Hearing. [inaudible conversations] this hearing is open, and ask as you know and as you know, my name is richard blumenthal, im senator from connecticut, and i am here, regretfully, in place of chairman rockefeller who has an urgent intel, intelligence matter and, therefore, could not be with us at the opening. I dont think hell be able to join us, but his absence is in no way a sign of any lack of interest in this subject. In fact, ive talked to him in some detail about this hearing, and i know that he would be here if he could be. I want to welcome all of our panel here and all of the folks who are attending. This subject is one very, very close to my heart as a former attorney general for a couple of decades in connecticut. I had First Experience with cramming, both wireless and land line, and worked with at least one of the members of this panel, attorney general sir rell, and ill be introducing him in just a moment. As many of you know, the telephone industry decided to get into t