Steve Robeson K4YZ wrote:

Let 'em have it, Folks!

My response:

Sir,

Page 109 of the December 27th issue of "TIME" made the statement
that "blogs" "...were a faintly embarrassing hobby on the order of
Ham Radio and stamp collecting".

As you read this, Amateur (Ham) Radio operators are providing
critical disaster relief communications in the Indian Ocean in the wake
of the disasterous tsunami waves that wiped out tens-of-thousands of
lives.

Amateur Radio remains one of this nation's critical disaster relief
assets. It is a critical tool for FEMA, The Red Cross, The Salvation
Army, and countless state and local governments. Amateur Radio
operators put in thousands of manhours in the wake of the Septermber
11th attacks, helping to fill in crucial communications gaps in New
York City.

Amateur Radio has been lauded in the Federal Register on numerous
occassions for contributions to the Department of State as it has often
been the only link between disaster-struck outposts and the United
States.

The Armed Forces, under the auspcies of the Military Affiliate
Radio System, employs thousands of Amateur Radio volunteers to provide
domestic and deployed health and welfare resources for our military
personnel.

The United States Coast Guard routinely depends on Amateurs to
provide crucial links between Search And Rescue facilities and ships in
distress on the high seas.

Amateur Radio even plays a part in the space program as it is an
intergral part of the International Space Station. Thousands of
students around the world have been able to communicate with the crews
of the ISS through a program called ARISS: Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station.

And, oh yes..we manage to have fun along the way!

An immediate apology is not only due, it's expected.

Respectfully yours,

Steven J Robeson, LPN
Amateur Radio Station K4YZ
151 12th Avenue Northwest
Winchester, TN 37398