since this is the only one I
read. Heh, I've been here for 11 years now, so maybe it's time to go--But,
damn it has been fun!

The same is true for me, and I've been following this news group for
almost 20 years. I've protested to Verizon, but I don't suppose it will
make any difference.

My impression is that Verizon is reacting to pressure from New York
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who says he is concerned about the very tiny
minority of alt. news groups that promote child pornography. Why Verizon
cannot just selectively screen out these objectionable groups, I don't know.

Interestingly enough, however, Cuomo has very obviously been imitating
the tactics of his predecessor as New York AG, Eliot Spitzer. Mr. Spitzer
created the impression that he was a clean-cut crusader against corruption
in the corporate world, intimidating many major firms in the process. Anyone
remember Spitzer? After abusing his powers as New York AG to force changes
in the policies of many big corporations, he traded on his "Mr. Clean" image
to become New York governor. Then he was discovered to have been paying
thousands of dollars for call girls, through an agency called the Emperors'
Club.