When we worry about who might be spying on our private lives, we usually think about the Federal agents. But the private sector outdoes the government every time. It’s Linda Tripp, not the FBI, who is facing charges under Maryland’s laws against secret telephone taping. It’s our banks, not the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), that pass our private financial data to telemarketing firms.
Consumer activists are pressing Congress for better privacy laws without much result so far. The legislators lean toward letting business people track our financial habits virtually at will. As an example of what’s going on, consider U. S. Bancorp, which was recently sued for deceptive practices by the state of Minnesota. According to the lawsuit, the bank supplied a telemarketer called Member- Works with sensitive customer data such as names, phone numbers, bank-accounts and credit-card numbers, Social Security numbers, account balances and credit limits.
Wit
A. legislators are acting to pass a law to provide better privacy protection.
B. most states are turning a blind eye to the deceptive practices of private businesses.
C. the state of Minnesota is considering drawing up laws to protect private information.
D. lawmakers are inclined to give a free hand to businesses to inquire into customers' buying
When we worry about who might be spying on our private lives, we usually think about the Federal agents. But the private sector outdoes the government every time. It’s Linda Tripp, not the FBI, who is facing charges under Maryland’s laws against secret telephone taping. It’s our banks, not the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), that pass our private financial data to telemarketing firms.
Consumer activists are pressing Congress for better privacy laws without much result so far. The legislators lean toward letting business people track our financial habits virtually at will. As an example of what’s going on, consider U. S. Bancorp, which was recently sued for deceptive practices by the state of Minnesota. According to the lawsuit, the bank supplied a telemarketer called Member- Works with sensitive customer data such as names, phone numbers, bank-accounts and credit-card numbers, Social Security numbers, account balances and credit limits.
Wit
A. is mainly carried out by means of secret taping.
B. has been intensified with the help of the IRS.
C. is practiced exclusively by the FBI.
D. is more prevalent in business circles.
I admit I am a complete fool about cats, who, for some reason I don’t understand, fail to return my admiration. I will wait minutes for cars to pass so that I can cross the road to address a black and white cat at ease in sunshine on a low wall, either to watch the tip of a frightened tail disappear under a neighboring gate or to be met with the most violent cat curses or, while my hand moves gently over the smooth shining fur, to be bitten or scratched or attacked in both ways at the same time. It makes no difference: I continue my journey with my respect increased. After all, the wisest men of one of the oldest civilizations worshipped the noble cat so why should I be ashamed of following their example
I have sometimes stayed long enough in one place to be owned by a cat and it is on those occasions that I at last feel sympathy with parents who cannot control their children. I have the firmest belief in discipline, especially for the cat who adopts me and is kind
A. She expects the cat to obey her.
B. The cat must observe a few necessary rules.
C. The cat must accept the writer's authority.
D. The cat will stay only if she behaves herself.
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