I have had problems setting up email accounts on OptimumOnline, my new ISP. After a couple of hours wrestling with their online account management tools, finding (with difficulty) a phone number that would eventually (after a journey through an annoying menu) reach a live tech support person, and several long periods on hold while he investigated the problem, I learned the reason. More below the fold.
I have a long, Polish last name with the letters "jew" embedded within it. I finally learned that OptimumOnline does not allow email addresses including certain "bad" words, and "jew" is one of them. The tech support person (who was quite competent and as helpful as possible) had asked his supervisor to override the system, but this apparently was not possible. I reluctantly set up a primary email address using a variation which did not include the offending letters. But this is not satisfactory.
Today I tested the system, by setting up subaccounts using various words. I wondered whether they did not allow the names of religions. No, that's not it. I was able to set up accounts using "catholic," "presbyterian," and "buddhist." Is it national/ethnic identities that they block? Apparently not. I was able to use "irish," "german," "italian," and "hispanic."
Does anyone know how to find the email address of someone in authority at OptimumOnline? I would like to send a message saying that if they do not change their policy, and allow me to use my name, I will inform the NY Times and various Jewish outlets of their policy.