Here is a story I got from a friend of mine. I thought it was kind of funny, and thought I'd share it.

MINAS TIRITH (Gondor News Network) - Thousands of peace activists took to the streets of Minas Tirith and other cities of Middle Earth today to protest what they termed a rush to war with Mordor.

"We need more time for diplomacy," said a key member of the Middle-Earth Security Council, Saruman the White. "I am not convinced by the evidence presented by my esteemed colleague, Gandalf the Grey, or that the Dark Lord Sauron presents an imminent danger to the peoples of the West."

Many of the people protesting war in Mordor agreed with Saruman's remarks. "Sauron says he's destroyed his Rings of Mass Destruction (RMD) and that's good enough for me," said one fellow carrying a sign that said "Elrond is a Balrog." Another demonstrator urged, "Give the RMD inspectors more time. There's no reason to rush to any judgment just because Mount Doom is belching lava, the Dark Tower is rebuilt, and Osgiliath has been decimated." A third protester piped up, "I haven't heard a single bit of convincing evidence connecting the Nazgul with Sauron. I think they destroyed Osgiliath on their own initiative without any support from Sauron. Besides, it's understandable they're angry with Gondor. We haven't done nearly as much for the Orcs and Goblins and Easterlings as the Nazgul and Sauron have. It's understandable they throw their support to them. It's our own fault really."

As the protesters continued their march through the city, they chanted, "No blood for Mount Doom," voicing a common sentiment that the leaders of the Western peoples are really seeking to get their hands on the powerful Mount Doom, where the One Ring of Power was allegedly forged.

Gandalf the Grey was unavailable for comment. A spokesman said he was in an undisclosed underground location, which sources have revealed is codenamed "Moria."

I've always wondered why Amature Radio Operators were called HAM's. I don't know if this story is true or not, however it is a good story. Incidentally, if you didn't know it already, I'm a Tech class HAM, callsign, KD7NYX. I'm working on learning the code, and then I'll go for my General class. Anyway, here's the story:

Original Author Unknown

According to the Northern Ohio Radio Society, the word ham was applied in 1908. It was the call letters of one of the first wireless stations, operated by members of the Harvard Radio Club. The 3 operators names were:

Albert S. Hyman
Bob Almy
Peggie Murray

They called their station Hyman-Almy-Murray originally. This, however, proved too long to tap out in code! So, they changed it to HY-AL-MU. But in 1909, confusion arose, when HYALMU called a Mexican ship named HYALMO. Once again, they changed their call sign to become HAM.

Albert Hyman chose the controversial Wireless Regulation Bill as the topic for his Harvard thesis. The Bill would have critically limited Amateur activities, in favor of commercial stations. Hyman's instructor saw that a copy of Hyman's thesis was sent to Senator David L. Walsh.

Senator Walsh was then a member of one of the committees hearing the bill. The Senator was so impressed by the thesis, that he called Hyman to appear before the committee.

Hyman described to the committee how the HAM station was built. He almost cried when he told the crowded committee room that if the bill past, the HAM station operators would have to close the station. They simply could not afford the hefty license fees and other federal requirements contained in the bill.

The HAM station became a symbol to all small Amateur stations in he country. Each Amateur station operator hoped to be saved from the selfish, greedy commercial stations who wanted to force them out.

Subsequently, when the bill came to the floor of Congress, every speaker spoke about the poor little station "HAM". The whole story can be found in the Congressional Record. The nationwide publicity connected the HAM station with Amateurs. Thus, an Amateur Radio Operator is called a HAM!